On San Antonio's East Side, the Ella Austin Community Center stands as a longtime beacon for local residents, delivering an assortment of social support that ranges from childcare to senior services. The center's robust offerings have been recognized as a key resource for addressing and empowering the community's multifaceted needs. According to the Ella Austin Center's website, their vision focuses on fostering a neighborhood atmosphere where every individual feels "welcome, safe and respected."
In an initiative that tackles mental health stigmas head-on, the Ella Austin Community Center is now home to the WestCare Foundation, an organization devoted to behavioral health, which provides support to San Antonio and Laredo. Keely Petty, the training coordinator for the trauma-informed ministry model program at the Center, described the array of services they offer which includes mental health training, psychological safety and verbal de-escalation, "particularly within communities of color that have often adhered to the 'what goes on in this house, stays in this house' mantra," as she told San Antonio Report.
One of the primary strategies of their program is to equip church leaders and congregants with the necessary knowledge to effectively address mental health issues, leveraging the trust churches command within communities of color. Petty's work in particular, involves interacting with the East Side's church communities, which are often the first point of contact for individuals struggling with mental health challenges.
Partnerships with several organizations, including DreamWeek, the Texas Diversity Council, and the Global Chamber of Commerce, help amplify the impact of the Center's mental health initiatives. By engaging in community events, such as DreamWeek, and conferences the WestCare Foundation seeks to communicate the message that "these training opportunities are free, accessible and essential for building healthier communities," as reported by the San Antonio Report.
Addressing the needs of the youth is also a key focus. The center has engaged in collaborative projects like the one with KLRN and Santikos to screen the documentary "Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness" for local youths. The event featured post-screening discussions and Q&A sessions, which encouraged young participants to share their personal mental health experiences. The overarching goal of these initiatives is the creation of a lasting legacy of mental health awareness that pierces through cycles of intergenerational and historical trauma.
As Ella Austin Community Center looks forward to renovations, the implementation of its 2024 strategic plan is seen as a crucial step in what Petty has termed, "the mental health awakening." With a continuous commitment to fostering mental health awareness and support, the Center and its partners persist in their mission to induce positive change that not only serves the present generation but also promises a foundation of health and understanding for the ones to follow.
