The WellStone Emergency Services Pediatric Unit is making an extraordinary difference for kids struggling with mental health and substance use crises.

That’s thanks in large part to hundreds of community members who stepped up, generously contributing to WellStone’s Be the Rock capital campaign. Among them, four donors who secured one of the sweetest naming opportunities available within the unit.

“We were called to support the pediatric center because of our experience with our granddaughter’s mental health journey,” said JJ Jayne.

We recently installed signs recognizing the following donors, who supported the center’s quiet nooks:

  • The Jayne Family

  • The Optimist Club of South Huntsville

  • Rachel Brown in memory of Richard Hunter Brown

  • Christy Nichelson in memory of Miriam J. Burnett

When Martin Sisson’s team designed the WES addition, they incorporated four built-in nooks, a pair in each of the two hallways. Kids love the nooks for reading, writing, or just “chilling.”

Dr. Edgar Finn, the Pediatric Unit’s Medical Director, has sessions with patients in these spaces, as well.

These donors made their Be the Rock gifts more than a year ago, long before the center was completed. Today they see the dividends of their charitable investments in the children served by this pediatric unit—the first of its kind in the state and the first extended psychiatric care center for youth in Madison County.

“I was really impressed with the unique design layout, open, airy, with these cool little nooks for young patients to hang out and chill,”
— Dennis Longino, longtime member of the Optimist Club of South Huntsville.
“We are proud that our Optimist Club was able to help make this much needed facility a reality.”

Christy Nichelson also enjoyed visiting the Pediatric Unit, and seeing the connection, compassion, and community her gift helped create for kids in crisis.

“It was simple, really,” said Nichelson. “I just wanted to help provide a safe place for children to heal. They deserve this.”

That safe place for children is serving approximately 50 youth per month, with an average stay of three – four days. They come in with suicidal ideations, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, and leave with hope, strength, and a treatment plan to guide them on recovery journeys.

You can still be part of this transformational project. To invest in the pediatric unit through WellStone’s Be the Rock capital campaign, [click here]. Naming options are still available.