CHRIS 180, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization dedicated to healing children and families with holistic health services and trauma-informed care, announced the opening of a new counseling center in the historic Westside community of Atlanta. The new Westside Empowerment Center, located at 810 Joseph E. Boone Blvd, will open its doors to the community for an Open House on Thursday, May 30 from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. CHRIS 180 welcomes residents to learn more about the services that are now offered at the center. By opening its doors, the organization aims to make counseling more accessible, in order to equip more families with the tools and resources to cope with challenging and difficult situations.

Following its mission to heal children, strengthen families and build community, CHRIS 180’s Westside Empowerment Center will extend access to behavioral health services and trauma-informed care to Westside residents. Since it first began operating in late February, the Center currently has 35 active clients for which it provides individual and family therapy- for younger children and adults, couples counseling, and individualized treatment approaches. By 2020, the Center expects to extend its care to 150 clients, working towards the larger goal of providing counseling that helps each person increase their ability to address each circumstance.

“We look forward to continuing our work and partnerships with residents of the Westside community,” said Kathy Colbenson, President  & CEO of CHRIS 180. “The addition of this center will allow us to improve communication and relationships within families, and ultimately help families become stronger and more confident.”

The Westside Empowerment Center adds to the current presence CHRIS 180 has in the Westside neighborhoods of Atlanta. CHRIS 180 provides school based mental-health counseling in partnership with the Washington and Douglas cluster schools resulting in increased attendance and helping to improve the learning environment for students.  CHRIS 180 is also the lead organization at the Atlanta Police Foundation’s At-Promise Youth & Family Center.  The organization currently supports affordable housing, and partners with organizations such as the Westside Future Fund, the United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Quest Community Development Organization to ensure home security includes support and social services

As individuals and families navigate life’s challenges, CHRIS 180 remains committed to providing the most befitting counseling services for each circumstance. With the Westside Empowerment Center, the organization aims to enhance the lives of Westside residents by helping families heal and thrive.  The program is funded by generous donations from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, The J.B. Fuqua Family Foundation, Inc., Kaiser Permanente and the Georgia Department of Public Health.