Health Update: Health Update: Catholic Charities opens mental health wellness center in Binghamton – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Catholic Charities has merged two programs, the Stepping Stone Drop-In Center and the Four Seasons Club, to create a space for people struggling with mental health issues.
Catholic Charities created the space at the 290 Front St. location in Binghamton for individuals 18 years and older “to feel welcomed and safe” after analyzing the needs of marginalized groups in the community.
The Common Ground Wellness Center is a multi-use facility where members can access showers, do laundry, get a free meal and socialize with peers. All of the meals are prepared on-site by staff and are free of charge. In a year, the facility can serve as many as 5,000 to 6,000 meals.
One of the unique aspects of this initiative is that the majority of the staff are individuals with lived experiences in the area of mental health. Tonya Brown, Executive Director for Catholic Charities of Broome County, said having a facility staffed by people with lived mental health experience “makes a big difference.”
Assistant Supervisor Joe Gosney used to manage residential services for housing programs before retiring. In 1985, Gosey went back to his roots of community engagement and started working at Catholic Charities.
“It’s been good for me to get out from the administrative thing and get back to the folks,” Gosney said he has not looked back.
After the two programs merged, participants were initially a little hesitant, but Gosney said it has since been “really growing a great deal.” He expects that as trust continues to build, so will the outreach.
Activity rooms at the Common Ground Wellness Center
- Relaxation room: a quiet room with a massage chair, vitamin D lights
- Art room: a space for group and individual art-related activities
- Music/fitness room: musical instruments, stationary bike, weights
- Care closet/laundry room: members are able to select 10 items monthly, two on-site showers, washers and dryers
- Computer room: three accessible computers for recreational use
- On-site coffee shop: pool table and seating
- Strategy and Vision room: game room with several seating options
No referrals are needed for members to come to the center. Staff encourages people to self-disclose, a barrier that often deters people from utilizing community resources.
“There’s a lot of struggle, currently and in the past, with accessing not just community resources but also a place where people feel accepted and a place where people are safe,” said Brandan Campbell, Supervisor of the Common Ground Wellness Center.
Campbell hopes to get members more involved in the community through partnerships with local organizations like VINES. Activities are planned monthly, including trips to the Regal movie theater, Tioga Downs and Thrifty Shopper.
Seeing people be able to take a hot shower, grab a bite to eat or engage with their peers is worth all the hard work to bring this vision to reality, Campbell said, adding that members leave feeling refreshed with a sense of restored dignity.
Common Ground Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with tours and daily intakes begin 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Kalyn Grant reports on public service issues for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, focusing on schools and community impact. Have a story to share? Follow her on Instagram @KalynCarmen and on Facebook under Kalyn Kearney. Get in touch at KCGrant@usatodayco.com