Poway Community Foundation Grant Expands Mental Health Support in Poway

Thanks to a $7,500 grant from the Poway Community Foundation, the Poway Recovery Center (PRC) has expanded its mission to address one of the most pressing needs in our community—mental health awareness and support.

The PRC has long been a cornerstone for those seeking recovery from addiction and dependency, providing a safe and welcoming space for education, fellowship, and healing. Every week, more than 33 recovery groups meet at the center, serving between 100 and 200 people a day who come for help—either for themselves or for loved ones struggling with alcohol, drug, gambling, or behavioral dependencies.

Recognizing the growing mental health challenges facing Poway residents, PRC used the Poway Community Foundation grant to launch a new initiative: a series of mental health education workshops in partnership with local organizations.

Over the course of the year, the PRC hosted nine mental health-focused workshops, drawing more than 175 participants. One of the key partnerships was with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which offered its acclaimed In Our Own Voice workshops. These sessions featured trained facilitators sharing their lived experiences with mental health challenges, helping attendees better understand and empathize with what others—and often their own family members—are going through.

“Thank you PRC for the fantastic mental health workshop series! Every guest speaker had a different experience and very valuable story to share. I gleaned important insights on the experiences and struggles of those with mental health challenges. It all has helped me understand a bit more of what my family members are dealing with.”

— Becky, Poway Resident

The workshops sparked an outpouring of positive feedback and a clear call for more programs, especially focused on depression and anxiety. In response, PRC is exploring ways to expand its partnership with NAMI to host additional support groups, such as Peer-to-Peer, Family-to-Family, and Substance Use and Co-Occurring Family Support meetings.

The center also introduced a new workshop on the mental health impacts of gambling addiction, featuring a physician explaining the neurological effects of gambling and two individuals sharing their recovery journeys.

Because of this Poway Community Foundation grant, the PRC has been able to take an important first step in broadening its impact—bridging the gap between addiction recovery and mental health education. Building on this momentum, the center plans to introduce ongoing support groups, workshops on emotional intelligence, and new programs like Empowered Fathers.

Together, we’re helping Poway residents and families live healthier, more connected, and more fulfilling lives.