Congressional Commendation Honors Barbara Mitchell for 30 years as Advocate for Homeless

 More than 100 supporters of Interim, Inc., turned out to honor Executive Director Barbara Mitchell for her 30 years of service to Interim, a leading provider of services to homeless adults with mental illness in Monterey County. Mitchell was awarded a Congressional Commendation arranged by Representative Sam Farr and recognized by the County Board of Supervisors for her work with the homeless. Dr. Wayne Clark of Monterey County Behavioral Health, praised Mitchell saying, “Barbara inspires us all with her wisdom, passion, tenaciousness, clarity and compassion.”

Mitchell has worked for Interim for 30 years, serving almost 25 years as the Executive Director, and has devoted herself to improving the lives of people with psychiatric disabilities in Monterey County.

Under Mitchell's leadership, Interim has developed 18 affordable housing projects, two licensed treatment facilities, and numerous support programs for homeless adults with mental illness. Interim will break ground next month for its newest affordable housing project, Sunflower Gardens, on Sun Street in Salinas. Interim serves approximately 1,600 homeless adults each year.

Working in partnership with Monterey County Behavioral Health (MCBH), Interim provides a continuum of residential treatment, affordable supportive housing, and social rehabilitation services for adults with psychiatric disabilities who reside in Monterey County. Interim’s mission is to provide supportive services and quality housing to those with mental illness.

Don Wald Honored with Garden at Sunflower Garden

March 31, 2009

Monterey—Friends and family of Don Wald, a founder of Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects of Monterey, surprised him on his 80th birthday by dedicating a garden in his honor at Interim, Inc.’s, new Sunflower Gardens project in Salinas. The project, a three-building, 13,000-sq.-foot residential complex on Sun Street, will provide affordable housing, onsite counseling, and support services for 22 homeless adults with mental illnesses.

At the party, held at La Mirada in Monterey, Wald told family and friends, “I have enjoyed working with Interim for many years, and I am honored to have a garden named in my honor.” Firm Principal, Henry Ruhnke added, “Interim is near and dear to our hearts; they support members of our community with mental illness to build productive and satisfying lives. We are proud of the role our firm has played to design beautiful facilities that help Interim to achieve its goals.”

Wald, Ruhnke & Dost is the primary architect for Sunflower Gardens, which is currently registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is being designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating under the new LEED for Homes Rating System. The buildings will incorporate solar panels, solar water heating, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and low-flow water fixtures. Groundbreaking for Sunflower Gardens is scheduled for April 30.

Interim is Monterey County’s only provider of supported affordable housing for adults with serious mental illness. Since 1986, the agency has successfully developed 18 housing and treatment facility projects for adults with serious psychiatric disabilities, including many dedicated to homeless adults with mental illness in Monterey County. It currently provides 237 beds in 20 locations and manages 10 support programs serving more than 1,600 adults with mental illness each year. For further information about Interim and its programs, contact Barbara L. Mitchell, Executive Director, at 831. 649.4522.

Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects, LLP, is a full-service architectural firm, located in Monterey, providing design solutions for commercial, medical, governmental, educational, residential and non-profit clients. WR&D has a staff of nearly 50 professionals and has proudly served the central coast with quality design, service and value for 45 years. For additional information, please call 831.649.4642 or visit www.wrdarch.com.

Interim Receives HUD Grant Award

March 13, 2009

Homeless Adults with Mental Illness Benefit from HUD Grant Award

(Monterey) Interim, Inc., a local non-profit serving homeless adults with mental illness in Monterey County, has been awarded $235, 575 in the Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) 2008 McKinney-Vento homeless competition. As Monterey County’s only provider of affordable housing for homeless adults with serious mental illness, Interim is one of a small number of service providers granted this award. The funds will support Interim’s Sandy Shores and Shelter Cove programs, which house 64 previously homeless adults on the former Fort Ord.

In making the announcement, HUD’s General Deputy Assistant Secretary Nelson Bergón said, “The programs and (organizations) funded through the Homeless Assistance Program continue to illustrate their value by improving accountability and performance every year.” He commended Interim on “the outstanding work of your program,” and he encouraged Interim “to continue to strive for excellence in the fight against homelessness.”

Since 1986, Interim has successfully developed 18 housing and treatment facility projects for homeless mentally ill adults in Monterey County and currently provides 237 beds in 20 locations, including 150 units of affordable permanent housing, transitional housing for 59 homeless individuals with mental illness, and 28 treatment beds in two separate programs. Interim manages 10 support programs and serves more than 1,600 adults with mental illness each year.

Working in partnership with Monterey County Behavioral Health (MCBH), Interim provides a continuum of residential treatment, affordable supportive housing, and social rehabilitation services for adults with psychiatric disabilities who reside in Monterey County. Interim’s mission is to provide supportive services and quality housing to those with mental illness. Interim is a United Way Agency and is a member of the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers. 

For further information about Interim and its programs, contact Barbara L. Mitchell, Executive Director, at 831. 649.4522.

Paula Comunelli Joins Interim

Mental Health Advocate Joins Interim Staff

Mental health advocate Paula Comunelli has joined Interim’s OMNI staff as Program Director. She is the founder of Listening Well, a curriculum that involves those with mental illness and their family members in storytelling to release the shame, despair, and fear of mental illness.

Interim’s OMNI Center is a self-help wellness center run by and for mental health consumers. It is one of 10 support programs that Interim provides in partnership with Monterey County Behavioral Health (MCBH) to deliver a continuum of residential treatment, affordable supportive housing, and social rehabilitation services for adults with psychiatric disabilities who reside in Monterey County.

Since 1986, Interim has successfully developed 18 housing and treatment facility projects for homeless mentally ill adults in Monterey County and currently provides 237 beds in 20 locations, including 150 units of affordable permanent housing, transitional housing for 59 homeless individuals with mental illness, and 28 treatment beds in two separate programs. Interim is a United Way Agency and is a member of the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers. 

For more information about Interim’s programs, call Barbara L. Mitchell at 649-4522