The mission of CHARG Resource Center is to advance a model of genuine
partnership among individuals who live with mental illness, mental
health professionals, and the larger community through respectful
comprehensive services. We strive to achieve this mission through an
innovative partnership model that equally involves the chronically
mentally ill, staff members, and community members as equal legal
partners, decision-makers, and employees
Our mission is addressed through three primary goals:
1. To provide resources and services not otherwise adequately available
to persons with mental illness;
2. To empower mental health consumers through running their own program
and learning new skills;
3. To advocate for the needs of persons with mental illness in the
larger community.
The problem addressed by CHARG Resource Center is mental illness, an
affliction which produces devastating symptoms for one to two percent of
the world's population and creates further pain and disruption for the
families and friends of its victims. The illnesses experienced by CHARG
members include schizophrenia, bipolar (manic depressive) illness, and
major depression.
CHARG strives to listen to and to strengthen mental health consumers'
own strategies for survival and success. CHARG serves as an advocate for
people with mental illness, to decrease the societal stigma attached to
these illnesses. To accomplish this goal CHARG provides forums for the
public to learn about mental illness. CHARG Resource Center seeks to
provide the means for mental health consumers to return to and to be a
part of the larger community.
CHARG Resource Center was opened August 7, 1989. From our administrative
building at 709 East 12th Avenue in Denver , we provide a mental health
clinic and two apartments for mentally ill members. Our drop-in center
program is located in the lower level of Our Savior's Lutheran Church at
920 Emerson Street in Denver . CHARG also operates a homeless outreach
program in cooperation with, and located at, the Colorado Coalition for
the Homeless.
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The Center is a joint venture of two nonprofit organizations
representing
1) mental health consumers (CHARG) and 2) mental health professionals
and supporters (HEART of Boardwalk). This kind of partnership is, to our
knowledge, unprecedented. It offers a unique framework within which
mental health consumers find the structure and support they need to
implement a successful program, and professionals, family members and
community supporters find meaningful ways to assist in this effort.
Drop-In Program Services include:
1) Dental and Eye Care
2) Basic Needs Resources
3) Socialization and Recreation
4) Vocational Opportunities
5) Consumer Advocacy Assistance
6) Educational Classes
Outpatient Services include:
1) Individual Counseling
2) Medication Management
3) Group Counseling
4) Medical Screening and Follow-up
Community Education/Outreach Services include:
1) Public Education about Mental Illness
2) Consumer Organizing and Larger-System Advocacy
3) Outreach/Case Management with indexless Mentally Ill Persons
4) Consultation to Other Mental Health Programs Seeking to Implement
Empowerment and Partnership Approaches
CHARG Resource Center can be reached at:
709 East 12th Avenue,
Denver, Colorado 80203
telephone (303) 830-8805
fax (303) 830-8918
email at
info@charg.org.
We are a proud member of Community Shares of Colorado, a workplace
giving federation run by and for its 115 member nonprofit agencies.
Members range from larger and better-known programs such as Habitat for
Humanity, Hospice of Metro Denver, Planned Parenthood and the Gathering
Place, to smaller organizations like CHARG, Colorado Women's Agenda, and
the Association for Senior Citizens. Anyone interested in starting a
Community Shares campaign in their workplace should call us or call
Community Shares at 303-861-7507.
