IMPOWER to Launch Behavioral Health Services at Christian Service Center’s New Downtown Orlando Well

IMPOWER, a leading Central Florida behavioral health provider, is excited to announce a new partnership with the Christian Service Center for the Homeless (CSC) to deliver on-site behavioral health services at CSC’s new Medical and Behavioral Health Clinic on its Downtown Orlando campus. The initiative is made possible through a three-year startup grant from AdventHealth Central Florida, supporting the launch of integrated mental health services for adults experiencing chronic homelessness. The clinic is scheduled to open in January 2026. 

Through this collaboration, IMPOWER will embed trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral health services directly within CSC’s integrated health clinic—removing common barriers such as transportation, insurance, and stigma that often prevent individuals experiencing homelessness from accessing care. Each day, CSC serves 400–500 adults, an estimated 25 percent of whom live with untreated or undiagnosed mental illness. With the support of this grant, the clinic will provide 500 compassionate mental health assessments over the next three years, helping individuals feel seen, heard and supported. Those who need ongoing care will be thoughtfully connected to the appropriate services, ensuring our community members receive the help and hope they deserve.

With AdventHealth’s investment, IMPOWER will staff the clinic with a full-time licensed therapist, a full-time care coordinator, and a part-time psychiatric physician assistant providing telehealth services. Services will include individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, psychoeducation, and care 
coordination, delivered in close collaboration with CSC’s wraparound supports such as housing assistance, meals, hygiene services, legal aid, and benefits navigation. By reducing barriers to care and offering coordinated, evidence-based services on site, IMPOWER will ensure that hundreds more individuals receive the support they need – demonstrating meaningful impact on health, stability, and long-term well-being.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to meeting people where they are and addressing behavioral health as a critical pathway to housing stability and recovery,” said Marcie Dearth, Chief Operating Officer of IMPOWER. “We are grateful to AdventHealth for investing in a model that brings high-quality behavioral health care directly to those who need it most.”

The behavioral health clinic will also align with CSC’s Medical-Legal Partnership, helping clients with mental illness access essential benefits such as SSI—often a key factor in achieving permanent housing. 

“With the opening of our Wellness Building and the support of AdventHealth, this partnership completes CSC’s vision for a fully integrated care model,” said Eric Gray, Executive Director of the Christian Service Center. “Together with IMPOWER, we are creating meaningful pathways to not only housing and hiring, but now also to healthcare and healing for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We will now be able to treat someone’s mental health challenges along with their physical challenges all in one space.”

Together, IMPOWER, CSC, and AdventHealth are advancing a scalable, community-based solution to address mental health needs, reduce homelessness, and improve overall health outcomes across Central Florida.

About IMPOWER
IMPOWER is a nonprofit behavioral health organization with more than 30 years of experience providing mental health and substance use treatment services to underserved populations across Central Florida. Serving approximately 9,000
individuals annually, IMPOWER is a recognized leader in innovation, access, and compassionate, evidence-based care. To learn more visit: www.impowerfl.org. 

About the Christian Service Center for the Homeless
Founded in 1971, the Christian Service Center for the Homeless provides comprehensive, wraparound services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Downtown Orlando. CSC’s programs address immediate needs while creating pathways to housing, employment, and long-term stability. 

About the AdventHealth
AdventHealth is a connected network of care that helps people feel whole – body, mind, and spirit. More than 100,000 team members across a national footprint provide whole-person care for millions of people annually through more than 2,000 care sites that include hospitals, physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, hospice centers, the AdventHealth app and more. Our wholistic approach to improving the health and prosperity of our communities is inspired by our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. For the latest news about AdventHealth, visit www.Adventhealth.com/news.