The Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Program located at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, WI is one program many are unaware of or tend to forget. This program provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the assessment, treatment, and disposition planning of children and adolescents experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues within the context of the family, school and community setting. This acute care center provides a safe environment for evaluating mood, anxiety and thought disorders, eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disruptive behavior disorders, as well as grief and past abuse issues.
Tracey, the owner of Grassroots, toured the facility to see how we could help support the needs of this program. In doing so, was impressed with the compassion and commitment the staff members had in regards to the care and needs of their patients. It is an honor that our community houses a program that services may surrounding counties to help ” these children” of our future. During the visit Tracey discovered that many of the children are brought to this facility with little or no clothing. The children are supplied with clothing, when available and are able to take them home. There is always a CLOTHING NEED. For the months of July-September Grassroots will be collecting new or gently used clothing (sweatpants, sweatshirts, pants, shirts sizes XS-XL) new socks and underwear (Girl and Boy age 5-16) and/or cash donations. This visit really tugged at Tracey’s heart strings as she left the parking lot that day filled with emotion and tears. Being a mother of three, she tried to imagine how hard the challenge of having a child with mental illness could be and how comforting to know that there is hope, direction, and people out there who truly care.
We encourage you the next time you visit the salon to please bring in your donated items. Summer is a great time to clean out your closet or attend a rummage sale galore, pick up a few inexpensive clothing items that would make a great contribution and bring a smile to a child in need.
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.-James M. Barrie
For more information about services offered, call Affinity NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900 or www.affinityhealth.org.
