News Summary
Grand Rapids has inaugurated a community recovery center at the Southeast Side Health Center to support individuals battling substance abuse. Funded by $500,000 from opioid settlement funds, the center offers essential services like counseling and health screenings, aiming to enhance the community’s well-being. The center’s facilities include a community pantry, closet, and internet service. It represents a vital step in addressing the pressing mental health and addiction challenges in the area, in collaboration with Cherry Health and local partners.
Grand Rapids recently welcomed a new community recovery center dedicated to combating substance abuse, located within the Southeast Side Health Center at 2303 Kalamazoo Avenue SE. This facility, funded by $500,000 in opioid settlement funds, aims to provide comprehensive care for individuals struggling with addiction issues.
The community recovery center will offer a variety of essential services, including behavioral health screenings, counseling, therapy, and access to community health workers. Additionally, it will enhance Cherry Health’s collaboration with the Grand Rapids Red Project, which focuses on harm reduction services and includes a safe syringe program.
Spanning 5,000 square feet, the center features amenities such as a community closet, pantry, and internet service, creating an inviting environment for those seeking help. The opening ceremony, marked by a ribbon-cutting event on October 8, aims to send a hopeful message to the community that recovery is feasible and attainable.
Funding for the center comes from opioid settlement funds, a result of over 2,000 federal lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Connie Bohatch, senior managing director of community services at the city of Grand Rapids, acknowledges the significance of utilizing these settlement funds for initiatives that directly benefit the community.
The community recovery center operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is a part of Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest federally qualified health center, which serves medically underserved areas. Cherry Health operates in 20 locations across six counties and provides a range of services, including primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale, ensuring that care is accessible regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
In addition to the recovery center, Cherry Health has also recently opened a walk-in behavioral health clinic at its Heart of the City Health Center located at 100 Cherry Street SE, south of downtown Grand Rapids. This clinic addresses the significant demand for mental health services in the area, reducing wait times and ensuring individuals can access immediate support for their mental health needs.
The walk-in clinic screens individuals to determine the appropriate level of care and connects them with case managers, therapists, or psychiatrists based on their specific requirements. Operating Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the clinic is expected to serve a high volume of patients seeking mental health treatment.
Community needs assessments in Kent County have emphasized mental health care as a critical priority. A 2023 survey revealed that nearly one in four adult residents reported being diagnosed with depression, while 27% of respondents indicated they are currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition. These statistics underscore the necessity for enhanced mental health services in the community.
Cherry Health’s commitment to providing care regardless of individuals’ financial situations is vital, as they assist patients in navigating health coverage options. The establishment of both the community recovery center and walk-in behavioral health clinic reflects Cherry Health’s proactive approach in addressing the pressing mental health and substance abuse challenges facing the Grand Rapids community.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Opioid Settlement Funds Help Open Recovery Center
- Google Search: Substance Abuse Recovery
- Democrat and Chronicle: Outpatient Addiction Treatment Services
- Google Scholar: Substance Abuse Recovery Centers
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Cherry Health Walk-In Clinic
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Opioid Addiction
- WOODTV: Affordable Housing and Wellness Hub
- Google News: Grand Rapids Recovery Center
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
