The Hillsdale Drop-In Center continues to serve those suffering from mental illnesses in the local community through activities and support groups, promoting empowerment, and recovery.
On Sunday, the Hillsdale Drop-In Center welcomed a group from Toledo, Ohio, who gave their time by offering haircuts to homeless people, members of the center, and even some people who just walked by, according to Amanda Crandall, the director of the Hillsdale Drop-In Center. She said she was enthusiastic about the services that the group brought to the center and that they reached out to her asking if they could give haircuts to the local homeless.
“They get together, they bring meals clothing, they do hair, they do nails,” Crandall said.
The group itself was on par with the center’s mission, which is to empower and support throughout their daily lives. The Drop-In center often reaches out to the community to help those in need.
“We have recovery groups, things for anxiety, depression,” Crandall said. “We have a free meal every day, we have laundry services, and it’s free for people to sign up to become a member. They just have to have the mental health diagnosis.”
These members were able to receive the services of the Toledo group on Sunday, something which Crandall felt was an uplifting act of kindness.
“They were so excited,” she said. “They felt like someone cared about them. And that is the mission statement of the people who came up and said they do matter and people do care about them. They definitely helped. It was a wonderful event to be a part of.”
As a non-profit organization, the drop-in center relies on programs like Medicaid, and state and local grants to fund the center, which makes room for groups such as the one who offered haircuts this past weekend.
One of the recipients of the group’s kindness was Vicki Woodby, a board member and volunteer at the drop-in center.
“I thought it was a wonderful experience,” Woodby said. “The people were very friendly and outgoing. I got a haircut, which I loved, I got my feet rubbed with lotion, which was very nice. Got my toenails painted they were just a good group of people.”
For every member of the center and even members of the community who stopped by on Sunday, it was a heartwarming experience.
“They were just all really fabulous people,” Woodby said. “I hope we get to see them again.”
