Erin Peters, Executive Director
On my desk sits a single penny, preserved in a tiny frame.
In an era where some call for the end of the penny, you might think this is a simple souvenir. In reality, this small coin encapsulates everything that defines The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center (NCC).
A Humble Beginning
I received this penny as a gift from our Board of Directors when I stepped into the role of Executive Director 16 years ago.
The coin is dated 1986, the year of our founding. This year, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, that penny serves as a bridge to our past.
What began as a part-time mission by our founding sisters in borrowed parish rooms has evolved into a pillar of support.
Today, NCC employs 14 dedicated professionals serving hundreds of clients across Oregon. Over the last four decades, our work has reached tens of thousands across our communities.
While our scale has changed, our core purpose remains identical to that of 1986: providing quality mental health care to anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay.
The Power of Intention
The Board gave me this penny to represent the story of the “widow’s mite.”
In this tradition, Jesus observes a widow offering two small coins, the smallest of denominations, while the wealthy make grand displays of their donations.
He notes that her contribution is the greatest of all because it did not come from her surplus, but from a place of true sacrifice and love.
At NCC, we believe that in good works, intention is everything.
Every person who keeps our doors open—whether a donor, a board member, a community partner, or an employee—is a part of this legacy.
It is a shared commitment to love and service that binds us together.
Looking Toward the Future
The world has changed significantly over four decades, but the need for compassionate, sliding-scale mental health care has only intensified.
As insurance premiums rise and public funding is cut, our mission becomes even more critical.
What began with one small penny remains a powerful, living idea.
As we celebrate 40 years of service, we invite you to join us in ensuring that mental health care remains a right for all, not a privilege for the few.
Our 40-year legacy is only possible because of this community.
I invite you to celebrate this milestone with us at our anniversary event on April 30.
Keep an eye out for your invitation—they’ll be hitting the mail in late February! In the meantime, you can preview the event details here: https://auctria.events/NCC40th
Mark your calendars: Tickets go on sale February 16.
Erin Peters has served as the Executive Director of The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center for 16 years, guided by the belief that mental health care is a fundamental right. She is proud to lead NCC into its 40th year of providing professional, compassionate mental health care to the Oregon community.
