Nicasa, Nfp

Supportive Meals COVID-19 has presented various challenges for Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, the clients and and communities we serve, our staff, and the entire world. One way Nicasa is working to protect those in need is by keeping the doors open and providing continuous services for substance abuse, mental health, problem gambling, parenting support, and more. One of our continued programs is our adult residential recovery halfway house, Bridge House. As many people lack positive resources and natural supports, Nicasa decided that all residents will remain in the programs, regardless of whether or not they are ready to be discharged. This way we can continue to ensure their safety by limiting their exposure to unsafe conditions, as well as making sure they do not enter into situations that will threaten their sobriety. Bridge House currently has 16 residents living in the home. As they cannot work or volunteer, everyone is isolated together, which means increased need for full and constant meals. Thankfully, various individuals, community groups, and organizations have supported our program by ensuring that meals are provided to our residents. Pictured above is 1 of 5 weeks of meals provided by Gratitude Generation, a local Lake County nonprofit with a goal of instilling gratitude into future generations via education and service. Thanks to G2 both Nicasa and Josh's (Northbrook, IL) benefited from the purchased meals. Bridge House has also been fortunate to receive a dinner from Portillos from Jim Snow, a Nicasa Board member, as well as the United Way of Lake County to help provide relief funding for one month of meals. Nicasa and its clients are forever grateful for this support, and the residents extremely fortunate to be considered in other people's thoughts as we all struggle through COVID-19 together.

Personal Protective Equipment Nicasa Behavioral Health Services has been so fortunate to receive various generous donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) as our programming remains open to our communities. Although almost all of our services are not provided via telehealth, we have been fortunate enough to provide our staff with PPE, as well as ensure we have various protections for the staff and residents within our adult residential recovery halfway house, Bridge House. Thank you to organizations, companies, and individuals who have donated everything from N95 masks to homemade reusable coverings. We're all in this together!

HUGS Line (Handling Uncertainty with Guidance and Support) - #nicasastrong Sometimes we all just need a hug, but right now we are unable to come together. So, as a supplement to the services we already provide, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services created the HUGS Line for free emotional help and recovery support. Now more than ever people need someone to talk too, but often the stigma surrounding the words "substance abuse" and "mental health" can turn people away. Also, there are people who maybe never struggled before and this is their first time seeking help. No matter the situation, Nicasa is here for everyone. This is a free line, offered in English and Spanish, where staff will listen to the needs of individuals and families. Then we connect them to any services they may need, and if we do not have that service, then we will connect them to external options as well. Social distancing and isolation are imperative to stop the spread of COVID-19, but they are very triggering for individuals and families struggling with substance abuse, mental health, problem gambling, unhealthy living environments, overwhelmed parents, and more. Nicasa is here for everyone now and for the repercussions that will come after the pandemic.