CO-OP Directory

Welcome to the VOCAL CO-OP Directory of Consumer-Operated Programs in Virginia. All programs in this directory are designed, led, and governed by people who have been diagnosed with mental illness.  

About this Directory

Statewide Programs

Regional Programs

Central Virginia Programs

Northern Virginia Programs

South & Southwest Virginia Programs

Eastern Virginia Programs

_{Statewide Programs.}

Statewide
Mindfreedom Virginia (forming)*
We represent a point of contact for the establishment in the state of Virginia a chapter of MindFreedom International. Mindfreedom International’s website may be found at: www.mindfreedom.org 
317 Valley Rd. Ext., Apt A
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-296-5649
Email: foxchaser@msn.com
CO-OP Point Person: Frank Blankenship

Statewide
Recovery Innovations of Virginia*
RIVA provides recovery-based services, education and consultation.  We train and employ people in recovery to provide services to the mental health field in a variety of roles.  We also provide education and consultation on recovery principles and their implementation within organizations.
900 Commonwealth Place, Suite 206, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, 757-361-0255
marym@recoveryinnovations.org www.recoveryinnovations.org  
CO-OP Point Person: Mary J. McQuown

StatewideABIL/MHAV*
Number of consumers: 300
ABIL/MHAV has developed a warm line where Virginians can call for information,
referral, and a supportive presence when they are starting out on their recovery
journey. 3212 Cutshaw Avenue, Suite 315
Richmond, Virginia 23230
http://www.anxietysupport.org
804-257-5591 or toll free at 1-866-400-6428
yolande@mhav.org or abil1996@yahoo.com
CO-OP Point Person: Yolande Long

Regional Programs 

Northwest Region
Northwest Peer Connect*
Number of consumers: 55-65
Northwest Peer Connect is a Peer Run group that meets in the Northwest Region of Virginia to discuss the issues that affect the HPR-1 (Health Planning Region 1) Mental Health Consumers. The group is currently meeting in 3 areas on a rotating basis: Charlottesville, Fishersville and Culpeper.
Open to consumers from Winchester, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, Fisherville, Fredericksburg, Louisa, Culpeper.
P.O. Box 146 Dayton, VA 22821
540-879-9127
ClydeFHoy@yahoo.com
CO-OP Point Person: Clyde F. Hoy

Central Virginia Region
Central Peer Connect*
Number of consumers: 50
Mental health consumers meeting together on a monthly basis for connection, networking, and special programming. For consumers in Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Petersburg, Farmville, Powhatan, Goochland, Amelia and surrounding areas.
804-343-1777
yolande@vocalvirginia.org
CO-OP Point Person: Yolande Long

Central Virginia  .
(Richmond, Chesterfield, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg)

Charlottesville
On Our Own Charlottesville*
The mission of On Our Own is to provide mutual support, self-help, education, information, and referral services to mental health consumers, and to provide a model for positive change within the traditional mental health system. On Our Own includes five main programs: the Drop-In Center, a collaborative support services program in partnership with Region Ten CSB, a newly refocused Transitional Housing Program, a Liaison Program with Western State Hospital, and a program which assists individuals with serious mental health issues to procure services.
onourown@cstone.net
http://avenue.org/onourown
P.O. Box 1066
123 4th St. NW
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-979-2440 (Center)
CO-OP Point Person: Will Gallik

Chesterfield County
Friends for Recovery*
Number of Consumers: 42
Our program is a support group that is open to anyone with a mental illness. We are recovery-based and have two meetings each month.  We also have social activities, a newsletter, and occasional guest speakers. CO-OP Point Person: Carla, 804 743-3135
friends4recovery@comcast.net
4338 Laurel Oak Road
Richmond, Virginia 23237 

Richmond
Mental Wellness Support Group*
Number of consumers: 10
The group is open to anyone ever diagnosed with any mental illness and attendance is free. Our goal is to support the process of achieving greater personal wellness. We are a mutual support group led at the request of the consumer members by a mental health professional. We share our experiences about our illnesses and treatments to use the information as learning opportunities for our self and each other.
Phone: (804) 784-5181
CO-OP Point Person: Hugh McGuire

Harrisonburg
Journeys*
Numbers: 15 core members, 100 total attendance
Journeys is a peer support group that meets weekly for 1 ½ hours to discuss issues central to the lives of it’s members. In existence for four years and with a core of 15 individuals, we are the only support group for the mentally ill in Harrisonburg. Over 100 individuals have sat in on at least one meeting.
540-271-4500
jotenasek@yahoo.com
CO-OP Point Person: John Otenasek

Harrisonburg
Healing Ear*
Number of consumers: 150
A warm line called Healing Ear open to everyone who just needs someone to talk to. We are not a crisis line.
1246 Goldfinch Dr. Apt E Harrisonburg VA. 22802
1-540-438-9205
hephum@verizon.net
CO-OP Point Person: Bobbie Hepner

Northern Virginia .
(Fairfax, Falls Church, Winchester, Reston, Alexandria, Williamsburg, Prince William)

Alexandria, VA
Laurie Mitchell Employment Center*
Number of consumers: more than 200
We provide free employment support, computer training and peer support groups to mental health consumers. We operate 2 drop-in centers in Fairfax County. All services are free and without time or residency restrictions.
6295 Edsall Road, Suite 175, Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 461-3886
info@lmec.org
www.lmec.org 
CO-OP Point Person: Lisa Goodwin  

Arlington
Wellness/Recovery Action Center (forming)*
We have been facilitating Peer Support/Recovery Groups at our local Clubhouse for over three years now. We will use these groups to encourage our peers to join us in the journey of recovery by promoting learning and leadership in the many dimensions of recovery: hope, empowerment, self-determination and most importantly that we all have the right and responsibility to take charge of our own lives. We will lead our peers into a greater awareness of the many opportunities for community involvement and participation in critical issues such as housing and the development of the attitudes and skills needed to make and keep friends. We hope to receive assistance from VOCAL Reach for the training of one of our group members as a WRAP facilitator and then to promote WRAP classes throughout Arlington. First and foremost we hope to teach and lead our peers into the conviction that Recovery is a real and reachable goal.
Jim Bradshaw, 3415 7th St. S. #1, Arlington, VA 22204-1590, james_bradshaw47@msn.com
CO-OP Point Person: Jim Bradshaw

Prince William County
Prince William Drop-In Center *
Number of Consumers: over 150
We offer a place where mental health consumers meet and socialize without fear of stigma. We encourage recovery through socialization, activities, peer-lead support groups and more. We have arts and crafts, TV, movies, exercise, computers, sandwiches and snacks, and a place for relaxation and music. All services are free.
13184 Centerpointe Way, Woodbridge, VA 22193
CO-OP Point Person: Cynthia Dudley
Phone number: 703.763.3865
pwdropincenter@yahoo.com 

Fairfax County
On Our Own of Fairfax County*
Number of Consumers: 30-45 per day
On Our Own Of Fairfax County, Inc. (OOOFxCo) is a consumer-operated drop-in center located in the south county area of Fairfax County. Working together, we strive to provide a welcoming, safe and recovery-oriented center that is member driven that meets the culturally diverse needs of our community in a variety of ways. 703-531-6398, 8794-S Sacramento Drive, Alexandria Va 22309 (on Rt. 1 at Sacrament Drive)
CO-OP Point Person: Bill Yolton, lwyolton@prodigy.net 

Fairfax County
Agape Reservoir
Meets weekly for supper and activities. Mental Health consumers specially welcome.
Location: Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church
2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, in south Fairfax county
Contact: Bill or Diane at 703-360-3657

Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association
NVMHCA is an advocacy and support organization of people who are the current and former recipients of mental health services and supports. We are advocates for education and empowerment in the pursuit of recovery, for the availability of adequate and appropriate services and supports for people in need of them, and for the protection of our civil rights. Our goals are to empower people to enjoy satisfying and productive lives in the community of their choice. Meets monthly. Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, off Route 1 in Alexandria, VA, (in south Fairfax County)
703-360-1992

Reston
Reston Drop In Center
Programs: Drop-In Center, Warm Line, Support Services
The Reston Drop-In Center for adult mental health consumers is open 6 days a week. Join us for a computer group, arts and crafts, exercise group, ping pong, or relax in our television room. New warm line hours are offered during all center operating times.
1820 Michael Faraday Dr.
Reston, VA 20190
703-437-5105 (Center)
703-437-5349 (Warmline)
restondropincenter@yahoo.com

Wincester
Our Family Center
A new peer run program has started in Winchester, Va. It is called the "Our Family" center. It is held at the Salvation Army Building at 300 Fort Collier Rd. We have a semi-structured day with a couple of skill and knowledge building classes each day along with a lot of social support time. Every month we have one or two community outings. Lunch is provided free of cost and a snack bar to buy drinks and snacks is also available.
ourfamilycenter@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 4439, Winchester, Va. 22604.
540-247-5775 or 540-665-3104, ex.3250

Falls Church
Consumer Wellness Center
The mission of CWC is to provide a safe, stigma free, low stress, independent place for mental health consumers run by mental health consumers. Opened in Oct 2006.
6245 Leesburg Pike
Suite 420
Falls Church, VA 22044
703.531.4653
consumerwellnesscenter@yahoo.com
www.novapeers.pbwiki.com/CWC  

South & Southwest .
(Roanoke, Lynchburg, Blacksburg, Martinsville, South Boston)

Lynchburg, VA
TNT - Talkin and Tradin (forming)*
We are peers meeting together to support each other in recovery. We are hoping more peers will join and we hope to develop into a drop-in center. We are encouraging others and trying to promote recovery in Lynchburg. paulab225@hotmail.com  
CO-OP Point Person: Paula Brent

Roanoke
On Our Own of Roanoke*
Number of consumers:187
Started in 1993, On Our Own of Roanoke Valley's mission is to provide a safe, consumer-run alternative for the purpose of socialization, self-help, recreation, and education. The Center operates after the time traditional providers of mental-health services are closed, and employs mental health consumers as staff to provide a safe haven for other consumers. Activities include Outdoor Recreation, Cook-outs, Arts & Crafts, Computer Instruction, and Holiday Celebrations. On Our Own also conducts special activities at four local adult care residence facilities.
540-362-0061 (Center) 429 Elm Ave in Roanoke.  info@rvonourown.com, www.rvonourown.com  
CO-OP Point Person: Robin

South Boston, VA
Friendship Inn (forming)*
We are developing a drop in center and hope to have lodging for persons needing temporary residence to be released from an institution. We will provide assistance for daily living, tools for recovery, and information on employment. At present we have a steering committee of 5 consumers. We have written our Articles of Incorporation, basic proposal, and are now working on bylaws.
CO-OP Point Person: Lorna, lbaum@va.net

Blacksburg
Empowerment for Healthy Minds
The mission of EFHM is to foster the process of empowerment and to enhance wellness for the mental health consumer through education, mutual support, advocacy, and employment. EFHM encourages the consumer to take an active role in (a) achieving self-determination, (b) realizing representation in organizations and in society, and (c) attaining an identity worthy of esteem.
804-784-5181
tgrimes@rbnet.com
www.efhm.com 

Martinsville
WeCare*
Number of consumers: 400+ WeCare (Wellness Empowering Consumers and Recovery Environment) is a non-profit, consumer run organization, whose main goal is to help improve a persons quality of life by offering much needed services to people in the Martinsville / Henry County Area of Virginia. WeCare encourages positive thinking and allows people to make positive decisions for their recovery program.
509 East Church Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24112
(276) 634-0300 http://www.wecaremhc.org/
CO-OP Point Person: Robin Hairfield

Eastern Virginia  
(Gloucester, Hampton, Warsaw, Williamsburg)

Newport News
Just the Basics Seminars (JTB)*
Just the Basics Seminars presents workshops that provide participants with tools to sharpen introspection skills, increase self esteem, and polish self-identification and determination skills. It is a wellness model for all people.
757-886-2625 or 703-400-6428
rmolyne@myibocs.com
CO-OP Point Person: Ruth Molyne

Historic Triangle, Greater Williamsburg
SpiritWorks Foundation Center for the Soul*
Number of consumers: 75
SpiritWorks Foundation provides programs and services for children, youth and adults affected by the disease of addiction. Our programs and services build resilience in children, inspire youth to live drug-free and celebrate and support adults who live in recovery. The majority of our leadership team are in recovery from addiction and mental health issues as well.
5800 Mooretown Rd
(757) 564-0001
info@spiritworksfoundation.org
www.spiritworksfoundation.org
CO-OP Point Person: Jan M. Brown

Gloucester
Gloucester Drop In Center
The Center provides peer counseling, social activities, and consumer networking. Free coffee and refreshments are available for all members.
P.O. Box 2144, Gloucester, VA 23061

Hampton
Peninsula Drop In Center (re-forming)
The mission of the Peninsula Drop-In Center is to provide non-traditional alternative programming for consumers in need of mental health services.

Warsaw
Warsaw Drop In Center
Programs: Drop-In Center and Warm Line
The Warsaw Drop-In Center provides peer counseling, social activities, computer access, and consumer networking. The center boasts a TV and VCR available for members to use. Free coffee and refreshments are available for all members.
P.O. Box 729
Warsaw, VA 22572
804-333-3671

About this Directory .

Programs marked with a * are members of the VOCAL CO-OP. Membership in the VOCAL CO-OP is free and open to all peer-run programs in Virginia, including newly-forming groups. To apply for membership, please visit our CO-OP Membership Page

The listing for “number of consumers” refers to the number of consumer members or the approximate number of people served in the past year.