LITTLE BOSTON — For the past few years, the Port Gamble S’Klallam Wellness Center has been based out of two double-wide trailers off Little Boston Road. Many tribal offices have occupied these trailers in years past, but the Wellness Center staff was determined to be the final group to occupy the deteriorating facilities.

They accomplished that goal this year. The trailers are now gone and in their place is a brand new 4,200-square-foot building that serves as the new home to the community’s recovery center, mental health department, youth prevention programs and family strengthening programs.

“Any time you have to go to another building, it’s a barrier,” said Port Gamble S’Klallam Wellness Program Coordinator Dan Brewer. “Ultimately, (the new building is) to the benefit of the clients themselves.”

A blessing ceremony and open house was held June 23 at the site. Tribal elder June Jones led the ceremony with a prayer, followed by a speech in the native S’Klallam language by tribal councilwoman Marie Hebert. The S’Klallam Singers also performed a traditional welcoming song.

The center, known as “See Yeets Out,” — which means “Place of Healing” in S’Klallam — has been open and operating for six months. During this time, staff members said they have noticed that the building’s atmosphere has had a positive impact on both patients and workers.

“It was done so the facility is like a home,” said Health Director Danette Ives.

Brewer said patients and clients will be able to have all their needs taken care of at once.

“It’s been a dream to have a wellness center for the S’Klallam Tribe,” Brewer said. “It’s a one-stop shop for the mind, body and spirit.”

The building houses nearly a dozen offices, several group meeting rooms, a play and art therapy room for kids and a back porch that faces the dense woods of the Port Gamble Indian Reservation.

Barbara Jones, a clinical supervisor in the recovery center, said the center provides an immediate comfort zone for clients.

“You need something to walk into, you need instant comfort,” she said. “I think they have that here.”

While a majority of the patients are Native American, the wellness center is open to the non-native community. Jones said she believes such diversity within the center is an important part of the recovery process.

“I think it makes it a stronger group,” Jones said, noting that non-natives also get to experience the tribe’s spiritual healing processes that are not often found in other wellness clinics. “This environment allows sharing with a safe group.”