Program helps connect Mason County

Mason County covers slightly more than 1,000 square miles and medical services aren't a short drive away for most people. That's where the Behavioral Health Transportation program is stepping in to provide a ride to those who need it.

After being approved at the Feb. 1 Mason County commissioners meeting, the program is new, having started officially about two weeks ago. According to the information packet, the program is set up to transport people to services such as inpatient, detox, medical appointments, bus stations, jail re-entry, court dates and other needed recovery support services necessary for recovery and wellness in and out of Mason County.

"It's bridging a gap that we have here in our community which is transportation," Jamie Ellertsen told the Journal. "Transportation has always been a huge barrier when it comes to recovery because most individuals want to engage in services, but if they live a long distance out or maybe they have some sort of physical impairment then it makes it really difficult for them to engage in those services such as NA, AA or maybe even basic wellness. That's very important."

Mason County contracted with the Patty Wagon and Gethsemane Ministries to provide the service, with Patty Wagon transporting individuals within Mason County while Gethsemane Ministries will be responsible for transportation outside Mason County.

Ellertsen said she has been a counselor in Mason County for about six years and she knows the difficulties people face when trying to find ways to get to appointments and services.

"Transportation has always been an issue and I don't really know of any other counties that are doing anything like this," Ellertsen said. "I don't know if anybody else knows this but Mason County is always kind of in the spotlight because we're very innovative here and creative so the rest of the state follows along with what Mason County is doing."

The cost of transportation is another reason for this program. Gasoline prices and cost of upkeep for a vehicle can be expensive and someone on a fixed income or social security could benefit from this program.

Patty Perry, owner of the Patty Wagon, said she has been with the transit system for many years and enjoys caring for people.

"This keeps people independent, being able to get to what their needs are," Perry told the Journal. "I've always wanted to be a part of people's caring. I care about people. When Abe came to me and said would you like to be a part of it, of course I would like to be a part of it because people need it."

Jeff Frizzell of Gethsemane Ministries said as a recovering addict, he knows when he was indigent, he knows the help this can provide to people looking to change.

"When you're finally at that point when you're done doing damage and you want to start to recover your life back, you need a hand up at that point," Frizzell told the Journal. "To just be there and meet somebody where they're at in their need, it's beneficial to me to be able to help them and know that I'm making a difference today. It's a good opportunity to minister to the individual and to speak life into them and encourage them and share some of your testimony, give them hope that things can get better and there is a possibility for recovery."

Frizzell said you can't allow the roadblock of transportation to be the thing that stops the next chapter of life.

Gethsemane Ministries and Patty Wagon plan to work together so they can make sure anyone who wants to use the program and needs a ride can get one.

Members of the Patty Wagon, Gethsemane Ministries and Ellertsen were either born and raised in Shelton, Mason County or near Mason County and they say it's rewarding to help your friends and neighbors.

Gethsemane Ministires said they've transported people as far as Portland, Seattle, Oak Harbor and Port Angeles. While transporting people, drivers get to know their passengers.

"One of the things in the interview, especially with a small area ... I tell the drivers that you're going to get attached and we do," Perry said. "We get the same people all the time and you learn about their families, where they came from, their illnesses. Sometimes, the people that are their drivers end up also their family member because they're the ones they look forward to seeing. A lot of these people, especially out in the rural areas, they don't see very many (people) and a lot of family members don't have anybody so the drivers are the people they depend on and they care about and vice versa."

The program is a pilot program and sustainability will be assessed after one year. Ellertsen said she can already tell the program is going to be effective.

Individuals interested in the service can contact the Patty Wagon at 360-427-0202 or by contacting Ellertsen at [email protected].

For more information about Gethsemane Ministries, go to gethsemane-ministries.com.

Author Bio

Matt Baide, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
Email: [email protected]

• Email: [email protected]