Harbor Highlights

October 2026

www.safeharborhelps.org

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Marion Outreach Center Open House a Success!

What an incredible celebration! Safe Harbor Peer Support Services welcomed more than 100 community members, local leaders, peers, families, and friends to celebrate the Open House and Ribbon Cutting of our Marion Outreach Center in downtown Marion.

We were honored to have several special guests join us and share meaningful words about recovery, hope, and the importance of peer support in our community. Jessie Jennings, Chief Program Officer with the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, joined us in celebrating this important milestone. Judge Todd Anderson of the Marion County Common Pleas Court, Safe Harbor Board President John Donahue, Brad DeCamp, Executive Director of the Crawford-Marion ADAMH Board, and Diane J. Bricker, Executive Director of Safe Harbor Peer Support Services, also shared inspiring remarks about the importance of recovery services, peer support, and strong community partnerships.

Adding to the celebration, a representative from U.S. Senator Jon Husted’s office presented Safe Harbor with a special proclamation recognizing the opening of the Marion Outreach Center. The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors also helped us celebrate and officially welcomed Safe Harbor to the Marion community.

The room was filled with community members, local elected officials, community partners, peers, family members, and friends of Safe Harbor. Throughout the evening, we heard powerful messages of hope, recovery, connection, and community; all of which are at the heart of Safe Harbor’s mission.

A Note From the Executive Director

Community Support: Building Stronger, Healthier Communities Together

At Safe Harbor Peer Support Services, we believe that strong communities are built on compassion, connection, and a shared commitment to helping one another. Every day, we see firsthand the difference that support, understanding, and hope can make in the lives of individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges.

Mental health affects all of us. Whether personally or through a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker, nearly everyone has been touched in some way by mental health or substance use challenges. That is why having accessible, community-based support services is so important to the overall health and well-being of our communities.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and partnership of the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board, whose funding helps make our Annie's Outreach Center in Delaware County and No Limits Outreach Center in Morrow County possible. We are equally thankful for the Crawford-Marion ADAMH Board, whose support makes our Marion Outreach Center possible and is helping us expand peer support services into Crawford County.

These partnerships are about so much more than funding. They represent a commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have access to resources, encouragement, and a supportive community when they need it most. Their investment in peer support services is an investment in healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities.

Peer of the Month: Derrick Barnett: Growing Community, One Garden at a Time

October 2026: This month, the Safe Harbor No Limits Outreach Center is proud to celebrate Derrick Barnett as our Peer of the Month. A recognition earned through dedication, leadership, and a whole lot of heart. Derrick stepped forward this season to coordinate the planting, care, and upkeep of our community garden.

What began as a simple plot of soil has become a vibrant space of growth, connection, and recovery. We thank him for his steady guidance and willingness to get his hands dirty. He organized planting days, taught others how to tend the beds, and made sure the garden stayed healthy through the summer heat. More than that, Derrick created a place where peers could gather, learn, laugh, and feel proud of what they built together. His work reminds us that recovery is a lot like gardening, showing up, nurturing what matters, and believing in what can grow.

Safe Harbor Welcomes State Representative Gary Click and OSU Marion Leadership!

Safe Harbor Peer Support Services was honored to welcome State Representative Gary Click and Jennifer Schlueter, Dean and Director of The Ohio State University at Marion, to our Marion Outreach Center on Tuesday morning!

During their visit, our staff had the opportunity to share Safe Harbor's mission, highlight the important peer support services we provide, and discuss our exciting plans for the future. We were proud to showcase how Safe Harbor is making a difference by bringing hope, connection, and recovery support to individuals in Marion and the surrounding communities.

As part of the growing Downtown Marion Innovation District, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and the role Safe Harbor can play in strengthening our community through innovative programs, partnerships, and resources.

We Have a Location! Exciting News for Bucyrus!

Exciting things are happening at Safe Harbor Peer Support Services! We are proud to announce that we are expanding once again with the opening of our newest Outreach Center in Crawford County, and we officially have a location!

Our new Crawford County Outreach Center will be located at:

216 Hopley Avenue

Bucyrus, OH 44820

Phone: 419-834-9355 Option 4

Located at the Bucyrus United Methodist Church Outreach Center

As Safe Harbor continues to grow, so does our commitment to bringing peer support services to communities where they are needed most. Our new Crawford County Outreach Center will provide a welcoming, supportive environment where individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges can find hope, connection, encouragement, and support from trained Peer Recovery Supporters who understand the journey of recovery.

Help Build a Stronger Future with Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor Peer Support Services is excited to be part of the Board Building Community through Mollard Consulting, LLC, an initiative designed to connect nonprofit organizations with talented community members who are ready to make a difference through board service.

As Safe Harbor continues to grow and expand our impact, we are looking to connect with potential board members who can bring their professional experience, leadership, and passion for community service to our organization.

We are especially interested in individuals with experience in:

⭐ Banking & Finance

⭐ Branding & Communications

⭐ Fundraising & Donor Relations

⭐ Nonprofit Budgets & Financial Oversight

⭐ Treasurer & Financial Leadership

Serving on a nonprofit board is a meaningful way to use your professional skills to strengthen an organization, support its mission, and make a lasting impact in your community. At Safe Harbor, strong board leadership helps us continue providing peer support, resources, connection, and hope to individuals on their journey to recovery.

Safe Harbor Welcomes Jeffrey Dean to No Limits Outreach Center!

We are excited to welcome Jeffrey Dean to the Safe Harbor Peer Support Services team! Jeffrey joins us as a Peer Supporter at our No Limits Outreach Center, bringing compassion, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for serving others.

Jeffrey has a heart for helping people and building meaningful connections. His dedication to supporting others will be a wonderful addition to our team as we continue providing a welcoming environment where peers can find encouragement, understanding, and HOPE on their recovery journeys.

We look forward to the positive impact Jeffrey will make as he connects with our peers, builds relationships, and helps strengthen the supportive community at No Limits.

Please join us in giving Jeffrey a warm Safe Harbor welcome! We are excited to have him as part of our growing team!

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Safe Harbor Welcomes JJ Johnson to Our Marion Outreach Center!

We are excited to welcome JJ Johnson to the Safe Harbor Peer Support Services team! JJ joins us as a Peer Supporter at our Marion Outreach Center, bringing enthusiasm, compassion, and a passion for helping others on their recovery journeys.

JJ is currently a student at Marion Technical College, where she is majoring in Social Work. Her educational background and interest in supporting others will bring valuable perspectives and insight to our team and the peers we serve.

We look forward to the positive impact JJ will make as she builds connections, shares her knowledge and experiences, and helps create a welcoming and supportive environment for our peers.

Please join us in giving JJ a warm Safe Harbor welcome! We are happy to have her as part of our growing team!

No Limits Peers Enjoy a Tea Party Adventure!

Peers from Safe Harbor's No Limits Outreach Center recently enjoyed a delightful field trip to Booming Blessings – Tea & Treasure in Marion, where they were treated to a wonderful tea party hosted by Miss Gillian, a native of Dublin, Ireland!

Miss Gillian shared a little of her Irish heritage with the group while everyone enjoyed sampling different varieties of tea and delicious homemade scones prepared by Gillian herself. It was a fun and memorable outing filled with laughter, conversation, and new experiences!

Outings like this are about so much more than just a fun afternoon. They provide our peers with opportunities to step outside their everyday routines, explore new places, build friendships, and experience new things together in a welcoming and supportive environment. Building connections and creating positive experiences are important parts of the recovery journey!

A special thank you to Miss Gillian for her warm hospitality and for making our peers feel so welcome!

We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our generous donors who support Safe Harbor and help make meaningful experiences like this possible. Your kindness and generosity allow us to continue creating opportunities for connection, personal growth, and HOPE for those we serve!

Become a Monthly Champion of Hope

Every day, Safe Harbor Peer Support Services provides hope, connection, and support to individuals navigating mental health and recovery challenges. As our organization continues to grow and expand into new communities, the need for reliable support has never been greater.

One of the most meaningful ways you can make a lasting impact is by becoming a monthly donor.

Monthly giving provides a dependable source of funding that allows us to plan for the future, expand programs, purchase needed supplies, and respond quickly to the changing needs of the people we serve. Your recurring gift helps ensure that our Outreach Centers remain welcoming places where peers can find encouragement, build relationships, and access life-changing resources every day.

The best part is that you don't have to make a large donation to make a big difference. Even a monthly gift of $20 or more provides consistent support that adds up throughout the year, helping us continue our mission of empowering individuals on their recovery journey.