Transforming Lives: Lorain County Unveils $19 Million Crisis Center for Enhanced Mental Health and Addiction Support

LORAIN, Ohio — A new 24-hour crisis center has opened its doors in Lorain County. This center aims to change how people seek help for mental health and addiction issues.

The Lorain County Crisis Recovery Center, located on South Broadway, provides support every day, around the clock. For Falisha Hiser, who has been in recovery for two years, this facility represents hope for those battling addiction. “I was an IV fentanyl user and often needed help,” she shared. After a tough journey, including a wake-up call in jail, Falisha found support through the community organization Let’s Get Real and began her recovery.

Community planning for this center kicked off in 2017. Leaders recognized that traditional methods of addressing addiction were not effective. Michael Doud, CEO of the Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County, emphasized the need for a new approach: “Arresting our way out of addiction isn’t working. We need to find better solutions.”

The center spans 30,000 square feet and features a welcoming design with 16 beds for mental health stabilization and 16 for addiction treatment. “We’re creating a comfortable space where people can feel safe and secure,” said Dan Schiffbauer, CEO of Riveon Mental Health and Recovery. His vision is to revolutionize access to care, eliminating the anxiety around stigma.

Unlike many existing recovery centers, this facility allows individuals to walk in and seek help without prior arrangements. “This is something entirely new for our community,” Falisha noted. Now, whether you arrive alone or with law enforcement, you can count on immediate support.

As a peer support leader, Falisha inspires others to seek help. “It’s never too late to get help. Recovery is tough, but staying sober brings back so much you thought you lost,” she said.

The $19 million facility was funded through both public and private sources. It also serves as the regional call center for the 988 suicide and crisis hotline. A special area for police to bring in patients honors Officer Phillip Wagner, who lost his life in the line of duty last summer.

This crisis center is more than just a building; it represents a shift toward compassion and understanding in recovery.

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