Growth Works Welcomes Judge Kathleen McCann to Board of Directors

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our Board of Directors: Judge Kathleen McCann! A distinguished leader in her community and the legal field, Judge McCann brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to justice, and a passion for making a meaningful impact.

Judge McCann’s remarkable career began after she graduated from the Detroit College of Law, followed by years of service as a Wayne County assistant prosecutor. She then founded a domestic relations law firm in Oakland County before being elected to the 16th District Court in 1995. Following in the footsteps of her late father, the esteemed James McCann, Judge McCann played a pivotal role in securing funding for a new courthouse, which now bears his name—James R. McCann Hall of Justice Courthouse.

A true champion for her community, Judge McCann’s legacy includes the successful launch of Livonia’s Sobriety Court program in 2006, a groundbreaking initiative that has transformed countless lives. As she describes it, the program has been “life-changing” for many participants, providing them with the tools to overcome addiction and rebuild their futures. Her work in this area has had a profound impact on individuals and families in Livonia and beyond.

Having lived in Livonia for most of her life, Judge McCann remains deeply dedicated to supporting her community, and she now brings that same commitment to Growth Works. Her passion for helping others and her unwavering belief in the power of second chances align perfectly with our mission to empower individuals to overcome challenges and achieve lasting success.

Growth Works CEO, Nick Griswold says, ”We are honored to have Judge McCann join the Growth Works family, and we look forward to the incredible impact we will make together as we continue to support our clients and transform lives.”

Please join us in welcoming Judge Kathleen McCann to our Board of Directors!

About Growth Works
Established in 1971, Growth Works continues to provide our clients with extraordinary support as they navigate substance use treatment and the youth justice system. We are proud of our many accomplishments and successes in supporting youth and families with a variety of essential services. Our mission is to help individuals and families restore hope, support change and improve their lives. For more information, please contact Laura.Reiners@gwcares.org.

Growth Works Development Update

Exciting things are happening at Growth Works! Thanks to key grant awards and partnerships, we’re expanding our reach and enhancing critical services for those in need.

Peer Coaching at Trinity Health Ann Arbor

We’re proud to announce that Growth Works has been awarded an MDHHS grant to expand our Peer Recovery Coaching services at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital! This funding closes a critical service gap, allowing us to provide 24/7 emergency response support—ensuring individuals in crisis always have access to a Peer Coach when they need it most.

Fighting Youth Suicide with the HOPE Coalition

Growth Works is proud to be a United Way funded agency and continuing that partnership, we are proud to have been awarded the Plymouth Community United Way partnership grant. With this funding, Growth Works will continue our work with the HOPE Coalition. This grant will support our mission to end youth suicide, including the facilitation of our annual Mental Health Conference each fall—bringing together experts, resources, and community members to make a lasting impact.

Expanding the Mobile Community Closet

We are also honored to receive the CAPTRUST Employee Grant, which will support the Growth Works Mobile Community Closet initiative. This program serves 500 families each summer, providing essential items like hygiene products, clothing, and other necessities to our most at-risk residents in Western Wayne County. Thanks to CAPTRUST’s generosity, we can continue to meet these vital community needs!

Summer Programming & Volunteer Opportunities

As we gear up for summer, Growth Works is planning volunteer opportunities and upcoming Mobile Community Closet Days in partnership with local organizations. If you or your organization are interested in getting involved, we’d love to connect!

Stay tuned for details on our fall initiatives, which are designed to educate, engage, and build a stronger community around youth services.

Judicial Honors Event

On February 6th, Growth Works hosted the Judicial Honors Event, recognizing Judge Kathleen McCann, Judge Tina Brooks Green, and Judge Ronald Lowe as they retire from the bench. Their commitment to justice and rehabilitation aligns with the mission of Growth Works.

Their leadership in juvenile justice reform and community-based initiatives has provided second chances and fostered recovery. At Growth Works, we recognize that true transformation occurs with the right support and belief in one’s potential-a philosophy these judges have embodied in their careers/

At the Judicial Honors Event, we celebrate their significant impact on our courts and communities. Their legacy will continue to inspire our mission of restoring hope, supporting change and improving the lives of all we serve. Thank you to everyone who came out to make this event a tremendous success!

Pathways to Potential

Growth Works was awarded an Eagles for Children grant for the Pathways to Potential Project! This would not have been possible without the partnership and support from the Canton Community Foundation and the Local Impact Alliance. Kyle Wright, Growth Works Development Specialist accepted the recognition at the Annual Awards Ceremony, a night dedicated to celebrating the incredible impact made together … for the kids!

The Pathways to Potential Project provides local youth with unique therapeutic opportunities that foster emotional expression, personal growth, and resilience. By offering a safe and supportive environment, these activities allow adolescents to channel their trauma into constructive outlets, empowering them to develop healthy coping mechanisms and build positive relationships. This program ultimately helps local children overcome challenges, promoting their emotional well-being and long-term success.

The Pathways to Potential Project will offer structured activities that mentally and physically engage youth, including art therapy, music workshops, team-building exercises, outdoor excursions, and mindfulness training. The project will provide a safe space for local youth to develop interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate life’s challenges in a healthy and productive manner.

Eagles for Children® is an organization that uses a simple, fun and engaging program at private golf clubs to raise funds to support local children’s charities that benefit disadvantaged children.  For more information about Eagles for Children, click here.

2022 Annual Report

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Growth Works staff, I am pleased to present our Annual Report for fiscal year 2022. We hope it will enhance your understanding of the services we provide in the Western Wayne County area.

Originally founded in 1971 as a youth drop-in center, the agency provided a safe environment
for local youth to keep them engaged in positive activities and reduce the likelihood of delinquency.
Although we look very different today, our agency’s mission of restoring hope, supporting change and improving lives is our guiding light amid the ever-changing needs of the communities that we serve.

As we look back, we feel proud of the things we’ve accomplished so far. From building new relationships, to creating new programs, our staff have been working tirelessly to move this agency forward.

As we grow, we will continually strive to have a consistent voice, a clear purpose and a coherent strategy that will enhance the services that we offer and provide a more diversified workforce, inclusive and welcoming environment for staff and those we serve.

Warm regards,

Nick Griswold, Growth Works CEO

Growth Works 2022 Annual Report