Rural Transformation: Orion Family Services Opens “Monroe House”

Following the closure of the Monroe Girl’s Group Home in late 2016, Orion began to pursue an idea to renovate the property at 1725 15th Street in Monroe to be utilized to meet additional community and organizational needs. OFS has provided in-home family therapy and other community services in Green County for many years and has become increasingly aware of additional needs in the community, which include access to mental health and supportive services for children and families. OFS is honored to be a long-time member of the United Church of Christ’s Council on Health and Human Services Ministries (CHHSM), and a partner in service to the Green County community with St. John’s UCC. St. John’s, the owner of the property, graciously supported this new endeavor with a shared vision to expand valuable services to children and families in Monroe and surrounding areas. 

In 2017 and 2018, work was completed to transform the property into a usable site that could offer multiple services, including outpatient therapy, supervised visitation, a neutral space for family interactions, parent/family/provider meetings, and a local office space for clinicians and community service workers who serve the Green County area. OFS is very grateful to generous local community members who made donations of furniture and décor items to furnish the space. In October 2018, an Open House took place at the Monroe House satellite office and was attended by more than two dozen community members who shared enthusiasm and support for the vision of increasing services to this rural community. A few weeks later, Orion obtained certification with the state as an outpatient mental health clinic and shortly thereafter began taking referrals for outpatient therapy.   

OFS is eager to work more closely with local schools, community agencies and organizations, and county departments to better serve the needs of children and families in the greater Green County region. We believe this space will be adaptive to the present needs of the community and those anticipated in the future.  Orion is grateful for the ongoing support of the board, staff members, St. John’s United Church of Christ, CHHSM, and local Green County organizations and community members who have enthusiastically embraced this project and believe it will help bring valuable resources to a community in need while furthering our mission of being “dedicated to healing the minds and spirits of children and families”.