Mental Health Chaplaincy Merges
Mental Health Chaplaincy, (MHC) a companioning and compassionate presence in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, is merging with Pathways to Promise (P2P), a national faith based group founded in 1988. MHC, founded and based in Seattle, serves people living in homelessness, mental illness, addictions, trauma and isolation. P2P is an interfaith cooperative of many faith groups and mental health organizations to facilitate community work in reaching out to those with mental illness and their families.
Although the MHC has partnered with P2P for many years, this merger will expand MHC’s Companionship Model, developed in Seattle. According to MHC’s director, Chaplain Kae Eaton, the Companionship Model trains people to act as companions to another person and offer the encouragement of five basic practices: Hospitality, Neighboring, Sharing the Journey Side-by-side, Listening and Accompaniment.
“The MHC will continue their outreach work in Seattle to our neighbors living on our streets through our Art Heals and Pizza and Coffee Chaplaincy programs. We will continue to offer Companionship workshops locally for congregations, outreach organizations, healthcare workers, clergy and congregational lay leaders, as well as through the nationwide networks of Pathways to Promise,” Eaton explains.
To learn more about the MHC, Pathways to Promise and the Companionship Movement, visit these websites: http://mentalhealthchaplaincy.org/ http://pathways2promise.org/ http://thecompanionshipmovement.org/
New Program – Pizza and Coffee Chaplaincy
A new program was recently implemented in response to Covid that allows serving in a safe manner. The volunteer effort to serves residents of homeless encampments in the International District of Seattle with pizza and coffee based on the “Companionship” chaplaincy model. The effort is made possible due to partnerships with Humble Pie Pizza and The Station Coffee House. The goal is to provide a hot meal and create a safe space to build relationships with camp residents over time through active listening. The intent is to expand this program to the Queen Anne area near St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 2021 using seed money from gracious donors.
Wounded Healers
We are a people who believe in the healing and life-giving power of a companioning relationship. Many of us have been touched by mental illness or trauma in our own lives, making us what both Carl Jung and Henri Nouwen would call “wounded healers.” Because of this, we care deeply for our neighbors, seeking to create a safe space of connection to those who are most isolated and most chronically homeless. We also work to provide a space of education, training, and support for those engaging in the work of companionship.\
Chaplains
Kae Eaton, MAT and Spiritual Director, is the Chaplain and Executive Director of the Mental Health Chaplaincy. Kae began working alongside MHC founder, Craig Rennebohm, in 2010 following her graduation from seminary, the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. When Craig retired in 2012, he handed the helm to Kae Eaton, with the assistance of UMC Deacon, Rev. Katie Stickney, LMHC. Together they began to move the Chaplaincy through an important transition. In addition to Katie, Kae has also been assisted over the past four years by others serving as associate chaplains, including Peer Support Specialist, J. Scott Kovaks; and Mission Coordinator and Case Manager, Shawna McMahon.
Jessica Dexter, MA, is the Associate Chaplain and Administrative Assistant of the Mental Health Chaplaincy. Jessica began working with Kae in 2016, while completing her degree at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Jessica has lived in Rwanda studying genocide and peace building, which significantly impacts her academic and professional work. Through her work with perpetrators of the Rwandan Genocide, (formerly) incarcerated people, veterans, and people living in homelessness, Jessica has deepened her passion to serve her community.
Board
We have formed a board of talented, compassionate folks who bring a variety of perspective and skills to support our work, and are always looking for more to join us.
