NAMI-MC's SUPPORT OF THE 

LINDEN LODGE PROJECT

     On September 26, 2008 NAMI-MC assisted in purchasing a residential home sitting on 3.37 acres in Pinehurst, NC for the expressed purpose of providing the opportunity for additional housing for individuals with a serious and persistent illness in addition to giving them the opportunity to improve life skills.  It took four years to locate the perfect location and setting!

       This property was purchased at a cost of $279,000, and as of September 21, 2010 this debt was paid off through a tremendous fundraising effort.  This property was transferred to the Linden Lodge Foundation, a tax exempt foundation, whose sole purpose is the operation and sustainment of Linden Lodge. It is our hope that our members and members of our community will donate the needed dollars to sustain this residential project. 

       This is our opportunity to be a model for other communities in our State by showing that we can, when necessary, take care of our own when State and Federal budget cuts drastically reduce vital services for the mentally ill. 

        Please E-mail:  markernan@yahoo.com for information if you are interested in donating to this very worthwhile and necessary program or if you would like additional information about Linden Lodge. 

       NAMI-MC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

Visit our Linden Lodge website:

www.lindenlodgenc.org

Linden Lodge Residential Community

2251 Linden Road, Aberdeen, NC (Pinehurst ETJ)

Property Owned by Linden Lodge Foundation, Inc. – Moore County, NC

A 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Non-Profit Public Charity

A Residential Home for Those with a Serious and Persistent Mental Illness

Residential Rehabilitation Goals: Maintain stability and restore self-esteem

Linden Lodge offers a unique residential and rehabilitation program to assist adults of Moore County and the surrounding counties that are diagnosed with a serious mental illness. A team assembled to help individuals successfully maintain psychiatric stability, assist, if  possible, with meaningful employment, volunteer opportunities in the local community, pursue educational opportunities, have on-site access to recreational, art and music therapy, and physical fitness and wellness opportunities.

The residents of Linden Lodge are referred by mental health professionals, families and friends, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and other community non-profit organizations.  Linden Lodge Foundation receives applications for admission and are the final decisionmakers as to admittance.  Individuals must meet the following criteria:

     •    Be a resident of Moore County or have a family member that has resided in Moore County for a minimum of twelve (12) months (if there are no Moore County applicants, those residing outside the county are considered if there is a vacancy)

     •    Be at least 18 years of age

     •    Have a diagnosis of mental illness and be medication compliant    

     •    Be willing to participate in a daily, structured program as directed after an individual plan has been developed for them

     •    Not currently verbally abusive or physically aggressive

     •    Not currently abusing drugs and/or alcohol

The property consists of 5.37 acres, and currently has a 7 bedroom and 3 bath home - which can now house 6 residents and one (1) 24 hour staff member. 

The property has a Multipurpose Buildding for art and music therapy and physical fitness activities.  We have a goal of operating a vocational garden center in the years ahead.

Before arriving at Linden Lodge, each resident’s current mental health is evaluated by their current clinical team.  Based on this evaluation, an individualized plan is developed with the appropriate goals – a person centered plan.  These goals are developed by both the professional staff and the residents themselves.  All residents are enrolled with the Sandhills MH/DD/SA Center or a private provider.

The core services of the Linden Lodge Program include 24 hour trained staff on grounds, emergency psychiatric services through First Health Moore Regional Hospital andthe Sandhills’ Moore Daymark Unit (our public health system), medication monitoring and management, mental health status checks, treatment goals, supportive employment (through NC Dept of Voc Rehab), and last, but not least, residing in a “family home” setting.  Linden Lodge Foundation, a licensed provider by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, will operate both the residential community and help develop day programs through endorsed providers.  Linden Lodge Foundation, Inc. is the property owner. NAMI-MC provides volunteer support and limited volunteer oversight of the ongoing residential and day programs.  Without the volunteer and financial support of NAMI-MC, Linden Lodge would not be able to exist.

The philosophy of this community is that individuals learn to live life by living it!  It is the goal of the Linden Lodge Foundation, a non-profit foundation, to provide residents with those opportunities that will encourage them to take part in employment opportunities, recreational activities, and physical fitness programs.  Necessary living skills such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, budgeting, and time management are focused on.  Linden Lodge focuses on the development of friendships and emphasizes the importance of family relations. Psychoeducational training in social independent living skills, illness management, recovery methods, and substance abuse prevention will be components of any  programs offered. 

Unique to Linden Lodge is the belief that challenging and supportive work in a healthy environment can re-establish self-esteem while reintegrating into the community.  Residents will participate in a variety of opportunities: gardening, agriculture, groundskeeping, pursuit of art and musical instrument opportunities.

While at Linden Lodge, residents have the opportunity to participate in educational programs through local institutions should they meet the educational requirements.  A focus at Linden Lodge is on current and relevant community and world events and the opportunity to have social interaction and relationships.  It is in this area that volunteers from our local community are relied upon to share their talents, i.e., cooking, gardening, painting, music, crafts, pottery, physical fitness, etc.

It is the goal of the Linden Lodge Foundation to serve those individuals with brain illnesses that are currently receiving Social Security Benefits, Social Security Disability and Medicaid/Medicare benefits.  It is this population that is in greatest need of appropriate housing and services as their income is well below the poverty level. The plan is for Linden Lodge to become self-sustaining through the collection of appropriate government program entitlements, grants, personal and institutional donations, and endowments.  Per state and Sandhills Center Organization requirements, clients must provide a complete financial statement of income and resources in order that it can be determined that they are in need of the housing at Linden Lodge.

Prepared and updated on 24 September 2010 by:

                                                 Marianne Kernan

                                                Chairman, Linden Lodge Foundation, Inc

                                                                     and

                                                  President, NAMI-MC

                                                 National Alliance on Mental Illness - Moore County

 SANDHILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS RAISE $1,000 for LINDEN LODGE

NAMI-MC thanks the students for their support!!

Pictured L-R: Cheryl McNeill, RN and Nursing Department Chair; Lisa Wilson, SANS Historian; Laura Gingerich, NAMI-MC Member; Alexandra Morrison, SANS Representative, and Dianna Moss, RN