The New Katie Blessing Center: Transforming Pediatric Mental Health and Healing Charlotte’s Youth

By Mark A Leon

The Katie Blessing Center is poised to transform pediatric behavioral health care in Charlotte and across North Carolina, addressing a critical gap in services for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges.

A New Standard in Pediatric Behavioral Health

Set to open its first phase in 2026, the Katie Blessing Center will be the largest and most advanced pediatric behavioral health facility in North Carolina, located at 5516 Central Avenue in east Charlotte. The center is designed to serve children and teens ages 5 to 18, offering a continuum of care that includes behavioral health urgent care, acute inpatient treatment, residential care, and outpatient services-all on a single campus. This integrated approach is unique in the state, ensuring continuity and comprehensive support for young people in crisis and their families.

Facilities and Programs

The center will be constructed in phases. Phase 1 will feature a renovated building with a 6-10 chair behavioral health urgent care unit, 48 acute inpatient beds, telehealth services, and both indoor and outdoor recreational spaces. Phase 2, opening in 2027, will add up to 24 more beds, an expansive gymnasium, and additional therapy spaces. Ultimately, the facility will offer up to 72 beds, addressing the dire shortage of pediatric behavioral health resources in the region.

Programming at the Katie Blessing Center is diverse and evidence-based, including:

• Art, music, horticulture, animal, and recreational therapies

• Nutritional wellness and exercise therapy

• Education, tutoring, and peer/family support programs

• Yoga, mindfulness, and martial arts

The center’s environment is intentionally designed to be bright, modern, and welcoming, helping to break the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.

Impact on the Charlotte Community

Charlotte and North Carolina have long struggled with limited access to youth mental health care-North Carolina ranks 42nd in the nation for prevalence of youth mental health issues and lack of access to care. More than 50 children each week have been reported sleeping in emergency departments due to a lack of appropriate behavioral health resources. The Katie Blessing Center aims to change this by providing local, high-quality, and accessible treatment options.

By offering urgent care, short- and long-term residential treatment, and outpatient support, the center will alleviate pressure on emergency departments and provide families with a clear path to healing. The center is also expected to create over 200 jobs, contributing to the economic vitality of east Charlotte.

Community and Financial Support

The project is a collaborative effort, led by the Katie Blessing Foundation and supported by local government, health systems, and private donors. Over $30 million has been raised so far, with significant contributions from the State of North Carolina, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and partners like Novant Health. The total project cost is estimated at $62–$63 million, with ongoing fundraising to ensure completion and sustainability.

A Vision for the Future

The Katie Blessing Center is more than a facility-it represents a movement to redefine youth mental health care in Charlotte. By prioritizing family-centered, holistic care and innovative therapies, the center seeks to give every child the chance for a healthy, hopeful future. As COO Tracey Hummell noted, “By bringing this facility to the east side, we’re going to improve the community, we’re going to strengthen the community, beyond just jobs. Directing people away from emergency departments again, and giving them a space where they can receive healing for their mental health issues”.

With construction underway and community momentum building, the Katie Blessing Center stands as a beacon of hope for Charlotte’s youth and families, setting a new standard for pediatric behavioral health in the region and beyond.

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