History of the Richmond Center

In the mid-1950s a small group of residents in Ames, Iowa, decided to encourage the development of local mental health services. Assisted by the Iowa Mental Health Authority, they surveyed the mental health needs of the area and founded Story County Mental Health, Inc., in December 1957. These community leaders initially focused their efforts on raising funds for the not-for-profit organization. Members of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Iowa State University played an especially significant role during these early years. They chose the Center as their major altruistic activity, and Alpha Chi alumnae devoted untold hours to both fundraising projects and organizational efforts. Then, with the help of a full-scale fund drive and financial support from the Story County Board of Supervisors and area "community chests," the Story County Mental Health Center opened its doors in July 1959.

In 1994 the Center's name was changed to The Richmond Center. This name honors Mary Richmond, a pioneer social worker in the mental health movement of the early twentieth century. Her dedication to helping people receive effective, community-based mental health services lives on in the Center's mission today.