“Be the community you want” at Locking Arms Community Connect

HOUSTON – A local event is bringing people together to talk about mental health, wellness, and resources that can help.

Locking Arms Community Connect, hosted by the Women’s Resource Center Inc. and its partner organizations, is scheduled for March 31st at 6:00 p.m. at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center.

This event will create an opportunity for community leaders, advocates, and anyone interested in discussing solutions for fostering mental well-being and resilience.

Making mental health support more approachable

Willie Mae Lewis, Ph.D., CEOand founder of the Women’s Resource Center incorporated, tells KPRC 2’s Zorrie Jones that the goal is to ensure individuals, families, and businesses in Houston have access to necessary support and resources.

Dr. Lewis explained that traditional therapy settings sometimes push people away. She has found that a more relaxed, familiar approach helps individuals feel more comfortable opening up.

I used to have a kitchen table [that] they would come to before I would ever take them to the [office],” she said. “We would sit at the kitchen table and talk and have tea.”

By making her office space feel like a home, Dr. Lewis shares she creates an environment where people aren’t afraid to speak openly.

The event will mix traditional and nontraditional ways of supporting mental health, from clinical resources to discussions about music, nutrition, and movement, Dr. Lewis emphasized.

A shortage of mental health providers

“There are 30,000 just in Harris County residents to one mental health provider.” Dr. Lewis tells KPRC 2’s Zorrie Jones. She is working to address this shortage by training future mental health practitioners and partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

What to expect at this free event for everyone?

• Mental Health Support – Learn about local programs and training opportunities.

• Financial Stability & Business Development – Get advice on money management and entrepreneurship.

• Healthcare & Food Access – Connect with resources for medical care and food security.

• Workshops for Families, Youth, and Adults – Discussions on health, relationships, and personal growth.

• Healthy Eating & Wellness – A meal will be served, focusing on nutrition.

How to join

Registration Deadline: Saturday at 10 a.m., March 29th.

• Call Dr. Lewis: 281-381-2276

“Be the community you want,” Dr. Lewis encourages, inviting people to join the conversation at Locking Arms Community Connect.