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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

Brian Galdes heads up Suicide Prevention Coalition

Growth Works is excited to announce their new hire, Brian Galdes, as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition. As we bid farewell to Syndee Malek, we want to thank her for all her hard work in leading the coalition and we know Brian will continue her tremendous work.

This Coalition seeks to address youth suicide prevention, support their mental health, and in turn aim for zero completed youth suicides within the Western Wayne School Districts served. Over the past year, this initiative has helped train over 3,000 school staff members in seven school districts. We’ve implemented three major conferences as well as a lecture series to provide ongoing professional development for school mental health teams. Overall, the coalition represents 6,500 school staff members serving over 65,000 students.

The Suicide Prevention Committee started through a community health needs assessment initiated by St. Mary Mercy in 2015. This resulted in a suicide prevention forum developed through a collaboration of stakeholders in the seven participating school districts. With support from Trinity Health Livonia, the Flinn Foundation, and the Growth Works board of directors, we are pleased to announce that our agency will continue to support the coalition’s efforts for the next two years. We are grateful for the opportunity to support the staff and students represented by the coalition and we look forward to taking this work to the next level. 

“It is an honor to have this opportunity to continue to work with the Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition in this new capacity,” Galdes said.  “This coalition will provide school districts powerful tools and resources to address adolescent depression and reduce the risk of suicide through the combined efforts of the coalition partners.”

Under the guidance of the district team lead, partner organization(s), and Coalition members, Galdes will support the school districts in implementing evidence-based programming, policies, and strategies that target risk and protective factors associated with youth mental health.

Brian Galdes is the former Superintendent of Schools with South Redford School District and brings with him a passion and dedication for this effort that is unmatched. He has been in the coalition since its inception and he participated in Trinity Health Livonia’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) which identified youth suicide as a priority for our area and we know he will do great things in this new role.

If you want to learn more about the Coalition, contact Alice Reinke, Alice.Reinke@gwcares.org.

MCBAP Certified Trainings

Growth Works is proud to be an approved provider with Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals, MCBAP. Our Training and Consulting Program offers a variety of courses to meet your needs and credentials to support your license.

The Growth Works Training and Consulting Program enables us to share our knowledge, expertise, and highly trained staff with the community. We strive to help healthcare institutions, public safety departments, schools, and other organizations utilize our resources to better serve youth and families. Contact Hayley Koetje, Growth Works Training and Consulting Manager, to learn more about how we can serve you!

MCBAP’s Mission is to provide public protection and promote quality services through certification of professionals engaging in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems and the assessment and treatment of addictions. Growth Works is honored and sees it as a privilege to have the support of MCBAP as we bring our Training and Consulting to those we work with.

Salvation Army ARC Ice Cream Social

On the eve of Thanksgiving, members of the Growth Works team and community partners visited the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center to sponsor an Ice Cream Social. This was a great opportunity for staff members to connect with the residents and hear their personal stories about their journey to recovery. At The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC), the team is dedicated to helping individuals rebuild their life through a holistic, residential, faith-based, work therapy program that replaces self-defeating habits with more productive and meaningful activities. 

For more information and immediate assistance, call the Salvation Army ARC 24-hour helpline at 313-965-7760 ext. 234 or visit 1627 W. Fort St., Detroit MI 48216 – transportation and immediate admission available. To learn more about all of their programs and services, visit their website here.

Peer Recovery Coaching Presentation at PCCS

The Growth Works’ mission is best lived out in the community, bringing a message of Hope to those in need. Growth Works is proud to partner with the Northwest Wayne Chapter of Families Against Narcotics (FAN) to speak about substance use, addiction, and the journey to recovery. Growth Works and FAN have resources for individuals and families struggling with substance use. We want to ensure community members are familiar with the resources and can easily access them in their time of need. Peer Recovery Coaches from Growth Works and FAN team members presented to Plymouth Canton Community School students and shared their personal stories. Sarah, Jamaine and Cole have all faced personal struggles with addiction and are now working as Peer Recovery Coaches to help others on their journey to recovery. We want to thank our incredible Peer Recovery Coaches and our Partners at Families Against Narcotics for helping bring a message of Hope to those in need.

If you would like to learn about Peer Recovery Coaching or have a Peer Recovery Coach speak to your organization or school, please contact us today!