Community Psychiatric Clinic celebrates 50 years of service to the community

ommunity Psychiatric Clinic (CPC) was incorporated in 1953 by concerned citizens who believed that psychiatric care should be available to everyone, despite their ability to pay. The clinic served 50 clients on opening day in 1955, and has responded to the growing need for treatment ever since, now serving over 5,100 clients a year.

CPC celebrated its 50 years of service with a reception on August 14, 2003, at Lowell-Hunt Catering on Lake Union, to thank the many stakeholders, community members and supporters who participated in CPC’s growth and development over the decades.         

Honored guest speaker, King County Executive Ron Sims, praised CPC for its commitment to serving a population that often falls through the cracks, “…for fifty years, Community Psychiatric Clinic has worked to improve the health of our communities by providing high quality, caring, mental health and chemical dependency services to people in need,” and proclaimed August 14, 2003 as Community Psychiatric Clinic Day in King County.

Community Achievement Awards were presented to the following individuals for their commitment to CPC and mental health issues:

Helen Schwedenberg – For her inspired vision and dedicated leadership as Executive Director for 18 years.

Nancy Cole, former CPC staff member – For her dedication and commitment in developing housing resources.

Pat Thibaudeau, Washington State Senator – For her steadfast support of mental health in the Washington State legislature.

Jan Drago, Seattle City Councilmember – For her support and advocacy to improve the quality of lives of our most vulnerable citizens.

Patrick Vanzo, Administrator, Cross-Systems Integration Efforts, King County Department of Community & Human Services – For his tireless advocacy and boundless energy in support of system integration in King County.

Eleanor Owen – For decades of passionate advocacy to improve the lives of all mentally ill citizens.

“During the past 50 years, Community Psychiatric Clinic has helped over 100,000 souls fulfill their dreams of living a life of hope and recovery,” said Shirley Havenga, Chief Executive Officer of Community Psychiatric Clinic. “Throughout our long history, CPC has fulfilled a tradition of responsiveness, resilience and steadfast devotion to our mission as a result of extraordinary efforts by extraordinary people and the continual pledge of support from the community. This is a time of hope and trust for the future, and a time of gratitude and appreciation of the past.”