PEORIA, Ill. – The UnityPoint Health “Young Minds Project” is coming closer to becoming reality, thanks in part to a big donation from a local financial institution.
CEFCU Wednesday donated $500,000 to the “Young Minds Project” converting the former Heddington Oaks into a treatment facility for youth with mental health and substance abuse problems.
The donation will put CEFCU’s name on a recreation facility in the works.
“We would have room for kids to play,” said Mary Sparks-Thompson, president, UnityPoint Health UnityPlace. “We may be able to install basketball hoops, have some exercise equipment. We could do everything from indoor soccer to yoga. It depends on how we make that final determination on how to use that space.”
Sparks-Thompson says recreation like that is crucial to a child’s recovery. She says since even the Young Minds Project announcement in March, the mental health situation for local youth hasn’t gotten much better.
“We’re seeing an increase in demand for services, and we’re also seeing an increase in the acuity of the symptoms that we’re seeing,” said Sparks-Thompson. “We have more children in need, and the severity of their illnesses are more intense. We’re seeing a lot of suicidality in our children, which of course is very concerning. We’re seeing a lot of substance abuse.”
It’s just the type of effort CEFCU thought was extremely important to support.
“When we receive requests for support, we look for things just like this that have a huge, very positive impact for the communities that we serve,” said Matt Mamer, CEFCU CEO.
UnityPoint has committed to half the $25 million to $30 million cost of converting Heddington Oaks, but officials say your dollars are still needed.
“We had a generous family that donated $1 million, with a dollar-for-dollar match,” said Mike Unes, Vice President, UnityPoint Health Central Illinois Foundation. “We are close to fulfilling that, but that is still open right now.”
CLICK HERE to find out how you can donate. The Young Minds Project facility is slated to open this time in 2023.
