Though a year delayed, Wings Support and Recovery is ready to welcome the community with open arms to its 20th year celebration.
“We want everyone to be able to leave their homes, it’s been a year,” said Wings Executive Director Julli Griesheimer.
Wings’ 20th anniversary celebration will take place from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 5 in Eljer Park.
Griesheimer said she wants it to be an opportunity for every community member to “work on self-care” and “do things that bring (them) joy.”
Honey Compass will perform live music from 6-8 p.m. while popcorn and hot dogs are served. At 8:40 p.m., the movie “Daddy’s Home” will be shown on a large screen.
Those interested can enter a raffle to win a 9-person tent and two-night camping trip to Hocking Hills, a bowling party for 10 people or a private archery lesson.
A variety of local vendors will also be at the event, including a Narcan distribution site sponsored by the Union County Health Department.
Greisheimer said Wings marked its actual 20th anniversary last year, but could not host a community celebration due to COVID precautions. She said the extra year provided extra time to plan an event that featured “family engagement” and highlighted a feeling of “brotherhood” between local people.
The celebration is an extension of what Wings provides to those who regularly take advantage of their services.
“We imagine Wings as the glue in our community,” Greisheimer said.
She explained that Wings is not a treatment provider, but serves to provide support for individuals struggling with their mental health or substance use, and help connect them with appropriate resources.
Wings Support and Recovery initially began as an “enrichment center,” Griesheimer said. It was a woodshop for those experiencing mental health issues, supported by the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County.
To this day, Wings is supported by MHRBUC but its reach has expanded dramatically.
“We pride ourselves on not just being here… but helping people in ways that are evidence based,” Greisheimer said, adding that Wings is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the State of Ohio’s Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Griesheimer said Wings is best known for its peer support, which enables people in recovery to share similar life experiences and empower each other to set and achieve goals.
Wings also offers benefits services that connect people with a variety of resources, including help with financial and housing stability; helps individuals navigate child support; hosts support groups, including yoga classes; and offers employment services that help connect people with stable jobs.
Wings, located at 729 S. Walnut Street, was also renovated four years ago to become a complete drop-in center. It has a full kitchen, shower, washer and dryer that people are welcome to stop by and use, Griesheimer said.
The organization previously operated three recovery houses for those battling substance use disorders, but has since passed them to another provider.
Regardless, Griesheimer said anyone in need of help can be confident asking Wings for assistance.
“Wings is a nice starting position for people who are uncertain,” she said.
Griesheimer added that even if Wings does not offer the appropriate services, they can readily connect individuals with other providers that do.
“We’re not going to let you leave empty-handed,” she said.
In the meantime, Griesheimer said Wings is a “judgement free” zone where people are accepted, no matter what phase of their recovery they are in.
She said those at Wings desire to destigmatize mental illness and are working to normalize seeking help.
A large number of individuals who come to Wings are people who want help but don’t want others to know about their personal struggles, Greisheimer said.
Instead, she wants people to be proud of taking the initiative to better themselves.
Griesheimer said people are happy to post photos of their physical progress at the gym and should be similarly proud of strides taken toward better mental health.
“It’s not something that should be a secret,” she said.
It’s a message she is specifically emphasizing following the pandemic.
Since January, Griesheimer said Wings has seen an influx of individuals who had not previously experienced any mental health struggles, but recently felt depressed or anxious.
Even if they’re not sure what to do or where to start, she said they don’t need to be afraid to ask for help.
“It’s O.K. not to be O.K.,” Greisheimer said. “You don’t have to stay there and you don’t have to be there alone.”
Those interested in utilizing Wings’ resources can stop by the drop-in center or call (937) 642-9555. Individuals experiencing a crisis of any kind can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.