Have you personally experienced or watched someone close to you become the caretaker for a parent? Now imagine if that parent also had a severe untreated mental illness. How would you manage the demands of being a spouse, parent, employee, and now caregiver?

Linda was a valued member of the PRC community.

Thankfully, for Linda’s family, Peace River Center (PRC) was there when she let her mental illness go untreated and was now relying on her daughter as her caregiver.

With your support, PRC provides community-based services to those in need and will continue to be there for more families like Linda’s:

Linda’s diagnosis was Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Before coming to her daughter’s house in Lakeland, she was not taking her medication, causing a manic episode. That vulnerable moment led the family right where they needed to be–to the PRC community. Following stabilization and medication management, Linda started to attend Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (PSR) and later graduated Valedictorian of her PSR class. She secured her own place at PRC’s HUD apartments, got a job, and gained life skills through PRC’s Club Success program.

Beyond the resources though, what Linda gained was a community of friends. Her family shared, “These opportunities gave our mom the independence she so deserved and longed for. In August 2022, after a long hard fight, our mom lost her battle with cancer. Thank you, Peace River Center, for giving our beloved mother the opportunity to be independent and the community she needed.”

Mental illness does not have to define someone. You have the power to provide community to people like Linda who are longing for healing, belonging and hope.

The sentiment is one we hear often from clients and their families. PRC’s community matters and makes a difference. Your support matters and makes a difference. Will you help us continue to provide healing and community?