May 11, 2023 | By Sophia Goulette
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Dial Help is partnering with Houghton/Keweenaw Communities That Care (HKCTC) to host a community drive. The goal of the drive is to collect supplies to support local youth and families. Drop boxes are available at Dial Help’s office in downtown Houghton and other locations.
“When people think of mental health, they may not realize that it’s tied to many aspects of life, including hygiene, recreation, and sensory support,” said Callisto Cortez, HKCTC Coordinator. “We’re collecting small items that can make a big difference for the people who don’t have access to them.”
The drive is specifically seeking fidget toys for the Child Advocacy Center, which serves child victims of sexual and physical abuse; hygiene items for low-income families, like shampoo/conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes/toothpaste, soap, feminine products, socks, and underwear; and books for kids and teens. Please only donate items new in the package, or new/like-new books. Besides the downtown Dial Help office, donations can be dropped off at Houghton Middle School, Dollar Bay Schools, Hancock Police Department, and KC Bonkers. You can donate cash to purchase these items through Portage Health Foundation at www.phfgive.org/contribute -- just mark the funds for the Community Drive.
You can learn more about HKCTC, a coalition of professionals and community members working to reduce rates of teen substance use, depression, and more at www.houghtonkeweenawctc.com. Learn more about Dial Help’s Child Advocacy Center at www.dialhelp.org/cac. Find resources for mental health at www.dialhelp.org/resources.