Category: Nonprofit Organizations and Spaces

The Ralston Ecological Preservation Society is a grouping of local community members that has formed to spread across all wards. They currently meet weekly with meetings switching between member’s houses, Sally Huang makes the best ambrosia salad (is any ambrosia salad good?). The purpose of the society is to preserve and record the diverse fauna and flora ecosystem that is Ralston. Projects by the society include, fauna and flora catalogs where they give information about different native species, Big Brown Bat habitat protections in the wake of white nose syndrome population decimations, and a hunt for the oldest tree. Sally thinks its the Oak on Poplar in Ward 3, but Hector Grant thinks its the Maple on Grove St in Ward 1. “That Maple easily could have been here from before colonists,” the young man was quoted saying.

The society has also done work with the public gardens and home garden growers in helping identify which local plants would thrive best in Ralston’s unique climate. 25 batboxes have been hung in various places around Ralston near fresh water sources in hopes of bringing back this important part of the ecosystem after its near destruction 10 years ago. All in the hopes of creating and preserving a beautiful space for all living things to live.

The Ralston Mental Health Clinic is dedicated to serving every member of the community, ensuring that the residents of Ralston can enjoy life to the fullest. The clinic provides a welcoming, safe, and judgement-free environment where everyone can feel included and supported. The Ralston Mental Health Clinic employs a number of licensed counselors, therapists, social workers, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists. Each professional employed by the clinic is provided with assistance to maintain self care and minimize vicarious trauma. With a history of volunteers and supporting communities, Ralston’s clinic works to help individuals with obstacles between them and mental health services. Mental health resources are incredibly beneficial and with easier access to them, the clinic has improved the lives of countless new patients. The Ralston Mental Health Clinic provides services such as individualized therapy, group therapy, substance abuse counseling, family counseling, couples therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and many more mental health services. The clinic approaches each client as a product of their environment and works to create goals and plans that will work for each individual. No matter what type of help you receive from the Ralston Mental Health Clinic, the staff will make sure you are heard and seen during your time as a patient with us. Whether you’re seeking help for depression, relationship challenges, substance abuse, or just need someone to talk to, the Ralston Mental Health Clinic staff is here to provide the best care for those in need

I think that Ralston would benefit greatly from a local radio station a la KEXP crossed with WBUR. A local radio station would create a place for locals to create social connections over shared interests in the radio. Having a local place to broadcast news and music that is uniquely Ralstonian would create a more unified culture that would give Ralstoners something other than location that ties them together. Currently a Ward Oneian and a Ward Threeer have very little in common other than living on the same island. But as soon as they listen to the same music and same news there’s something new that is shared. Another great thing, more specifically about KEXP, is that it gives a platform for smaller groups in the same place that larger artists may have performed. The NPR side of the station could give voice to those that feel ignored by the larger population allowing for local feelings to have a solid place to be voiced. Someone from Ward Four might share the same opinion as someone from Ward Two, but they may never have known it until they were made aware of it in some way, and what better way than radio. All this come together to creating connections between people who may otherwise have never interacted in any meaningful way. 

Ralston has become a much better place after making mental health care free. This idea has touched the lives of so many people in the town. Making mental health not stigmatized, like outside of Ralston. As well as helping people through things like addiction and depression. Focusing on mental health has also reduced social anxiety, so more people spend time with others now! This has been instrumental to Ralston’s recent booming economy as well as tourism. This skyrocketed after the change as people wanted to view the huge change, which was the first in the US. The inclusion of free mental health care has changed Ralston for the better, making everyone in it happier. Focusing on Mental health has improved test scores for students while making them less stressed. As well as reducing crime by stopping it before it ever even happens. This has also made the town of Ralston happier than ever before, making it have one of the highest quality of living!