Self Help Center holds open house

The Self Help Center of Hot Springs County held an Open House on Tuesday, January 18. The center is located at 426 Big Horn Street.

They welcomed the public and enjoyed discussing their programs and services. The Self Help Center is also seeking the public’s input on what their needs are to help better serve those in need.

Gage Williams is the associate director of the Self Help Center and works under Jenn Dyer, director. They are based out of Casper, but serve in the Hot Springs County office as part of an advisory council. Williams said they are offering advocacy services such as helping with crisis intervention, protection orders, providing emergency shelters, and giving adequate programming, court accompaniment, and safety planning.

They also have their 24 hour, 7 days a week Crisis Hotline available at 864-4673.

Williams said, “One of us will answer and determine the situation. If they need emergency housing, we can put them up in a hotel real quick and then game plan from there. And then they start a safety plan or just figuring out what the next steps are.”

Williams added that the Self Help Center in Hot Springs County is a temporary organization, as they are creating a new permanent organization. Williams said they are “working with an advisory council of locals from here to see what the community’s needs are, what the new agency looks like, and then hopefully it will be rolling. We’re planning to be shifting out between May and June.”

Williams continued and said, “We are going to change from the Self Help Center to Safe Haven of Hot Springs County. We just decided that last month. We are now in the process of putting it all together and getting the new program up and running.”

“Our main focus since the beginning is developing an organization for Hot Springs. That’s what we’re here to do. That’s what we want to do. So any input, we’re always greatly appreciative of it and we’ll think it over. Obviously, we’re a nonprofit, so we’re limited in what we can and cannot do. But if we can do it, it is something that we are willing to do. And moving forward, we want to create something that’s going to last and be meaningful and create those healthy relationships with not only community partners, but the community itself.”

Regarding new staff, Williams said, “We’re going to do a hiring process. We’re going to look for an executive director and we’re going to find another crisis advocate. So someone will take my position.” Williams added that Stephanie Richert is currently a crisis advocate.

The Self Help Center will now be open Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Williams also discussed the Self Help Center and their relationship with law enforcement and said, “We definitely work with them. They send us clients and we try to work with them and then work with them through the legal system.… Definitely trying to create that partnership.” Williams added they want to have “a good, healthy relationship.”

For the new Safe Haven of Hot Springs County, Williams said that there may be some openings on their board where locals from the community can participate.

Williams continued and said, “We do have an advisory committee right now that oversees what we’re doing, and they’re all local Thermopolis residents in various different fields.” Williams added that those people will probably become part of the board as well.

For those interested in that opportunity, or with questions about the Self Help Center, Williams said to contact him at gwilliams@shccasper.com.