October 8, 2026 -Heritage Behavioral Health Center says it will sunset its Oasis program after more than 26 years of providing support to individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
During an announcement, Mary Garrison, President and CEO of Heritage Behavioral Health Center, emphasized that the decision was not driven by a financial crisis, but by changing community needs and the growing demand for behavioral health, substance use, crisis intervention and integrated health care services.
“Today is not simply about the ending of a program,” Garrison said. “It’s about honoring 26 years of meaningful service while thoughtfully planning for the future.”
Garrison says the community has experienced a significant increase in demand for mental health services, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, housing support and integrated health care over the past five years, while the number of behavioral health providers and available options has declined. The organization says it must focus its workforce, expertise and resources where the need is greatest.
“Strong organizations do not stand still. They adapt, they pivot, they collaborate,” Garrison said. “They ensure their resources are aligned with their mission and their values,”
Garrison stated that during the two week in which Oasis was “temporarily closed,” Heritage discovered what it called a duplication of services that could provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Garrison pointed to community organizations including Dove, Homeward Bound, the Empowerment Opportunity Center, Crossing Healthcare, the Salvation Army, Water Street Mission, God’s Shelter of Love, Good Samaritan, Northeast Community Fund and Decatur Public Library.
When asked by the media if any of those organizations Garrison mentioned provide showers and laundry, lockers for personal belongings, a mailing address, and other low-barrier, one-stop services for people who often had nowhere else to go, Garrison admitted that they do not, contradictory to the assertion that all of Oasis’ services were already duplicated.
Garrison said oasis staff will be available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. to help individuals obtain mail and personal belongings from lockers and will also continue providing referrals and connections to services supporting access to shelter and permanent housing.
