The HopeWay Foundation
Charlotte, NC

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Mental Health Care Center Launched

The HopeWay Foundation announced today the launch of a supportive therapeutic community on a new 12-acre campus to meet the needs of adults living with mental illness, and their families, in the Charlotte region.

Scheduled to open in summer 2016, HopeWay will provide a holistic program of residential psychiatric care and intensive day treatment services essential for successful long-term recovery. In addition to evidence-based treatment, a staff of three psychiatrists and 20 therapists will offer family therapy, job coaching, and spiritual, art, music, horticultural and recreation therapies.

HopeWay, a nonprofit foundation, is based on the proven model of Skyland Trail in Atlanta, with a 25-year history of providing psychiatric care, integrated medical care, research and community education. HopeWay also is partnering with the Charlotte region's two major hospital systems, Carolinas HealthCare System and Novant Health, as a needed complement to the hospitals' behavioral health services.

Supported by a broad-based capital campaign, HopeWay now is renovating a former school site in southeast Charlotte (at 1717 Sharon Road West). The campus will include a 52,000-square-foot building for residential care, therapy, dining and administration, a gymnasium, two single-family homes for transitional living, a greenhouse and gardens, and walking trails. At full capacity, HopeWay will offer private rooms for 36 residential clients and facilities for 50 additional day clients.

Within a 100-mile radius of Charlotte, more than 230,000 adults suffer from serious mental illness. Last year there were approximately 50,000 hospital discharges with a mental illness diagnosis in the region. Yet there are no nonprofit residential mental health treatment centers with the scope and continuum of care that will be offered by HopeWay in Charlotte or surrounding counties. National research shows up to 90 percent of people receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment experience reduced symptoms, improved skills and pursue more independent lives, yet two-thirds go without treatment because of inability to access care and the stigma associated with mental illness.

"Like many others, our family has been profoundly affected by mental illness and endured a frustrating journey to find help - leading to our commitment to create HopeWay," said William F. Blue Jr., chairman of the HopeWay Foundation. "There is a striking void between acute-care hospitals and the doctor's or therapist's office. We believe hope is truly on the way in our region to fill this gap in the continuum of care."

"HopeWay is what happens when a few people step up and say 'this is not acceptable,' and through their vision inspire others to come along," said John Santopietro, MD, chief clinical officer for behavioral health at Carolinas HealthCare System.

Ken Dunham, MD, behavioral health service line leader at Novant Health, added, "I am most grateful that our community has united to provide a pathway for hope to those that suffer with mental illness."

"Skyland Trail started in Atlanta with a similar story: a family needed treatment that was not offered in Atlanta and a group of civic leaders took up the cause and made it happen," said Beth Finnerty, president and CEO of Skyland Trail. "We are proud to now be in the position to help HopeWay emerge and grow to offer effective treatment - and hope - to individuals and families in the Charlotte region."

HopeWay has been generously supported by Charlotte region foundations and individuals though a $25.4 million campaign, which includes $5 million for an endowment for financial aid to defray costs for those who cannot afford care. HopeWay expects to conclude the campaign, which has raised more than 90 percent of its goal, in early 2016. Donations may be made on HopeWay's web site, www.hopewayfoundation.org

"The prevalence of anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses is a silent epidemic in our region. We are so grateful to all the families and foundations who are helping to open the doors of HopeWay so that our community has a welcoming campus for education and recovery," said Kathy Izard, chair of the HopeWay board's development committee.

HopeWay selected Perkins + Will of Charlotte as architect, Bloc Design as landscape architect and Shelco as general contractor for its campus. Shelco is generously providing design/build services at cost with no general contractor profit.

About HopeWay
The HopeWay Foundation is developing a supportive therapeutic community to meet the needs of adults living with mental illness and their families in the Charlotte region. HopeWay's continuum of care, based on a 12-acre campus in Charlotte scheduled to open in summer 2016, will include residential care, day treatment programs, vocational training and job placement services, with a goal of helping clients live successfully and independently in the community. HopeWay's mission also is to raise awareness about mental health care through a vigorous community education program.