I’m so thrilled to continue my local loves series on The GR Guide! Today I’m introducing you Wedgwood Christian Services who helps children and families in our community with counseling services, residential services and also community programs. Scroll down for a Q&A with Randy Zylstra’s, Wedgwood’s Executive Director, to learn more!
Can you give a brief overview of the services provided at Wedgwood Christian Services?
Wedgwood provides a wide and ever-expanding array of services: The oldest branch of service involves 24-7 therapeutic residential services for up to 100 children, mostly mid-teens, at any given time. An ever expanding array of out-patient and prevention services accompanies these 60 year-old residential services. Early child autism services, in-home counseling, and substance-use-disorder services are growing at a rapid rate. In fact Wedgwood is the largest adolescent provider of substance-use-disorder services within the state of Michigan. Wedgwood launched schools for expelled and failing students about 10 years ago. Those schools, Lighthouse Academy and Hope Academy of West Michigan, are now independent organizations that continue to provide educational services for Wedgwood clients and 500 other students in West Michigan .
Why is Wedgwood so important to our community here in Grand Rapids?
Wedgwood is a financially stable, creative, mission-driven organization that is vital to the underserved young people and families in West Michigan. Wedgwood’s mission is somewhat unique in that Wedgwood intentionally seeks to find and fill gaps in service. Due to a very loyal donor base and a dedicated collection of professional staff , Wedgwood has shown a unique capacity to develop innovative and effective services.
What do you love most about working at Wedgwood?
Wedgwood staff are loyal to each other and to the Wedgwood mission. Wedgwood is a distinctively Christian agency that seeks to portray Christianity in an INCLUSIVE rather than EXCLUSIVE way. This is a place of celebration. The opportunity to bring joy and hope to others serves as a great motivation for going to work each day.
How can someone get involved with volunteering or donating to Wedgwood Christian Services?
Interested volunteers can check our website at www.wedgwood.org for specific opportunities or call our Advancement Department at 616-942-2110 to speak to someone directly.
Do you have any events coming up soon?
Upcoming events include our 59thAnniversary Celebration at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on Thursday October 3 at 6:30pm where we will enjoy a wonderful strolling dinner followed by an awards presentation, and this year, we will hear directly from a former Wedgwood resident about how the four years she spent at Wedgwood transformed her life forever.
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