What is A.C.E.?
A.C.E. is an acronym which stands for Advocacy, Choices & Empowerment.
A.C.E., Inc. is a consumer-driven agency and caring community whose mission is to reduce the isolation of consumers of mental health agencies, and to improve their quality of life. This goal is met by challenging, encouraging and offering hope to members through peer support, educational services, social and recreational activities, advocacy, and opportunities for community involvement. (Our mission statement.)
The A.C.E. mental health recovery and wellness center, or clubhouse, is located in New Philadelphia and has nearly 500 members in our files, with an average of 40 members per day attending. We are certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) as a Consumer Operated Service (COS) and Peer Support center. ACE is handicap accessible and will provide assistance as appropriate to a person's needs, and as our staff size and budget will allow.
We offer two scheduled activities a day, a noon meal, and daily van transportation. Our activities calendar has included trips to museums, our annual members retreat, movies, the theater, trail hiking, fishing, bowling, bocce tournaments, Bingo, corn-hole tournaments, holiday parties and supportive or educational speakers from our community. Our members pay dues of just $5.00 per month to help with the costs related to our activities, community trips and special events. The transportation we offer also helps members to keep their doctor and counseling appointments, pick up prescriptions, get groceries and attend appointments with other agencies related to their recovery process.
We offer peer support, self-help and educational opportunities, and our NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) support group called Hopeful Hearts. Recently, we offered the WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) program to our members, and in the past we were fortunate to have had an Art Therapist do her internship with us, as well. Additionally, our facility boasts a computer room, a music room, game area and exercise equipment, and a washer and dryer for members' use. Members also have the opportunity to take part in committee work, our board of directors and our monthly all-members meetings.
Finally, A.C.E. attempts to perform a variety of outreach projects. Currently, we donate our aluminum cans to benefit the children of Haiti and, through an agreement with KFC, we obtain and distribute chicken to help other agencies feed their residents. These agencies include Harbor House, the Tuscarawas County Friends of the Homeless, The Red Door and the CMH Crisis Unit, among others. We have regularly visited area nursing homes, and have participated in projects to benefit the Friends of ADAMH, Friends of the Homeless, Harbor House, Head Start and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, to name just a few.
The prevalence of mental illness nationwide is on the rise and data shows that in Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties approximately 7,000 people are mental health and/or addiction clients. Because isolation is so prevalent among people who live with mental illness, A.C.E. provides a unique support system which often feels like a family to those who drop in regularly. A.C.E. strives to meet the mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs of its members, all under the umbrella of hope! We exist to offer hope to those who feel hopeless.
