Over 45 years ago, they launched a vision of mental health recovery. The Mental Health Act of 1963 allowed counties like ours access to affordable and quality mental health services. Ben Gordon, a local businessman who owned and operated Gordon Hardware with his brother, Max, knew the need for mental health services in our community.
Ben founded Gordon Hardware on East Lincoln Highway, where it still stands today, but in the 1960s, the train was very active from Chicago to DeKalb. In addition to residents, many individuals from Chicago and the surrounding communities would wander into Gordon Hardware. Some require more than a hammer or some penny nails. Ben would realize that they had a mental illness, offer them a kind word, a cup of coffee, or a sandwich, and try to find them the help or services they needed.
He was instrumental in securing funding by creating the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board and recruiting the first mental health professionals for DeKalb County. In July 1968, the DeKalb County Mental Health Clinic commenced operation. The Clinic evolved into a private, not-for-profit corporation known as the Ben Gordon Community Mental Health Center, Inc. Our first services were provided out of rented houses in the community. However, the need was growing, and new facilities were essential to meet the demand.
Help us continue to meet the demand at the Call for Help Telethon on Friday, May 30, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.