News : Foundation 2 presents at Vinton Lions Club

Jesica Copley and Drew Martel of Foundation 2

Information for the Iowa help line

Vinton Lions Club program on Wednesday was a presentation by two staff members from Foundation 2, a crisis intervention service funded by the State of Iowa and various federal grants. Foundation 2 provides services free of charge to individuals experiencing mental or emotional crisis that without crisis counseling, could lead to intervention by law enforcement, emergency room hospitalization, or suicide.

“Foundation 2 services are available free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the only thing you need to know is the phone number,” said Drew Martel, Program Coordinator for Mobile Crisis Outreach. “The only thing we need it to know is that the person we will be talking with is interested in having the conversation.”

Foundation 2 is available by phone at 855-800-1239.

Jessica Copley, Program Facilitator for Foundation 2, explained that when necessary, two counselors will travel to meet with individuals in need at the location best suited to the person seeking help. “We’ve met in churches, parks, homes, schools: just about everywhere you can imagine. Sometimes it’s just 30 minutes, but other times it can take a few hours. The key for us is responding to the person in need, in the way they need our help,” said Jessica.

Foundation 2 has been providing free services in Linn County for eleven years. Iowa’s reorganization of mental health services now means Foundation 2 can reach out to a larger region that now includes Benton County.

Visit Foundation 2 at www.Foundation2.org, or by calling the 24 hour help line at 855-800-1239 to reach trained counselors any day, any time.

In other club news, members were glad to be rejoined by Randy Stein after a lengthy absence due to illness and club members were pleased to hear that a new member was added to the family of member Amy Van Wechel and her husband Michael.

Thirty-six members were at the Pizza Ranch, including new member Steve Watson.

To learn more about Lions Club in Vinton, email vintonlionsclub@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.