Local community center comes to mechanicsburg

Adam Sorensen, LPCC-S- Director of Treatment & Recovery at MHDAS & Merv Miller, owner of Simple Comforts.

The Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board (MHDAS) is proud to partner with Merv Miller of Mechanicsburg for a Healthy Community (MHC), to help establish a Community Center in Mechanicsburg.

The Community Center will be in the same building as Simple Comforts Coffee Shop, owned by Merv and Tammy Miller. Merv envisions the Community Center will consist of office space for drug and alcohol therapy, Clergy, youth mentoring, and a dried goods pantry.

The mini-grant, funded by the MHDAS Board, provided construction materials to remodel the space. The estimated completion date for this project is around July 2021.
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Drug and Alcohol Therapy: Merv is working with TCN Behavioral Health to provide a satellite office to provide therapy in Mechanicsburg one or more days a week. This would remove the transportation barrier that can make it difficult to get enough support during the recovery journey. The public’s access to care is a priority for the MHDAS and Merv’s efforts are greatly appreciated. “I have a real passion for people with substance use disorders,” says Merv. “I don’t only want to give them a ride home from jail. I want a relationship with them. I want to connect them to the things they need to be successful like housing, employment, mentorship, and a church family.” Merv has been very successful with this approach as he has helped people transition from a jail cell, to an apartment, to obtaining their driver’s license, and gaining access to employment, all thanks to his involvement.