Shanon Quick | Center for Community Resources
December 2019, Center for Community Resources (CCR) opened their Walk In Center at 2100 East College Avenue. The goal of the Walk In Center is to offer a warm, welcoming and safe environment for people to come and speak with a crisis counselor. Tammy Harrington, Program Manager explains “The center has a no rush practice. People can take their time, have a snack or a cup of tea, take resources and talk to the counselor. You can come to look through our lending library or meet your case manager at the center.”
The Centre County Walk-In Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. The goal of CCR was to create an environment that is different from an ER or clinic. By being conscious of the whole person in crisis, the center promotes recovery and respect for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Crisis Intervention Specialists offer supportive crisis counseling, assess for suicide risk, talk through treatment options, connect to community services/resources, provide mental health education and help further facilitate your recovery. The Walk-In Center offers a lending library on various mental health topics as well as a community resource center. All services and materials are available at no cost and everyone is welcome to visit at any time. The Walk-In Center offers different support groups throughout the year to help people connect and support each other. Tammy Harrington is very excited to be offering support groups that meet the needs of our community.
In addition to the Walk In Center, CCR provides 24/7/365 Crisis Intervention Services for Centre County. These services are available to anyone who telephones, walks in or requests the Crisis Team (mobile crisis) to come to their home, school or anywhere in the community. Centre County Crisis is an integrated point of contact for people who are struggling with an emotional response to life stressors. CCR works in collaboration with the mental health provider network and human service agencies to effectively respond to and assist with anyone seeking help. Through the COVID restrictions, CCR has remained open and operational. “We are able to meet with people through telehealth in order to keep everyone safe,” says Tammy Harrington. Telehealth is using a virtual platform to meet with people using their phone or computer. “This way people can get help while keeping a safe distance.”
Centre County Crisis provides all levels of intervention in hopes of touching lives and providing help during a difficult time. Please reach out by coming to the Walk In Center, calling Centre Crisis at 1-800-643-5432. You are not alone.