Quarter auction will help provide mental health services

Advocacy, Choices and Empowerment will hold its inaugural quarter auction fundraiser at Ricardo’s Banquet Center Sunday, Oct. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be baskets and other items to bid on, live auction items, a 50/50 raffle, picnic-style food and a cash bar.

“We also have vendors coming in, including Isagenix products, Pampered Chef and Damsel in Defense,” said Betsy Walker, program director and client services coordinator for ACE.

Raffle baskets containing all sorts of products donated by local businesses and individuals will be up for bids.

“A huge basket donated by the Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek contains an overnight stay at the hotel, a dinner voucher and wine,” said Walker.

A lottery tree will go to the highest bidder in a live auction.

“Some of our members will speak at the event to inform attendees about ACE services,” said Walker.

ACE is a nonprofit organization in in New Philadelphia that aims to reduce isolation among people with mental or behavioral health issues.

The goal of ACE, according to their website, is to reduce the isolation of those who use mental health agencies and to improve their quality of life.

Filling in the hours

Todd Little, ACE executive director said, “Our members might see a counselor once a week or once a month, their psychiatrist once every three months and maybe a case manager for about an hour a week. So they’ve got all those other hours to fill.”

Betsy Walker, program director and client services coordinator agreed. “It’s really important to keep them from isolating,” she said. “We’re an open door for people who may have been turned away everywhere else, and we accept them as they are.”

Not only are people with mental or behavioral health problems accept at ACE, they seem to thrive. The welcoming space and accommodating staff combine to create an atmosphere where members are free to be who they are and to explore who they may want to become.

“We’ve been very active with our local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter in providing their support group called Hopeful Hearts every Wednesday at 11 a.m. and every first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.” said Little.

Some of the services ACE provides include two peer support group meeting each day, lunch and transportation to our locations and to doctor and counseling appointments. ACE also connect members to other resources they may benefit from, including behavioral health provider Springvale Health Center, the Chrysalis Counseling Center and New Life Counseling.

All in all, ACE offers between 30 and 40 different activities and groups each month. They range from bowling and bingo to hiking, visiting museums and going to the theater. A schedule and additional information on programs can be found on the ACE website at acemhrecovery.org.

“We are the only organization in the county that, to my understanding, provide services five days a week,” said Little. “You can come in as often as you want and stay as long as you want. You can stay for the rest of your life if you want.”

Being there is important as, according to Little, roughly 7,000 people in Tuscarawas County are living with mental health issues.

“We try to help them improve their social skills, learn how to get along with people better and that better care of themselves,” said Little.

ACE receives funding from the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board. A membership in ACE is only $5 a month.

ACE is located at 115 Third St. SW in New Philadelphia and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about ACE or the Quarter Auction, visit acemhrecovery.org or call 330-308-8604.