Helping Erie Access Light (H.E.A.L.)Grant

 
 

History of the H.E.A.L. Grant

Amanda Wurst opened the doors to Solace Counseling in 2019 with the mission of de-stigmatizing mental health, creating affordable and easy access to mental health care and establishing connections and partnerships with the Erie community. Our group is so named to help provide solace, comfort, and healing in times of darkness.

In 2023 we were honored to have been chosen by Erie Gives Back as the beneficiary of the Mom Prom 2023 fundraiser. 100% of the funds raised were placed into the H.E.A.L. grant that Solace Counseling used to administer funds to residents and students of Erie to receive no-cost mental health services through our group practice, as well as other local mental health providers, as long as the grant funds remained available. Each recipient of H.E.A.L. (Helping Erie Access Light) funds was able to access any one of the following at no-cost, in an effort to promote each community member’s wellness journey toward tracking their own Light:

  • A minimum of 2 individual sessions (adult, child or adolescent)

  • A minimum of 2 couple’s therapy sessions

  • A minimum of 2 family therapy sessions

  • 8 group therapy sessions (equivalent to an entire group series)

All new inquiries to Solace Counseling were automatically screened for eligibility to access the H.E.A.L. funds as long as funds remained available. Solace Counseling also helped facilitate the use of these funds at other mental health practices within Erie.

 
 

H.E.A.L. Grant Update Provided March 22, 2024:

2024 H.E.A.L. Grant Renewal!

We are delighted to announce that we have been chosen as the recipients of Erie Gives Back's Mom Prom fundraiser for the second consecutive year! This honor comes after the great success of our H.E.A.L (Helping Erie Access Light) grant that we established in 2023, which allowed us to provide no-cost individual, couples/family, and group therapy to 41 Erie families with the funds raised at last year's Mom Prom.

We are so excited to be able to renew this grant for another year, and are excited to focus on community and group programming rather than individual services in the coming year. With the funds raised from this year's event, our goal is to serve the community more broadly through specialized group therapy offerings, as well as partnering with other service providers in Erie to create unique events or event series that will continue to help Erie residents engage in no-cost mental healthcare and wellness programming.

The Mom Prom fundraiser not only brings joy and laughter to our hearts, but also provides critical resources for mental health services right here in Erie. Erie Gives Back's dedication to making a difference in the lives of others is truly remarkable, and we are honored to be the beneficiaries of their kindness.

With the continued support of the Erie Gives Back team, and of all the attendees of the Mom Prom fundraiser, we will be able to further our mission to serve our community with love, compassion, and dignity. Together, we are Helping Erie Access Light.