Gateway hosts successful educational breakfast with elected officials and community partners

Gateway, an Upstate program that exists to enhance the lives of adults living with severe and persistent mental illness, welcomed an esteemed group of elected officials, community partners, and advocates to its annual Community Breakfast on Friday morning. Held at the Gateway Clubhouse on Croft Street, the event showcased Gateway’s innovative programs that have transformed the lives of more than 1,550 adults living with mental illness in the Upstate since 1984, helping them lead vocationally productive and socially satisfying lives.

Attendees included local and state elected officials, including:

• Greenville Mayor Knox White

• Travelers Rest Mayor Brandy Amidon

• Greenville City Councilman John DeWorken

• State Senator Jason Elliott

• Greenville County Councilmen Alan Mitchell and Frank Farmer

• State Representatives Bruce Bannister, Paul Wickensimer, and Wendell Jones

The morning featured impactful presentations from Gateway leadership, an employment partner from MetLife, a Gateway parent, and a Gateway member. Each shared firsthand accounts of how Gateway supports individuals navigating mental health challenges.

Gateway Program Coordinator, Sally Bissada Lassiter, Gateway Director of Development, Martha Armstrong, Greenville City Councilman, John DeWorken, Greenville Homeless Alliance Director, Susan McClarty, State Senator, Jason Elliot, State Representative, Paul Wickensmier, Spinx Director of Community Relations, Stacey Owens, Greenville City Councilman, Frank Farmer, Gateway Executive Director, Randy Redlinger 

“We are honored by the support of our elected leaders and partners who play a vital role in creating a community that prioritizes mental health,” said Randy Redlinger, Executive Director of Gateway. “Friday’s event was a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of raising awareness about the needs of adults living with mental illness in our region.”

Guests were invited to tour Gateway’s 20,000-square-foot Clubhouse, which operates on a workday model to foster social connection, vocational skills, and personal growth. Gateway is one of 12 international training bases for The Clubhouse Model and has trained more than 2,530 colleagues worldwide.

About Gateway

Gateway is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization primarily funded by community donations that helps adults in the Upstate of South Carolina living with mental illness build confidence through social interaction and a workday model at Gateway’s 20,000-square-foot Clubhouse. The Clubhouse Model is a community and evidence-based approach to the treatment of persistent mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, schizoaffective, and major depression. Gateway offers opportunities to increase social and vocational skills, build relationships, and obtain education, employment, and housing through four key program areas: the Clubhouse Model, Education, Transitional Employment, and Housing. Gateway exists to provide light for adults living with mental illness and offers a place of dignity and hope in the community.