The Hall-Perrine Foundation has announced a $1 million matching grant to support the St. Luke’s Foundation for UnityPoint Health’s capital campaign or AbbeHealth Services, a key provider of mental health services in Eastern Iowa.
This $1 million pledge serves as the lead gift for St. Luke’s Foundation’s $4 million “New Beginnings Start Here” campaign, aimed at bolstering the resources of AbbeHealth and addressing a growing demand for mental health services in the region.
Under the terms of the grant, the Hall-Perrine Foundation will contribute one dollar for every two dollars raised by the foundation, up to $1 million. To secure the full grant, St. Luke’s Foundation must raise $2 million. The funds will help AbbeHealth establish a new facility, ensuring the organization can continue to meet the community’s increasing mental health care needs.
“We’re extremely grateful for The Hall-Perrine Foundation’s support of our community mental health campaign,” said Mary Klinger, St. Luke’s Foundation president. “We are excited to see how community support from donors will help raise the matching funds to fulfill this grant.”
Earlier this year, AbbeHealth announced plans to consolidate its offices and relocate to a new facility at 615 5th St. SE, formerly known as the Stamats Building. The move to the 31,000-square-foot space is designed to support the organization’s evolving model of care, providing the necessary room for expanded services and enhanced delivery of mental health care in the region.
“The new model of care aims to improve community access and provide comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, and person-centered behavioral health care,” said Kathy Johnson, AbbeHealth Services executive director. “Our new location will allow us more space to offer these services in one convenient place.”
The Abbe Center for Community Mental Health, a state and nationally accredited facility, has been serving individuals of all ages since its founding in 1949. As the largest community mental health center in Iowa, the Abbe Center became the first in the state to be designated as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCHBC).
According to a release, each year the center provides more than 20,000 individual services. Nearly one in two people will require behavioral health care at some point in their lives, and for many of those who turn to the Abbe Center, financial assistance is crucial—three-quarters of its clients are covered by Medicaid or Medicare.
Updating the Abbe Center’s physical location will streamline operations by consolidating clinic offices into a single site, enabling more integrated care and cost efficiencies. The new facility aims to create a welcoming environment that reflects the center’s commitment to providing high-quality mental health and substance abuse treatment services.
The redesigned space is intended to promote mental wellness, offering a setting that nurtures both physical and emotional well-being while fostering a sense of dignity, comfort, and safety for clients. Additionally, the expanded space will allow for growth in both staff and services, the release said.
“By helping people with mental health issues maintain jobs, stabilize their families and stay in school, we’re strengthening our community for all of us,” said Casey Greene, UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids president.
Construction is currently underway at the new AbbeHealth facility, with plans for a 2025 open house scheduled for May, aligning with National Mental Health Awareness Month.
