New Page 2

Mental Health America

of Hendricks County

History & Timeline of MHA

1953 - Mrs. Getrude (Ralph) Norman. Mrs. Vickie (Hugh) Weaver, Mrs. Thelma (W.R.) Cummins, and Mrs. Thelma (George) Stephenson established the Hendricks County chapter of MHA.

1965 - Office opened in the Lawyers’ Building in Danville. President Mrs. Ruth Jones, Brownsburg High School Band, went to Logansport State Hospital to perform for residents.

1966 - 27 patients at Central State Hospital "adopted".

1967 - Mental health license plates available for 75 cents.

1968 - 18 students at Opportunity Cottage in Danville.

1969 - Treasurer’s report reflected a balance of $3.95.

1970 - 927 gifts were presented to Muscatatuck Hospital through Gift Lift.

1971 - State Mental Health Association seeking pledges for new offices. Chapter to pledge $100 for next 10 years. Discussion about community mental health center.

1973 - Articles of Incorporation filed for community mental health center.

1975 - Information booth at county fair and Swap and Shop days. Childhood Mental Illness committee.

1976 - Gold Teens, that have been active for several years, built a float for Bicentennial.

1977 - 317 members of MHAHC.

1978 - Edwina Waldbeiser started parenting classes.

1979 - HB 1802 funding for rehabilitative programs. MHA supported.

1980 - United Way allocated MHA $13,342.

1981 - Mothers workshop held at Avon Christian Church.

1982 - "Chain to Be Broken" film part of library.

1983 - Program director hired to help Executive Director and Executive Secretary.

1984 - ’Thumbody Special" program offered to 1-4 graders.

1985 - Membership and fundraising efforts for the year totaled $2,600.

1986 - Stress testing done at Senior Center.

1987 - Teen suicide program at Kingsway Christian Church.

1988 - Care and Share support group for depression held first meeting.

1989 - Joint program for latch key kids and holiday grief with county extension office.

1990 - Wreath sales began, Drop-in Center started, Executive Director 16-20 hours per week.

1991 - Volunteer Coordinator position established.

1992 - Support group for grief began

1993 - 99.6% of funding comes from United Way, 1,500 pamphlets were distributed.

1994 - Education Director hired, closing of Central State hospital.

1995 - Move to offices at Cummins

1996 - 9,865 report card inserts were sent out with county students.

1997 - $1,500 matching grant for ‘Kids On the Block", Kids On the Block "Program was established within Hendricks County

1998 - Attention Deficit Support Group

1999 - "Moyers on Addictions’ series and a website was created for MHAHC at geocities.com

2000 - You and Your Aging Parent" program presented.

2001 - "Helping Children Through the Divorce" continues as a court ordered program.

2002 - Annual budget is $143,000, 37,000 pieces of literature distributed, 7,780 residents served. Capital Campaign begins!

2003 - 50 years of community service -- Caring, Coping, Committing

2004 – Capital Campaign raised over $187,000 toward a permanent office. Vision Statement: First to Care, First to Respond , First to Assist

2005 – Thanks to a 3 to 1 Eli Lilly Grant match from United Way of Central Indiana and many Hendricks County businesses and residents, MHAHC held Open House in August at 75 Queensway Drive, Avon. e-E-mail was created at mhealthassoc@indy.rr.com

2006 – MHAHC conducted three major fundraisers – Valentine’s Day “Send-a-Hug,” May’s “Starry, Starry Night” Gala and during the holidays held their Annual Christmas Wreath Sale. A new home for the website was established at www.MHAHC.com

2007 – Over 70% of operating costs were from fundraising, grants and donations.

2008 – 21^st Century Grant for education and support to the incarnated male youth at Plainfield Indiana Juvenile Detention Facility started in 2005. When these youth were quietly and unexpectedly moved throughout Indiana prisons, the funds along with the mentoring, tutoring, character development and responsibility classes were stopped.

2009 – The first Sexual Violence Prevention Summit was held in September and the first Hendricks County Sexual Violence Task Force was created as well as the first Minority Health Task Force.

2010 – The new blue MHA logo was adopted for the business cards, forms, letters and Web Site.