Somewhere to go for Christmas
The doors are open Christmas Day at several Philadelphia centers for people with mental illness.
If you are in Philadelphia on Christmas and feeling adrift, there’s no need. WHYY reports on at least two places you are welcome to drop by.
Listen:
[audio:sci20081225dropin.mp3]
More Info:
Do Drop In Center
1229 N Broad St – 4th floor
215-236-6760
Open on Christmas 8-4
Day After Christmas 10-6
A New Life Consumer Center
3119 Spring Garden St.
215-243-0550
Open on Christmas 9-5
Day After Christmas 9-5
Transcript:
The Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania operates several centers where people come to watch TV, use the computers or play pool. Today is no exception.
Dawson: Our centers are open on holidays so that we can be there to support that person who is feeling left alone and that there is nowhere for them to turn.
Ted Dawson directs the association’s peer services which run throughout the year to connect people with the wider community. Many of the programs are led by former clients.
Dawson: People who have been homeless, people who struggle with mental health challenges, they’re the experts on their conditions on their situations. They’re most likely to help me, or motivate me to try something new if I’m experiencing those same challenges.
Dawson says many people make their way to the center when the are feeling isolated, but then keep coming back.
Dawson: They sort of come away with a particular ownership in the center, it’s their center.
The Do Drop In Center on north Broad and A New Life Consumer Center on Spring Garden are open after 9 a.m. on Christmas and until 4 p.m.
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