Winona, Minn  – Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hiawatha Bluffs Living (HBL), a milestone that reflects a decade of providing safe, stable, and supportive housing for adults living with mental health conditions. 

To commemorate the occasion, HVMHC will host a special community open house on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hiawatha Bluffs Living, located at 1433 West Service Drive in Winona. Community members, partners, current and former residents, staff, supporters, and those who played a role in the vision, planning, development, and creation of Hiawatha Bluffs Living are invited to attend and celebrate ten years of housing, recovery, and community impact. 

As part of the celebration, HVMHC will partner with the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce for a special 10-Year Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Chamber Ambassadors will help commemorate the milestone by cutting a ceremonial anniversary ribbon, recognizing a decade of service and support for individuals living with mental health conditions. 

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center broke ground on Hiawatha Bluffs Living in 2015 in response to a growing need for supportive housing in Southeast Minnesota. The facility officially opened its doors in July 2016 and has since become a vital resource for individuals seeking stability and independence while managing mental health challenges. 

Today, Hiawatha Bluffs Living provides 20 fully furnished apartments and comprehensive supportive services designed to help residents thrive. Services include 24-hour staff support, case management, nursing services, medication assistance, transportation, and skill-building opportunities that promote recovery and independent living. 

"This July, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hiawatha Bluffs Living, a milestone that reflects our longstanding commitment to helping individuals with mental health conditions achieve stability, independence, and a place to call home," said Erik Sievers, MBA, MSW, LICSW, Executive Director of Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center. 

"For ten years, Hiawatha Bluffs Living has demonstrated what is possible when individuals have access to both stable housing and meaningful support. We are incredibly proud of the residents who have called HBL home and grateful to the staff, community partners, and supporters who have helped make this program a success. This anniversary is a celebration of the lives that have been strengthened through housing, recovery, and hope." 

Since opening in July 2016, Hiawatha Bluffs Living has helped hundreds of individuals build stability, improve wellness, and work toward greater independence. What began as a vision to address a critical community need has grown into a model of supportive housing that continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of those it serves. 

"Housing is one of the most important social determinants of health," said Katie Donohue, MASL, Housing Director at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center. "The success of Hiawatha Bluffs Living over the past ten years highlights the importance of combining stable housing with individualized support services. We have seen firsthand how access to housing can transform lives, and we remain committed to helping individuals achieve their goals and maintain their independence." 

Housing has long been a cornerstone of HVMHC's commitment to supporting recovery and wellness throughout Southeast Minnesota. Through Hiawatha Bluffs Living, four Board and Lodge homes, and its Scattered Site Supportive Housing Program, HVMHC continues to help individuals secure and maintain safe, stable housing while receiving the support necessary to live successfully in the community. 

"These programs reflect our belief that recovery is strengthened when individuals have both a place to live and a network of support," added Sievers. "When people have access to stable housing and meaningful services, recovery and independence are possible." 

As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center provides comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services throughout Southeast Minnesota. With locations in Winona, Wabasha, Red Wing, and Caledonia, HVMHC serves residents across Winona, Wabasha, Goodhue, Houston, and Fillmore counties. 

Hiawatha Bluffs Living 10-Year Anniversary Open House 

Friday, July 17, 2026 
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – 1:30 p.m.
Hiawatha Bluffs Living
1433 West Service Drive
Winona, MN 55987

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet staff, reconnect with current and former residents, learn more about HVMHC's housing services, and celebrate ten years of creating pathways to recovery through stable housing and supportive services. We especially welcome those who helped envision, develop, fund, construct, support, and champion Hiawatha Bluffs Living over the past decade as we reflect on its impact and look toward the future. 

For more information about Hiawatha Bluffs Living and HVMHC's housing programs, visit www.hvmhc.org/housing-services or contact Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center at (507) 454-4341. 

About Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center 

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic serving Southeast Minnesota. HVMHC provides comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services and is committed to delivering exceptional, responsive, and consumer-focused behavioral health care that supports recovery, resilience, and wellness. In addition to outpatient and community-based services, HVMHC operates supportive housing programs that help individuals achieve stability, independence, and long-term recovery. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center's Southeast Minnesota Mobile Crisis Response Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services are always free to the caller. Call 1-844-CRISIS2 (1-844-274-7472) to speak with a trained crisis practitioner who can assess the situation, provide support, and help determine the most appropriate next steps. Individuals can also call or text 988 from anywhere in the United States to be connected to the nearest crisis call center for immediate support.