MOCA House offers hope for those struggling with mental health issues
MOCA House may sound like a coffee shop, but it isn’t. Instead of coffee, MOCA actually stands for Manse On College Avenue, a lighthouse of hope for Holmes and Wayne county residents suffering with mental health issues.
Manse is actually a Presbyterian term for parsonage, and was incorporated into the MOCA House name because the house was formerly used as the manse for the First Presbyterian Church. The manse is still owned by the church, but is leased for $1 a year in support of the program and community.
The idea for MOCA House was birthed when the church parsonage became available a couple years ago, around the same time that funding reductions were creating a huge gap in mental health services.
Julie Bogner, house manager, is excited to be involved with this fairly new program. Bogner also serves as a community relations specialist and board liaison to the Wayne Holmes Mental Health Coalition at the Wayne-Holmes Mental Health and Recovery Board (WHMHRB). The coalition offices are located at MOCA House as well.
MOCA House was also made possible through the support of community service clubs, an anonymous donation, and funding from the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, as well as assistance from the WHMHRB. The house was renovated, and opened in August 2010, and has been in full operation since that time.
“We are here for the residents of Holmes and Wayne counties,” Bogner shared. “We offer peer support, educational services, social and recreational activities and community involvement for our clients, because these programs improve their quality of life and help with their recovery.”
Each week MOCA House provides special activities that encourage social interaction with peers and offer supportive and educational opportunities. Some of these activities include face-to-face support groups where people can draw strength and hope from one another, activities that include art, writing and other expressive avenues, time for games, interaction and parties, and work type activities like assisting with mailings, labeling and stamping for the church and other service organizations in the community. Bogner said that taking part in these types of activities and having that sense of being involved in something greater than oneself can help strengthen coping and life skills for those dealing with mental issues. All the programs at MOCA House are free as well.
“Our main goal is to help people discover, maintain and work through the recovery process,” Bogner said. “It is possible to recovery from mental health disorders, but it’s difficult to do this on your own. Everyone is different and people need to recognize what works best for them. MOCA House is a great place to offer that kind of assistance and help. We’ve also been able to implement an internship with The College of Wooster’s psychology department and that has been an excellent resource for us and our clients.”
According to Bogner, resources such as MOCA House have great research showing data and outcomes that prove the stability and strength of these types of programs.
“MOCA House and other programs like it are proven through research and data to keep people out of hospitals and jail, and to help them with recovery,” Bogner shared. “We all need one another and can help others through our own story and the support we offer. MOCA House is a very forgiving and safe environment. It is made up of all ages, from 18 to 80, and includes men and women.”
MOCA House is located at 637 College Avenue in Wooster, and is open Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Bogner said approximately 15-20 people usually visit daily, and there are many support groups and activities available. MOCA House sees individuals from Holmes and Wayne counties. For more information or a tour of the facility, call the Wayne Holmes Mental Health Coalition at 330-264-1590.
Manse is actually a Presbyterian term for parsonage, and was incorporated into the MOCA House name because the house was formerly used as the manse for the First Presbyterian Church. The manse is still owned by the church, but is leased for $1 a year in support of the program and community.
The idea for MOCA House was birthed when the church parsonage became available a couple years ago, around the same time that funding reductions were creating a huge gap in mental health services.
Julie Bogner, house manager, is excited to be involved with this fairly new program. Bogner also serves as a community relations specialist and board liaison to the Wayne Holmes Mental Health Coalition at the Wayne-Holmes Mental Health and Recovery Board (WHMHRB). The coalition offices are located at MOCA House as well.
MOCA House was also made possible through the support of community service clubs, an anonymous donation, and funding from the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, as well as assistance from the WHMHRB. The house was renovated, and opened in August 2010, and has been in full operation since that time.
“We are here for the residents of Holmes and Wayne counties,” Bogner shared. “We offer peer support, educational services, social and recreational activities and community involvement for our clients, because these programs improve their quality of life and help with their recovery.”
Each week MOCA House provides special activities that encourage social interaction with peers and offer supportive and educational opportunities. Some of these activities include face-to-face support groups where people can draw strength and hope from one another, activities that include art, writing and other expressive avenues, time for games, interaction and parties, and work type activities like assisting with mailings, labeling and stamping for the church and other service organizations in the community. Bogner said that taking part in these types of activities and having that sense of being involved in something greater than oneself can help strengthen coping and life skills for those dealing with mental issues. All the programs at MOCA House are free as well.
“Our main goal is to help people discover, maintain and work through the recovery process,” Bogner said. “It is possible to recovery from mental health disorders, but it’s difficult to do this on your own. Everyone is different and people need to recognize what works best for them. MOCA House is a great place to offer that kind of assistance and help. We’ve also been able to implement an internship with The College of Wooster’s psychology department and that has been an excellent resource for us and our clients.”
According to Bogner, resources such as MOCA House have great research showing data and outcomes that prove the stability and strength of these types of programs.
“MOCA House and other programs like it are proven through research and data to keep people out of hospitals and jail, and to help them with recovery,” Bogner shared. “We all need one another and can help others through our own story and the support we offer. MOCA House is a very forgiving and safe environment. It is made up of all ages, from 18 to 80, and includes men and women.”
MOCA House is located at 637 College Avenue in Wooster, and is open Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Bogner said approximately 15-20 people usually visit daily, and there are many support groups and activities available. MOCA House sees individuals from Holmes and Wayne counties. For more information or a tour of the facility, call the Wayne Holmes Mental Health Coalition at 330-264-1590.
Published: May 16, 2011
