 The Peer Support Center, operated by On Our Own of Charlottesville, is located at 123 4th St., NW, in downtown Charlottesville. The building was purchased in 1996 with a generous grant from the United Parcel Service Foundation. A lovely two story older home, the Peer Support Center provides a safe environment where folks can come visit and feel welcome. Coffee is available for hours each morning and evening. Holiday dinners are planned and served by members and staff. Each Sunday, folks from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist Church bring a prepared meal to serve at the center. While some may take them for granted, the availability of shower and laundry facilities is a blessing to those who have access to neither, as is having a mailing address and a place to make and receive phone calls. The newspapers is also available. The home was upgraded with a grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation in 1999 to carpet our staircase, one upstairs meeting room and the hallway. Forty students from the University of Virginia were able to paint the entire building in less than four hours, and university students continue to help with building upgrades throughout the school year. On Our Own staff visit Western State Hospital weekly, and work with patients who could be discharged but lack the skills and resources needed to live in the community. Two bedrooms on the second floor of the home have provided housing for many individuals through our transitional housing program. Many would have remained hospitalized were it not for this option. A former patient at Western State Hospital lived at the Peer Support Center until he learned the skills needed to live on his own. He now lives on his own in Charlottesville. |