MADISON, Wis.— A Madison Southwest side church found a new way to meet more of the needs of the predominately African American neighborhood it serves through a unique partnership.

Anesis Therapy plans to offer free therapy to anyone, every Tuesday afternoon, from a renovated room at Mt. Zion Church. 

"And I know so many people are going to use the services, it being at the church," Anesis founder Myra McNair says. 

Mt. Zion senior pastor Marcus Allen agrees. 

"It's an essential piece I think, I think they go hand to hand,' Allen says. "People don't have anywhere to go. And so I think that's just challenging."

The goal is to offer the space as a triage center for mental health. 

"What do you do when it's not really an emergency, but you do need to just drop in somewhere?" McNair says. "Right now, we are seeing a huge increase (of) psychosis (and) suicidal behavior in youth, since the pandemic. And so I think this will be easier for people to access services being that is right in their community."

The renovations on the space are possible because of the generosity of Heartland Building and Design and its contractors.

"Because spaces denote dignity, and that's really where my heart was, they deserved it. It felt like it's something I can do just to build my bridge to start to walk over," owner Meg Raddix says. 

A handful of therapists will be available from noon to 4 p.m. every Tuesday on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Anesis' assistant director Debie Evans knows that is critical and hopes this effort one day grows. 

"We must be able to provide this service that will be spot on in the moment when people are in crisis," Evans says. "This is a time, more than ever, where we need to be coming together as a community to support our community."