Lauderdale County officials joined other community leaders in congratulating Weems Community Mental Health on Wednesday as the organization cut the ribbon on its newly expanded Children and Youth Division.
The new building, located at 1929 23rd Avenue, will bring more of Weems services to one location with afterschool and summer programs joining other children’s services at the location.
“We have what’s called day treatment, and those are afterschool and summer programs for children that have emotional and behavioral problems,” Weems Executive Director Russ Andreacchio said. “And we’re going to continue to operate our normal Children and Youth Department through our existing building just as we have now, but now, instead of being scattered around different sites, we will house about six or seven programs here.”
The new building is a sign of growth, Andreacchio said, and Weems is committed to continuing to provide mental health services to people in its service area including Lauderdale, Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Newton, Neshoba, Scott, Smith and Leake counties.
Lauderdale County Supervisor Josh Todd, who serves as president of the Board of Supervisors, said Weems provides services many don’t realize are available until they are needed, but the organization is helping in the local community every day. As a father, however, having those resources available should his children need it goes a long way, he said.
Todd said Weems also helps Lauderdale County employees allowing them to access some of its services at no cost.
“Me having children, knowing this is a part of something we could come to, and what y’all offer to the employees of Lauderdale County is huge,” he said.
Matt Schanrock, from the East Mississippi Business Development District, said mental health is a nationwide concern, and Weems is working to address that in Meridian and Lauderdale County.
“Just on behalf of the EMBDC, if there’s anything you guys need, please don’t hesitate to reach out,” he said.
Craig Hitt, chief administrative officer for the city of Meridian, said he attended the ribbon cutting for Weems’ first Children and Youth Department building when he served on the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors. Now, he gets to attend a ribbon cutting for the new expansion that will bring more services to the location.
“Thank you to Weems for what they’ve done for this community and for this area, serving not only Lauderdale County and the city of Meridian, but several counties and making a difference in people’s lives and in families,” he said.
For more information about Weems Community Mental Health and its services, visit www.weemsmh.com.