Kellin Foundation and Mental Health Greensboro Merger Completed
Expansion of the Kellin Foundation enables easier access to comprehensive behavioral health services for children, teens, adults, and families.
The Kellin Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in providing trauma-responsive services and programming, is pleased to announce the completion of a merger with Mental Health Greensboro which has had a rich history of providing services to the community for eighty-two years. The merger enables the organization to provide a broad array of free behavioral health services to children, teens, adults, and families who otherwise may not have access to these services.
“We are excited to join forces with this talented team to meet the growing behavioral health needs of our community,” said Dr. Kelly Graves, executive director and co-founder of the Kellin Foundation. “Mental Health Greensboro is known for providing peer support services and wellness programs that meet people where they are while providing education about mental illness and supportive services in a caring, healing environment. We look forward to offering and expanding these services as the team joins the Kellin Foundation.”
The merger aligns with the retirement of Donna Shelton from Mental Health Greensboro, which was announced in September, 2021.
“When we were approached with this opportunity, the Board was already exploring how we might expand peer support services to better serve clients and the community,” said Carmen Deese, president of the Kellin Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Clients recognize the value of learning from and healing alongside people who are further along in their recovery process. Through this merger, we’re delighted that the Kellin Foundation will be able to meet this growing need.”
“Mental Health Greensboro has been a strong advocate for those experiencing mental illness, creating a rich array of programs that have left a lasting footprint in Greensboro and beyond,” said Tom McKenna, a long-time supporter who will continue to be involved in the work of the Kellin Foundation. “The Boards found that the organizations shared similar values, including a deep commitment to providing free services to those who need it, to using evidence-based approaches, and to reducing stigma associated with mental health and substance use challenges. The future is brighter for the community as a result of this merger.”
The organization continues to be led by Dr. Kelly Graves. Mental Health Greensboro staff transitioned to become Kellin Foundation employees earlier this month, and the organization will continue to serve clients in two locations: the Kellin Foundation’s main clinic at 2110 Golden Gate Drive and the satellite office at 700 Walter Reed Drive, both in Greensboro. Integration of services and processes is underway, and a combined Board of Directors will meet for the first time in April.
“As the transition continues, the Kellin Foundation team will be laser focused on our original goal of ensuring that more children, teens, adults, and families are connected to free, evidence-based, comprehensive behavioral health services when they need it,” said Graves.