LORAIN - Five people were honored Thursday for turning their lives around during the fourth anniversary celebration of Gathering Hope House.

Gathering Hope House is a mental health recovery center that helps people get back on their feet after a hospitalization and helps others learn how to take control of their lives, said recovery specialist Tim Collins.

“It’s about keeping going through tough times,” Collins said.

Sandra Edmonds, 47, of Elyria, credits Gathering Hope House with turning her life around.

A sufferer of depression and paranoia, Edmonds has spent more than two years learning how to work with other people. That’s a skill she said she lacked in the past due to her mental illness, and it cost her dearly.

“I’ve lost jobs, I’ve had problems with my family because of my attitude,” Edmonds said. “(Gathering Hope House) helped in all those areas. They helped me get along with people and work with people.”

Edmonds now is volunteering to test her newfound skills before she attempts to re-enter the workforce.

She says she’s hopeful for her future -  a rare emotion for someone who suffers from depression. And she says she has Gathering Hope House to thank.

“They’ve helped me understand what other people are saying - not taking it the wrong way,” she said.

She was thrilled to learn she was getting a “Recovery Trailblazer” award.

“That makes me feel fantastic,” she said with a smile. “It’s been hard work. It’s not always easy to hold your temper. I feel hopeful.”

Gathering Hope House has more than two dozen programs and initiatives geared toward helping those with mental-health challenges get back on their feet and back in control.

They include everything from at-risk homeless outreach services, GED, art and dance classes to health and fitness programs. There are also a number of support groups geared toward wellness, management and recovery.

Gathering Hope House serves between 80 and 100 people on any given day, Collins said.

“We teach each other support. Everybody’s at a different level,” Collins said. “Some just got out of the hospital, others are going back to school while others are dealing with a new diagnosis. We’re here to help people keep their momentum going.”

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.

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