The Resilience Coalition celebrated its accomplishments, collaborations and partnerships with community behavioral health providers, school districts and the faith community Thursday, June 23, 2016, at an afternoon event at the Dome Conference Center in St. Louis. This comes at a time when the Resilience Coalition transitions it mental health efforts to community programs like Alive and Well St. Louis, Bridges to Care and Recovery and the St. Louis City and County System of Care.
The Coalition members and partners stepped in as the strong but quiet presence providing the critical, emotional support needed by the children, families and residents of Ferguson and north St. Louis County following the traumatic events in their community.
“It has been inspiring to work with these dedicated colleagues and professionals,” said Laurent Javois, Chair of the Resilience Coalition and Eastern Regional Executive Officer for the Department of Mental Health. “One piece of our legacy will be the listening sessions hosted by organizations throughout the area and facilitated by Joe Yancey of Places for People, Vetta Thompson with the Washington University, Brown School of Social Work, and Khatib Waheed, the Coalition’s Assistant Coordinator. Their efforts exemplify the compassion and commitment that fosters healing and promotes emotional wellness.”
The Resilience Coalition was established in August 2014 by the Directors of the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Social Services. It was sanctioned to work with St. Louis community leaders to assist families and schools in teaching resilience and promoting hope for a better life for all children in the North St. Louis area.
“I am very proud of the work the Resilience Coalition has done. These dedicated individuals and organizations gave selflessly of their time and a talent to respond to immediate, emotional needs of their communities.” said Mark Stringer, Director of the Department of Mental Health. “We recognize and celebrate their efforts. I am confident the transition of supports to these exceptional community partners will build on the Coalition’s strong foundation.”
In addition to the state departments, agencies involved in the Resilience Coalition include: Allies in Healthcare, BJC Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Network, Behavioral Health Response, Bridges to Care & Recovery, Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis, Crider Health Center-Compass Health Network, Great Circle, Harris Stowe State University, Hopewell, Metropolitan Police Department-North Patrol Division, Missouri Coalition of Community Behavioral Healthcare, Missouri Foundation for Health, National Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Office of Community Engagement, Places for People, Preferred Family Healthcare, Regional Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, St. Louis Department of Human Services, St. Louis Initiative to Reduce Violence (SIRV), St. Louis Mental Health Board, St. Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, United Way, and Washington University.