Joseph and Dorothy Schuster Mental Health Center at MercyOne House of Mercy Announced
July 22, 2019
The Joseph and Dorothy Schuster Mental Health Center at MercyOne House of Mercy will soon become a reality. The namesake of the center reflects a recent $492,000 estate gift – the largest private contribution to House of Mercy to date – from the late Joseph and Dorothy Schuster.
Dorothy Schuster passed away in June 2018 at the age of 96. Her children desired for the funds to support families struggling.
“Joseph and Dorothy were incredible, loving, generous people,” said Audrey Off, daughter of Dorothy Schuster. “We’ve always been amazed by mom’s resourcefulness and strength and by Joe’s love and generosity.”
“We are very excited for the new Mental Health Center and how it will transform the lives of thousands of individuals in the years to come.”
The Joseph and Dorothy Schuster Mental Health Center is expected to open in 2020. Through the Schuster Mental Health Center, House of Mercy can provide an estimated 9,000 additional hours of annual open appointment times, which translates to expanding services to approximately 900 new clients each year. The Center is projected to more than double House of Mercy’s capacity and serve over 1,700 clients annually.
The Center will include eight offices for clinicians to meet with clients, a consult room for psychiatric appointments, a children’s play therapy room, an observation room for students in training and a reception area. It will have a dedicated space for child therapy and a variety of resources for family-focused therapy.
In addition to the Schuster gift, the Center is also made possible through a $100,000 Leadership Grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, a gift from GuideOne Foundation and Prairie Meadows, among other contributors.
Based in the heart of Des Moines, House of Mercy provides a nationally-accredited mental health treatment program provided by masters-prepared, licensed therapists. Board-certified psychiatrists provide treatment oversight, evaluate medication needs and provide additional mental health support.
