In October 2000 a small group of parishioners including Jeanne Cagle, Stephi Citron, Millie Elmore, Oz Henry, Margaret McKeel and Bill Russell gathered persons from the greater Asheville area to discuss the declining accessibility of mental health care for persons in Western North Carolina.  The group wanted to serve those who were either uninsured or underinsured.  They committed to using therapists with many years of experience who would accept a reduced rate for sessions.  Clients would pay on a a sliding scale relative to their ability.  The board (the Counseling Center is an independent 501c3 organization) would raise the difference between the amount charged and the rate paid to the therapists as well as raise funds for the overall operation of the Center.

In the past ten years thousands of women, men, couples and children have found a place to bring the issues that left unattended can undermine the ability to function in their relationships and in the larger community.  The Buncombe County School system is a regular referrer of clients. 

As accessible mental health care has continued to decline in the past decade, the center has become a place of respite where folks can work to put back together the broken pieces of their lives.  Rather than becoming another social statistic, these persons find the ability to engage their lives and thus contribute to lives all around them.

Last night a couple hundred folks gathered for the All Souls Counseling Center Psycho-trivia Night, an annual  fund raising dinner.  It was a time to remember the past ten years and what has taken place through the work of the Center.  It was a time to consider how lives in Asheville and life in Asheville is different because of this work.

Peace,

Todd Donatelli