Published: October 05, 2008 12:28 am      

EXTRA MILER: Berniece Nicholson is driven by faith

She sat quietly in the waiting room of the Personal Counseling Service; however, she wasn’t there for counseling.

Berniece Nicholson was there to have lunch with the Executive Director, Doug Drake. Unbeknownst to her, the visit included special recognition as our Southern Indiana Extra Miler for October.

Some people dream of creating something significant that will positively affect the lives of others. Berniece Nicholson isn’t one of those people. She believes dreams are simply down time unless action is taken to make the dream a reality.

In the late 1950s, Berniece, along with Bea Baxter and Mary Vawter, came together to create a counseling service facility in Southern Indiana where all citizens could be provided care. These women came from three churches, with Berniece representing Howard Park Christian Church. The ladies joined together with several local ministers who had indicated they felt ill equipped to handle some of the mental concerns of their congregations, especially from teenagers and young adults.

Berniece recalls initial meetings to discuss the project. She said, “We envisioned this facility would be open to rich or poor, all races, young or old, and all backgrounds.” Berniece initially found herself drawn to the project while serving as the Chair of the Christian Education program for her church. She stated, “The young people in my church were frustrated with day to day pressures and they needed a safe place where they could discuss their concerns to counselors and doctors.”

After months of preparation and planning, the faith-based non-profit Personal Counseling Service was born. “We didn’t have much money for start up, so my husband, Bill, and I found ourselves doing whatever needed to be done to ensure the PCS was a success,” Bernice recalled.

Berniece and Bill, along with other volunteers, kept the yard landscaped and mowed, cleaned the building, took out trash, and helped in the front office when needed. Although the PCS was created to address the needs of the entire community, the volunteers and funding primarily came from the area churches. Berniece and the other organizers advertised through the local church ministers and the PCS doors were open for business in November 1959.

When Doug Drake nominated Berniece as an Extra Miler, he was quick to give her praise. “Berniece is very bright, passionate, and humble.” Doug stated that Berniece’s Christian faith seemed to be a major factor leading her to create the PCS, adding that the facility is strengthening its Christian based roots by providing internships for Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary students. Doug also noted, “We are proud that PCS serves all persons, regardless of their faith.”

Berniece doesn’t see her personal involvement as being particularly significant; however, she does view the success of the PCS and current staff and volunteers as being momentous. She provides this insight, “I am proud that the PCS continues to be a success 49 years after we opened the doors,” adding, “I will be 89 years old this year and hope my contribution has made a positive difference for Southern Indiana.” Berniece becomes very serious and states, “I believe all people should show concern for their fellow person in need.”

When Drake (a previous Extra Miler) was asked why he believed Berniece Nicholson is an Extra Miler, he said, “Berniece is a gem in our community — she is the cornerstone and only surviving founder of the PCS and we plan to recognize her during our 50th anniversary celebration in 2009.” Drake adds, “Thanks to Berniece’s efforts, more than 380,000 counseling sessions and psychiatric medication management and evaluations have been provided to members in our community.”

Berniece didn’t stop her volunteerism efforts after creating the PSC. Even today she continues volunteering with the Hospice Foundation of America. Berniece believes we all have an Extra Miler inside of us. We simply must move our well intentioned dreams forward into reality. Because Berniece Nicholson went beyond her dream to have mental counseling services available to all people in need, she is a Southern Indiana Extra Miler.



Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO Guidance, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an Extra Miler, please let her know about it. To submit an Extra Miler, a story, or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or mail: THE EXTRA MILERS, The Evening News, 221 Spring Street Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.