“Dreaming big’: Fort Worth nonprofit unveils mobile mental health care unit
Revolutionizing Community Care: CHAMP’s Mobile Mental Wellness Initiative
In the vibrant city of Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization is making waves by unveiling a groundbreaking initiative to address the pressing mental health needs of local communities. CHAMP, short for Community Healing and Mental Health Project, has embarked on a mission to bring accessible, compassionate care directly to the doorsteps of those who need it most.
Bridging the Gap: Addressing Underserved Communities
The CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit will serve as a beacon of hope for neighborhoods such as Stop Six, Historic Southside, and Las Vegas Trail – areas that have long grappled with limited resources and barriers to mental health services. As Antennille Robinson, a 47-year-old resident of the Stop Six community, shares, “We need somewhere physical, where my children can actually sit down and talk to someone versus it being virtual.” CHAMP’s innovative approach aims to bridge this gap and provide the in-person support that families have been seeking.
Lachelle Goodrich, the founder and executive director of CHAMP, recognized the urgent need for a solution. “We know this is important, because these communities have limited resources,” Goodrich explains. “The goal is to go directly to the community and remove barriers of having to go to a counselor’s office or to any office.” By taking their services on the road, CHAMP is poised to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who have traditionally faced challenges in accessing mental health care.
A Dream Realized: Transforming Mental Health Delivery
The idea for the CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit came to Goodrich in a dream, and she quickly recognized the potential for this innovative approach. “I found that you have mobile breast cancer screenings, prostate screenings, but nothing mobile for mental health. I realized this is what I’m going to do,” Goodrich shares. “This is the vision God gave me.”
The mobile unit will serve as a community partner, arriving 24 to 48 hours after an incident that requires mental health services, providing a range of support services. From community counseling and group therapy sessions to educational assistance and virtual reality equipment, the CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit is designed to address the multifaceted needs of the communities it serves.
“As a teenager in Stop Six, there were a lot of violent crimes and we didn’t have therapists. We didn’t even know what mental health was, that wasn’t a word we used,” says CHAMP board chair Jeremy Strange, who created the design for the interior of the mobile unit. “This will be a place to help with some of these things that are happening. … We are dreaming big.”
Empowering Communities Through Collaboration
The CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit is not just a standalone initiative; it is a collaborative effort that aims to engage and empower the communities it serves. Goodrich emphasizes the importance of building strong partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders, ensuring that the unit’s services are tailored to the specific needs of each neighborhood.
“We know the world today needs more joy and we take a lot of pride in the joy that comes from simply opening a bag of Lay’s – and just like that bag draws you in, so does sharing a smile,” says Sadira Furlow, vice president of marketing at Frito-Lay North America. The company’s “Smiles” campaign, which features everyday people making a difference in their communities, aligns with CHAMP’s mission to spread positivity and uplift those in need.
By collaborating with entities like Operation Smile, a global medical charity, CHAMP aims to leverage the power of storytelling and community engagement to drive meaningful change. “The simple act of everyday smilers sharing their stories can have a big impact on our work to help children around the world,” says Kristie Magee Porcaro, senior vice president of global philanthropy for Operation Smile.
A Vision for Holistic Wellbeing
The CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit goes beyond traditional mental health services, embracing a holistic approach to community care. In addition to providing counseling and therapeutic support, the unit will also offer educational resources and virtual reality experiences to address the diverse needs of its clients.
“Exposure to gun violence can increase the risk of negative health outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression,” notes the University of Pennsylvania Health System. By addressing these complex issues head-on, CHAMP is poised to make a lasting impact on the overall wellbeing of the communities it serves.
Antennille Robinson, who is eager to see the mobile unit in action, expresses her gratitude and excitement. “This will not only help my Stop Six community, but assist my own family with how to cope through our difficult situations,” she says. CHAMP’s commitment to fostering resilience and empowering individuals is a testament to its vision for a healthier, more connected Fort Worth.
Redefining the Future of Community-Centered Care
As mobile health clinics have become more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, CHAMP’s innovative approach to mental health care delivery is a timely and much-needed solution. By bringing their services directly to the community, CHAMP is breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and redefining the future of mental health support.
“This will be a place to help with some of these things that are happening. … We are dreaming big,” says Strange. And with the CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit soon to be a reality, the dreams of a healthier, more connected Fort Worth are starting to take shape. Through this transformative initiative, CHAMP is paving the way for a future where mental health care is accessible, compassionate, and truly community-centered.
