A Place To Belong eyes new location in Detroit Lakes

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – A Place To Belong in Detroit Lakes has been an organization helping adults with mental health diagnoses socialize and feel welcome since 1997.

Kayla Fagre, interim executive director for the nonprofit, said they try to structure activities and outings for their members to do, but sometimes they just want to hang out and play video games.

“We service folks who have a mental health diagnosis,” said Fagre. “They have to be 18 years of age and we do a lot of things here in our community. We do a lot of outings. Lots of crafts in our social club, movies, golfing, pontoon rides, we go on nature walks, bowling, you name it, we do it.”

She also said they can have nearly 30 people crowded into their space in the Greystone Building in Detroit Lakes for some of their potluck events, which can get kind of crowded. Adding, the group is currently looking for another location to call home and they had one in mind – the old Detroit Lakes Police Station on Holmes Street.

“I really like that it’s central in Detroit Lakes,” she said. “There’s a lot of businesses and parking. The issue we have right now is we don’t have no parking. Especially our elder members, they walk from the mall parking lot to the Greystone and then, when we have out events, it’s really hard to house 30 people in a smaller area. So, we are looking for space. We really do like the old police station, but we’re open to other ideas, if there are ideas out there.”

And while moving to a new location may still be months away, Fagre said, they are always looking for volunteers to come and hang out with their members at A Place To Belong.

“If people are looking to volunteer for outings or even in the club playing cards with members, making cards, crafts, whatever, we’re always looking for great volunteers,” said Fagre.

A Place To Belong will be holding a Halloween potluck on Oct. 31 from noon to 4 p.m. for their members, but they are also looking for volunteers to help judge the decorating and costume contests for the event.

Anyone interested in being a judge or volunteering with the organization should check out the group’s website at: ap2b.org.