Record-Breaking Generosity Supports Local Mental Health in the Quad Cities

On October 10, 2026, more than 160 community members, sponsors, donors, and volunteers gathered at the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport for the 2026 Vera French Gala. The annual event generated significant support for local mental health services and outreach programs, demonstrating the Quad Cities community’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have access to compassionate, community-based mental health care. The 2026 Gala marked the fifth Vera French Gala held since the annual event was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

The 2026 Vera French Gala generated more than $93,000 in total support through sponsorships, ticket sales, auction activity, and charitable gifts, significantly exceeding the approximately $70,000 to $75,000 raised annually since the Gala’s return following the pandemic. Included within that total was more than $52,000 in gifts and pledges made during the evening itself, surpassing the previous record of approximately $37,000 in night-of giving. Together, these results reflect an extraordinary level of generosity from the Quad Cities community and its continued investment in local mental health services.

Guests repeatedly commented that the evening’s message of hope and recovery inspired their generosity. A centerpiece of the Gala was the premiere of a new video highlighting stories of hope and healing connected to Vera French’s Carol Center on North Harrison Street in Davenport. The video was produced in part to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Vera French Outreach Services, established in 1986, and showcased how community-based outreach continues to connect individuals experiencing mental illness with support, recovery resources, and pathways toward healthier living.

During the Gala program, Dr. Richard K. Whitaker, Jr., CEO of Vera French Community Mental Health Center, reflected on the origins and lasting impact of Vera French Outreach Services. First established in 1986 through the Frontier program on Second Street in Davenport, Outreach Services have grown over four decades into a cornerstone of Vera French’s work helping individuals living with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. In introducing the evening’s featured video, Dr. Whitaker reminded guests that the people served through Outreach Services have not only benefited from Vera French’s support, but have helped shape the organization itself. “Our clients who would become our teachers, our inspiration and the catalyst for everything Vera French has done for the community since then,” Whitaker said. “Tonight, we would like to share a short video highlighting the incredibly positive impact of the work happening at Carol Center and we invite you to be inspired along with us by a few of the people we serve.”

Located in the 800 block of North Harrison Street in Davenport, the Carol Center and Carol’s Village Gardens together represent Vera French’s commitment to meeting people where they are and providing multiple pathways toward recovery and stability. Vera French Outreach Services assist individuals experiencing serious mental illness through community-based programs focused on housing stability, employment, recovery support, crisis intervention, community integration, and access to basic needs. Through services such as Homeless Outreach, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Supported Community Living (SCL), Individual Placement and Support (IPS), the Co-Responder program, and the Recovery Community Center, Vera French works to reduce homelessness, hospitalization, incarceration, and substance use while helping people build healthier and more independent lives.

Immediately adjacent to the Carol Center is Carol’s Village Gardens, a supportive and affordable housing development located at 820 Harrison Street in Davenport. Officially opened in fall 2025, the development provides 30 fully leased apartment homes designed to support individuals as they focus on health, stability, and well-being. The project was conceived in 2019 and brought to life through years of collaboration with local and state funding partners. Today, Carol’s Village Gardens represents Vera French’s belief that stable housing is a critical foundation for both mental and physical health and an essential component of long-term recovery.

The evening also included recognition of the 2026 Friends of Vera French, Kathleen Langley, RN and Dr. William Langley, MD, whose longstanding support, leadership, and advocacy have helped strengthen mental health services throughout the Quad Cities. During the program, Dr. Richard K. Whitaker, Jr. thanked the couple for their commitment to the mission of Vera French and their belief in the importance of accessible, community-based mental health care. Their recognition served as a reminder that the work of Vera French is made possible through the partnership of dedicated community members, generous donors, volunteers, sponsors, and advocates who continue to invest in hope, healing, recovery, and healthy living for others.