Donation boosts mental health efforts

By Jenna Wilson

The Samaritan Counseling Center received a generous donation this week on behalf of a former client who passed away unexpectedly due to a seizure.

The family of Devin Delaney, who was a wildland firefighter, gave $1,120 to show appreciation for the services the nonprofit organization provided for their son and many others in the community.

“This was our son Devin’s favorite charity,” said Dennis Delaney, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the organization that helped raise the money. “We lost Devin a year and a half ago, so when we did our fundraiser this last year, we voted to start supporting Samaritan Center and that’s what we’re doing here today.”

Delaney said the center provided his son with guidance and care that exceeded the family’s expectations as he was on his road to recovery.

“He was committed to showing up here and really put his heart and soul into this place,” Delaney said. “Pretty much everyone here volunteers for the most part and still, each day, they’re giving the proper treatment to folks here in St. Joseph who maybe can’t afford care of other kinds.”

Dr. Robert Corder, an addiction specialist at the center, says unexpected donations from community members such as this have a big impact on the organization and help the agency continue providing impactful services to those in need.

“We are not for profit and we don’t get a lot of government money,” Corder said. “We do get a few grants, but every little bit helps. Mental health is not taken very high priority in health care when it really should be, so anybody that contributes to our cause, it’s much appreciated and the Delaneys have been very good supporters of ours.”

The Samaritan Center is continuing to develop new treatment methods and recently gained an extra hand with staffing in the addiction clinic.

Anyone struggling with substance addiction and mental health disorders is encouraged to reach out to the center for information about its services.