HOPE CHURCH OF Iron Mountain will be open this Thanksgiving for “Hope for the Holidays,” a joint effort with Forever Friends Drop-In, to provide “a safe, non-stigmatizing environment” for those dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues who may have few other options during the holidays. The partnership also plans to have events marking Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. From left are Talitha Dahlquist, executive director of the Forever Friendship Drop-In site, and the Rev. Anthony Miller, lead pastor for Hope Church, 200 E. B St. in downtown Iron Mountain. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The holidays can be rough to navigate for those with mental health issues.

Some are estranged from family, or too far away to get home. For others, being among family can be an ordeal, dealing with people who might not understand or are openly judgmental, who perhaps even make things worse, said Talitha Dahlquist, executive director of the Forever Friendship Drop-In site.

If alcohol or substance abuse are factors as well, temptations likely will abound at these gatherings.

Yet staying home presents its own set of risks, Dahlquist said. Loneliness and isolation also can exacerbate mental health conditions, she explained.

So Forever Friendship is partnering with Hope Church of Iron Mountain for “Hope for the Holidays,” a series of events to provide “a safe, non-stigmatizing environment” for Thanksgiving and other holidays into the new year.

On Thanksgiving, Hope Church at 200 E. B St. in downtown Iron Mountain will have a potluck meal from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 28, plus crafts and games, as well as faith representatives and a certified peer support specialist on site.

Events also are planned for Christmas at the church and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at the Forever Friendship Drop-In location, 501 S. Carpenter Ave. Suite D in Kingsford. The New Year’s Eve venue is still to be determined but aims to have “a sober holiday event … where we still want to have a good time, we still want to celebrate,” Dahlquist said.

All are free, with no reservations required.

Forever Friendship Drop-In has operated in the Iron Mountain-Kingsford area since 2015 as a “safe space” and resource center for anyone age 18 and older dealing with a mental health diagnosis, substance misuse or thoughts of suicide, Dahlquist said. Their services are free and those who stop in do not have to specify their condition.

All employees have a mental health diagnosis as well, she said. In fact, Dahlquist first came in contact with Forever Friendship by becoming a member, only a few months before she was asked to take over as executive director in January 2022.

“So I can say, ‘I understand, I’ve been there,'” Dahlquist said.

They now have about 70 members, with about 50 visiting at least monthly. The goal, she said, is to validate what members are going through and help them build healthy coping skills. They also do workshops, support groups, and community inclusion and social activities.

Hope Church has roots back to 2020 in the area and previously had been at Broullire Corner on Iron Mountain’s North Side. They moved downtown in January, said the Rev. Anthony Miller, lead pastor for Hope Church.

The two met at the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Hope Church joined the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, then further solidified ties at a chamber-sponsored breakfast.

“We realized our interests were aligned as to being assets to our community,” Miller said. In a written statement, he added, “I admire the work she does, and it feels like a natural fit to join together in this effort.”

“And we could make a lasting difference,” Dahlquist said.

While Forever Friendship Drop-In has had holiday activities in the past, Hope Church has more room, enough to seat up to 50 people at a time.

Those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass if possible for the potluck. Everything should thoroughly cooked in advance, as the church does not have a kitchen with an oven or stovetop. Crock pots or other countertop cookers can be plugged in.

Also — and this is crucial — the church and Forever Friendship are nut-free environments due to several people having known allergies. Even sharing utensils among dishes, such as cutting pecan and pumpkin pie with the same knife, can transfer enough residue to trigger a reaction. So be aware of ingredients. Some gluten-free recipes, for example, substitute finely ground nuts for flour.

Forever Friendship will provide transportation from Iron County for the Thanksgiving event if requested, Dahlquist said.

After Thanksgiving, Hope Church will host a “Second Chance Saturday,” where people can bring leftovers and, again, get support for those who might be struggling post-holiday. Dahlquist noted the Thanksgiving holiday period typically has a higher suicide rate.

“So people will always have a support system they can build on from the holidays,” Dahlquist said.

These two non-profit entities would welcome monetary donations to help cover the costs of these events as well, they said. Contributions can be made by going online to hopeimt.org/donate and choosing “Hope for the Holidays” on the dropdown menu. Or checks can be mailed to Hope Church, P.O. Box 647, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, with “Hope for the Holidays” in the memo line.

For more information or other ways to participate, contact Dahlquist at 906-200-1473 or Miller at 906-285-4712.