FRIENDS OF THE ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC

Since 1984 FRIENDS OF THE ALEXANDRIA MENTAL HEALTH CENTER*, a not-for-profit group of resident-volunteers has worked with other City organizations to assist Alexandrians receiving mental health services from the Community Services Board (CSB). Many of these individuals have limited incomes and have no family or friends to help them in an emergency with such needs as:

• Rent support to avoid eviction and late fees
• Critical medical, dental & pharmaceutical expenses
• Food, clothing, bedding and toiletries
• Utility Bills
• Transportation
• Educational material & programs

When city staff request funds for CSB consumers with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, or substance dependency disorders, Friends responds. Every year Friends raises money through a fund-drive and community events to help members of this vulnerable population. Here are some examples of how Friends has helped CSB clients:

• A mental health center client receiving Substance Abuse Services was eager to secure employment and had been actively seeking a job. She believed her lack of success was partially due to her appearance since she had no teeth. Friends of the AMHC gave her the last dollars she needed for dentures so she could continue to strive for her goal with heightened self-esteem and confidence.

• A gentleman receiving Older Adult Clinical Services had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. His doctor recommended vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B to prevent further infection, but his insurance would not pay for it. Friends of the AMHC paid for the inoculations.

• A young woman receiving support from the CSB's Mental Health Outpatient Services needed rent money when her work hours were reduced due to her pregnancy. This need became critical as she attempted to remove herself from an abusive partner who had contributed to her financial support. Friends joined forces with Old Presbyterian Meeting House to help with her rent payment. The woman will resume her work after the baby is born.

• A lady in recovery from depression was intent on returning to work. She lost her job when her symptoms became too severe to manage. Friends paid the fee to renew her nursing license.

• Friends purchased a bus ticket for an Extended Care consumer to visit her father in North Carolina. Her father was dying from prostate cancer and she had not seen him since 1985.

• Friends purchased books for a residential client who is taking a course in information technology. The client had been able to save up for the class, but could not afford the textbook. Friends also paid for another CSB client to take a GED course.

• When a teenager was able to return home from a residential treatment program, he moved into a small apartment with his mother and four siblings. Friction developed when he and his brother tried to share a crowded bedroom. Friends helped the family purchase bunk beds to relieve this situation.

Friends of the AMHC also cosponsors community education events to reduce stigma, supports special activities for CSB consumers, helps purchase supplemental equipment for CSB residences, and advocates for mental health care programs.

Your donation will help Friends of the AMHC lend a hand, raise a voice, and foster understanding!

For further information, please contact friendsofamhc@gmail.com.

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*Friends of the AMHC was originally known as Friends of the Alexandria Community Mental Health Center.