The exterior of the Lutheran Community Services Resource Center in Prineville Dec. 20, 2018. (Andy Tullis/Bulletin file photo)

The primary mental health care provider for Crook County recently received $10,000 in grants to upgrade facilities in its resource center and build a new healing garden.

The resource center — located at the Lutheran Community Services’ new location in the former Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville — is a daytime shelter open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is a space for homeless adults who can come in to use computer services, a food pantry and clothing closet. It also serves as a warming and cooling area during inclement weather.

The only other daytime warming and cooling area in Prineville is the Crook County Library. Redemption House Ministries operates a nighttime homeless shelter in Prineville, but no other daytime services are available to the homeless population in Prineville.

Michelle Duff, communication specialist at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, said the former Pioneer Memorial Hospital is in need of maintenance work and new utilities for the resource center, including a washing machine and shower area for the clients.

That’s where a $5,000 grant from NeighborImpact will help the organization address those maintenance needs. The renovation work will begin in the spring.

“This grant will go to help with our utilities and renovations of the facilities,” Duff said.

Another $5,000 grant from Les Schwab Tire Centers will go toward building a healing garden in an open courtyard at Lutheran Community Services Northwest. The garden will offer a mix of grass, walkways and raised-bed gardens where clients can learn gardening skills, grow their own food and practice mediation.

“We just want to make it a really special spot for the clients,” Duff said. “We want to make it a place where they feel safe and feel at peace.” As Crook County’s primary mental health care provider, Lutheran Community Services Northwest provides behavioral health services and services for the intellectually and developmentally disabled to children, young adults and families. The organization directly serves those with mental illness, addiction and violence issues.

Last year, the organization moved from its office space on Court Street to its new location in the former hospital at 1103 NW Elm St. It opened in the new location in June 2017.

Lutheran Community Services Northwest has other locations across Oregon, Washington and Idaho, serving more than 60,000 people each year.

The Prineville location served about 600 Crook County residents in 2017 and has served more than 1,000 county resident so far in 2018.

Laura Placek, Crook County mental health director at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, said the two grants will directly help the organization continue to reach the most vulnerable citizens in the county.

“Local support and sustainable contributions from generous organizations like Les Schwab Tire Centers and NeighborImpact allows us to meet the ever-changing health and basic needs of our community,” Placek said. “We are truly grateful for the support and partnerships here in Prineville and in all of Central Oregon.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, kspurr@bendbulletin.com