The Express (October 2024)

THE Express

50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION

Richard “Dick” Steinberg, Officer Pete Ovalle, Beverly Watts-Davis, and Anthony Hargrove

THE ORIGINS OF WESTCARE WISCONSIN & WESTCARE TEXAS AND STORIES FROM ILLINOIS, THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, TENNESSEE, AND MORE!

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BUILDING HOPE

How WestCare Came to Wisconsin

By Rebecca Hernandez, Creative Services Manager, WestCare Marketing & Communications

Maurice Lee, Dr. James White, and Travis Landry

The streets of Milwaukee’s inner city were quiet in the early morning light, the kind of quiet that comes from years of neglect. Reverand Doctor James G. White strolled through the neighborhood he had called home for most of his life.

To others, the boarded-up windows and crumbling brick facades were a sign to leave, a reason to find a better life elsewhere. But to Dr. White, these streets were more than just a place - they were his people, his responsibility.

As he walked, he passed by what used to be thriving homes and businesses, now marked by decay. Weeds grew in the cracks of the sidewalks and graffiti sprawled across abandoned buildings. The air carried the weight of hopelessness, but Dr. White wasn’t deterred. He stopped in front of the old AT&T building and closed his eyes for a moment, imagining how the Harambee Community Center Involvement Center (HCIC) that he and his team had

resurrected in the building would impact the surrounding neighborhood.

In his mind, he saw children playing outside, families walking safely down clean streets, and the hum of local businesses bringing life back to the community. He envisioned homes, once left for ruin, restored for the next generation. He imagined affordable housing, owned by the people who lived in them. He saw spaces filled with art and culture where the young people of Milwaukee could do more than survive they could express themselves. This was more than just a dream to Dr. White... it was his mission.

Most men with his education and opportunities would have left long ago. They would have taken their families and sought safer, wealthier neighborhoods. But not Dr. White.

Known affectionately as the "Ghetto Priest," a stage name from his early days as a hip-hop recording artist, he had

Milestones in WestCare Wisconsin’s History

2011

2013

2016

WESTCARE COMES TO WISCONSIN

FIRST GRANT & HEAVY LOSS

BUILDING HOPE

WestCare officially comes to Wisconsin to support the Harambee Community Involvement Center.

WestCare Wisconsin receives its first grant, Face Forward.

The Community Block Development grant and Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) paves the way for dilapidated homes to be renovated and sold to Veterans and their families at cost.

Dr. White passes suddenly, leaving a void in the community’s heart.

WHITE MEETS STEINBERG

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

HUNGRY TEENS

Dr. James White meets Mr. Dick Steinberg in Florida when Judy Costerman introduced the two.

WestCare partners with M&S Clinical Services to provide mental health services to the community.

After noticing many youth coming to the Harambee Community Involvement Center hungry, HCIC opens the food pantry to help residents in the surrounding area supplement their food supply.

2000's

2006

2014

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dedicated his life to uplifting those around him. With a doctorate in divinity, he combined his scholarly insight with a streetwise approach that resonated with the community. Dr. White had a unique ability to connect with people, which he used to become a change-maker in his community.

Dr. White’s vision didn’t stop with just rebuilding the Harambee Center - he knew that larger support was needed.

It was through his efforts that WestCare even considered coming to Wisconsin. His relentless passion and commitment to his community were what convinced WestCare leadership that Wisconsin was the right place to expand. “Dr. White was the reason we came to Wisconsin. His dedication and vision were unmatched,” reflected Dick Steinberg, President of WestCare.

By 2011, WestCare was officially established in Wisconsin, thanks to Dr. White’s advocacy, and together, they began working to rebuild the Harambee Community Involvement Center. “Dr. White had a small, dedicated group of people working with him, trying to figure out how to piece the neighborhood back together. What they were doing there was nothing short of phenomenal - it was truly transformative work,” Steinberg added. More than buildings or programs, Dr. White wanted his community to believe in itself again. He knew that healing wasn’t just about fixing the physical - it was about Uplifting the Human Spirit.

Dr. White performing as “The Ghetto Priest”

Kids were simply hungry! This was pre-covid,” explained Travis Landry, Regional Vice President of WestCare Wisconsin. “During COVID, all of WestCare Wisconsin (WCWI) staff agreed that we need to open our food pantry weekly.”

As he continued his walk, he whispered a prayer under his breath, asking for the resources to make the change he envisioned. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but the struggles of this neighborhood were nothing compared to the resilience of its people, and as long as he was there, they wouldn’t have to fight alone. In early 2013, Dr. White’s prayers were answered when WestCare Wisconsin received its first federal grant, Face Forward, to work with local youth.

“Each week, we provided meals for approximately 100 residents in the Harambee community and surrounding areas,” explained Felicia Williams, Regional Administrator, WestCare Wisconsin. “Our food pantry operates every Wednesday, serving over 200 residents weekly, providing families and seniors with a valuable opportunity to supplement their food supply, a very crucial basic need. What started as support for youth in our building has grown into a weekly resource for many households in our community and we are so grateful to be bridging that gap.”

Shortly thereafter, the team in Wisconsin opened the food pantry at the HCIC. “We realized when the Face Forward youth were coming to our office hungry that there was a void in access to food. That is when we started the food pantry!

In the summer of 2013, Dr. White died suddenly of a heart attack, leaving a void in the neighborhood he had dedicated his life to. His passing was a shock, but something remarkable

2019

2022

2024

CREDIBLE MESSENGER PROGRAM

CLINICAL SERVICES ONSITE

LOOKING AHEAD

WestCare Wisconsin secures a Community Based Crime Reduction grant to launch the Credible Messenger program with Dr. Aquil Basheer, partnering with faith-based groups and Milwaukee Police to address crime hot spots in the Harambee community.

Dr. Mark Fossie and his team from M&S Mental Health Services join WestCare, expanding access to essential mental health support for the community.

Travis Landry and his team of 25 in Wisconsin are dedicated to expanding their impact, tirelessly working to support as many community members as possible and to drive meaningful, systemic change through their efforts.

“IF YOU CAN BUILD HOUSES”

VIOLENCE INTERVENTION

BASKETBALL CAMP

Mr. Steinberg persuades Travis to remain in Wisconsin, where he takes on the role of Regional Vice President, dedicating his leadership to the growth and impact of WestCare’s initiatives in Milwaukee.

After being shot in the very neighborhood he serves, Travis deepens his commitment to the community by becoming actively involved in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and Gun Violence Intervention (GVI) efforts.

NBA players Marcus Landry and Mike Wilks partner with WestCare Wisconsin to launch a basketball camp at the Harambee Community Involvement Center (HCIC).

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2020

2023

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One of Travis’s major project prior to becoming VP was a continuation of the work he had already started with Dr. James White. Funding from a Community Development Block Grant, Housing Trust Fund, and Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) was used to purchase old, dilapidated homes, restore them, and sell them at cost to Veterans in the area, sometimes for as little as $20,000. The initiative wasn’t just about providing housing; it was about restoring hope and revitalizing the neighborhood that had long been neglected.

By helping Veterans become homeowners, Travis and his team fortified the community, giving people a renewed sense of pride and belonging.

Travis Landry *Photo Credit: Tom Jenz

happened in the days that followed: The few people who had been helping him build the community around Harambee just kept showing up. They gathered at the community center, determined to carry on his vision and ensure that the work he started would continue.

Maurice Lee, former Chief Operating Officer of WestCare, later reflected, “Dr. White’s people kept showing up and WestCare wasn’t going to let them down. We are here, we are going to try to honor his wishes and his dreams, and we aren’t going to abandon you because Dr. White is gone.”

The loss of Dr. White wasn’t just felt by his community. In fact, it rippled through WestCare as well. In reflecting on that time, Dick Steinberg shared, “We had it all worked out.

He had met with me and Maurice, and we had a plan. He was going to lead this tri-state concept for us, covering Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. We were ready to move forward and he was going to be the administrator for all three states. His loss was felt.”

Despite the leadership transitions following Dr. White’s passing, WestCare leadership knew they needed someone with deep ties to both the community and the organization to carry forward his legacy. During this transition, one of Dr. White’s core team, Mr. Travis Landry, was working for Fitzhouse, using his contracting expertise to renovate housing in the community surrounding the Harambee Center.

While Travis was deeply involved in these efforts, he wasn’t initially planning to take on a leadership role at WestCare Wisconsin. However, by 2018, Dick Steinberg saw potential in Travis and recognized that his dedication to the community made him the perfect fit for the role. In a key conversation, Dick sat down with Travis and said, “If you can build houses, you can build people.” It was this message that resonated with Travis and with a bit more convincing, he eventually accepted the role of Regional Vice President of WestCare Wisconsin.

In 2020, a personal trauma transformed Travis’s outlook and added another component to his mission. In November, a leisurely drive turned into a life-changing ordeal. “Three cars zoomed past me and the last one slowed down and started driving at the same speed I was driving. Well, one of the back windows rolled down, and I saw the barrel of a gun, and they started shooting. I stopped, they stopped, and then I hit the gas, and realized I had been shot. I drove myself to the hospital,” Travis remembered. The encounter could have driven Travis to anger or fear... Instead, he turned that trauma into purpose, realizing his story could help address the violence affecting his community.

Determined to make a difference, Travis became actively involved in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and Gun Violence Intervention (GVI) efforts. “That’s why I got involved in community violence work and gun violence work - because somebody has to speak up for the people who can’t speak up for themselves,” he explained. “And we have been working with at-risk youth ever since,” Travis continued. “We know all the gun violence going on in Milwaukee, and all the shooters. I have 13 teams out in the community doing CVI and GVI work, and a credible messenger staff, which is a staff of five people to work with youth in the Vel R. Philips Detention Center and we go into the Community Reintegration Center, former House of Corrections, to work with returning residents to make sure that they can be stabilized, and help them address other social determinants to be a positive influence in the community.”

Beyond prevention, WestCare’s mission includes being there for individuals affected or victimized by violence.

Travis emphasized the profound emotional toll gun violence takes, sharing, “The mental health of someone getting shot… you still have to be a father, a partner, a provider even when you’re breaking down inside.” Recognizing this need for mental health support, WestCare Wisconsin expanded its services to offer clinical support for survivors and their families, creating a space where they could confront and process trauma in a safe, supportive environment.

Since 2012, Dr. Mark Fossie and his team at M&S Clinical Services have been invaluable community partners with

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WestCare, offering trauma-informed mental health and substance use services in Milwaukee. When the demand for in-person visits shifted during COVID, WestCare Wisconsin and Dr. Fossie saw an opportunity to deepen their partnership. In 2022, inspired by Travis Landry’s vision for addressing community violence, WestCare established its own Clinical Services division, welcoming Dr. Fossie and his team into the organization. “Why is it important for people to see their own people? It resonates, peer to peer,” Dr. Fossie explained. “There’s nothing like seeing someone who looks like you, who understands where you’re coming from. It gives them hope that they too can rise from the abyss.” Now part of WestCare, Clinical Services provides a trusted, culturally attuned support network for individuals and families throughout the community.

Among the many initiatives Travis Landry has championed, the WestCare Wisconsin basketball camp stands out as a powerful program that brings local youth together in a safe, supportive environment. With Travis’s cousins, former NBA player Marcus Landry, and former NBA Champion Mike Wilks, the camp offers young people inspiring role models to look up to. But as Travis puts it, “The kids think it’s about basketball, but really it’s about life skills.” The camp provides mentorship, structure, and a positive outlet, teaching not only athletic techniques but also resilience, teamwork, leadership, and even arithmetic. By investing in young people through sports, WestCare Wisconsin hopes to inspire the next generation to overcome obstacles and reach for their dreams.

As WestCare Wisconsin looks to the future, the foundation laid by Dr. James White and his dedicated team promises lasting impact. Expanding from five to 25 staff members, the program has grown into a critical force for community change, from supporting at-risk youth and providing housing for Veterans to pioneering efforts in violence intervention. Dr. White’s legacy continues through Travis Landry’s vision, which extends beyond services to creating stability for his staff by ensuring they have affordable housing in the neighborhoods they serve. With deep roots in the community and a commitment to sustainable growth, WestCare Wisconsin stands poised to uplift both staff and community members alike. Through practical support and a passion for lifting up those most affected by violence and poverty, WestCare Wisconsin remains a beacon of resilience, providing hope and opportunity for generations to come.

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Dr. Mark Fossie

Dr. Mark Fossie A LIFELONG DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY AND HEALING Dr. Mark Fossie, Clinical Director of WestCare Wisconsin, has dedicated his life to addressing the mental health and substance use challenges of Milwaukee’s underserved communities. A co-founder of M&S Clinical Services in 1996, Dr. Fossie built his practice around trauma-informed care, focusing on the impact of systemic issues such as poverty, violence, and racial disparities.

Raised just blocks from his current office, Dr. Fossie’s commitment to the community was shaped early on by his father’s involvement in the civil rights movement, embedding in him a sense of duty to uplift those around him.

A consecrated bishop, Dr. Fossie approaches his work as a calling and serves on WestCare’s Spiritual Advisory Committee, viewing his role as both healer and mentor. “It’s a ministry, not a job,” he often says. For him, representation matters: “Why is it important for people to see their own people? It resonates, peer to peer. When they see someone who looks like them, who understands their struggle, it gives them hope.” His faith-based approach brings together strength, cultural understanding, and compassion, enabling individuals to “rise from the abyss” and achieve their personal goals.

In 2022, as the demand for mental health services grew and the effects of COVID continued to strain community resources, WestCare Wisconsin officially brought Dr. Fossie and his team into their organization. This partnership ensured the continuity of his essential work, expanding access to culturally attuned support for individuals and families affected by trauma across Milwaukee.

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WHERE HEALING BEGINS

How WestCare Came to Texas

By Rebecca Hernandez, Creative Services Manager, Marketing & Communications

An abandoned home on San Antonio's Eastside *Photo Credit: J. Michael Short

In the early 2010’s, the Eastside of San Antonio lay quiet but weathered, a place where time and hardship had carved deep lines into the landscape and into the lives of those who called it home. Streets wound through neighborhoods that had once thrived, but now held the tired remains of underinvestment. Cracked sidewalks, aging homes in need of repair, and streetlights too few and far between. Here, opportunity felt distant, like the faint glow of city lights on the horizon, too far to illuminate the daily struggles faced by Eastside residents.

For the families who had stayed, resilience was a way of life, yet the strain showed in each boarded window and in unkempt lots. Young people dreamed of futures beyond

what they could see, while parents worked tirelessly to create safer, more hopeful paths for their children. It was a community in need of uplift, a place that had long been asking not for a handout, but for a renewed sense of purpose and investment. And so, with federal designation as a Promise Zone, the Eastside received not just funding, but a new commitment - a promise to rebuild, restore, and finally give the community the chance to thrive.

Just as the Eastside of San Antonio was stepping onto a path toward revitalization, another Texas community in Laredo found itself at a similar crossroads. In 2012, WestCare entered the scene in Laredo, stepping in to preserve a refuge for individuals seeking stability. Originally launched by another organization in a modest hotel setting, the Next Step Program

Milestones in WestCare Texas’ History

2012

2016

WESTCARE ENTERS TEXAS

BEVERLY JOINS WESTCARE

WestCare establishes its presence in Texas by bringing the Next Step Program in Laredo under its umbrella.

Beverly Watts-Davis joins WestCare, bringing a wealth of knowledge and strong community partnerships.

WestCare partners with Americorps Program.

DICK AND BEVERLY CONNECT IN D.C.

SAN ANTONIO

RECAST

Dick Steinberg and Beverly Watts-Davis meet for the first time in Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of a collaborative journey that would eventually bring transformative support to Texas communities.

San Antonio becomes one of the first cities designated as a Promise Zone under President Obama’s initiative.

WestCare Texas is awarded the ReCAST (Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma) grant to support community resilience.

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2014

2018

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WestCare’s entry marked a critical period of stabilization as the team navigated regulatory challenges to keep the program afloat. This pivotal acquisition laid the foundation for WestCare Texas, showcasing the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and setting the stage for future growth. In the years that followed, Texas changemaker, Beverly WattsDavis, WestCare’s Chief Officer of Resource Development/Program Support and Senior Vice President of WestCare Texas, joined the effort, bringing a vision for expanded community support that would help shape WestCare’s broader impact across the state.

“I actually met Bev in Washington back in 2001 while she was with SAMHSA. In fact, it was the same time I met Peggy Quigg, who also knew Beverly,” explained Steinberg. “After we absorbed the program in Laredo, it turned out our COO, Maurice Lee, knew Beverly as well!”

When Steinberg, Quigg, and Lee later traveled to Texas to meet with Beverly, it was with the hope of bringing her into WestCare’s expanding mission in Texas. “She knew everybody in Texas and everybody in the Federal Government, so she was a natural conduit,” noted Maurice Lee, former Chief Operating Officer for WestCare.

Beverly, who lived in San Antonio at the time, welcomed her friends and fellow advocates for change. “I had just

2022

Uplifting the Human Spirit

aimed to house individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders concurrently through a “Housing First” model. As the program reached a pivotal moment, WestCare intervened to provide renewed support, ensuring that residents who had already begun rebuilding their lives could continue their journey without interruption. As Dick Steinberg, WestCare President, recalled, “The previous organization was facing some pressure to do with funding and asked if we could take a look and maybe step in. We moved quickly and found a way to keep the project moving forward.”

Texas Changemaker Beverly Watts-Davis in 2003

finished a very large project in San Antonio revitalizing the community, organizing the community, and doing community mobilization. So, when that project ended, it just happened to be at the perfect time and in October of 2016, I came on board with WestCare,” Beverly remembered.

Immediately upon joining WestCare, Beverly began laying the groundwork for a holistic approach to community support across Texas. Drawing from her experience in large-scale community revitalization, she focused on building partnerships and programs that addressed the full continuum of care from prevention and early intervention to treatment and long-term recovery. "I’ve always believed that to be truly successful with behavioral health and substance use, you have to involve the entire spectrum from prevention and intervention to treatment,

2024

TIMM

CASA DE ESPERANZA

WestCare Texas is awarded the Trauma-Informed Ministry Model (TIMM) grant to support faith-based community healing.

Casa De Esperanza officially welcomes its first client.

Beverly and her Texas team look to the future, committed to expanding their impact and uplifting communities across the state.

ELLA AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER WestCare brings the Ella Austin Community Center under its umbrella, expanding support for San Antonio’s Eastside community.

2023

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Then: Ella Austin Orphans Home on Burnet Street *Photo Credit: San Antonio Light Collection

Now: Ella Austin Community Center on Pine Street

A Legacy of Service THE EVOLUTION OF THE ELLA AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER The Ella Austin Community Center has been a cornerstone of support and empowerment for the San Antonio and Bexar County communities for over a century. Established in 1897 by Mrs. Ella Austin, a respected leader dedicated to uplifting her community, the center began as the Ella Austin Orphans Home on Burnet Street. Even after her passing at just 46 years old, her legacy lived on through the collective efforts of local residents who continued her work with deep commitment and generosity.

In 1968, the children’s home evolved into a multi-purpose community center, relocating to the former Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School on Pine Street. Today, as one of Texas’s largest neighborhood-based centers, the Ella Austin Community Center remains a beacon for comprehensive services, from early childhood development to senior support. It serves a diverse array of clients, providing affordable daycare, parenting classes, youth programs, crisis assistance, and senior activities. The center’s holistic approach continues to foster social and economic growth in San Antonio, particularly within the city’s eastern sector, where it stands as one of the few organizations offering such extensive, community-centered resources.

In 2023, the center became part of WestCare, further enhancing its capacity to serve the San Antonio community effectively. This partnership has enhanced the center's capacity to serve its community effectively. Additionally, a significant renovation project commenced in late 2024, with a budget of $23 million allocated to modernize the facility while preserving its historic significance. The renovation aims to improve infrastructure, expand program offerings, and ensure the center remains a vital resource for future generations.

relapse support, and recovery services,” she explained.

Her approach was rooted in empowering individuals and communities to create sustainable change, strengthening connections with local organizations, and providing services tailored to the unique needs of Texans.

One of Beverly’s first steps was to stabilize the Next Step Program in Laredo, a cornerstone of WestCare’s early work in Texas. Recognizing the need for local insight, she brought on Jaime Arizpe, whose experience in Laredo and commitment to community support made him an ideal boots-to-the-ground advocate. “To me, it was about more than just housing,” Jaime reflected. “It was a chance to give people the stability they needed to make real changes in their lives.” Together, Beverly and Jaime strengthened the program, emphasizing both immediate support and long-term growth, setting the stage for WestCare’s future impact across Texas.

In San Antonio, the Texas team extended their efforts to the Eastside Promise Zone (EPZ), a neighborhood that was one of the first to be identified in President Obama’s initiative to uplift high-poverty areas by boosting economic opportunities, enhancing public safety, and promoting education. The community here faced challenges that the WestCare Texas team addressed head-on, focusing on revitalization and strengthening local resources. Their goal was to dismantle barriers and give residents access to the tools needed to achieve sustainable success.

One of the team’s projects within the EPZ was an initiative known as Light Up the Night, a collaboration with local law enforcement aimed at uniting the community and improving safety. The initiative brought together residents and officers to illuminate neighborhoods by installing porch lights to discourage crime. “Most people don’t even think about streetlights because most neighborhoods have them,” explained Beverly, “and they come on at 7 o’clock, or whenever it gets dark... but not with these streets.

These streets were pitch black, which, of course, encouraged crime.” Additionally, the team aimed to brighten the path to trust, fostering relationships with local law enforcement and making officers more accessible to residents. To do this, the team walked neighborhood blocks handing out cards with a phone number to their hotspot program - giving residents an outlet to anonymously call into a substation without fear of retribution. By literally brightening the streets and opening safe lines of communication, the Texas team helped residents feel safer and more connected, creating a ripple effect of positivity throughout San Antonio’s Eastside.

Another remarkable way Beverly and the team are making a difference in Texas is with the AmeriCorps program.

Since 2016, they have partnered with AmeriCorps to provide young people in San Antonio with meaningful opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. By offering a structured, year-long commitment, the program enables participants to gain hands-on experience while earning a monthly living stipend. Upon completion, members receive an additional $6,000 to apply towards

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Building on the success of their efforts to empower neighborhoods in Texas, Beverly and her team focused their mission on strengthening the San Antonio community. The Ella Austin Community Center (EACC), a historic cornerstone, had become a central base for WestCare’s outreach, offering stability and resources to residents in need. By 2023, WestCare officially brought the center under its umbrella, preserving its legacy while expanding its role in the neighborhood. EACC is set to undergo a $23 million renovation, ensuring it remains a vital resource for generations to come. The renovation will honor the center’s legacy while expanding its capacity to serve the community with enhanced facilities and new programs, strengthening its role as a lasting foundation of support for San Antonio’s Eastside.

Later that same year, WestCare Texas expanded its mission to support vulnerable women and children with the launch of Casa De Esperanza in San Antonio. Located in a converted apartment complex, this recovery residence provides a safe, supportive environment for women in recovery, particularly those who are pregnant or parenting young children. “It’s a place where people can step out of residential programs or outpatient care and have a stable home as they rebuild their lives,” explained Shawn Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer for WestCare’s Western Region. The complex includes one and two-bedroom units with several dedicated spaces for offices, dining, relaxation, and community support.

Since welcoming its first client in May 2024, Casa De Esperanza has quickly become a cornerstone of hope and renewal. Program Director Melissa Montgomery shared, “We give hope - hope that you can start your life over. We help clients rebuild themselves, giving them self-esteem and acceptance, all without expecting anything in return. We are that unconditional love.” Within just a few months, the program has facilitated seven family reunifications, with more on the way. Designed to house up to 24 women and their children, Casa De Esperanza offers more than just a place to live; it provides a foundation for women to restore their lives and reconnect with their children.

Looking forward, Beverly envisions WestCare Texas as a beacon of transformation and resilience in the community. “Our mission is to empower individuals and create sustainable change,” she reflects, “so that every member of our community has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.” With ongoing projects like the AmeriCorps program, the redevelopment of the Ella Austin Community Center, and the creation of Casa De Esperanza, Beverly and her team are committed to building a future where resources are accessible, neighborhoods are vibrant, and education is within reach for all.

This vision embodies WestCare’s dedication to uplifting San Antonio and providing a foundation that will support and inspire generations to come.

Uplifting the Human Spirit

college or trade school, along with priority consideration for federal employment. This initiative has not only provided direction for over 80 young people but has strengthened community bonds and fostered a sense of purpose among participants, helping to address poverty and support the community’s long-term resilience.

Keely Petty CPsy.D.

Trauma-Informed Ministry Model EMPOWERING FAITH COMMUNITIES TO HEAL TRAUMA

By Lisa Compton, Marketing Specialist, Marketing & Communications The Trauma-Informed Ministry Model (TIMM) is a training program that helps faith-based organizations address the low mental health utilization rate amongst the youth in Black, Indigenous, and other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and their greater unmet need for trauma care. This program gives organizations unique opportunities to affect mental health disparities by becoming a trauma-informed faith community.

Thanks to a grant funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the TIMM Training Program has three focus areas in which these training services are free of charge: San Antonio, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Atlanta, Georgia. Each location has a dedicated training coordinator certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid, Crisis Prevention Intervention, and more.

Since the WestCare Texas TIMM Training Program's inception in September 2022, we have served 61 participants from 22 different congregations in four consecutive cohorts.

Faith-based organizations and faith leaders who complete the training program can use their platforms to build bridges between formal and informal support systems, promote cultural understanding and responsiveness, and foster individual and communal healing from trauma in youth.

"The TIMM Training Program has been a game-changer for BIPOC faith-based communities. It's empowered us to understand and address the deep wounds of our community, creating a trusted space for healing and spiritual growth," said Keely Petty, CPsy.D., TIMM Training Coordinator. As the Trauma-Informed Ministry Model (TIMM) Training Program continues to expand, its impact on BIPOC faith communities grows stronger, empowering faith leaders to be advocates for healing and understanding. Together, they are creating safer, more supportive spaces where youth can find hope and resilience in the face of trauma - bridging gaps in mental health care and fostering a future rooted in compassion and cultural sensitivity.

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A QUICK LOOK AT OTHER HAPPENINGS THROUGHOUT OUR WESTCARE FAMILY

WESTCARE SNAPSHOT ILLINOIS:

Inspiring Hope and Recovery at WestCare Sheridan

By Talisa Paul, Program Director, WestCare Illinois

WestCare Sheridan participated in National Recovery Month by wearing purple to show support for those in recovery and those on their journey toward a sober lifestyle. To further commemorate the month, recovery-based activities were incorporated into the group curriculum. Additionally, WestCare assisted in organizing and coordinating a Recovery Month music concert featuring recovery-focused songs for all clients to attend.

Tim Ryan, National Thought Leader of DOPE TO HOPE, Jennifer Gimenez, actress and model, Jay Mohr, actor, and Daniel Garcia, sponsor, attended a two-day speaker event at Sheridan Correctional Center (SCC). These professionals shared their personal stories of addiction, recovery, and their ongoing commitment to a sober lifestyle. As noted on the DOPE TO HOPE website, Tim Ryan’s journey is particularly impactful: "Tim Ryan struggled with addiction for 30 years, was incarcerated for seven years due to drug-related convictions, overdosed seven times, and was declared clinically dead three times.

He tragically lost his 20-year-old son to heroin in 2014 and has since attended 96 funerals. Now a recovering heroin addict, Tim is the founder of the A Man in Recovery Foundation, working to raise awareness about addiction, create community-based solutions, and spread the message of hope and recovery.”

Their powerful stories had a lasting impact on the individuals in custody who participated in the WestCare program, and we are deeply grateful to these professionals for inspiring hope and motivation in our clients.

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CALIFORNIA:

2024 Central California Women’s Conference In September, our staff attended the 2024 Central California Women’s Conference in Fresno! It was an empowering event that allowed us to do community outreach for our organization and network with other communitybased organizations who were also in attendance. We spoke with approximately 300 visitors who stopped by our booth to learn more about our organization. We look forward to participating in this amazing annual event for many years to come!

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IOWA:

Operation Golden Hawk: Veteran Stand Down

By Jon Hanni, FAVA Data Entry, WestCare Iowa

The third annual North Iowa and Southern Minnesota Operation Golden Hawk Veterans Stand Down event was held in Mason City, Iowa, on Sept. 28, 2024. The event brought together Veterans Service Representatives, vendors, and volunteers to assist Veterans facing housing, food, clothing, financial insecurity, or medical and mental health challenges. It provided an opportunity for Veterans to take a break from life’s battles and access resources available across North Iowa and Southern Minnesota - all in a welcoming, under-one-roof environment.

Some of the outstanding services offered this year included dry goods, clothing, Veteran Services, haircuts, chiropractic care/acupuncture, cold and flu shots, and dental care. Veterans and their families also enjoyed relaxing activities such as door prizes, a live band, a comedian, a root beer float and sundae stand, hot food, and games. Veterans described the event as a “GREAT RELIEF,” with camaraderie shining through among attendees. This event ensures that critical needs are met at no cost and provides Veterans an opportunity to connect with one another and their community.

WestCare Iowa - Family Alliance for Veterans of America (FAVA) operates two offices in Forest City, Iowa, and Sioux City, Iowa, serving Veterans and their families in 43 counties across Northern Iowa. These offices assist Veterans experiencing homelessness through a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program. Staff from both offices participated in this year’s event, offering a booth with information for Veterans experiencing unstable housing.

Jon Hanni, a staff member at WestCare Iowa, volunteered on the planning committee throughout the year to help make the event possible. This year’s event served 503 Veterans - nearly 200 more than last year and continues to grow thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.

Scan or click here to learn more about FAVA!

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PACIFIC ISLANDS:

WPI Stands in Solidarity for National Recovery & Suicide Prevention Month 2024

By Jenine Damian, Counselor, WestCare Pacific Islands

In honor of National Recovery & National Suicide Prevention Month, the month of September was dedicated to acknowledging and supporting all individuals in recovery and healing from substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and thoughts of suicide. This month was also a time to recognize our recovery allies in Guam, including substance abuse counselors, mental health clinicians, peer support specialists, survivors, and families.

WestCare Pacific Islands’ (WPI) outpatient behavioral health & substance use programs, Håtsa, Uplift, and Ma’lak Na Ha’åni, participated in the month’s festivities. They attended the National Recovery & Suicide Prevention Month proclamation signing on September 6, in which the Honorable Lourdes “Lou” Aflague Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam, dedicated the month to celebrating our community’s efforts in improving and expanding substance use treatment and suicide prevention awareness within our island.

WPI also took part in the Recovery Month Community Outreach on September 21, connecting with clients and partner agencies, and spending time commemorating our recovery community’s strength, courage, and resiliency as we continue learning to navigate substance use and mental health crises in Guam.

WPI continues to Uplift the Human Spirit by showing our unity in these events, ensuring that all those struggling with substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and thoughts of suicide may always feel supported and connected.

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NEVADA:

ROAR Program to Address Opioid and Alcohol Misuse in Rural Areas

By Nou Her, Marketing Manager, WestCare California

As of September 2024, WestCare Nevada, Inc. proudly launched the Rural Opioid and Alcohol Recovery (ROAR) program, a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) initiative made possible through a three-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The ROAR program is dedicated to reducing opioid and alcohol misuse by providing accessible treatment to underserved individuals in rural Nevada. Operating from WestCare's Community Involvement Centers (CICs) in Pahrump and

Tonopah, ROAR serves adults 18 and older at risk for or recovering from opioid or alcohol use disorders, as well as their families and caregivers.

Services include MAT, withdrawal management, transportation assistance, workforce development, housing linkages, and more.

A mobile service is available to ensure access for community members unable to travel to the physical locations. Referrals are accepted from self-referrals, hospitals, outpatient programs, probation offices, and other local organizations.

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13 Uplifting the Human Spirit

TENNESSEE:

Resilience and Team-building in East Tennessee

By Airika Lih Actouka, Community Outreach Coordinator, WestCare Tennessee

September ended under the weight of Hurricane Helene. As the winds and rains battered Cocke County, WestCare Tennessee staff secured the offices and headed home to wait out the storm.

Under darkened skies, reports began pouring in of unprecedented, catastrophic precipitation. All of downtown Newport, Tennessee was flooded by the Pigeon River. The safety precautions of evacuations and bridge closures proved to be necessary, but also challenging. First responders were put to the test conducting swift water rescues, adapting to rapidly changing and deteriorating conditions, and answering the ceaseless requests for help from citizens cut off from society. For many, there was no cell service, no power, no water, and in some cases, no roads.

Stress filled WestCare Tennessee’s days and nights as we worried for our families, our communities, and our workplace. As the evacuation orders lifted, we adjusted to our new reality. We checked in with each other and were blessed to find that WestCare Tennessee staff had not lost homes or lives. However, many in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina were not as fortunate.

Staff began the clean up with no running water or electricity. The sludge left behind was filled with organic and chemical waste that created an unbearable odor throughout the Newport office. A skeleton crew began the arduous tasks required to make the building safe to occupy once more.

We found strength within our team: the team cleaning the Newport office, the team working from home, and the teams at other WestCare Tennessee locations. We leaned on each other and the community for resources and endurance. The days were long and each hurdle overcome presented a new obstacle.

Through it all, we continued the WestCare mission by serving our clients and supporting our community partners. As we provided resources to the community, the community responded in kind.

The resolve of the people of East Tennessee to take care of its own in a time of crisis or in everyday life is commendable and immeasurable. Support from around the country poured in, showing us that we are in this together, we are not alone.

After an exhausting couple of weeks, WestCare Tennessee staff were able to come together once more to relieve some of the tension and to reconnect with each other. Our staff engagement event included a few hours of merriment and nourishment at Topgolf Knoxville. Here we learned that you don’t have to possess any physical ability to enjoy Topgolf. In fact, as Deionte Bivins learned, sometimes your skill works against you.

Topgolf was precisely what the team needed to reconnect after weeks of weather turmoil, location displacement, and general uncertainty. We finished the day motivated by the company of our peers and reminded of how fortunate we are to have our health, our homes, and our families.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF

Uplifting the Human Spirit

In celebration of 50 years of Uplifting the Human Spirit, The Express is embarking on a journey through time. Over the next year, we will feature the origin stories of two entities every month, tracing our history in semi-chronological order. Join us on this extraordinary odyssey of discovery and inspiration.

Help us tell WestCare’s story from around the world!

Our commitment to showcasing the incredible work that makes WestCare a beacon of healing and support in our communities remains steadfast. While we are featuring the history of WestCare, we will continue to feature highlights from the remarkable journeys of individuals and groups who inspire us all. We urge you to continue to submit your stories of success, education, prevention, and healing to marketing@westcare.com. Your narratives fuel hope and contribute to our collective mission of Uplifting the Human Spirit.

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