Affinia Healthcare, in partnership with CHANGE nonprofit organization, launched a program for youth to speak openly and safely about their mental health and other important issues. Five months ago, Youth Support Group was developed. 

“The overall feedback from youth that attend is that they like the program,” said Affinia Healthcare Outreach Director LaDon Meriweather. “The adults helping to facilitate this program have experienced some of the same challenges the kids are now faced with, making the adults become more relatable and easier for the youth to communicate with.” 

CHANGE is an organization working directly with youth in the community teaching them deescalation tactics, helping to build confidence, developing future leaders and more. 

“CHANGE really does the work, and this is why we chose to partner with them for this program,” said Meriweather. 

This program stems from a grant awarded to Affinia Healthcare for $100,000 which ends in August.  

“The grant was awarded by the City of St. Louis, Office of Violence Prevention under its initiative to reduce crime among at-risk youth,” said Affinia Healthcare Vice President, Development and Community Relations Yvonne Buhlinger.  

The first cohort began in September and will end next month with a ceremony to recognize the achievements of the youth. The second cohort is scheduled to begin next month and will conclude later this year. 

Affinia Healthcare offers behavioral health treatment for children up to 18 years old through the Child Development Center (CDC). The CDC offers wraparound services with a multidisciplinary team of specialists including psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and speech therapists. 

In addition, Affinia Healthcare provides support to adult men and women in the community with A Conversation, Women’s Perinatal Loss & Grief Support, and Women’s Grief Support Group, programs designed to assist with mental health issues and more for community members and patients. 

To schedule an appointment with Affinia Healthcare, please call 314-814-8700. To schedule an appointment with the CDC, please call 314-814-8616 for the Biddle Street location or 314-814-8777 for the Lemp Avenue location. For additional information about Affinia Healthcare and services offered, please visit www.affiniahealthcare.org.