Transitions-Mental Health Association has received a $5,000 grant from the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (SLOCCF) for SLO Hotline.

This grant will be devoted to the operating expenses for the SLO Hotline.

SLO Hotline is a 24-hour, free and confidential crisis phone line serving the entire county of San Luis Obispo. SLO Hotline was previously 211 SLO Hotline, which lost funding at the end of 2009 and has been divided into two programs. 

The crisis phone line is an integral component of the mental health services of Transitions-Mental Health Association.  SLO Hotline is staffed by compassionate and highly trained volunteers and staff who take calls from people in mental health distress, who are suicidal, need emotional support, mental health information, education and referral. 

“SLO Hotline is a community resource in critical need of community support,” said Jill Bolster-White, executive director of TMHA. “We so appreciate the Community Foundation and their contribution to SLO Hotline’s services to citizens in crisis, distress or in need of mental health information.”

“There is a demonstrated local need for 24/7 access to another human being who can give people the help and support they need.  SLO Hotline has been in continuous operation for 40 years in this county,” said Bolster-White. “The need has never been more crucial than in this current economic climate.”  

Transitions-Mental Health Association’s SLO Hotline was chosen to receive this grant from over 40 applicants and is among 13 recipients, whose grants total $52,494.

This year's grant-making program is made possible through the generous support of the Foundation’s Community Endowment and many donor funds held at the Foundation. In only eleven years, the SLOCCF has given out more than $16 million in grants to assist nonprofit agencies.

Transitions-Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization that helps children and adults live, work and grow in our community. TMHA operates 27 programs at over 35 locations that reach over 2,000 people and 1,500 families in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

The emphasis of TMHA's many services is to teach vital independent living skills, and build a framework for community re-entry through personal empowerment and hands on experience. For over 30 years, T-MHA has been dedicated to providing housing, employment, case management and life-skills support to teens and adults with mental illness; and support, resources and education for their loved ones.

For more information, visit www.T-MHA.org.

For more information on the SLOCCF or any funds, call (805) 543-2323 or visit www.sloccf.org.