Grapevine Center, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization. It is consumer operated to benefit persons with mental illnesses. Like most support groups, it offers a chance to share problems, advice and ideas with others who have similar concerns, in an atmosphere of understanding, empathy, confidentiality, and companionship.
Once upon a time, people receiving mental health services in Butler County had no recovery or support groups and no resources.
Bette Peoples and a small group of consumers who felt and saw the need for such resources, met at the Irene Stacy Mental Health Center in 1989. They formed the MASH (Mental Awareness Self-Help) group.
MASH’s first meeting place was the “Voyagers Room” in the old Mental Health Association (MHA) building on North Washington Street in Butler. The staff members of Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center, Transitional Living, Inc. helped enormously, while the Mental Health Association contributed much time and effort to organize and assist the group. Advisers from these organizations also attended meetings and acted as consultants. It was truly a mobilization of true-believers.
Momentum soon gathered and some funding became available. This made it possible to acquire an independent venue in an old house at 221 West Brady Street. The group was advised to use the name ‘MASH’ for fundraising purposes only and another, for the building. Thus the name ‘Grapevine Center’ was born.
Faye Simpson was elected the first president in late 1991 and founder members paid five dollars to become members. These dues went towards paying the rent. However, the Grapevine was still financially dependent upon its fiduciary, Transitional Living.
When Bette Peoples became the director of the Grapevine in 1995, United Way dollars also began to flow in.
In 1996, a new directive released individuals with mental illnesses, who were in institutions, back into their communities. The funding which had gone to the state hospitals for the care of these people was slated to be returned to the state coffers. Thanks to the activism and lobbying of people like Bette Peoples, those funds were redirected to the communities to enable them to provide the necessary supports for those so released.
Butler County soon became part of Health Choices, and the County needed a team to access the satisfaction level of those receiving either mental health or drug & alcohol services. Who better to interview individuals and/or their family members than the dedicated members of the Grapevine Center who had firsthand experience of such services? So, Butler County Consumer Satisfaction Team was formed with CHIPP dollars.
At first, it was too much of a reach to achieve the total self-determination the Grapevine Center’s members’ dreamed of.
Pam Grabe of the Mental Health Association in Butler County agreed, in 1997, to mentor the Grapevine on its journey towards achieving independent agency status. During these years, funds were raised by providing coffee to motorists on Interstate 79; holding yard sales; raffles; and hoagie sales. This took great effort, determination, and innovation.
In 1998, when Bette Peoples acquired a seed grant, things really took off, and the Grapevine was able to hire its first Career Specialist, Pat Patterson!
Meanwhile, the Drop-in Center had been developing resources and extending its services. At first, it had borrowed/ shared an old brown van from Transitional Living, eventually managing to purchase that same old van in 1992. As funding from the County became available, the Grapevine was able to buy four vans, and in 2000, a big moving truck was purchased. That was a momentous event! Up until that time, someone had been lending his personal truck. Alternatively, members co-operated to move fellow consumers with one of the vans. Today, the Center boasts eight vehicles, including a box van, which is kept constantly busy serving the transportation and moving needs of its members.
In 1991, the Center realized its dreams when it moved into the premises at 140 North Elm Street, to share the spacious, newly-renovated building with MHA. It has been housed there serendipitously, ever since.
Meanwhile, its facilities, events and programs have expanded and more equipment has been added to meet the social and therapeutic needs of the large group of mental health services consumers.
Historically, Mental Health services consumers were excluded from having a quality of life which other community members take for granted. .Grapevine Center has made much progress in making up the difference.
Grapevine Center now proudly boasts a full-time Drop-In Center that is open 7 days a week. It offers recreational, social and educational activities to meet the needs of its members, including weekly shopping expeditions, monthly events including parties, picnics, trips to points of interest, softball, etc. Grapevine Center offers a full range of resources and support (see slideshow and our Resources page) including showers for those who need it, free coffee, frequent free meals, access to phones, free use of computers, cable television, movies, pool tables, cards, and games, especially Bingo and Pool Tournaments.
The much needed Warmline Program was started in 2002 to provide a lifeline for anyone in Butler County who feels overwhelmed, stressed, lonely, or is having difficulty coping with life. Currently, Warmline operates between 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM daily, including holidays. They offer a sympathetic ear for anyone who needs it. This is unfortunately the most underfunded program but also one of the most necessary to the community. Research has shown that Warmlines play a dynamic role in reducing suicides.
A Certified Peer Specialist program (CPS) was added in 2009. This offers consumers the guidance, focus and support of a Peer who, like a life coach, works with them to help them achieve their Recovery Goals, whatever they may be. Peer Specialists can help consumers work out a Wellness Recovery Action Plan; help them create a support network; and provide guidance to community resources and mental health resources; help them obtain documents; obtain health insurance; take them to probation appointments; etc.
Grapevine Center’s Consumer/ Family Support Teams provide valuable service in improving Behavioral Health services by bringing the input and voice of consumers to the relevant organizations and authorities, providing feedback and corrective action.
In 2014, Grapevine’s reputation for integrity and excellence resulted in Mercer County choosing the Grapevine to run its C/FST program alongside the Butler County C/FST program.
At this time, Grapevine Center has also obtained the contract for the Mercer County IM4Q program, in addition to its Butler County IM4Q program. Thus the Grapevine ensures that in at least two counties, Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol, and also Intellectual Disabilities services are being well monitored. Consumers are advocated for and improvements suggested. This input results in changes and an ever improving quality of life for those served. Consumers thus have significant input in improving the services available to them.
Grapevine Center also hosts a number of support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous. The Recovery Group, Bible Study groups, and more.
2014 was also the year when Butler County Human Services bestowed the extraordinary honor of dedicating the Transitional Living Center of the VA to Grapevine Center’s Executive Director, Bette Peoples. While this was Butler County Human Services’ way of tipping the hat to her personal efforts at lobbying for Mental Health Reform (she has been a linchpin of reform in the county mental health community), it was also an acknowledgement of what an invaluable resource for Mental Health Recovery, the Grapevine Center has been, and what, after 35 years of her leadership, it has become. The long slog from its humble beginnings to what it is today is truly inspiring.
Building dedication to Bette Peoples LtR: 1. Bette Peoples, 2. County Commissioner Dale Pinkerton & County Commissioner Board Chairman, Bill McCarrier; 3. Brass plaque to Bette on the VA Transitional Living building; 4. People turn out to honor Bette; 5. Valerie Vicari, Director Division of Western Operations, Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services pays tribute to Bette Peoples; 6. Bette accepts the honor
When asked what the future holds, Bette said she would dearly love to open a Peer Run Respite Center, where people could spend a few nights as they overcome difficult times in their illness. At present, they are rushed to the hospital, but she said, “Sometimes, they just need to be around people who understand and care.” This would reduce hospital emergency visits and stays dramatically.
Judging from Bette Peoples’ past achievements and the quality of support of our staff, volunteers and board members, Grapevine Center will likely continue going from strength to strength and continue standing in the breach to fulfill much needed services for mental health recovery.
Grapevine Center is very grateful for the funding of Butler County, SECA, CFC, and the public.
Grapevine Center 