GRO Community

Recently, our participants had the amazing opportunity to visit Governors State University, where they learned about the journey of being a college student and the significance of higher education. During this inspiring visit, we celebrated our incredible Executive Director, Jerry Davis-EL, who was honored by GSU as a notable figure in Black History! His dedication and leadership continue to inspire us all. Thank you, Jerry, for being a beacon of hope and a driving force in our community! Let's continue to strive for excellence together! #GroCommunity #HigherEducation #BlackHistoryMonth #Inspiration

We were honored to welcome the world-renowned Dr. Umar Johnson to Cincinnati, where he shared powerful insights with an engaged audience. His message resonated deeply, sparking meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities within the African American community. In addition to this impactful event, our very own GRO Community CEO, Aaron Mallory, LCSW, hosted Dr. Umar Johnson on his podcast, diving into critical issues affecting our communities and the nation. ?? Take a moment to view photos from this unforgettable experience! #GROCommunity #DrUmarJohnson #CommunityEmpowerment #BlackExcellence

Yesterday, we were blessed in a tremendous way at Gro Community! A heartfelt thank you to New Faith Baptist Church-International for their generous donation of $10,000 to support our non-profit organization. This incredible contribution will help us continue our mission of changing lives through therapeutic services and workforce development. A special shoutout to Pastor Felder, Reverend Vines, and Reverend Tony for believing in our work and wanting to see it flourish for those in need. We are extremely grateful for this blessing and look forward to making an even greater impact in our community. Together, we can change lives! #GroCommunity #Gratitude #MakingADifference

Exciting Update from the Gro Community Rockford Team! They recently had the opportunity to tour the OSF Strive Trauma Recovery Center, where they learned about the incredible therapy and hospital services offered. They were especially inspired by the upcoming Violence Recovery Program! It’s amazing to see the impactful work being done in the community, and they look forward to continuing their connection with the center. Together, they can make a difference! #CommunitySupport #OSFStrive #TogetherWeCan

Special shoutout to our amazing Gro Rockford team! They recently attended the Jackson Charter School Community Breakfast Event, where they had the opportunity to connect with various organizations and local leaders in Rockford. It's inspiring to see our team actively engaging with the community and fostering valuable relationships. Thank you for representing us so well! #CommunityEngagement #GroRockford #Teamwork

On Friday, January 17th, we celebrated a significant milestone as 10 incredible participants of our Gro Community AWFD workforce development cohort graduated during a rewarding and reflective ceremony. These men have navigated the highs and lows of life, and over the past 16 weeks, they have gained invaluable skills in emotional regulation, financial literacy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. They even learned how to make t-shirts in our Gro Print shop, embracing the journey of change and the creation of better lives for themselves and their families. Congratulations to these difference makers! We are thrilled about their futures and can't wait to see the positive impact they'll have in their communities. Join us in congratulating them on their achievements! #GroCommunity #Graduation #Empowerment

Our very own Illinois Regional Director, Rashaud Media, recently had the incredible opportunity to teach a practicum class, sharing insights about who GRo Community is and the impactful work we do. It's always a pleasure to connect with emerging social workers and discuss the various practicum and internship opportunities available in our field. A huge thank you to Dr. Brinker and the Social Work Department for having us and for your continued support in nurturing the next generation of social work professionals. Together, we’re making a difference! #GRoCommunity #SocialWork #EmergingProfessionals #ThankYou

???Meet Dr. Ryan Reed: Southern Illinois Supervisor at GRO Community??? At GRO Community, we’re proud to have incredible leaders like Dr. Ryan Reed, who is passionate about the life-changing work we do every day. ?? Dr. Reed believes in the power of healing and repairing the lives of boys and men from our communities. "Providing services to people who look like us is a powerful part of the healing process," he says. Through trauma-informed care and culturally relevant support, Dr. Reed and the GRO Community team are committed to creating brighter futures for boys and men of color. Together, we’re transforming lives and uplifting communities. ????? Join us on this mission. Learn more at?www.grocommunity.org. #GROCommunity #TraumaInformedCare #HealingTogether #SouthernIllinois #MentalHealthMatters

Meet our incredible Gro Community Chief Operations Officer, Selena Smith! Selena truly understands the importance of providing vital mental health services for Black boys and men. With her unwavering passion, she is dedicated to empowering and uplifting individuals from marginalized communities. Join us in supporting the meaningful work of Gro Community and learn more about our initiatives at www.GroCommunity.org. Together, we can make a difference! #MentalHealthMatters #Empowerment #GroCommunity

Yesterday Gro staff and workforce development participants visited Chicago Federal Reserve Money Museum as an experiential learning trip. After a 16-week budgeting workshop, they had an opportunity to learn about the evolution of Money, it's history and impact on the local economy. Staff and participants engaged in a 45 min treasure hunt to promote team building, critical thinking and education about money. Gro isn't only addressing the mental health disparities in communities but turning the tides of financial traumas inflicted on these communities as well. Congrats to our participants and those not pictured. #GroYourFinance