By Anne Marie Amacher
DAVENPORT — Three therapists with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., will offer services to Scott County residents at the Diocese of Davenport headquarters.
Kent Ferris, the Davenport Diocese’s director of social action, said this type of collaboration has been in the works for years. It’s “one way to provide services that are much needed in the Davenport Diocese.”
He is excited to have space that allows people in Scott County easier access to services, and he appreciates the three therapists’ willingness to travel from their office in Rock Island to Davenport.
The Davenport Diocese has been working with Catholic Charities for years to figure out how to collaborate. But Ferris noted one thing holding the two entities back was a lack of space at diocesan headquarters in Davenport. Now that the building’s renovations are complete, office space is available for the Catholic Charities workers.
“We are so thrilled to be able to provide services on the other side of the river,” said Penny Kain, marriage and family therapist and mediation specialist with the Peoria Diocese’s Catholic Charities. “We want Scott County residents to know we are accessible to them as well. Catholic Charities exists to provide help and hope to anyone who reaches out to us.”
In addition to providing therapy for individuals, couples and families, Kain and co-workers Amber Dopler and Kim Allen will also offer family mediation services at the Davenport location. Clients pay on a sliding scale basis. Whatever they can pay will be accepted; insurance also is accepted, Kain noted.
To schedule an appointment, call the Rock Island office at (309) 788-9581 and speak with a therapist.
Ferris said he will continue to explore additional ideas for social services collaboration — especially in other parts of the diocese.
The Davenport Diocese previously had a Catholic Charities office for years. After United Way at the national level conducted an assessment of social services in the area, new organizations were spun off that essentially took over services Catholic Charities had been offering, Ferris said. The Davenport Diocese has re-established Catholic Charities here, and is seeking to further define its mission and what services can best be provided.
