The Brook Banquet shares inspiration and goals

Thursday, August 27, was an inspirational evening as friends and supporters of The Brook Wellness Center gathered for the seventh annual fundraising banquet, hosted by Church 3:16 in Forsyth. Each year, the event helps update contributors on important progress while sharing heartwarming stories of changed lives and families. It is also an opportunity for contributors and community members to meet staff and volunteers, as The Brook continues to expand its services to Taney and Stone County families experiencing difficulty due to substance abuse or mental health issues. 

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Photos by Jackson Photography 417

Jennifer Blankenship, who serves as a scheduler for The Brook, welcomed the attendees, followed by opening prayer by Church 3:16 Pastor Jeramie Henson. A delicious buffet dinner was then served, along with worship music by the church’s worship team. 

President and COO Rosie Robinson shared updates from the past year at The Brook. Along with statistics attesting to the need for increased services for youth and children, she shared personal stories from her own journey highlighting those needs, and then introduced new staff and training accomplishments to help meet those needs. Robinson also presented highlights from The Brook’s year of fun family events, including Esther Day for women, Family Fun Day, Family Fishing Day, and of course the upcoming Toy Drive for the Christmas holiday season. The price of admission for the evening’s banquet was a new toy for the Toy Drive, and Robinson thanked all those who donated as well as the evening’s sponsors including the Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Services, Lake Taneycomo Elks and the host Church 3:16.  

The Brook is fully credentialed as a provider of services and is approved by several insurance companies and other sources of financial assistance, but for clients who do not happen to qualify for aid, donors and the annual fundraising banquet help ensure that nobody is turned away. Some of the “wins” so far at The Brook include over 420 graduates having completed the substance recovery program and at least 170 families achieving reunification. The support and fellowship continue even after formal completion, along with encouragement in the faith journey as each graduate receives a Bible. Clinical Director Stan Robinson continued the faith theme, sharing not only clinical successes but also Scriptures such as Psalm 147:3, “[God] heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.” 

A highlight of the evening was a poem composed and shared by an area young lady who has benefited from The Brook’s youth services. Attendees were moved to tears by the honest descriptions of her struggles and the comfort she continues to receive by knowing others are there for her and that God cares. 

The evening wrapped up with the “Big Reveal” of progress toward The Child and Youth Haven, an outpatient center for children and youth, one huge recent accomplishment being the acquisition of a building. The Brook was able to close a purchase agreement on the Forsyth building formerly occupied by Christian Action Ministries, conveniently located near The Brook’s current Forsyth location as well as county services. The Robinsons shared that this is a big step and an answer to prayer, but continued faithful donations and prayers will be appreciated as significant remodeling will soon begin, to bring the building up to the standards needed for quality care, ADA compliance and approvals by the Department of Mental Health. In addition to finances, donations of time/skills and materials can make a huge difference; visit the website, https://thebrookwellnesscenter.org/, to learn more and see how you can get involved in this and other goals. 

The evening wrapped up with raffle drawings for generous donated gifts from a variety of entertainment venues and other area businesses. Visit the Facebook page or website to see the list, and be sure to thank them for their support of recovery and mental wellness in Taney and Stone counties.