Converse Wellness Center Receives Transformative Grant from Mary Black Foundation
Written by Lindsay Bartholomew
Converse’s Wellness Center recently received a $33,000 Behavioral Health Grant from the Mary Black Foundation. The grant enhanced conditions for care in the Wellness Center and provided for new flooring, paint, lighting, and upgraded wayfinding signage – all designed to create a more welcoming, therapeutic environment.
Funding also supported professional development for Director of Counseling and Wellness Bethany Garr, who attended and presented at the American College Counseling Association Conference.
“Our goal in making these physical and aesthetic improvements was to make the Wellness Center a more welcoming, accessible space for our students, faculty, and staff,” Garr said.”The grant also funded staff education, which will help us as we expand our campus outreach and training efforts.”
“Our goal in making these physical and aesthetic improvements was to make the Wellness Center a more welcoming, accessible space for our students, faculty, and staff.”
Bethany Garr
Located in Andrews Hall, the Wellness Center provides holistic medical services to all students, faculty, and staff, as well as counseling services to all currently enrolled undergraduate students. The Wellness Center is also home to a refurbished Relaxation Room that serves as a space for the campus community to unwind and recharge.
The Wellness Center hosted a drop-in Open House event on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, to showcase the upgrades and educate faculty, staff, students, and community members about the services they provide. With support from the grant, staff also distributed new branded stickers, pens, and magnets to boost visibility of the center.
“The Mary Black Foundation serves an integral role in funding health and wellness initiatives in our community, and we are so grateful to have received this generous grant,” Garr said. “Their support has been invaluable in helping us to pursue our mission of promoting the physical, mental, and emotional health of the Converse community.”
Founded in 1986, the vision of the Mary Black Foundation is to increase opportunities for health and well-being through strategic investments in the people and communities of Spartanburg County.