Thursday, February 6, 2025

Safe Harbor Counseling Center awarded $300,000 grant aimed at mental health

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SPRINGTOWN — Safe Harbor Counseling Center, a Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing faith-based mental health services, was awarded a $300,000 Community Impact grant from Texas Health Resources and selected as the lead grantee for the Hands Up for Mental Health Initiative.

The initiative focuses on reducing mental health issues and associated health risks for residents living in the Springtown area by expanding access to counseling services. Safe Harbor Counseling Center Program Manager Fran Simpson said Safe Harbor was honored to receive the grant and stated the reasoning behind this organization.

“We are deeply honored to receive this grant and to partner with Texas Health Resources and our dedicated collaborators to meet the pressing mental health needs of our community,” Simpson said. “At Safe Harbor, we believe that everyone deserves compassionate, accessible care and this (program) will allow us to bring healing, hope and transformation to so many individuals and families in the 76082 ZIP code area.

The grant will cover trauma training for Safe Harbor staff and for support groups that meet.

This initiative is a partnership between Safe Harbor Counseling Center, Joyful Ranch Counseling and First United Methodist Church of Springtown that have combined resources to address the mental health challenges residents face in the Springtown area.

Allowing for a different option to counseling, Joyful Ranch Counseling offers pet assisted therapy.

First United Methodist Church of Springtown gives food backpacks to students at Springtown Elementary and Goshen Elementary Schools. Currently, Safe Harbor is using a space at First United Methodist Church to serve its clients. According to a press release, Safe Harbor Counseling Center has formed relationships within the city to expand services and projects.

“Safe Harbor is also working with the City of Springtown to explore the coordination of a community garden, along with the efforts from other citywide organizations,” the press release says. “We are hopeful this project will begin soon. The goal of these grants is to foster collaborations and implement initiatives that address significant health concerns in communities across Texas.”

Targeting the unique needs of residents, the Texas Health Community Impact grants will help across 32 ZIP codes that are disproportionately experiencing health challenges. This is based on Texas Health’s Community Health Needs assessment that is conducted every three years. Chief Community and Public Policy Officer for Texas Health Resources David Tesmer said the impact of their work is evident and creates generational change.

“We have witnessed the tremendous impact that can be achieved when we work with community organizations to tackle the unique challenges that residents in underserved communities face,” Tesmer said. “From providing families free access to nutritious food and transportation to connecting residents to vital resources and support for their mental and physical health, these investments are not only meeting immediate needs but creating ripples of change for generations to come.”

The board of directors at Safe Harbor Counseling Center expressed its gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Texas Health Resources and community partners to serve residents and the mental health needs in Springtown.

For more information about the Hands Up for Mental Health Initiative, contact Safe Harbor Counseling Center via email at info@safeharborcounseling.org or visit the website at safeharborcounseling.org.