Causes: Community Mental Health Centers, Mental Health

Mission: HUGS' Mission: To make exceptional mental health counseling accessible and affordable to all, and to train and utilize compassionate volunteer professionals to meet community counseling needs. HUGS' Philosophy: We believe that socially conscious therapists and motivated participants, along with community support can result in exceptional counseling services at no cost to the taxpayer. We believe that every human being has value and should be treated with dignity and respect. We believe in a holistic approach to counseling, addressing all aspects of the therapeutic process: emotional, mental, and spiritual. We emphasize giving a “hand up” rather than a “hand out” by encouraging responsibility and accountability, and by promoting independence versus enabling and dependence.

Results: 2021 Service Statistics & Program AnalysisIn the year 2021, despite the challenges of Covid-19, HUGS’ volunteer clinical staff provided therapeutic services to 355 clients, both on-site at HUGS’ Comprehensive Counseling, off-site at HUGS’ Collaborative Partners’ various locations, and via TeleMental Health Virtual Sessions. Clinical Volunteer Hours 11,020 Non-clinical volunteers include HUGS’ office volunteers, Board of Directors, and Outreach & Fundraising committee members. Non-Clinical Volunteer Hours 2,755HUGS’ clinical volunteers served 355 clients in 2021.Direct Service Hours Provided: 4,408Direct Counseling Services were provided in the following areas:Individual Counseling and Family/Couples CounselingGroup Therapy/Counseling/Psycho-EducationAnger Management CourseWomen’s Abuse/Trauma GroupSingle Mom’s Support Group (Virtual)First Responders/Veterans Support GroupSuicide AssessmentsYouth Services (At-Risk Adolescent & Teens)Probation/Mandated ServicesSubstance Abuse Assessments Anger Management AssessmentIndividual Substance Abuse Counseling Individual Anger Management Counseling Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS) Motivation-4-Change ProgramsReferrals & Resource GuidanceCollaborative Partner Programs

Target demographics: Individuals and families in need of professional mental and behavioral health counseling who could not otherwise afford to pay for services

Direct beneficiaries per year: 355

Geographic areas served: Savannah, Georgia (Chatham & Surrounding Counties)

Programs: Individual & Group Therapy , Families & Couples Counseling, Intensive Outpatient Program, Vocational Guidance (Ready-2-Work Programs), Probation-Mandated Services, Anger Management Course, Therapeutic Parenting Course, and Substance Abuse ssessments