WREC Partners with Vincent House To Address Mental Health

Often overlooked and underfunded, mental health services are a growing need in many communities around the country. To help address this important issue in its own territory, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) has created and nurtured a successful partnership with Vincent House, a local nonprofit group focused on assisting individuals recovering from mental illness.

Located northeast of Tampa, the Dade City, Florida-based electric distribution cooperative with more than 260,000 accounts across five counties began its partnership with Vincent House in 2017, after a United Way needs assessment revealed mental health services as the top priority in its community. 

“As an electric cooperative, WREC is dedicated not only to providing reliable power, but also to enhancing the well-being of our community,” WREC Executive Vice President and General Manager David Lambert said. “Addressing mental health needs is crucial to this mission because mental health challenges affect overall community stability and prosperity.” Looking to address this critical need, we were introduced to Vincent House and the clubhouse model, which empowers people with mental illness to lead fulfilling and productive lives.”  

Stretching back to 1948, the clubhouse model focuses on offering people living with mental illness opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education and access to medical and psychiatric services in a single, caring and safe environment. 

“Clubhouses like Vincent House serve as community hubs, offering members the chance to build lasting relationships, and providing essential support in securing employment, education, housing and a sense of belonging,” Lambert said. “This impactful approach demonstrates tangible benefits: The model results in a fivefold increase in long-term employment, significantly reduces reliance on public benefits and cuts hospitalization and incarceration rates threefold. These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of clubhouses in improving individual lives and fostering a stronger, more resilient community.”  

Over the years, WREC has supported Vincent House’s mission in a variety of ways, including through financial contributions, help with fundraising and active involvement in their programs. Additionally, WREC has leveraged its relationships in government to build advocacy for mental health initiatives and bring financial support to Vincent House. 

Lambert has even taken on a leadership role as chairman of the Vincent House board. This involvement ensures that WREC’s contributions align with Vincent House’s needs and that the cooperative remains a key partner in shaping the organization’s strategic direction.  

“By taking an active role in supporting Vincent House, we are upholding our cooperative values and prioritizing community health,” Lambert said. “This partnership reflects our dedication to making a meaningful difference and enhancing the quality of life for those we serve, truly embodying our commitment to the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community.” 

An Expanding Partnership 

The collaboration between WREC and Vincent House began with bringing Vincent House’s services to Hernando County in 2017, working closely with community partners to address the urgent need for mental health support. WREC also supported Vincent House’s expansion into Pasco County, culminating in the successful completion of a new clubhouse facility in 2020. 

“Our partnership has deepened over time, and we continue to collaborate to create positive change in the lives of those served by Vincent House,” Lambert said. “We are particularly excited about Vincent House’s future projects, including the development of 39 new housing units at Vincent House Pasco and the construction of a new building in Hernando County.”  

WREC also has worked with Vincent House to launch a transitional employment program to help clubhouse members reintegrate into the community. The program offers part-time positions at WREC to Vincent House members, providing them with valuable work experience and a pathway to further employment.  

“This initiative underscores our shared goals with Vincent House of community reintegration and giving back,” Lambert said. 

In another joint initiative, WREC’s purchasing department oversees the contract management for Vincent House’s construction projects.  

“We handle the bidding process for all project elements and ensure strict adherence to local and federal requirements. This oversight helps maintain the highest standards of compliance and quality in the construction process,” Lambert said.  

Supporting Other Local Groups 

Beyond its partnership with Vincent House, WREC is involved with a variety of other community-focused organizations and programs that seek to make a meaningful difference in its service area. 

One of these initiatives is the Pasco County Housing Authority’s Veterans Housing Project, which aims to provide housing for veterans in need. 

“In June, WREC hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for this important project, and through our legislative efforts, we successfully secured $9 million in federal, state and local funding to support this critical initiative,” Lambert said. 

The new facility will include 77 townhouse units designed to house low-income veterans and their families. Located within four miles of a newly constructed veterans' medical center, the facility will provide on-site support services to aid the residents, and is expected to help Pasco County achieve the rate of functional zero when measuring the number of homeless veterans.  

WREC also partners with Mid-Florida Community Services' House-to-Home program, which helps applicants who have a need for housing and the financial ability to own a home, even if they would not qualify for a traditional mortgage. 

The cooperative’s employee-led Angel Tree program ensures that children in need receive gifts during the holiday season, while its support for community groups Feeding Pasco’s Elderly and the Pace Center for Girls reflects WREC’s commitment to providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable members of its community. 

WREC also collaborates with United Way in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties, helping to address a wide range of community needs. The cooperative also supports Scouts BSA, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. 

“We also actively participate in local economic development projects aimed at creating jobs and boosting local economies,” Lambert said. “By supporting these initiatives, WREC helps to foster growth and stability in the communities we serve.”  

Strong Load Growth 

WREC’s five-county service territory has seen significant load growth in recent years, with the cooperative expecting to add up to 13,000 new accounts in 2024 from new homes, apartment complexes and businesses in its service area. 

The cooperative is investing in upgrades now to keep up with the growth. Over the next few years, WREC plans on upgrading its transmission and distribution system, including several new substations and storm hardening lines and poles in its coastal areas. A key aspect of the upgrades is increasing the cooperative’s infrastructure resilience and reliability, along with a conversion to an advanced metering infrastructure system to improve data collection, billing accuracy and real-time monitoring of energy use for members. These capital projects are designed to support and accommodate growing demand, improve service reliability and enhance overall operations efficiency. 

Member Response Has Been Very Positive 

The response from WREC’s members on the partnership with Vincent House and the cooperative’s other community support programs has been overwhelmingly positive.  

“We remain active in our local civic organizations, and we are committed to staying engaged with our community,” Lambert said. “We continually seek member input on how we can better support local needs and organizations. Our employees, all of whom are local, work directly within the communities we serve, which allows us to maintain close connections and stay responsive to community needs. And our local offices, situated in the heart of the areas we serve, offer easy access for members to reach out and share their ideas and concerns. This close connection helps ensure that our support programs align with the values and interests of our community.”  

WREC’s partnership with Vincent House continues to be a key component of the cooperative’s range of community support initiatives. Lambert concluded, “We firmly believe that by addressing critical mental health needs and supporting Vincent House's growth, we are helping to make a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve.”