Category Archives: In the Community

On March 14-15, the Suicide Prevention Coalition sponsored a seminar especially for school mental health providers like social workers, counselors, psychologists, behavior interventionists, etc. Our audience represented 20 different school districts and local organizations. The Topic? Let’s Talk About It, the Language of Suicide in a K-12 Environment.

Big shout out to Six Feet Over presenters Kate Hardy and Sam McCullough!

Their message about normalizing conversations about suicide was very much appreciated. They taught us that our words matter, and so does our tone when we want to help students feel respected and safe to share their struggles. Many thanks to Laura Condit and Laurie Gustafson from Trinity Health Livonia for sharing their beautiful auditorium. 

Growth Works would like to recognize Families Against Narcotics for hosting a seminar at the Dearborn Public Schools Professional Development Day. Allison Herrst, Growth Works Peer Recovery Coach, was among the presenters sharing her personal experience with addiction and recovery. Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us bring this information to educators and students in Southeast Michigan.

If you school or organization is interested in learning more about our Peer Recovery Coaching Model, contact Lindsey.Manza@gwcares.org.

The Suicide Prevention Coalition kicked off 2023 with the Creating Safety Seminar at Trinity Health Livonia! This presentation was designed for school counselors, behavioral interventionists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health advocates to recognize suicide warning signs and help someone in crisis. The Suicide Prevention Coalition will be bringing great resources and trainings throughout 2023 as we look to support more students Wayne County!

Thank you Kelly Mays, Hegira Health, for presenting this important information, and to Brian Galdes, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Growth Works for you leadership in this work.

Growth Works is proud to share that CITx Program Manager Lindsey Manza has been appointed by Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan to the Livonia Youth Commission. We are grateful for the opportunity to help promote academic leadership, citizenship and community involvement through recognition, events, or programs which enhance the quality of life for present and future generations of our community.

The commission takes part in various events and programs, including:

• Distributing seedlings to Livonia and Clarenceville fourth grade students during Arbor Day week to promote the students’ responsibility to the environment.
• Purchasing prizes for Livonia Spree Family Day to be passed out to children who participate in events and contests at the Spree.
• Selecting Spree Memorial Scholarship Award recipients, in conjunction with the Livonia “Spree” Anniversary Committee, for graduating high school seniors. 
• Awarding Honor Certificates to all graduating high school seniors with a 3.0-grade average encouraging as well as recognizing academically above-average students.
• Monetary sponsorship of Livonia high schools’ “Senior All Night Graduation Parties” inviting students to complete their graduation ceremonies back at their schools with their classmates.

Thank you, Lindsey, for your service to the Livonia community.

Growth Works’ Human Resources Associate, Alyxandra Culver, visited Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn to help conduct mock interviews for Mr. Pletzke and Ms. Morrison’s 12th-grade English Classes.

Mock Interviews provide students an opportunity to practice, receive feedback and improve their skills. A mock interview also helps students develop interview strategies, enhance your communication skills, and answer challenging questions with the support of their peers. Growth Works is committed to supporting our educational partners and providing resources to help students across western Wayne County succeed in their educational and career paths.

Thank you for partnering with Growth Works!