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| a/k/a Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board |
| Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board oversees both CornerBridge and Concord Peer Support |
Our History |
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Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board, like most peer support organizations began as a drop in center as a result of the closing of the Partial Hospitalization Program that was under the auspice of the Community Mental Health Center’s Community Support Program. In 1995 Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board was incorporated and began to receive state funding. The CornerBridge program has operated in three separate rented spaces all located in storefronts in the downtown Laconia area. In May of 1999, Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board d/b/a CornerBridge purchased a turn of the century home that is ideally situated in downtown Laconia, NH. The house’s location makes it accessible to approximately twenty-five percent of members, and is within easy walking distance to the hospital, clinic, pharmacies, churches, grocery stores, public library, social service organizations, homeless shelter, downtown merchants, Department of Employment Security, Department of Health and Human Services, City Welfare, and the area Community Mental Health Center. Three years ago we welcomed to our program the members and consumers from the Franklin area. We had temporarily provided services and support to them after their peer support center closed the year before, and we were successful in contracting services with the Bureau of Behavioral Health for 2005 – 2006 fiscal year. We mutually learned that even through adversity that we could be better, more compassionate, peer supportive, and stronger than before. It was, and is a tremendous learning process that will continue and serve as a reminder to always be examining and evaluating our peer support culture and philosophy. Shortly after the opening of CornerBridge at this current location, a 15- passenger van was purchased to provide transportation for group recreational activities, educational activities, cultural events, and for individuals that are unable to get to the center independently. Transportation is provided Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to pick up members in the Franklin area so that they can participate in intentional peer support, social activities, Regional Quality Team, and board meetings if they desire. This year we were very excited about the development of our own web-site that was developed and monitored by the members of CornerBridge and the Regional Quality Team. In April 2005 we opened the doors our new peer support center on a part time basis. The center is located at 55 School St. Concord, N.H. Region IV. This building was the site of the previous center that was not re-funded as of June 30, 2004. In the fall of 2004 we applied for funding to open a new center in Region IV. In December of 2004 we were awarded the contract to provide peer support services to this region. The staff and volunteers of CornerBridge and Concord Peer Support that provide intentional peer support not only work for the organization, but also participate because they are interested and vested in their own wellness and recovery. They get back what they put into it through shared experience and knowledge. If you are a consumer of mental health services and are at least 18 years old, we invite you to spend some time at the Granite State Monarchs and meet our staff and other consumers in a safe, non-clinical, non-judgmental, stigma free, and positive environment. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and welcome the opportunity to talk with you. |
CornerBridge
offers Peer Support and on site Outreach in the
Lakes Region and Plymouth
to those in need.
Need to talk to someone?
call our Warmline
1-800-306-4334
7 days
5-10 pm
Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board |
CornerBridge and Concord Peer Support