What’s Cookin’ Aiken?

Deborah De Vita

April 5, 2020

“Nurture Home gave me stability and was a place where I could be still, gather my thoughts, and find out which steps I needed to take in order to be successful. It’s great that I’ve been able to come to this point where I can transition out and know that I will not be homeless again.”

Ada G.

Local Chefs Cookin’ For A Cause

Looking for delicious signature dishes, beverages, a laid-back atmosphere, and entertainment? Well look no further. You will find it all at the 20th Annual Aiken’s Cookin’ with Celebrity Chefs fundraiser benefitting our own Mental Health America of Aiken County programs (MHA-Aiken).

Gather together at The Big Red Barn on Thursday, May 7 from 6 – 9 pm to help MHA Aiken continue to promote positive mental health in Aiken County.

We are moving our event date to the month of May to coincide with National Mental Health Month. And, we are relocating to a new venue, The Big Red Barn, which means everyone will be under one roof.

You can expect to sample some of the best dishes from local professional and amateur chefs. Enjoy the friendly culinary competition while Third Time Charmers keep you dancing from station to station.

Aiken’s Cookin’ with Celebrity Chefs is a major fundraiser for Mental Health America of Aiken County. Your donation and support help continue programs like Nurture Home, where single mothers like Ada G. overcome their struggles and become self-sufficient. 100% of your donation stays in Aiken County to support these programs that are vital for your neighbors:

>> Nurture Home – gives homeless women an opportunity to develop a plan to move forward with their lives.

>> Welcome Baby – ensures that new moms at Aiken Regional Medical Centers receive information regarding self-care and postpartum depression as well as assistance with practical needs like cribs, car seats, diapers, and formula. This program helps to lower the burden of moms and their babies.

>> Suicide Prevention and Suicide Survivor Support Groups – provide hope in dark times.

>> Operation Santa – provides a Christmas party and gifts for about 200 folks living with mental illness in your community.

>> Don’t Duck – helps children develop good mental health practices.

What is MHA-Aiken’s Impact in our County?

In 2019, MHA-Aiken programs:

>> Supported 63 women through the Nurture Home transition program.

>> Answered about 80 calls per week from individuals seeking mental
health support.

>> Initiated more than 1,000 referrals for everything from shelter and assistance to basic needs.

>> Reached 10,000 people in Aiken County through the MHA-Aiken educational and outreach programs

Offering Hope to Homeless Women

The Nurture Home program offers transitional housing shelter for women and their children. This program helps these women to understand their ability to break the generational cycles of abuse and homelessness by learning to stand up for themselves and take steps toward independence. When they see hope, they begin to change.

Bonnie Fulghum, MHA-Aiken County Executive Director, says that MHA-Aiken is very proud of one of the ladies who came to them with nothing, but with many mental and physical scars. In the year that she was with Nurture Home, she completed the program and gained the confidence to get a job in her field of nursing. The client received several raises at work and was able to work into MHA-Aiken’s independent living cottage, where she stayed for 6 months. While living at Nurture Home, she saved enough money to put her life back together and buy a house of her own. This lady is still thriving in our community and has reunited with her family.

Fulghum states, “Our goal is to provide more space to help more women in our community.” She adds, “Thanks to United Way and to individuals like you, MHA-Aiken will continue to help women and their families in Aiken County.”

Help Us Continue Our Mission

The mission of Mental Health America of Aiken County is to serve as an advocate and a community resource by promoting positive mental health in Aiken County. Our work has resulted in positive change. We have educated Aiken County residents about mental health conditions and reduced barriers to treatment and services. As a result of MHA-Aiken efforts, many local residents with mental health conditions have sought care and are now enjoying more productive lives in our community.

MHA-Aiken has played a vital role in this community since 1967. We are a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an affiliate of Mental Health America.

Come and join us for great food, lively music, and fun for the cause. Tickets can be purchased in advance for a $65 donation at Return Engagement or Floyd & Green Jewelers, online at EventBrite.com, or at the door for $75. For more information, please visit MHA-Aiken.org or call Savannah Maddox at 803.641.4164 or Sherri Siler at 803.292.0573.

Deborah De Vita

Deborah De Vita enjoyed a successful career in healthcare, starting as an RN and culminating as VP/Chief Clinical Integration Officer with a 22-hospital health system. She created her business, E3 Life Coach, to pursue her passion: inspiring and empowering others to ignite their ambitions and realize their full potential. She is an effective and motivating leader and coach who helps people achieve their desired results. She is a member of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, the Woodside Plantation Architectural Review Board, Business Exsellence Network, and the ACE Group.

Deborah De Vita

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