The mission of Community Care Services is to provide the best comprehensive mental health and substance abuse services to children, youth, adults and senior residents of the communities it serves by utilizing a highly skilled, caring and qualified staff.
Providing Hope, Building Recovery
New Press
Article from the Front Page Thursday, April 23, 2009
LINCOLN PARK: Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Former Detroit Lion shares his no-quitting attitude
Lem Barney, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who played with the Detroit Lions from 1967-77, overcame many obstacles throughout the years to become a star on the playing field. Barney was the keynote speaker last week during a graduation ceremony at Community Care Services in Lincoln Park.
LINCOLN PARK — Growing up, Lem Barney was determined to play professional football.
Since the age of 8, he dreamed of suiting up in a helmet and a pair of cleats and taking to the field.
Not many others saw the same potential in the young boy, however. He was constantly being told he was too small and too slow to make it in the game.
He went home in tears, night after night, only to be comforted by his parents, who never let him lose his dream. His determination never wavered and Barney went on to play football at Jackson State University in Mississippi. With impressive skills, both on and off the field, Barney was eyed early on by professional scouts who recognized his ability.
In 1967, he was the Detroit Lions’ second-round draft pick. He was so impressive in his first season that he was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. His career spanned 11 years before he retired in 1977.
The tenacity that helped the Hall of Fame cornerback win many accolades over the years is the same skill he now hopes to instill in others. “You need to dare to dream big,” he said. “Dreams can come true. It can happen to you if you believe it.”
Barney, 63, of Commerce Township, delivered that message as the keynote speaker last week during a graduation ceremony for the supported education classes through Community Care Services in Lincoln Park.Forty-nine people, ages 18 to 78, graduated from the program, which is aimed at helping individuals in recovery from psychiatric disabilities and substance- abuse disorders. Many of them now are set to attend mainstream college and vocational educational courses.
In order to graduate, the participants completed a 28-week course, which is taught at Madonna University, Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University. Grant money pays for the program, allowing the participants to attend for free.
“You are over comers,” Barney told the packed audience. “The graduates today overcame many obstacles. … You have to believe in order to achieve. … Keep on keeping on.”
While he resisted the temptation to try marijuana for years, Barney said he ultimately cracked to the pressure.Soon after he started getting high, he got hooked on cocaine and battled drug addiction for years.
During his sixth year in the NFL, his drug use was so intense that he ended up being hospitalized, Barney said. Not only does he understand and empathize with the struggles the graduates overcame, he said, but he knows of the bright futures that lie ahead for them now that they have pulled their lives together.
Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it, he said. “When you don’t have a mind, you have nothing,” he said. “A mind is everything.”
Ginger Short of Belleville said she was inspired by Barney’s speech and now believes she can achieve things in life that before she thought were impossible. This is her second time going through the supported education classes and she hopes to become a peer support specialist so she can help people just starting out in the program. Verdrina Matthews of Detroit addressed the graduating class with a speech she titled, “My Name is Not Important.” She said she didn’t feel right about talking about herself when the emphasis should be on each and every person who stuck out the 28 weeks and walked away with a framed certificate declaring their achievement. “Everybody who is here today struggled and overcame things,” she said. “Some people need help. If we put labels and judge people, that’s all they will be. … If people are trying, struggling, whatever, be supportive.”
Barney, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 1992, echoed the importance of encouragement. He has a message for those who doubted him and did everything but encourage him as a youngster with a dream. “Now who has the last laugh?” he said.
Contact Staff Writer Jason Alley at jalley@heritage.com or at 1-734-246-0867.
4-30-2009
Spring 2009 News Letter
Detroit Lion’s Great to Speak at Graduation
Lincoln Park, MI- April 6, 2009
Widely respected as one of the premier comer backs in pro football, NFL Hall of Famer and former Detroit Lion,
Lem Barney will speak to a Community Care Services Supported Education graduating class on April 16th, 2009 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 25160 Outer Drive, Lincoln Park, MI.
The Supported Education Program is a valuable psycho-social rehabilitation program helping individuals in recovery from psychiatric disabilities and substance abuse disorders return to secondary education such as, vocational schooling and college. The Supported Education Program currently teaches a 28 week course at Madonna University, Wayne County Community College, and Wayne State University. The Supported Education Program operates out of comunity Care Services (CCS), a Community Mental Health agency in Wayne County servicing over 5,000 consumers annually.
.“We are honoured to have Lem Barney speak to our consumers at this significant event.The graduates of this program have overcome many obstacles to get to this point in their lives, and Mr. Barney’s encouragement and inspirational message will be very meaningful to them as they take their next steps in recovery.” notes CCS Executive Director Bill Walsh.
Community Care Services Offers Unique Children’s Programs
Lincoln Park, MI – February 9, 2009
Community Care Services (CCS), a mental health and substance abuse services organization, has taken a unique, leading edge approach to treating developmental issues in children.
CCS has begun their children’s Winter/Spring 2009 Literacy program a/k/a “Word Detective,” led by therapists, Margot Wodkowski and Tanya Bertram. “Word Detective” is a restorative program for CCS clients, ages 7-13. “We provide psycho-social support, peer advocacy and socialization with a strong emphasis on learning and literacy,” notes Wodkowski. “Positive role playing and
interaction are key to reinforcing the self esteem and confidence of these kids,” she continued.
The program is held every other Thursday from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. through the end of May at Community Care Services, Taylor unit. The 2009 Summer Literacy program begins the month of June and includes 4 unique and instructive field trips to cultural and educational facilities throughout the Detroit area.
Wodkowski, is also a trained Dance/Movement therapist, an emotional healing program originated after World War II by Marian Chace, a renowned dance therapist. Margot often incorporates this technique in her rehabilitation process.
“Dragonflies and Butterflies” is a further socialization program specifically tailored for young girls. It addresses the challenges and contrasts of life, peer socialization and self esteem issues unique to young girls.
In October, Community Care Services will conduct a “Grief and Death Seminar” focused on dealing with the emotional trauma children face when losing someone or something they love.To be considered for these programs, parents must apply through Community Care Services, Lincoln Park Offices
www.comcareserv.org – 313-382-7861
Community Care Services Announces New Board President
Serving God From A Harley
Lincoln Park, MI, - December 8, 2008
Lincoln Park based Community Care Services
(CCS), a mental health and substance abuse agency that takes a holistic approach to wellness, has named Riverview Pastor Blaine Faircloth as their new board president. His duties begin December 11, 2008.
This Pastor brings a fresh perspective. “I may not fit the traditional mold people expect,” notes Faircloth. “My approach is to be active and out there where I can identify with people…everyday people who make this community run…I see riding motorcycles as a part of that, not to mention it’s something I like to do,“ he continues.
“Our choice of Pastor Faircloth has as much to do with his ability to reach out to our community as it does with our confidence in his leadership role,” says William P. Walsh, CCS Executive Director.
Faircloth brings a wealth of experience. He is the Senior Pastor of the Riverview Church of God, where he has served for the past 11 years. He has been in the ministry
for 27 years serving as a staff pastor, senior pastor, and in denominational administrative positions, in Michigan, New England, and Florida. Throughout his life, Pastor Faircloth has been involved in community service through various agencies and service organizations, endeavouring to creatively influence and energize the community he serves.
Community Care Services is a 501©3 non profit treating nearly 5,000 clients per year in multiple
locations. These 5,000 received nearly 110,000 face-to-face contacts in 2007. Community Care
Services exists to provide the best comprehensive mental health and substance abuse services
to children, youth, adults and senior residents of the communities it serves by utilizing a highly
skilled, caring and qualified staff. For more information visit
www.comcareserv.org
