Okeechobee Commission Approves $20,000 Gift for Children’s Crisis Center

Release Date:  March, 2009

Okeechobee Sheriff Paul May is a member of the “Okeechobee Friends of New Horizons”.  At their February 26^th meeting Sheriff May requested that the Okeechobee Commissioners approve a donation from the Okeechobee Law Enforcement Trust Fund for the New Horizons Center for Children currently underway on Midway Road in Fort Pierce. 

Commissioners Cliff Betts, Chairman, Ray Domer, Noel Chandler and Margaret Garrard Helton approved Sheriff May’s request and awarded a $20,000 donation from the trust fund to go towards the construction of this critically needed center for children.  The

20-bed Children’s Crisis Unit will provide emergency treatment for boys and girls ages 6-17 who are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.  Currently, the four county area served by New Horizons has only three beds available for our children in crisis and they are in Vero Beach.  This number is sadly inadequate.  Last year alone, 792 kids were admitted to a crisis unit. 

For additional information about New Horizons or the “4 Our Kids” capital campaign call Cathleen Owen at 772-672-8333 or visit our web site at www.nhtcinc.org.

New Horizons of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast is a non-profit organization that provides mental health care and substance abuse treatment for children and adults living in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties.