Wedgwood's Coffee Break Conversation

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“Yes, it's big work that we do, and it's super important, but I like the opportunity to pour into other people, to develop them to give them the skills and the tools that have made me successful in my role, and help them be successful in theirs.”

Justin Malcolm is one of Wedgwood Christian Services’ incredible Residential Treatment Home Supervisors, who knows that investing in people and helping them develop their skills is crucial – crucial to his team feeling confident and capable in their work, and crucial for the treatment and care of the kids in Wedgwood’s Residential Program. And it’s all tied together by a calling to make an impact.

In this Coffee Break Conversation, Justin shares why this “weird and sometimes hard” work is so important, how good leadership and investing in staff makes a difference in our kids’ lives, and why Wedgwood is a special place to work and heal.

Are you committed, passionate and tired of being compared to a superhero? Do you just want to be yourself? Bring experience and expertise – and a deep desire to make a difference to a supportive place where you can do just that while feeling valued. If you’re ready to let someone invest in you for a change, head on over to www.wedgwood.org/takeoffyourcape to join Wedgwood’s team and extend God’s love to youth, adults, and families today.

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“All of our community depends on how we take care of our children. And the health of the community today dictates where we're going tomorrow. It might not feel like it affects us right now, but it will affect us.”

When kids have experienced trauma and are removed from their homes and communities for one reason or another, Wedgwood serves as a place where kids can heal and continue to grow. Jason Lheureux, an Associate Director of Residential Programs here at Wedgwood, knows that Residential Care is never the ideal situation for a child, but when it is necessary for the well-being and safety of a child, there’s an opportunity to build skills, empower growth, and establish better supports moving forward.

In this Coffee Break Conversation, Jason chats about Wedgwood’s residential programs, our creative, individualized approach to care, and how we have an opportunity to focus on others.

Want to jump in to important work and make a difference in our community? Head on over to www.wedgwood.org/join-our-team to see all opportunities to join our team and apply today!

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“Here at Wedgwood, we see you as a person first, and we want to meet you where you're at, and we want to help. We don't see you as a diagnosis, you are always a person first.”

The complexity and intensity of mental and behavioral needs continues to grow. Brina Tiemeyer, Clinical Supervisor in Wedgwood’s Community Mental Health Programs, knows that to address this growing need, individuals need integrated, well-rounded, tailored care.

In this Coffee Break Conversation, Brina talks about the amplified mental health needs of our community, the benefits of integrated care, and how Wedgwood is here to help.

Learn more about Wedgwood’s integrated mental and behavioral health services at www.wedgwood.org/counseling.

• To get connected to the Counseling intake team, call 616.942.7294 or email [email protected]
• To get connected to the Psychiatry intake team, call 616.831.5641 or email [email protected] 
• To get connected to the Substance Use Disorder Treatment intake team, call 616.930.5004 OR 616.240.0612, or email [email protected] 

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“It's not about us as individuals. It's not really, dare I say, it's not even about therapy. It's about relationships and growth.”

Wedgwood’s Residential Program offers safety, stability, and care to kids who have experienced some form of trauma in their young lives – which is sometimes compounded by other challenges like developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments. Scott Peterson has spent the last 8 years working with these teens in Wedgwood’s VanderArk Program, providing specialize residential care in a variety of roles – currently as the therapist.

In this Coffee Break Conversation, Scott talks about the importance of showing up, building relationships, and how sometimes it’s not even really about the therapy.

Learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of kids at Wedgwood, visit www.wedgwood.org/get-involved/

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“My best piece of advice for everyone in the audience is that when trauma and mental health, substance abuse, any of these aspects are on the table. The only way out is through, talk about it stop avoiding the situation.”

Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation. 

In this Coffee Break Conversation, our final in the State of the Child series, we hear final words of wisdom and advice from our panel of experts. 

Our panel of experts includes:

• Chris Becker | Kent County Prosecuting Attorney
• Kali Jackson | Wedgwood Residential Treatment Therapist
• Dr. Lisa Lowery | Spectrum Health Section Chief of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
• Kevin Polston | Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent
• Kari Schulte | Wedgwood Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor
• Moderated by Maranda of ABC 4 West Michigan

For more information about Wedgwood’s State of the Child visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc. 

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“A healthy relationship is not a one-and-done conversation. It’s about opening the space and having that ongoing conversation, and showing that you care.”

Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation. 

In this Coffee Break Conversation, our second in the State of the Child series, we dive into a conversation about Healthy Relationships. Teens from Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE student leadership group shared their thoughts with our moderator Maranda, and then our panel of experts weigh in with their professional input. 

Our panel of experts includes:

• Chris Becker | Kent County Prosecuting Attorney
• Kali Jackson | Wedgwood Residential Treatment Therapist
• Dr. Lisa Lowery | Spectrum Health Section Chief of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
• Kevin Polston | Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent
• Kari Schulte | Wedgwood Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor
• Moderated by Maranda of ABC 4 West Michigan

For more information about Wedgwood’s State of the Child visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc. 

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“I feel like social media is part of the reason why there's so much stress and anxiety.”

Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation. 

In this Coffee Break Conversation, our fourth in the State of the Child series, we dive into a conversation about Life Online. Teens from Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE student leadership group shared their thoughts with our moderator Maranda, and then our panel of experts weigh in with their professional input. 

Our panel of experts includes:

• Chris Becker | Kent County Prosecuting Attorney
• Kali Jackson | Wedgwood Residential Treatment Therapist
• Dr. Lisa Lowery | Spectrum Health Section Chief of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
• Kevin Polston | Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent
• Kari Schulte | Wedgwood Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor
• Moderated by Maranda of ABC 4 West Michigan

For more information about Wedgwood’s State of the Child visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc. 

Support the show

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“I like to have the open and honest conversation with kids. Thank them for telling me, but then what can we do? Why are you vaping? Okay, so you're anxious, tell me a little bit more about that. And then how can I help you?”

Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation. 

In this Coffee Break Conversation, our third in the State of the Child series, we dive into a conversation about Substance Use. Teens from Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE student leadership group shared their thoughts with our moderator Maranda, and then our panel of experts weigh in with their professional input. 

Our panel of experts includes:

• Chris Becker | Kent County Prosecuting Attorney
• Kali Jackson | Wedgwood Residential Treatment Therapist
•  Dr. Lisa Lowery | Spectrum Health Section Chief of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
• Kevin Polston | Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent
• Kari Schulte | Wedgwood Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor
• Moderated by Maranda of ABC 4 West Michigan

For more information about Wedgwood’s State of the Child visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc. 

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes!

Send us Fan Mail

“I think it's really important for adults to be a safe place for kids, whether that's a teacher, whether that's a parent, whether that's a coach, we need to put our phones down, and we need to be making eye contact with our kids. They need to know that you're present and that you're there and that you're a safe space for them.”

Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation. 

In this Coffee Break Conversation, our second in the State of the Child series, We dive into a conversation about Trauma. Teens from Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE student leadership group shared their thoughts with our moderator Maranda, and then our panel of experts weigh in with their professional input. 

Our panel of experts includes:

• Chris Becker | Kent County Prosecuting Attorney
• Kali Jackson | Wedgwood Residential Treatment Therapist
• Dr. Lisa Lowery | Spectrum Health Section Chief of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
• Kevin Polston | Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent
• Kari Schulte | Wedgwood Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor
• Moderated by Maranda of ABC 4 West Michigan

For more information about Wedgwood’s State of the Child visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc. 

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes!

Send us Fan Mail

“Childhood seems fun. But there are things that people are going through, and there are even times where like, we just put on a show. Most of us kids are really good actors, and you might not believe it.”

Local teens and community experts shared candid insights and valuable expertise on Mental Health, Trauma, Substance Use, Life Online, and Healthy Relationships at Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation. 

In this Coffee Break Conversation, we kick off our State of the Child series with a conversation about Mental Health. Teens from Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE student leadership group shared their thoughts with our moderator Maranda, and then our panel of experts weigh in with their professional input. 

Our panel of experts includes:

• Chris Becker | Kent County Prosecuting Attorney
• Kali Jackson | Wedgwood Residential Treatment Therapist
• Dr. Lisa Lowery | Spectrum Health Section Chief of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
• Kevin Polston | Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent
• Kari Schulte | Wedgwood Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor
• Moderated by Maranda of ABC 4 West Michigan

For more information about Wedgwood’s State of the Child visit www.wedgwood.org/sotc. 

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes!