The District of Columbia Department of Mental Health has awarded the Ida Mae Campbell Foundation a $1.2 million dollar contract over five years to open and operate a community based wellness and resource center for mental health advocacy, work skills training and leadership development.

The Ida Mae Campbell Wellness & Resource Center will be run by consumers—called Peer Specialists—and will be open to all individuals who want to participate in peer-supported activities regardless of participation in psychiatric treatment or involvement with traditional case management. 

“This Center is an important new resource for our public mental health system,” said Steve Baron, Director of the Department of Mental Health. “It provides support for people who receive mental health to take a leading role in their own recovery and to advocate for improvements in the system.” 

The Center will offer a range of services and opportunities including work enhancement skills and computer training, wellness/recovery workshops, social interaction with peers, and information about legal rights and responsibilities and other available community resources.

The Ida Mae Campbell Foundation will operate in partnership with Pathways to Housing DC. Beverly McCollum, founder and Executive Director of the Center, has a wealth of experience as a direct provider of services and manager of mental health programs. A self-advocate, Beverly has been involved with DC's Peer Recovery Movement since 2003.