“And we let these youth know that they are loved regardless of what they did. And we are here to help them. We aren't here not to judge them, but to build them back up to encourage them, to give them hope. To let them know that they don't have to be a product of what they came from because they do have a second chance and we do our best to give them a second chance.” DeeDee YoungBlood-Weems, or as many of the teens in our Residential Program call her – Mama DeeDee – is the Supervisor of our...

“You help them learn those skills, you just start to see their interests, what makes them happy, and kind of start to see them being able to live who they are.” Launched in 2015, Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development, or ACCD, is truly transforming lives. Through individualized, center-based therapies, the team at Wedgwood’s ACCD works with young children with autism spectrum disorders – helping them develop crucial skills. In today’s episode, Keili Scott (Clinical Supervisor of...

“Just be supportive. Kids need to be listened to and not just pushed to the side […] don't label our kids, any other kids. Just be understanding, build those relationships, because when you have relationships, that kid will trust you and share with you what they need.” When kids and families are involved with the court system, they often work with the probation team. Today’s guest, Marcela Moralez-Morris, has worked with these families in Kent County for 24 years. She joins us today to talk...

“But the more often there's trauma, and there's pain, there's misunderstandings, and there's feelings of isolation. So I have the power of just showing people love and giving them some connection and giving them the space to be whoever they need to be, encouraging them on the journey to whoever God wants them to be. Instead of telling them how they need to be, which is really powerful. Because I'm coming alongside, I get to help them to flourish in whatever capacity God wants them to...

In today’s episode, we talk to Dr. Heidi Cate, Superintendent of Integrity Educational Services about the district’s history and connection to Wedgwood, the challenges students are facing, and some of the ways Heidi and her team are finding collaborative, whole-student solutions to help kids succeed. You can hear more insights from Heidi and other community experts at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Discussion on March 21. For details and tickets, visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc To learn more...

“We need to do it well in a way that brings honor to His name. That was one of the things that we talked about. We talked about how Jesus wanted us to love Him and love each other. […] And it was a commandment and wasn't an option.” In today’s Dick Gritter, Wedgwood’s Executive Director of 33 years (1968-2001), and current Wedgwood team member Kali Jackson have a special “Then-and-Now” conversation about the founders’ vision for a distinctively Christian, professionally excellent...

“[Diversity] – it’s a part of who we are, it's part of our identity, a part of our fiber. We're working with kids teaching them that, hey, you belong to God, everybody's created in the image of God and that is special.” Wedgwood’s core values are Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, and Diversity. In today’s episode Pastor Arlan Palmer, Wedgwood’s Diversity Coordinator and Chaplain talks about how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are integral parts of not only how Wedgwood operates, but also...

“We should not underestimate the power of showing up. If you want to turn the tide, you’ve got to show up for kids, including kids that aren't yours, and treat them as if they are.” In today’s episode Andy Soper, community advocate and consultant, sits down for a conversation about understanding and addressing trauma, a community and collaborative approach to empowering youth, and the realities of human trafficking and other challenges in our community. To learn more about Wedgwood’s...

“God has a future for Wedgwood. And we need to grow because the need for Wedgwood, is growing. And if God has put his hand on Wedgwood and said, ‘Okay, I got something for you.’ We need to rise to that occasion, and find ways to strengthen our systems to invest in the people that make this work.” In today’s episode Wedgwood’s President/CEO Dr. Dan Gowdy provides an Executive Update – a look back at 2022 and God’s faithfulness, and a look ahead to the future – for our organization and our...

“Yes, January is Trafficking Awareness Month. But one of the main things that I want people to know that is, that is a month that we've set aside to acknowledge it, but this happens every day… I just want people to know that, first of all, trafficking is a real thing. It's not the Taken movie that you that you've seen. There are a lot of myths that are going around, and we have to be careful about the information we’re sharing.” In today’s episode Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge joins us for a Coffee...

“Wedgwood is not just a place where we house kids until they're no longer a danger, it's just not. I think there's a perception of like, oh, it's “juvie-lite.” We do so many, really good things that help them. We're not just housing kids here. These are kids who need to be loved, who have unfortunately not seen a lot of love or felt a lot of love. And they're getting it here.” In today’s episode Steve Carigon joins us for a Coffee Break Conversation. As Wedgwood’s Youth Ministry Leader, Steve...

“I teach the kids that we can fix just about anything. But sometimes we can't. Sometimes we can't fix things. And we just have to make it work and do the best we can with what the issue is. If there's a problem, we'll talk about it, compensate and do something else.” In today’s episode we join Dick Teft, an Employment Training Specialist, in Wedgwood’s Woodshop for a Coffee Break Conversation about the importance and value of developing kids’ interpersonal skills in a hands-on employment...

“I see a lot of folks on believing the lie from depression or believing the lie of anxiety, that it's going to be forever. Depression’s favorite lie is, you'll never be happy again, you don't remember what it feels like to be happy, you're going to feel this way forever. That's actually not true. It's just not true.” In today’s Coffee Break Conversation, Sophia Dykstra, a therapist at Wedgwood sits down for Coffee Break Conversation talks about how mental illness tells us lies and can impact...

“[My advice for kids at Wedgwood is] I think it's a really good opportunity for them to start picking up those pieces and taking control of who they are, even if it's little tiny baby steps, just doing one thing a day they can to focus on themselves.” In today’s Coffee Break Conversation, we chat with Ashley Ward, Founder and CEO of Hire for Hope, who, as a community advocate and business leader, has been honored with several awards and recognitions. She shares insights on recruitment and...

“Nonprofits like Wedgwood really add to the fabric of a community like Grand Rapids. We're blessed, there's a number of fantastic nonprofit organizations that come alongside whether it's children, or senior adults, or whoever might be in need. I think [many of us] think about and we might be moved by, as we're looking at the scriptures, [our] responsibility to take care of the widows and orphans and what to do for the least of these. When we work with an organization like Wedgwood, we know...

“Addiction is messy, and it is hard and it is difficult. It often takes time to get where we want to go. And if we want to help kids, we’ve got to help their parents, we’ve got to help their aunts, their uncles, we’ve got to help their grandmothers and grandfathers.” In today’s Coffee Break Conversation, we chat Jason Olvera, one of Wedgwood’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Clinicians. We talk about a few of the different kinds of services Wedgwood offers and why different types are...

“And there's a lot of kids out there that are just struggling. I’ve heard from a lot of places that no one accepts kids, no one takes care of kid. Not true. We do. That’s what we’re here for. Wedgwood has the means and the resources to help them.” The need for mental health support is great, and many services in West Michigan have long waiting lists. Wedgwood’s Psychiatric Services not only have immediate openings, but are available for the whole family – including children as young as six...

“It’s really important for kids to feel accepted and loved. Most of the challenging behaviors we see stem from an ‘Are you going to love me, are you going to love me for me?’ mentality. We can say, ‘Hey, I appreciate you and who you are is important to me.’ And that, to me, is the resounding love of Christ.” In this Coffee Break Conversation, we talk with Residential Home Supervisor Rebecca Kelm about the importance of Residential Care, how faith integrates into treatment – for both our staff...

“They are just children. They make have been that kid that was having a rough day, and telling you all about it, but they are skill kids. They may be 12, they maybe 18 but they are still a child that needs all that nurturing, and everything we can do from all the areas of wellness in order for them to lead positive lives.” August is Wellness Month! In this Coffee Break Conversation, Recreation Therapist Chris Stehlik talks about what wellness is, how it’s multidimensional and interconnected,...

“Yes, it's big work that we do, and it's super important, but I like the opportunity to pour into other people, to develop them to give them the skills and the tools that have made me successful in my role, and help them be successful in theirs.” Justin Malcolm is one of Wedgwood Christian Services’ incredible Residential Treatment Home Supervisors, who knows that investing in people and helping them develop their skills is crucial – crucial to his team feeling confident and capable in their...

“All of our community depends on how we take care of our children. And the health of the community today dictates where we're going tomorrow. It might not feel like it affects us right now, but it will affect us.” When kids have experienced trauma and are removed from their homes and communities for one reason or another, Wedgwood serves as a place where kids can heal and continue to grow. Jason Lheureux, an Associate Director of Residential Programs here at Wedgwood, knows that Residential...

“Here at Wedgwood, we see you as a person first, and we want to meet you where you're at, and we want to help. We don't see you as a diagnosis, you are always a person first.” The complexity and intensity of mental and behavioral needs continues to grow. Brina Tiemeyer, Clinical Supervisor in Wedgwood’s Community Mental Health Programs, knows that to address this growing need, individuals need integrated, well-rounded, tailored care. In this Coffee Break Conversation, Brina talks about the...

“It's not about us as individuals. It's not really, dare I say, it's not even about therapy. It's about relationships and growth.” Wedgwood’s Residential Program offers safety, stability, and care to kids who have experienced some form of trauma in their young lives – which is sometimes compounded by other challenges like developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments. Scott Peterson has spent the last 8 years working with these teens in Wedgwood’s VanderArk Program, providing...

“My best piece of advice for everyone in the audience is that when trauma and mental health, substance abuse, any of these aspects are on the table. The only way out is through, talk about it stop avoiding the situation.” Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation.  In this Coffee Break Conversation, our final in the State of...