Mission
"To empower adults with mental illness and substance use disorders to live, learn, work and participate fully in family and community."
Vision and purpose
NEIGHBORING will strive to improve the quality of life for our clients and for our community by being the foremost provider of behavioral health care services. We are dedicated to being a catalyst for meaningful change, positive growth, and empowerment of our clients while fostering independence, wellness, and recovery.
History
NEIGHBORING has a long history which demonstrates its contribution toward the development and implementation of a community support system. NEIGHBORING began in 1969 as the second agency funded by the newly appointed Lake County Mental Health Board. Their primary purpose was to meet the needs of mental health patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals. Initially, two services were offered: Transportation and One-to-One Supportive Friendships, both utilizing the services of volunteers working with professional staff.
In 1986, NEIGHBORING became part of United Way of Lake County; and in 1988, it became a funded agency of United Way Services - Wickliffe Advisory Council. In 1992, the agency was funded by the Geauga County Board of Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services to provide Employment Services, Peer Support and Community Support Services in Geauga County, and in 1994 the United Way Services of Geauga County took charge of the agency.
One of NEIGHBORING's strengths has been the ability to respond to the needs of the community. The name "NEIGHBORING" conveys the warmth and accessibility that has become our hallmark and the logo states with simplicity the essence of our intent and purpose - "a hand reaching out to help those in need."
Over the years, many additional programs were started, as listed in the following chart:
| Date | Program/Service |
| 1969 |
|
| 1976 | Supportive Family Friendships |
| 1978 | Loss Support Ended 2003 |
| 1980 | Consumer Support Groups |
| 1985 | Volunteer Support and Training (VEST) Ended 7/07 |
| 1987 | Mother-to-Mother Ended 7/03 |
| 1990 | Consumers Choice Cleaners (CCC) |
| 1991 | Employment Services |
| 1994 | Guardian Ad Litem Ended 7/03 |
| 1995 |
|
| 1996 |
|
| 1998 | Diversity Outreach Team Ended 2002 |
| 1999 |
|
| 2000 |
|
| 2001 |
|
| 2003 | Senior Volunteer Visitor Program |
| 2004 |
|
| 2005 | Geauga Criminal Justice Services Ended 9/08 |
| 2006 |
|
| 2007 | Iris Project: Older Adult Interagency Team |
| 2008 | Contract for 24 hour psychiatry coverage for Emergency Room Crisis Based Services |
Due to the tremendous growth that NEIGHBORING experienced through the years, it became clear that the space at the main site, 5930 Heisley Road, was no longer sufficient to meet operational demands. In FY09 NEIGHBORING leased additional space at 5966 Heisley Road, just one block from the main site, and temporarily moved most of the administrative, Employment Services and Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment staff to that location. In addition, NEIGHBORING closed its Geauga County site at the end of the first quarter of FY09.
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NEIGHBORING is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, nonprofit corporation in the State of Ohio. It is governed by a policy-making volunteer Board of Trustees. Consumers and family members are represented on the Board. We currently have board members who represent a cross-section of the community in terms of expertise, experience and locality (See Board of Trustees page).