Visitors receiving support services at the St. Petersburg Community Support Hub.
St. Petersburg has inaugurated its first Community Support Hub on 22nd Street South to enhance mental health services. Initially operated by The Well, it resumed services under Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services after reorganization. The hub offers innovative programs like the Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) in collaboration with local police, as well as therapy, psychiatric support, and additional resources. The city aims to expand access to mental health care, with plans for further outreach and potentially a second hub location, prioritizing community feedback.
St. Petersburg has opened its doors to a brand new era of mental health support with the establishment of its first Community Support Hub, located along the bustling 22nd Street South corridor, popularly known as the Deuces. This hub, which welcomed its first visitors in March 2024, aims to provide a comprehensive, community-driven approach to mental health care that resonates with the unique needs of local residents.
Initially, the hub was spearheaded by an organization named The Well, but just three short months after opening, operational challenges led the facility to close its doors in June 2024. Not to worry, though! The Pinellas Community Foundation, under the guidance of CEO Duggan Cooley, has taken a hands-on approach, overseeing an impressive $8.5 million seed fund aimed at reinvigorating services.
Fast forward to today, the leadership has shifted to the Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (GCJFCS), which has taken the reins to ensure the hub meets the community’s evolving needs. Now nestled at a new address, 1601 16th St. S., just over half a mile from its original location, the hub is back in action and ready to serve!
This exciting transformation has seen the Community Support Hub embrace an assertive outreach approach, focusing on individuals who might slip through the cracks of traditional assistance methods. The aim? To cultivate a culturally responsive and trauma-informed counseling environment that fosters trust and understanding between clients and service providers.
One of the hub’s standout features is its innovative Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program, developed in collaboration with the St. Petersburg Police Department. This program has garnered attention and praise on a national scale, signaling its importance in the ongoing mission to address mental health challenges within the community.
Additional services now offered at the Hub include therapy, psychiatric support, wellness groups, and substance use counseling. But that’s not all! Recently, the Hub expanded its offerings to encompass legal, housing, and transportation resources—providing a well-rounded support system for those in need.
Effective communication and collaboration among the various partners are essential components of this initiative. Stakeholders emphasize the need for continuous interactions to ensure that services are tailored effectively to meet community requests. Since the relaunch, the network has made significant strides by enrolling 51 clients in clinical care services as of December 31, 2024.
The hub has made it a priority to seek feedback from the community to adapt and enhance accessibility. This approach ensures that local voices are honored, and services reflect actual needs. In fact, talks are underway to explore a second hub location, all depending on community feedback and emerging needs.
Excitingly, Councilmember Corey Givens has suggested the potential for satellite locations to be established in partnership with local educational institutions, further extending the reach of mental health services throughout the community. Training community liaisons to help navigate client needs and promote available resources is also in the works, ensuring the hub remains an accessible and welcoming space for all.
The St. Petersburg Community Support Hub is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., inviting walk-ins and providing a range of services aimed at healing and empowerment. With a firm commitment to meet the diverse needs of its residents, St. Petersburg is leading the charge in making mental health care more accessible than ever. Let’s cheer on this local initiative as it blossoms into a beacon of hope and support!
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