A year after moving into a new home near George Floyd Square in south Minneapolis, People Incorporated continues to see the impacts of untreated mental health conditions throughout the community.
WCCO Radio reported in September 2023 that People Incorporated was preparing to open a 13-bed mental health facility a 3633 Chicago Avenue.
The facility, once a crisis residence operated by Hennepin Healthcare, looked to give clients their own rooms equipped with private bathrooms for stays of up to 90 days through the intensive residential treatment services (IRTS) program.
"This program really is a journey for individuals that will really help them develop some healing, stability, structure, and routine," said Veronica Mix, Vice President of Community Engagement at People Incorporated. "The program also builds community among staff and individuals here."
From the very beginning, People Incorporated felt the community's support when pursuing the mental health treatment facility.
"I don't think anyone was hesitant which was a beautiful thing," said People Incorporated CEO Jill Weidemann-West. "We created a very long runway because of what had gone on here. We really made sure we became a part of the community and got permission to do what we wanted to do here."
As of October 2nd the facility had served 72 individuals through their IRTS program which integrates mental health, medical, and substance use care in a 24-hour, supervised setting.
"Some people have really taken to Chicago Avenue and this specific location," Mix said. "One main reason is because it's in the inner city and a location that they're familiar with."
Clients come to the Chicago Avenue Residence often through referrals from hospitals, jails, social workers, or case managers within the community.
There's also the Central Access Contact Center (651-774-0011) that receives 300 calls per day.
"When they do get those calls that come in from individuals or hospitals, there's a criteria they're going through with our reps," added Mix. "They're talking to a live person who are able to show some empathy, identify what they're going through, and help find the best place for them."
In addition to unmet mental health needs, Weidemann-West says along clients often come in with unmet physical health needs as well.
"Part of it is us trying to get them insurance so we can also get them appointments with a doctor or provider to make sure their physical health is well or take care of any conditions they may have. When they come in here, we're really trying to give them a big hug and get them on insurance so once they leave, they can continue."
Creating a community is among the top priorities when a client walks through the doors. People Incorporated's trauma-informed space complete with private bedrooms, private bathrooms, daily group sessions, and individual sessions with staff members to develop skills and set goals.
"It does meet the person where they're at. So if you have someone coming in who is struggling with immediate symptoms, we spend that time thinking about how we help that person cement into the program, create a sense of safety, and meet with providers to address symptoms may be experiencing." added Weidemann-West.
There's also outside work that goes on with the clients that includes work within the community including trips to the store, museum, or various other ways to learn and use the tools they're gaining once they're no longer at the facility.
People Incorporated is celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2024 as Minnesota's largest community-based nonprofit mental health provider.
"We were built on the beliefs of incorporating individuals back within the community in which they live," Mix said. "So incorporated means incorporating individuals back into the community."