PARK CENTER opened its doors in 1984 as a 501c3, non-profit agency for adults in Middle Tennessee diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness.Park Center is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
History
1981: The Mental Health Association (MHA) began looking for gaps in the services for individuals diagnosed with mental illness in the Nashville area.
1983: Park Center received funding from MHA and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to offer vocational services to adults with mental illness. Jack Hollis was hired as Park Center's first Executive Director.
1984: In February, Park Center opened its doors to seven staff members and eight members. In August, the first transitional job placement was made—a dishwashing job at the Ramada Inn.
1986: In January, Park Center became a United Way agency.
1987: The House of Friendship and Park Center merged.
1988: Park Center ventured into housing by renting one house for three of its members who needed a place to live. By the end of the year, Park Center purchased two duplexes, two houses and hired a Housing Coordinator.
1990: Park Center began 12-step sessions called "The Circle of Hope" for individuals with Dual Diagnosis. By the end of the first year, 113 members had participated in the program.
1991: A capital campaign was launched to raise money for a new building at the 12th Avenue site.
1994: The building is completed and named the Katzman-Garrison Building in honor of Board members Louise Katzman and Frances Garrison. Park Center won the HCA Achievement Award for completing the building.
1996: Two homeless shelters funded through HUD's Safe Haven program were added to Park Center's housing. 1997 or 1998: Tipper Gore served as honorary chair of Park Center's first annual fundraising event "How About Dinner and A Movie?"
1998: Housing Support Centers opened in East Nashville.
Jack Hollis retired and Barbara Quinn became new Executive Director.
2000: Second capital campaign launched to purchase additional building in East Nashville (Park Center East).
2001: Park Center East opened its doors to dually-diagnosed members.
2003: NAMI recognized Park Center with the Community Partner of the Year award.
2005: HUD approved an 811 grant for new construction on Park Center apartment complex - Haley's Park.
2006: Park Center added SSI/SSDI Homeless Outreach Service and received the NAMI Program of the Year Award. The Housing Support Center is renamed Park Center North.
2007: Homeless Outreach Service is awarded the Tennessee Ending Homeless Outstanding Community Service Award. Haley's Park opens and Park Center expands programs to transitional youth housing.
History
1981: The Mental Health Association (MHA) began looking for gaps in the services for individuals diagnosed with mental illness in the Nashville area.
1983: Park Center received funding from MHA and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to offer vocational services to adults with mental illness. Jack Hollis was hired as Park Center's first Executive Director.
1984: In February, Park Center opened its doors to seven staff members and eight members. In August, the first transitional job placement was made—a dishwashing job at the Ramada Inn.
1986: In January, Park Center became a United Way agency.
1987: The House of Friendship and Park Center merged.
1988: Park Center ventured into housing by renting one house for three of its members who needed a place to live. By the end of the year, Park Center purchased two duplexes, two houses and hired a Housing Coordinator.
1990: Park Center began 12-step sessions called "The Circle of Hope" for individuals with Dual Diagnosis. By the end of the first year, 113 members had participated in the program.
1991: A capital campaign was launched to raise money for a new building at the 12th Avenue site.
1994: The building is completed and named the Katzman-Garrison Building in honor of Board members Louise Katzman and Frances Garrison. Park Center won the HCA Achievement Award for completing the building.
1996: Two homeless shelters funded through HUD's Safe Haven program were added to Park Center's housing. 1997 or 1998: Tipper Gore served as honorary chair of Park Center's first annual fundraising event "How About Dinner and A Movie?"
1998: Housing Support Centers opened in East Nashville.
Jack Hollis retired and Barbara Quinn became new Executive Director.
2000: Second capital campaign launched to purchase additional building in East Nashville (Park Center East).
2001: Park Center East opened its doors to dually-diagnosed members.
2003: NAMI recognized Park Center with the Community Partner of the Year award.
2005: HUD approved an 811 grant for new construction on Park Center apartment complex - Haley's Park.
2006: Park Center added SSI/SSDI Homeless Outreach Service and received the NAMI Program of the Year Award. The Housing Support Center is renamed Park Center North.
2007: Homeless Outreach Service is awarded the Tennessee Ending Homeless Outstanding Community Service Award. Haley's Park opens and Park Center expands programs to transitional youth housing.