By Deb Murphy
Inyo County’s Wellness Center will have a new, permanent home by late spring, a single-story home on Central Avenue in Bishop.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff to go ahead with the $290,978 purchase at last Tuesday’s meeting with funding from a Mental Health Services Act grant for capital improvements. “It was the perfect property,” said Supervisor Mark Tillemans of the single story home with commercial zoning a block east of Main Street
Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health has operated the Wellness Center at two different locations over the past eight years. The Center provides a safe haven for those suffering from mental illness or homelessness. “We help those struggling with work or relationships,” said H&HS Director Jean Turner. “We want to engage people, figure out what they need and offer options.”
For the last three years, the center operated out of a commercial rental on South Street. Bringing that facility into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements would have been too costly. The single story home on Central will only require a re-work of the bathroom to be compliant according to Behavior Health Director Dr. Gail Zwier. That work should be done by late May or early June.
Zwier’s staff, psychologists and licensed case workers, provide screening once the Center’s clients have their basic needs met. “Our focus has been older adults,” said Zwier, but the center also has programs for those Zwier identifies as transitional adults, in the 16-25 age group.
In addition to providing resources, the Wellness Center provides social interaction and peer run recovery groups. “The programs help those with mental health challenges contribute to the community,” said Zwier. “The groups help with Salvation Army food drives. We contribute to community gardens at City Park and the Lutheran Church. We have art and photography projects.” The center’s clientele enlarge their world by entering their garden and artistic projects in the Tri-County Fair each year.
“Everyone brings gifts to the table,” said Turner, “things they can do to give back and become part of the community.” Now those gifts will have a real home.
Randy;Isn’t it business 101 to keep such an opinion on mental health and those with problems to yourself or with the group that agrees with you on what you want to say and think and not put it out there on a web-site and just think everyone agrees with you… Read more »
Just don’t patronize his business any more. Simple, and very effective.
I’d like to give Randy the benefit of the doubt that he has dealt with unpleasant and difficult things, otherwise he wouldn’t have made this post. He’s a good mechanic and definitely trustworthy (based on my business dealings with him), yes his opinion was harsh, but I’m going to assume… Read more »
Sugar- FYI-There were two gentlemen named Randy working there.
Yeah!!!! Praise The LORD!!!! Thank You JESUS!!!!!! Good bye chuckle heads!!!! After three years of having the wellness center located next to my business on SHORT ST.,not South St.as stated in the article, I can honestly say I will not miss the show that carries on from dawn till dusk… Read more »
There goes the neighborhood. Hopefully they can offer all the people cable of working….JOBS.
10 People on S.W. don’t like JOBS. Weird.
“Randy”, just an FYI, the money used to for resources like your new Inyo Wellness Center come from the Mental Health Services Act. These funds are not a part of your county general fund. It cannot be used for the “salaries or packages” like you mention; and the use is… Read more »
Robin, would you believe it’s not mental illness, but rather people of questionable character, no morals or integrity, lack of values, work ethic, and just plain laziness. Not to forget irresponsible and unaccountable for their actions. The politically correct term these days is however, is mental illness.
Randy, you showed your true colors with your comments on this article. Ignorance at its finest. With your claims of knowledge on who needs help and who doesn’t maybe you are in the wrong profession; sounds like you know how to diagnose a mental illness. It is childish and ill… Read more »
Jesus is listening to you Randy, ramble on.
Thank Randy! You made me laugh my posterior right off. I find myself chuckling on and off to “Poopdeck Pappy”. In the future, if I have automotive repairs, I may bring them to you, because I find you entertaining. To the rest of you. Cut Randy a break. I bet… Read more »
Randy – My name is Jonathan and I have grown up in Bishop CA, further I have a degree in Psychology and soon pursuing a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience. Bishop is a wonderful place to live with such an amazing and caring community. However, I am very sorry to see… Read more »
Randy, most of the people I have meet over there are harmless folks that really have no place to go. A few of the people you are not happy with , would jump at a opportunity to work hard if given half a chance in this world.
HECK YES!