Gryphon Place

?? Gryphon Place is honored to partner with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo and other amazing community organizations to help bring Thanksgiving meals to 750 local families in need! Through the power of collaboration, over 100 volunteers will be working together to pack and deliver these meals directly to families' homes. We're thankful to work alongside dedicated partners like Kalamazoo Valley Community College, New World Flood, SpartanNash, and the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo in this meaningful initiative. Together, we're creating a stronger, more supportive community this holiday season. Special thanks to the CIS site coordinators in 23 Kalamazoo schools who help identify families who could benefit from this program. This is what community support looks like! ?? https://lnkd.in/ekyHPeqW

????A Year of Resilience, Innovation, and Community Support??? ? We are exceptionally proud to share 5 of the top things Gryphon Place did to serve our community this year!? ? During the May 7 tornadoes, we mobilized immediately, coordinating emergency response efforts and establishing a Donation Management Center. Our 2-1-1 calls increased by 40%, connecting individuals to critical resources during a time of need. We launched the Justice Lifted Arrest Diversion Program, providing young people with supportive alternatives to criminal justice system involvement and connecting families to community-based resources. We've returned to downtown Kalamazoo, at 505 S. Park St. with our C.O.R.R.E. Center, bringing essential services closer to those who need them. Our 8th Street office received a renovation, adding collaborative meeting and training spaces that we're excited to share with the community. We're preparing to launch our Community Information Exchange?, a groundbreaking initiative to simplify access to critical services and support. ? At Gryphon Place, our mission is simple: to be there for our community, every step of the way.???

??Congratulations to our CEO, Maricela Alcala!?? Maricela was the keynote speaker at the 2024 Salute to Latinas, where she inspired the audience with her powerful words and vision for the future. She was also awarded the Diamond Award from Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, which is a special honor given to a woman of color who shines as a leader, advocate, and source of hope for her community. Maricela, we are so proud of your achievements and grateful for the example you set for all of us. Thank you for your tireless commitment to making a difference!

Thank you, Megan Taylor, for your incredible six years of dedication to Gryphon Place! During your time on the Finance Committee, you brought invaluable expertise and knowledge to our organization. We are so grateful for your commitment and impact on our mission. Wishing you all the best!

Last week, Sarah and Susanna experienced the powerful Tony Award-winning musical 'Dear Evan Hansen' at Miller Auditorium. Recognizing the show's intense emotional themes, we were proud to provide resources and support to our community. Theater can open important conversations, and we're here to support those discussions.

Meet the amazing Ashley B. from our Community & Partner Engagement team! A proud graduate of The Ohio State University, Ashley brings her passion for helping others to Gryphon Place, where she's continued to grow and advance in her role. When she's not making a difference in our community, you'll find her conquering mountain trails (including the Superstition Mountains!) or planning her next adventure - a Rim to Rim hike of the Grand Canyon. An avid outdoor enthusiast and former English teacher in Prague, Ashley brings unique perspectives and experiences to our team. And yes, she might just be the ultimate Taylor Swift fan in our office (though we haven't officially confirmed this through a carpool karaoke competition... yet!) We’d love to have you come to work alongside us - check out our open positions at gryphon.org/careers

A message from our CEO, Maricela Alcala:

Thank you for your service - today and every day. This Veterans Day, we want every Veteran to know: You're not alone, and it's okay to ask for help. If you're a Veteran going through a difficult time, these resources are available 24/7: ??Veterans Crisis Line: 9-8-8, then press 1 ??Text: 838255 ??Online chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net Whether you're dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or just need someone to talk to - trained professionals who understand military experience are ready to listen, without judgment. To our Veterans: Your mental health matters. You are not alone.

?? Make MLK Day 2025 A "Day On, Not A Day Off"! ?? Calling all Kalamazoo organizations! Are you in need of volunteers for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 20th? Register today at https://lnkd.in/ex2bugNX Every year, Gryphon Place partners with the City of Kalamazoo to organize this meaningful community-wide day of service. As the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, MLK Day inspires Americans to give back to their communities through volunteering. Volunteers be sure to register at the Volunteer Center of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo and stay tuned for MLK Day opportunities: go.gryphon.org/ We hope you’ll join us to honor Dr. King's legacy through service!