Friends of Loudoun Mental Health

Treasurer Hard At Work
(Brad in Action) ©2008

Friends got started in 1955 when a small group of women of the Loudoun County Women's Club (LCW C) put their hearts and minds together and created Loudoun's first Child Guidance Center. Seed money to support the program came from selling pecans. As a direct result of the program's success, Loudoun County Mental Health Services allocated funds that were eventually matched by the state in support of the Center's mission. As time passed, the collective efforts of the community plus local and state governmental support brought about today's Community Services Board, which provides mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services to Loudoun County residents.

In 1977 the original members of the LCWC organized and established a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) volunteer organization and named it the Mental Health Advisory Board. The board served as an advisor and an avid supporter of Loudoun County Mental Health Services. In 1993 the board changed its official name to Friends of Loudoun County Mental Health, Inc., and developed an even stronger, more proactive public-private partnership with Loudoun County's Mental Health Services.

Today the organization focuses its fundraising efforts on events that support our primary programs A Place To Call Home, A Helping Hand and In Our Own Voice (IOOV). With a clear focus and determination to support people in our community with mental health challenges, Friends sponsors several annual fundraising campaigns, numerous speaking events that advocate for community mental health through guest speakers and IOOV presenters. We also participate actively with other organizations in forums that enhance our knowledge of mental health issues, especially those emphasizing promising movement toward recovery from mental illness.