FOSSTON, Minn. — After four years of planning and preparation, the Firefly Center for Art and Wellbeing in Fosston is set to host the grand opening of Alluma, a provider of mental health and substance use disorder services, in July.
Heidi Danos, interim director of Firefly, expressed her excitement about the long-awaited opening, emphasizing the critical need for Alluma’s services in the community. “It has been a long time coming,” Danos said. “Having Alluma here in Fosston is a much-needed service.”
The grand opening event will take place on Wednesday, July 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Firefly Center, located at 102 S. Kaiser Avenue. The event will feature refreshments such as yogurt parfaits and root beer floats. Alluma’s 1,200 square feet of office space will be situated at the end of the art gallery, which fronts the building. Beyond housing Alluma as a tenant, the Firefly Center maintains a strong focus on promoting arts and culture within the community.
Although the official grand opening is scheduled for July, Alluma has already begun offering services within the building as of June 26 on a limited basis. Initially, the clinic will provide mental health services including psychotherapy and family therapy, with plans to expand to medication management, psychiatric care, and eventually substance use disorder treatment. Additionally, Alluma offers services outside the office setting, such as support for the homeless and skill-building programs aimed at adult rehabilitation in mental health.
The initiative to establish the Firefly Center began in 2019 when Danos and other members of a local arts and culture commission learned of Alluma’s search for a permanent location in Fosston. Recognizing an opportunity to address community needs, they embarked on creating the Firefly Center. Danos emphasized the center’s mission to reduce stigma associated with mental health care and ensure accessibility and comfort for all residents. The art gallery, which serves as a community gathering space, reflects these goals, fostering an environment where individuals can feel at ease.
“We recognize the therapeutic power of art, whether it’s through painting, dancing, or theater,” Danos explained. “That’s why we integrated it into our vision.”
In addition to its artistic endeavors, the Firefly Center is constructing two apartments to support its financial sustainability and provide much-needed housing in the area. Danos underscored the positive reception from the community, noting Fosston’s role as a regional healthcare hub that has lacked adequate mental health services until now.
“Fosston has been underserved in this regard,” Danos said. “We are thrilled that Alluma is finally opening its doors.”
Michelle Van Camp, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer at Alluma, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and emphasized the clinic’s commitment to becoming an integral part of Fosston. Despite the financial challenges of operating in rural areas, Van Camp is optimistic about Alluma’s impact and looks forward to seeing the Firefly Center flourish.
“It’s an exciting time,” Van Camp said. “I’m eager to witness the positive outcomes of this collaboration.”
The partnership between Firefly and Alluma represents a significant step forward in meeting the mental health needs of Fosston and the surrounding communities, setting a precedent for integrated care and community support.
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