SEEDSof Hope
A Grandmother’s Love Builds a Bright Future Through ReadyCare
OhioGuidestone’s newest offering, ReadyCare walk-in clinics for behavioral health, allows anyone seeking mental health or substance use treatment to walk-in without an appointment and receive immediate support.
When Ruth, a devoted grandmother of eleven, walked into OhioGuidestone’s ReadyCare clinic in Cleveland, she was overwhelmed and exhausted. She had recently become the legal guardian of her spirited six-year-old granddaughter, Serenity. Though the journey had been unexpected, Ruth embraced it with open arms and an open heart.
“I just knew I had to be there for her,” Ruth shared. “No matter what it took, I wanted Serenity to know she was safe and loved.”
OhioGuidestone’s ReadyCare walk-in clinics for behavioral health are designed for moments just like this—when families need immediate, compassionate
support. At the Cleveland ReadyCare Clinic, therapist Antoinette Foster welcomed Ruth with warmth and understanding.
“Ruth’s strength and love were immediately clear,” Foster said. “She had driven all the way to Tennessee to bring Serenity home, and she was determined to give her granddaughter the stability she deserved.”
Serenity, bright and inquisitive, brought her own unique energy to the clinic. “She asked a lot of questions—smart questions,” Foster recalled. “She wanted to know why I was writing things down, what I was doing. She was curious, cautious, and incredibly perceptive.”
With patience and creativity, Foster worked with Serenity to build trust and structure. Together, they created a set of expectations that gave Serenity a sense of ownership and pride.
FROM THE CEO
Happy Spring!
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on how grateful I am for the progress OhioGuidestone has made in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. I also can’t help feeling hopeful as we expand our services to provide clients with easy access to whole-person care.
May started with the launch of ReadyCare Walk-In Clinics for Behavioral Health, which allow individuals and families the opportunity to walk-in for mental health and substance use treatment at 12 locations across our footprint. Our cover story is an example of how access to a ReadyCare clinic helped a family heal a relationship. We ended the month by putting the final touches on our first Health Center that will soon provide Primary Care services in Lorain County.
We are also proud to have received multiple prestigious awards from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Cleveland and in Stark and Summit Counties. The sheer number of these awards is a testament to the dedication of our incredible team and the life-changing services we provide.
Looking ahead, we are deep into planning for our 2025 Evolution Gala, an event that will celebrate our client champions and their achievements in behavioral health while raising money to continue our mission to provide pathways for growth, achievement, and lifelong success.
Brant Russell, President and CEO
“Serenity likes having her own meetings,” Foster said. “We see each other twice a week and Ruth gets a much-needed break.”
Ruth uses the time to breathe and reflect. “It makes a difference,” she said. “I know I’m not alone in this—I have people who care about both of us.”
Today, Serenity is more settled and secure, and says she wants to stay with her grandmother until she’s a teenager.
Foster says Serenity’s words are a powerful sign that Ruth and Serenity are on a beautiful path.
“Ruth has created a home where Serenity feels safe, understood, and loved; and both have a team of support at OhioGuidestone— what an honor it is to be a part of their journey.”
She added that having the option to walk-in to a ReadyCare clinic ensures that clients like Ruth can find help when they need it most.
“It’s a warm, welcoming space where people can cry, talk, and leave feeling heard, I can’t think of any other place where someone can walk-in with the world on their shoulders and leave with hope.” Foster said, “I’m proud of what we do at OhioGuidestone.”
ReadyCare walk-in clinics for behavioral health are available in 12 convenient locations across the state. To view locations, services, and hours please visit our website: MyReadyCare.org.
Watch Ruth’s inspirational story here.
Glowing Green for Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, and OhioGuidestone has been part of this annual observance since it began in 1949.
Each May, OhioGuidestone buildings across Cuyahoga County are bathed in green to honor our clients and others who are working hard to stay healthy and strong, and to help erase stigma around seeking help for mental health issues. This year we added Cleveland’s iconic Terminal Tower to the list of buildings glowing green in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
In addition to the symbolic green lights, the monthlong campaign focused on educating the public about mental health conditions, encouraging open conversations, and highlighting the importance of seeking help when needed. Our team shared mental health tips on social media, appeared on local news channels, engaged with the community at events across the state, and launched our ReadyCare Walk-In Behavioral Health Clinics.
“For us, every day is mental health awareness day,” said OhioGuidestone CEO, Brant Russell. “We work tirelessly year-round to ensure no one has to face mental health challenges alone.”
Russell added, “In May we shined a green light on mental health to remind people that help is always available, that hope is within reach, and that recovery is possible.”
OhioGuidestone approaches mental health as an essential component of overall well-being, with the belief that self-care, stress management, and access
to behavioral health resources are as important as primary care for a healthy, productive life.
By lighting up green one month a year OhioGuidestone sends the message to check in on your own mental health, reach out if you need it, and work toward a future where seeking help is not only accepted but encouraged.
View of Terminal Tower glowing green for Mental Health Awareness Month from Lake Erie.
Spring Celebrations Bring Joy to Berea Residential Campus
This spring, joy was in full bloom at OhioGuidestone’s Berea Residential Treatment Center thanks to two events coordinated by volunteers that brought smiles and laughter to children in our care.
On March 29th members of OhioGuidestone’s Associate Board hosted a birthday celebration in honor of our 161st year. The day was filled with creative fun and tasty treats. Youth enjoyed a walking taco bar, decorated cupcakes, made cards, and played games to mark the occasion. The event not only celebrated our long-standing legacy but also gave members of the Associate Board a meaningful opportunity to connect with some of our youth residents. Hosting activities like this is a valued part of the Associate Board’s mission to make a direct, positive impact on their community.
Just a week later, on April 5th, youth participated in a joyful Easter egg hunt organized by volunteers from St. John’s Cathedral. The children’s excitement was evident as they raced across the campus in search of colorful, candy-filled eggs while cheered on by the volunteers. Each child also received a festive gift basket, thoughtfully donated by the parish community. The celebration concluded with a shared lunch of pizza and cookies provided by the church.
We are grateful to all the volunteers from the Associate Board and St. John’s Cathedral who gave their time, care, and creativity to make these moments special for children in our care.
We love volunteers! If you or your organization would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please email hrrequest@ohioguidestone.org.
OhioGuidestone to Launch Primary Care Services in Lorain County
OhioGuidestone, the state’s leader in community behavioral health, is set to expand its services by introducing primary care offerings at its Lorain County location this summer. This initiative underscores OhioGuidestone’s commitment to delivering integrated, whole-person care that addresses both physical and behavioral health needs.
The upcoming primary care services will be available in the same location as our current behavioral health office located at 2173 North Ridge Road, Lorain, OH. By integrating primary care with behavioral health services, OhioGuidestone seeks to enhance the overall well-being of its clients and promote long-term health outcomes while improving communication among healthcare providers.
OhioGuidestone’s new primary care services will include a wide variety of treatments and services to address the most common and complex health needs. Our focus will be preventative care, allowing clients to stay ahead of potential health issues and support overall well-being.
Some of the key services include:
Routine Check-Ups & Physicals:
Annual wellness exams and screenings to monitor your health, track changes over time, and prevent illness.
Management of Chronic Conditions:
We specialize in managing long-term health issues like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and more, ensuring that you have the support to live your life fully.
Immunizations & Vaccines:
Protect yourself and others by staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines and immunizations.
Health Education & Counseling:
We empower you with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Referral to Specialists:
If necessary, we can connect you with specialized care for more advanced treatments or conditions that require further attention.
Night Nurse Hotline:
Access to care 24/7 through our partnership with Night Nurse for weekends, nights, and holidays.
While the primary care services are set to launch to current OhioGuidestone clients at our Lorain County location, we plan to expand these offerings to new clients and additional regions in the future. This expansion aligns with our goal to make high-quality, integrated care accessible to all Ohioans. By broadening access to primary care services, OhioGuidestone aims to meet the growing healthcare needs of communities across the state.
YouthBuild Project Enables Workforce Program Outreach
This spring, OhioGuidestone’s Communications and Workforce 360° teams partnered on a visibility initiative to promote YouthBuild programs thanks to funding from the Burlington YouthBuild USA 2024 Network Engagement Impact & Innovation Grant. This grant was made possible through a campaign at Burlington Stores, where customers could round up their purchases at check out to support YouthBuild programs across the country. OhioGuidestone was honored to be selected as a recipient.
The project focuses on creating a stronger visual identity and presence for our YouthBuild Construction and State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) programs. With this support, new branded window clings and banners are being installed at our Workforce 360° sites on Prospect Avenue and East 32nd Street in Cleveland. This eye-catching signage will bring a refreshed, unified look to both buildings and increase visibility for the YouthBuild program at OhioGuidestone.
In addition to the new signage, the grant funded a comprehensive marketing campaign including digital and out-of-home components including billboards, social media ads, and job fair booth materials.
These programs are a valuable resource for the Cleveland community by providing a pathway to
rewarding careers that pay a living wage.
The hallmarks of the YouthBuild program include:
• Earn your high school diploma
• Get paid to learn
• Job placement assistance
• Wraparound services
• Soft skills assistance
• Resume writing
• And more!
For more information on the YouthBuild 360° program, potential enrollees can call 440.260.8930, or reach out to Caitlin.Matthews@ohioguidestone.org.
Recognizing Our Outstanding Team
At OhioGuidestone our biggest asset is the incredible team of compassionate behavioral health professionals who work every day to empower our more than 24,000 clients across the state.
This spring some of our incredible team members were awarded prestigious honors from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in two regions of Northeast Ohio.
Greater Cleveland NAMI along with Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (MHAR) and Stark County NAMI recognized OhioGuidestone staff for their contribution to outstanding community behavioral health care.
In Cleveland, NAMI mental health leaders, advocates, and professionals chose OhioGuidestone for the 2025 Eugene Brudno Memorial Organization Award for outstanding contributions to mental health services and advocacy.
They also chose OhioGuidestone intern Dr. Emmanuel Ahmadu for the Valeria Harper Cultural Competence in Mental Health Award for his international work to address stigma and cultural challenges surrounding mental health.
In Stark County, NAMI and Stark MHAR honored seven OhioGuidestone professionals as Notable Names in Behavioral Health including: Therapist Emily Gross was named Innovator of the Year; Peer Recovery Specialist, Don Allensworth-Davies, won Peer Supporter of the Year; and Professional of the Year honors went to Supervisor, Lauren Baker; Behavioral Health Specialist, Victoria Burkhart; Therapist, Rene Perez; Behavioral Health Specialist, Marilyn Roberts, and Clinical Supervisor, Chelsea Tong - who won Professional of the Year for the second consecutive year.
In response to being recognized for OhioGuidestone’s impact across the state, President and CEO Brant Russell congratulated the honorees, saying proudly, “To be consistently recognized at such a high level underscores the positive impact that our thoughtful, compassionate team has on communities. It reaffirms our mission to make outstanding behavioral health care accessible to all.”
MENTAL HEALTH TIPS:
How Do You Check-in?
As part of our campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month we asked our behavioral health team for some quick, creative tips to “check the pulse” on your stress level. Here are some of their suggestions:
Give Your Stress Level a Number: 0 to 10. Then break it down, itemize, and score each stressor. Ask, what steps can I take to lower the score?
Ask Yourself “how do I feel right now?” Track your emotions and look for patterns with a journal or even a note on your phone.
Use Emojis to describe how you feel: Can add a little humor and help visualize your stressors in a new way.
Review Your Day Like a Movie: Give it a rating, or even a title. Over time, patterns will emerge.
Check-in with 3 words:
Describe how you’re feeling in just three words. It forces clarity without overthinking.
Check-in When Scrolling:
Pause when scrolling through social media and ask: “Is this lifting me up, draining me, or is it neutral?”
Scan Your Body for Stress: Close your eyes and mentally scan your body from head to toe. Where is there tension?
Remember, it’s not the stressor that matters; it’s how we react to the stressor. We hope these tricks can help keep stress levels manageable all year long, however OhioGuidestone is here to help if stressors ever become unmanageable.
Request Services Today!
Cheryl Hines Reflects on Mental Health Five Year Post-Pandemic
OhioGuidestone’s Clinical Supervisor, Cheryl Hines joined NBC4 to discuss the pandemic’s lasting impact on mental health. She shared insight on how providers are continuing to support healing five years after COVID-19. Watch the segment on NBC4.
Megan Loesch Talks Teen Sports Betting During March Madness
OhioGuidestone Therapist, Megan Loesch spoke with The Repository about the rise in teen sports betting, sharing concerns around addiction risk and how families can address the topic with education and support. Read the article on The Repository.
Kathleen Kern Announces ReadyCare in The Blade
OhioGuidestone’s Chief Clinical Officer, Kathleen Kern was featured in The Blade to highlight the launch of ReadyCare clinics. The article shares how this new service is increasing access to behavioral health across Ohio. Read the story on The Blade.
EVENTSand fundraising
Save the Date!
2025 Evolution Gala
September 20, 2025 Hotel Cleveland
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s OhioGuidestone’s 2025 Evolution Gala at the new Hotel Cleveland! Join us to support OhioGuidstone’s mission to provide pathways to growth, achievement, and lifelong success. Just like superheroes, OhioGuidestone’s clients are empowered to overcome life’s obstacles and take steps towards a healthier future. To learn more about the gala and sponsorship opportunities, visit our website
