"More than ever, mental health is needed in today’s
uncertain world."

Each day we are driven to make that fundamental thought a reality as we carry out our mission in the greater Indianapolis area. (See mission)

Ferriday House is the hub for services that Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis (MHAGI) provides to the community. Originally built as a residence in 1920, Ferriday House was acquired by MHAGI in 1980 and served as a home to ten male clients participating in our residential program from 1982 to 2008.  As more residents successfully transitioned from state hospitals into less restrictive housing, we saw fewer and fewer client referrals and ultimately closed the group home in September 2008 after finding alternate housing for the few remaining clients.

MHAGI commissioned an architectural study for use of the building as office space and ultimately relocated our administrative offices to Ferriday House with a plan for necessary renovations for two reasons:

1. We would realize a seventy-five percent reduction in occupancy costs from our previous office space which translates to an annual savings of $60,000 in operating expenses.  In the short term, these dollars will be redirected to programs directly addressing critical mental health needs for over 8,000 community residents this year.  Over the long term, these resources will allow us to explore and expand additional needed support and programs for emerging mental health needs of Indianapolis’ homeless residents, members of the armed forces returning from deployments with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the youth in Central Indiana who have functional impairment due to mental disorders.
2. The location, on the southeast corner of Washington Boulevard and East 38th Street, gives our agency much-needed visibility in the community.  It may also help some of the lingering public confusion about our 2006 name change from the Marion County Mental Health Association. 

Goals for the renovation:

1. Improve safety and preservation of the space by repairing or replacing necessary flooring, plumbing, entryways, steps, sidewalks, windows, ceilings, electrical, lighting, roof, masonry, and HVAC.
2. Provide more functional and practical office and meeting space that can be used by staff and others that is collaborative and supportive to the function of MHAGI, as well as handicapped accessible. The renovated area will be more open and inviting to constituents, providers, and community partners.
3. Maintain the appropriate residential character of the structure to conform to the neighborhood while increasing visibility of the organization with exterior signage.

Ferriday House is two stories along with an attic and basement totaling 6,873 square feet of usable space.  The capital project goal is $350,000.          

Vision for the Future

Our vision is a community where mental health is the cornerstone of public health, stigma is eliminated, and that people with mental illness have their unique needs met through quality service, culturally competent care, stable housing, and employment opportunities resulting in self-sufficiency. In these challenging economic and uncertain times, it is even more critical that we maintain our core services, as well as continue to plan ahead to meet the needs of our community.  We invite you help us with our capital needs now as we build for a mentally healthier community tomorrow.

Will you partner with us?  Invest today for the future of mental health!

Gifts may be made by cash, check, VISA/MC, or stocks.  Pledges are acceptable and can be paid out in any of the above methods through June 2010.  In-kind labor or materials are also welcome.  Recognition is available for gifts of $500 or more.

Send to:

MHAGI Capital Campaign
301 East 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN  46205