Life Connections Peer Recovery Services

The wellness center is a place individuals struggling with emotional distress, psychiatric diagnosis, substance abuse, trauma, and/or a variety of other life-interrupting challenges can receive Peer delivered wellness and Recovery services. The wellness center initially opened and operated at the dewitt united methodist church. Life Connections moved the wellness center to a more accessible location on the main street in the downtown business district of dewitt, ia at 909 6th ave. The wellness center operates 7 days a week for 5 hours a day, a total of 35 hours per week. Life Connections has served a total of 1263 people in Recovery from mental health and substance issues in the wellness center during 2022. Core funding was secured from the eastern Iowa mental health/disability services region for both the wellness center and rhonda's house as well as from the state mhds office. Nearly three quarters million dollars from government grants; foundation grants; contributions from businesses, congregations, and individuals; and grassroots fundraising activities were received. Individuals receive one-to-one and group based Peer support sessions. Recreational and socialization activities are offered to couter the self- isolation that can contribute to depression. Formal programs addressing anger management, how to build self-esteem and practical plans for community engagement are avaialable. Certified Peer facilitatiors trained by the copeland center for wellness and Recovery conduct wellness Recovery and action plan(wrap)conduct groups at the wellness center. Enhanced Iowa by training 126 wrap evidenced based service. A licensed mental health professional, contracted by Life Connections and credentialed by the state of Iowa, provides clinical consultation and supervision to the Peer Recovery specialists employed at the wellness center. The wellness center serves a small-town rural community and is the only place in the dewitt region where individuals struggling with emotional distress, psychiatric diagnosis, substance abuse, trauma, and/or other life-interrupting challenges can receive peer-delivered wellness and Recovery services. Life Connections gained regional and statewide attention from effective utilization of web-based technology to serve its vulnerable constituents when the covid-19 crisis is still going on and operating it inside of the orgaizations wellness center due to public health concerns. Life Connections received extensive media coverage from local, regional, and statewide print, radio and television outlets about the organization's unique Recovery services as well as the first national commercial for Peer run organizations.

On september 22, 2018, Life Connections opened the doors to rhonda's house, the first and only peer-run respite center operating in Iowa. During 2022 a new facility was purchased to serve as rhonda's house. The peer-run respite center provides a safe and welcoming environment for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis and who voluntarily choose temporary respite services to restore their wellbeing. Rhonda's house serves individuals living throughout the five- county catchment region of eastern Iowa. At rhonda's house, residents receive Recovery support services from well-trained Peer Recovery specialists. Rhonda's house is open and operates seven days per week, 24 hours per day. During 2022, 78 individuals were served at the respite house. Service participants are permitted to stay at rhonda's house until they decide they are ready to return home or for a maximum of seven days. A stay at rhonda's house includes assignment to a private bedroom and the right to reside at the facility for 24 hours per day.

Create peer-to-peer opportunities in Iowa for advancing hope, Recovery, and wellness for all people.