Cedar Rapids, IA — In a powerful gesture of community care, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Auxiliary has donated $250,000 to the St. Luke’s Foundation in support of Club 520, a peer-run mental health and wellness support group operated through the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health.
This significant contribution aims to strengthen services for adults living with mental health conditions or substance use disorders by fostering connection, empowerment, and recovery through Club 520’s innovative peer-support approach.
A Safe Space for Recovery and Belonging
Club 520 is not just a mental health resource—it’s a community lifeline. It offers a welcoming environment for individuals with mental health diagnoses or substance use challenges, creating space for support, social interaction, and personal growth.
According to Cheryl Schatzle, Abbe Center’s supervisor for community-based services, social connection is an often-overlooked component of recovery:
“Having social connections is important and can improve quality of life and positively impact health,” Schatzle said. “Club 520 is staffed by peer support specialists who have firsthand experience with mental illness and are at a stage in their recovery where they can assist others.”
These peer support specialists are essential to the Club’s model. With specialized training and ongoing education, they provide empathetic guidance and real-world recovery insight to those just beginning or continuing their journey toward wellness.
A Holistic, Member-Driven Experience
Club 520 operates with a flexible, participant-driven structure that empowers members to shape their own experiences. Whether someone wants to engage in a group activity or simply enjoy a quiet coffee and conversation, the Club offers freedom of choice.
Activities include:
- Lunch-and-learns
- Cooking and craft projects
- Karaoke and board games
Holiday celebrations and social outings (e.g., bowling, hiking, and picnics)
Access to computers for job searches and digital resources
For some members, it’s a daily destination. Mike Meyer, a peer support specialist at Club 520, highlighted the program’s life-changing impact:
“We have people waiting in the hall at noon for us to open – it’s that important to them. Club 520 empowers you to take control of your recovery. You decide if you want to come and what you want to do.”
Meyer added that if a program like this had been available during the early stages of his mental health struggles, it would have transformed his experience:
“Even today, being a peer support worker has given me a sense of purpose that helps in my recovery.”
A Community-Backed Investment in Mental Health
The generous donation from St. Luke’s Auxiliary will help fund the creation of a dedicated, welcoming space for Club 520 in the Abbe Center’s new facility at 615 5th Street SE, Cedar Rapids — the former Stamats building — scheduled to open later this year.
Connie Robinson, a member of the Auxiliary, emphasized the community-wide relevance of mental health:
“This is a big gift for us. We feel strongly that mental health affects everyone in a community. When the opportunity arose to support the advancement of mental health services, we knew that was something we wanted to put our arms around.”
The donation will directly support the creation of a physical space that reflects the dignity and inclusiveness that Club 520 offers to its members — a place that feels like home for individuals often pushed to the margins of society.
Conclusion
As mental health needs continue to grow nationwide, St. Luke’s Auxiliary’s $250,000 contribution to Club 520 marks a hopeful and impactful step forward. With a model grounded in peer empowerment, emotional support, and holistic wellness, Club 520 demonstrates how local, community-driven initiatives can offer transformative mental health care.
This donation not only enhances infrastructure but sends a powerful message: recovery is possible, and no one has to go it alone.
