Suffering from mental illness, some Linn County residents feel at home at 'On Our Own'

By Carrie Petersen

Staff Writer

ALBANY -- Behind a small, plain storefront in downtown is one of several gathering places for Linn County residents with mental illnesses.

Inside the door that reads "On Our Own" is a bright room with music videos on the TV, the friendly chatter of people content with no structured activities, a white dog named Buddy who has found a caring home after being abused as a puppy, and paintings of Big Foot on the wall.

"If it was open seven days a week, we would be here," John Bennett said with a smile. Bennett comes to On Our Own several days a week with his wife Christine.

On Our Own has been providing activities, meals, computer and Internet access, leadership opportunities, support and friendship to consumers of mental health services in Linn County for about four years. Open five days a week, On Our Own serves as a free drop-in center for consumers of mental health.

Most of the consumers, no longer called clients, are on the Oregon Health Plan as consumers of mental health services or receiving disability payments for mental health reasons.

On Our Own was originally associated with Linn County Mental Health Services, but due to budget cuts Linn County Mental Health Services no longer has a presence at the drop-in center. The county still makes its vans available to On Our Own for day trips. It also budgeted $5,000 for the center this year.

The center is funded primarily through grants, so much so that it paid to have one of its consumers take a class on grant writing. The largest grant at this time comes from the Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network.

The grants have allowed On Our Own to provide bus passes to consumers and recently purchase some new electronic equipment. They also provide funds to allow consumers to take day trips.

Last year, a group of consumers went to see the Christmas light display in Keizer and members are now planning a trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Event planning at the drop-in center is done by consumers and many of them are excited about the possibility of adopting a family to help this Christmas.

Every other Friday evening, the center holds leadership meetings open to all consumers who want to be involved in planning. "Right now, we're 100 percent consumer-run," said Tammy Lindgren, the center's director.

The activities, opportunities, atmosphere and resources available at On Our Own have helped a number of them.

Lindgren, who began writing grants for the center long before becoming a paid staff member, said, "I have a disability and it has really helped me to be able to be here."

Assistant director Lars Linville, who lives in Jefferson and is the only other paid staff member, began coming to On Our Own two years ago. Linville said the center is where he started getting help through a self-evaluation and other resources available.

"This is somewhere I should have been a long time ago," he said.

Linville spends between 30 and 40 hours a week at the center, and considers his paycheck for 10 hours of work each week a gratuity.

On Our Own's attendance has recently been averaging 12 to 15 consumers a day, Linville said.

One familiar face at the drop-in center is Lois Davis, who everyone calls "Mom."

Davis volunteers to cook some of the Friday night dinners at the center. Because the building is not wired for a stove and oven, Davis cooks the meals at home and brings them to the center.

Dwayne Patton has been coming to On Our Own almost three years. He like the amenities: computers, Karaoke, a pool table and snacks.

But it might be Patton's black T-shirt with blue words that explains why so many consumers have found a second home at On Our Own. It reads, "On Our Own, a place to have fun and be accepted."

Another Albany drop-in center is the Linn County Mental Health Drop-In Center, which has been operating since about 1979. The center provides an opportunity for consumers to get together Monday mornings at First Christian Church in Albany.

Kitty Macpherson, a leader at the center since its beginning, said the center has been averaging about five people a week. The numbers are lower than they once were, and she believes this is "because people have other places they are welcome."

Drop-in centers

Linn County drop-in centers for consumers of mental health services:

On Our Own

Location: 405 First Ave., Albany

Hours: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday

Information: 791-4041

LINN COunty Mental Health

Drop-In Center

Location: First Christian Church, 432 Ferry St., Albany

Hours: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday

Information: Kitty Macpherson, 753-3022 or Virginia McCraw, 926-5300

Breaking Chains Friendship House

Location: 922 Main St., Sweet Home

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Information: 367-1522