Finding Hope Wellness Center exists to help people and communities discover resilience, healing, and hope on their mental health journey. We provide safe and confidential resources to individuals and communities offering accessible, trauma-informed, holistic care. We intend to reduce the stigma of mental health so that, through community, people find hope and healing.
Your bridge to hope and healing
We’re here for your wellness journey.
We help you navigate the mental health care system by connecting individuals to licensed professionals.
Finding Hope also offers educational opportunities, such as support groups, faith-based training, trauma-informed care, and Mental Health Readiness training for faith communities.
What We Do
Finding Hope fosters community-wide well-being. Rooted in a holistic view of health and spiritual formation, we create, mobilize, and sustain mental health programs that serve our local community.
Finding Hope implements and evaluates theory-based and evidence-informed mental health promotion strategies, policies, programs, and services. The nonprofit organization leads and collaborates with other organizations to develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental wellness for all ages.
Finding Hope is run by Danielle Lair, who is a Board-Certified Mental Health Coach through the American Association of Christian Counselors. This enables her to act as a bridge between the mental healthcare system and people in need. Finding Hope helps individuals with serious mental disorders easily access resources and effectively manage their illness as they grow closer to God. Through a vetted and maintained database of resources, Danielle walks alongside people in an active mental health crisis connecting them to the resources and professional care they need to find treatment and healing. Finding Hope also provides educational training opportunities for church pastors and laity.
“The services are much needed in our community and will help address the challenging issues facing our youth and families. I applaud the church for taking this step.”
Lakeway Mayor Thomas KilgoreVice President of Engage and Heal Foundation
The demand is great
Meeting the Need
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in the United States, 1 out of 5 adults (48 million) experience mental illness in a given year. Of those people, almost 60% won’t receive any treatment. Lack of treatment can lead to horrific outcomes. For example, in 2022, over 48,000 died by suicide in the United States.
These deaths could be prevented through proper care. The barriers to accessing care are three-fold:
- Availability – It takes months to see a psychiatrist.
- Affordability – Mental health treatment is expensive and often not covered by insurance.
- Acceptability – There is still a heavy stigma around mental health challenges.
While the national statistics are already overwhelming, the situation is even bleaker when we narrow in on the state of Texas. A 2023 study conducted by Forbes ranked Texas as the worst state for mental health care in the U.S. due to high percentages of uninsured individuals with a mental illness. Since people cannot access mental health care through insurance, they will often look for other sources of support.
Approximately 40% of people will seek help from clergy before they try to access the mental healthcare system. However, few churches are set up to help them. There is not another known church-led, faith based Wellness Center within a 30-minute drive of LTUMC that serves as a bridge between people in a mental health crisis and the mental healthcare system.
Why we exist
What's our why?
Historically, churches have struggled to help people with mental health challenges, sometimes even doing more harm than good. We need to change that narrative. We need faith organizations to be safe spaces with trained staff and laity who know how to help, without hurting people further. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Our responsibility as Jesus-followers is to bring hope and light to suffering people. Finding Hope does this by standing in the gap and walking alongside people as they seek help from medical professionals. This is a point on the healthcare continuum that currently does not exist. Additionally, Finding Hope provides training for faith organizations who desire to become safe, trauma-informed communities.
Located in central Texas
Who We Serve
Finding Hope serves the Lakeway and Bee Cave communities. In time, we will extend our reach to Dripping Springs, Spicewood, and Steiner Ranch.
Our target clientele are people who are healing from a traumatic event or are currently experiencing a mental health crisis. We provide a safe space where they can experience a deep sense of belonging on their road to healing. Through community groups and wellness classes, we reduce the stigma around mental health and provide help and support for those in need. Possible class offerings include: yoga, mindfulness, exercise, and mental health awareness.
Currently, LTUMC offers Al Anon, Grief Share and Overeaters Anonymous support groups. We look at the need and demand for additional support groups such as Divorce Care, Celebrate Recovery, or other mental health groups.
Benevolent funds are available for those who need financial assistance for treatment. We provide care and support without regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, or disability.
Finding Hope also offers a Congregational Care Training Program to coach other faith organizations to be safe, trauma-informed communities.
Get Involved
Finding Hope Wellness Center Programs
Finding Hope offers three areas of support:
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- Mental Health Crisis Support
- Community Support
- Mental Health Readiness Training
“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”
Kara LucasLTUMC Board Member
“If we are to create a more peaceful world, made up of peaceful individuals, we need a greater concern for others. Altruism. That gives inner strength, self-confidence.”
Alex CohenLife Coach
