David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider, has received a $755,760 gift from the Moorings Park Foundation to support its Hope for Collier initiative. The generous gift was collected during the Moorings Park Foundation’s Senior Peak Challenge, during which the foundation pledged to match funds raised by residents up to $375,000.

With a philanthropic mission to help the most vulnerable in our community, the Moorings Park Foundation Board unanimously voted to select DLC as the recipient of this annual fundraising effort, recognizing their essential services are crucial for reducing tragedies and enhancing our community’s well-being.

Funds from the gift will be used to address the mental health crisis in Collier County, allowing DLC to expand and enhance behavioral health services throughout the community. These funds will support a 15-bed senior wing at the new Collier County Behavioral Health Center due for completion in late 2026. The Moorings Park Foundation Wing will provide essential services to seniors in crisis, offering 24-hour walk-in access for emergency care, real-time behavioral health assessments and intervention by top-notch service providers.

“We are incredibly grateful for this significant gift from the Moorings Park Foundation and the generous residents at Moorings Park,” said Kimberly Dye, vice president of advancement at DLC. “At DLC, we continue to see a rise in the need for mental health and substance use services for the senior population here in Collier County. We are committed to providing services that reduce stigma, support vulnerable populations, improve quality of life, strengthen families, offer economic benefits, contribute to a healthier community and save lives. Together, we can ensure our senior community members have access to the resources and assistance they need and deserve.”

Today, Collier County faces a catastrophic mental health and substance addiction crisis, particularly among seniors. The normal pressures of aging combined with the overwhelming factors impacting daily life over the past five years—including devastating hurricanes and natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainties—has skyrocketed the demand for care.

“Moorings Park Communities is deeply grateful for the vital work of the David Lawrence Centers,” said Dan Lavender, CEO of Moorings Park Institute. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our residents, the Moorings Park Foundation is proud to contribute to the expansion of these essential services and the creation of their new state-of-the-art facilities.”

The number of seniors over age 65 treated in the DLC Crisis Center increased by 52% from 2021 to 2023. Locally, Collier County’s ratio for people needing mental health care to available providers is three times the national average.

DLC’s solution to the community’s mental health crisis is the Hope for Collier initiative – a collaboration between DLC, Collier County, entrepreneurs and private philanthropists to undertake significant capital and program investments, including improvements to the main campus and addition of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center.

“The Collier County Behavioral Health Center is a critical component of our Hope for Collier initiative, allowing DLC and Collier County to expand access to crisis care to community members in need,” said Scott Burgess, the CEO of David Lawrence Centers. “I’m grateful for Moorings Park residents and the Moorings Park Foundation. They understand the need for the lifesaving and life-changing care offered at DLC and enthusiastically stepped up to support our efforts to provide hope to Collier residents.”

Anticipated to break ground in early 2025, the 60,000 square-foot CCBHC will provide emergency screening and triage around the clock and greatly expand the number of crisis beds for adults experiencing a serious mental health crisis with 45 crisis stabilization beds, 30 licensed hospital beds and 12 emergency intake/evaluation beds.

Planned renovations on the main campus will enhance and expand several existing buildings, including the highly successful Crossroads residential substance-use treatment facility and detoxification unit as well as the Administration Complex and on-campus Genoa Pharmacy. The Hope for Collier initiative also includes the creation of the Van Domelen Children’s Center for Excellence, which will include a new 30-bed children’s crisis stabilization unit, and the Diermeier Access and Integrated Care Center, which will offer urgent care without an appointment and integrated health care services in one location.

For more than 55 years, DLC has been committed to ensuring behavioral health care is available to everyone in need through education, prevention, intervention and treatment. DLC delivers care throughout the community through six distinct centers of operation, including mental health, addiction recovery, emergency services, awareness and prevention, virtual care, and children and young adults.

To learn more about the lifesaving and life-changing services and programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org

About David Lawrence Centers 

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents, and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves 9,000 people through over 341,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.

About Moorings Park Foundation

Moorings Park Communities is a nationally accredited, Medicare-certified, non-profit retirement living provider and one of the only Life Plan Communities in the country with A or A+ ratings by Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings. The Moorings Park Foundation focuses on three avenues of service: partner, resident, and community support. From educational and community grants to scholarship awards and life-changing resident programs, Moorings Park Communities continues to achieve excellence through the generosity of individuals who choose to help advance the mission of philanthropy and charitable giving. For more information, please visit the Moorings Park Foundation website.