History | Oaklawn Skip to content Changing the Course of Mental Health Care in Northern Indiana The Story of Oaklawn Oaklawn’s story begins more than 50 years ago, with deep roots in a national movement and a commitment to care. From our earliest days, Oaklawn has sought to treat people with dignity and compassion, values that continue to guide us today. A Vision Inspired by Service Oaklawn’s campus at 2600 Oakland Avenue still reflects the thoughtful design of the 1960s. Rows of large windows and a central glass-walled courtyard fill the building with natural light – a deliberate response to the dark, institutional hospitals of the past. As Oaklawn president and CEO Laurie Nafziger explains, “That light was very intentional. It was in response to those dark hospitals.” The story of Oaklawn begins even earlier, in the 1940s. During World War II, thousands of men from peace churches, including Mennonite, Quaker and Brethren communities, served in Civilian Public Service (CPS) as conscientious objectors. Around 3,000 of them worked in state mental hospitals, where they witnessed shocking conditions: overcrowded wards, inadequate care and patients subjected to neglect or abuse. When these young men returned home, they shared what they had seen, sparking a national conversation about the need for reform. Their reports contributed to the exposé Bedlam 1946 in Life magazine, which highlighted the urgent need for change in state mental health care across the country. Deinstitutionalization and the Birth of Oaklawn Over the next 30 years, the U.S. shifted from large state hospitals to smaller, community-based mental health centers. Mennonite communities, motivated by faith and the experience of CPS volunteers, opened six mental health centers nationwide, with Oaklawn being the last, opening its doors in 1963 in Elkhart, Indiana. From the beginning, Oaklawn embraced a progressive approach. It focused on outpatient and day treatment, keeping patients in their homes and communities rather than in institutional beds. Early programs, like Alternative Families for Adults, provided community-based residential support for those whose home environments were not conducive to recovery. Oaklawn’s founders, including Robert W. Hartzler, the first CEO, and Otto D. Klassen, M.D., the first medical director, prioritized care that was accessible, community-focused and rooted in dignity and respect. Above: Oaklawn’s leaders broke ground in 1962 and Oaklawn officially opened its doors in 1963. Growing to Meet Community Needs Over the decades, Oaklawn expanded both its services and its reach: 1973 – Officially named the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) for Elkhart County. 1987 – Opened a 78-bed inpatient hospital in Goshen to meet growing community needs. 1993 – Began residential treatment for youth. 2002 – Launched culturally competent services for the Amish community. 2010 – Became the CMHC for St. Joseph County, integrating hundreds of staff and thousands of clients. 2013 – Assumed a youth residential campus in Mishawaka, centralizing services. 2021 – Launched first mobile crisis response team to dispatch to the community. 2024 – Opened two walk-in crisis centers serving Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. Throughout these expansions, Oaklawn emphasized community-based care, case management and cultural outreach. Additionally, partnerships with local organizations, hospitals and social services have strengthened Oaklawn’s ability to respond to evolving community needs. Above: Oaklawn’s second location in Goshen, an inpatient hospital, opened in 1987. Becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) In January 2025, Oaklawn achieved a major milestone by becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This designation recognizes Oaklawn as a leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality mental health and addiction services. Becoming a CCBHC allows Oaklawn to expand access, improve outcomes and provide coordinated care across the community. It reflects Oaklawn’s long-standing commitment to innovation, evidence-based treatment and the belief that everyone deserves timely, compassionate and effective care. Above: Oaklawn and local leaders cut the ribbon on Oaklawn’s 24/7 crisis center in Goshen, a key offering of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). A Legacy of Compassion and Innovation Today, Oaklawn continues to honor its founding mission while embracing new opportunities to meet the mental health and addiction needs of the communities it serves. From a single campus serving 600 clients in its first year, Oaklawn has grown to four campuses with more than 900 staff members helping 25,000 people annually. Despite this growth, the principles that guided its founders remain unchanged. “We believe that people deserve to be treated with compassion and respect and dignity. Every person has worth. That will never change.” — Laurie Nafziger, President & CEO Oaklawn offers 24/7 crisis support and is your leading provider of mental health services and addiction treatment in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties in northern Indiana. Helpful Links Stay Connected Email Newsletter Elkhart County 24/7 574-533-1234 St. Joseph County 24/7 574-283-1234 Mishawaka Campus 574-259-5666 Toll-Free 800-282-0809 Email Us Oaklawn