Apr 21, 2013 4 min read

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

The Circle Center is a rather nondescript brick building on North Main Street in Washington, but for people with mental illness, it’s a thing of absolute beauty.

It’s one of the few places where they feel safe and accepted, where they can escape the stigma often associated with mental illness, receive opportunities for growth and recovery, and where, most importantly, they learn there is hope.

Operated by the Mental Health Association of Washington County, the drop-in center offers organized activities, such as pool tournaments, game day and puzzle building, wellness programs, information about available social services and, if necessary, peer counseling.

“It’s very much home for many people,” said Lynne Loresch, executive director of the Mental Health Association. “It’s a place where they can come and share.”

The Circle Center opened in 1992 in what Loresch described as nothing more than basic office space in downtown Washington. “The first year we were hoping for 25 members. We had more than 50,” she said.

Steady growth prompted the center to move three more times to larger locations. Today, the center has 900 members. All members must be current or past recipients of mental health services and at least 18 years old.

Some live in personal care homes, and others are homeless men and women who are seeking the comforts and compassion readily available seven days a week at the center. Most of the center’s members, though, live on their own.

“Most members don’t have large families. They’ve made their families here,” Loresch said.

The rules of the house were established by members, and they are typical of most households. Everyone must be treated with respect, and substance abuse will not be tolerated.

They share a TV room, exercise room and the kitchen, and they maintain a garden in the backyard, using their fresh produce to prepare meals. On a recent Sunday afternoon, a few members were taking turns playing Wii.

About the only things the Circle Center doesn’t offer are overnight sleeping accommodations and shower facilities. Hours of operation are 1 to 9 p.m.

Members also have learned to advocate for themselves, both locally and in Harrisburg, where, Loresch said, they have become familiar faces to state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg.

“When you treat people with respect, that says a lot,” Loresch said. “There’s value in coming here. We have a good group. It’s a wonderful thing to watch them all together. The beauty of being here is the friendships they make. If somebody needs helps, they step right in.”

That’s what Rosetta Wilson, who is the center’s program coordinator, enjoys so much about her job.

“I like being around the people,” she said. “They’re all friends. If you need anything, they’re there.”

The staff will hold special celebrations at Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving for members, and they’ve organized picnics in the summer.

“It may sound trivial, but this is stuff that makes people feel like they belong,” Loresch said. “This is always a fun place to come visit.”

The most endearing aspect of the Circle Center, however, is the members’ willingness to pay it forward.

They recently became involved in an outreach project through the Community Support Program of Washington County, collecting items for 300 people who, Loresch said, recently lost their General Assistance due to state budget cuts.

A basement supply room at the Circle Center is now well-stocked with donations of personal hygiene itiems, including deordorant, toothpaste and lotions, cleaning supplies and paper products. Some of the items were donated by homeless men who regularly visit the center. Wilson estimates the center already has helped 30 needy families.

“With food stamps, they can’t buy the luxuries anymore, like toilet paper and paper towels,” Loresch said. “It’s all about giving back.”

Paul Nemenz, a homeless Vietnam veteran, agrees. He visits the Circle Center practically daily, and he credits the staff and the friends he’s made there with giving him hope for a better life.

As a result, even he has donated to the outreach project, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The heartbeat of every community is its citizens,” he said. “Everybody needs to pitch in. That’s what it’s all about.”

For more information about the Circle Center, call 724-225-1561.