WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
Mount Vernon, OH — Mental Health & Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties (MHR
Board) is proud to announce Jen Odenweller as the Knox County PAC Chair for the
upcoming mental health and addiction services levy renewal campaign.
Having grown up in Knox County and a local respected community leader, Jen brings
decades of experience in service and collaboration to this vital campaign. She
previously served as an eight year board member for the MHR Board and is a past
board president.
“Jen’s passion for the well-being of Knox County residents is unwavering,” said Kay
Spergel, Executive Director of the MHR Board. “Her leadership and dedication to
service will be instrumental in building awareness and support for the levy.”
The MHR Board levy funds essential services including 24/7 crisis response, youth
prevention programs, addiction recovery, mental health urgent care, and support for
families, children, and seniors. Ninety-one cents of every dollar spent through the MHR
Board goes directly to services in the community.
The upcoming levy is a renewal, not a new tax. It continues local funding that helps
thousands of Knox County residents each year access the care they need.
“Supporting this levy is a sound investment of local dollars for the people of Knox
County,” said Odenweller. “It’s about continuing our community’s commitment to hope,
healing, and providing strong support systems, which benefit all parts of the county.”
In 2024 alone, levy-funded services touched the lives of more than 24,000 residents
across Licking and Knox Counties. Of those, 10,168 were children and youth—receiving
the care, guidance, and early intervention they needed to thrive. More than 14,000
individuals benefited from prevention programs, while 3,841 accessed vital treatment
services for mental health and substance use. Crisis support remains a cornerstone of
the system: 5,245 people reached out to the Pathways 211 Crisis Call Center, and
3,756 received immediate assistance from Behavioral Healthcare Partners’ 24-hour
Crisis Intervention Services.
“These numbers represent real people—our neighbors, our families, coworkers, and
our friends—whose lives were directly impacted by local funding from this levy,” noted
Odenweller.
For more information about the levy and how you can support mental health and
recovery services in our community, please visit mhrlk.org/vote-yes. There, you can
learn about the impact of your vote, request a yard sign, and explore local resources.
You can also stay informed and help spread the word by following us on social media:
@mhrlkco.
This is not a new tax. It’s a renewal of our shared commitment to a healthier, safer
community.
Vote YES. Renew Hope. Renew Support.