To the editor:
The late Rita Gilleck had a vision in the early 1970s for people with mental health challenges in Athens, Ohio. She envisioned a safe haven for people with mental health challenges to form an community in a community house, to serve as an beacon of hope for people in the community with mental health challenges to socialize hang out an learn how to live in the community building trust amongst the two communities. This was the start of the Gathering Place at 7 North Congress Street, in the city of Athens, 50 years ago, next year in 2026.
Rita Gilleck was one of the founding members alongside Ann Stemple, Edward Brown, James Burgess and Shirley Whan. Jim Burgess had the honor of naming it the Gathering Place. Rita was the first president of the Gathering Place. The only surviving member of the Gathering Place is Ed Brown. I have been an Gathering Place member 25 years this year, 2025. I’ve been clean and sober for 25 years this year. 2025. And I’ve served 17 years on the Gathering Place board of directors 2005–2023.
David e Hartinger
Athens, Ohio
