COTTAGE GROVE — Last week, the Murdock Trust announced the winners of its Fall 2022 Grant Report — among its winners is South Lane Mental Health, a Cottage Grove- based nonprofit aimed at restoring hope and renewing lives through compassionate mental health care services, support and advocacy.
“The Murdock Trust invests in mental health care across the Pacific Northwest because our benefactor, Jack Murdock, understood its role in flourishing communities,” said Jill Lemke, Senior Director for Training and Capacity Building, Murdock Trust. “Organizations like South Lane Mental Health are doing the important work of making mental health resources available to all, especially groups that less frequently seek and receive this kind of care. The Murdock Trust is grateful for this organization, and honored to play a small role in continuing to make mental health care accessible for those of all backgrounds and cultures.”
More than $9.3 M was allocated to 33 nonprofits across the state of Oregon.
Alison Canino, Interim Executive Director of South Lane Mental Health, said the $130,500 award will help support the ALAS program, which supports adults, children, individuals, couples, and families from the LatinX community. Services include case management (resource navigation and community education), group therapy and therapy for individuals in Spanish.
The funds will expand services to Latinx and Guatemalan clients and hire new program staff.
“We are honored to receive support from the Murdoch Foundation. The ALAS program was created to provide trauma-informed and bi-cultural/bi-lingual mental health services to members of the Latinx community in South Lane County using the Health Ethno-Racial model of care,” Canino said. “This position will focus on building relationships with LatinX community members and families.”
The program currently provides services to 30 clients and their families. Last year, the program worked with the South Lane School District to offer group therapy to 8 elementary school students and plans on continuing this group at the elementary, middle and high school level.
The funds will go toward staffing a Community Liaison/Case Manager who will coordinate with community partners, advocate for clients, and connect ALAS clients with community resources.
“We are very excited to be creating this position, it will allow us to expand the type of services we offer clients and provide more case management support,” Canino said. “It is truly a privilege to be recognized by such an outstanding organization like the Murdoch Charitable Trust. We will be using these funds to continue to support our beautiful South Lane community.”