History
In winter 1987, a homeless severely mentally ill woman moved into the First Presbyterian Church in Cottage Grove. Because there were no community mental health or housing resources available, church members allowed her to stay. However, she became fearful and violent and eventually was admitted to a Portland-area mental health facility.
Social workers recommended a residential placement for the woman upon her release, but there was no housing for persons with psychiatric disabilities in Cottage Grove.
In response, the First Presbyterian Church formed a committee to determine whether a local mental health service could be created in Cottage Grove. A community board of directors was formed and began the process of incorporating as a private non-profit.
The next year, the organization, first called "Bohemia Residential Community”, began providing residential services to five people in a house donated by a church member. The fledgling agency also provided outpatient counseling and a socialization program.