Gryphon Place

THE MISSION OF GRYPHON PLACE IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT AND CRISIS, FOSTER VOLUNTEERISM AND MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. GRYPHON PLACE PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SERVICES DESIGNED TO MEET THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

2-1-1 INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE: PROVIDES QUICK AND EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES IN THE KALAMAZOO AND SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN AND TOLEDO, OHIO REGIONS. COMMUNITY RESOURCE ADVISORS WORK WITH CALLERS TO ASSESS NEEDS, DETERMINE OPTIONS AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS/SERVICES, GIVE SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE CALLER AS NEEDED. CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND ANSWERED WITH RESPECT, EMPATHY AND COMPASSION. GRYPHON PLACE IS A REGIONAL PARTNER FOR MICHIGAN 2-1-1. GRYPHON PLACE ALSO HANDLES 2-1-1 CALLS FOR OTHER MICHIGAN REGIONS DURING OFF HOURS.

CRISIS SERVICES - HELP-LINE OPERATES 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR AND IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF KALAMAZOO, ALLEGAN, VAN BUREN, BERRIEN AND CASS COUNTIES. CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND ANSWERED WITH RESPECT, EMPATHY AND COMPASSION. ANYTIME A PERSON FEELS OVERWHELMED BY LIFE STRESSORS, NEEDS SOMEONE TO LISTEN TO THEM, NEEDS TO SORT THROUGH THEIR THOUGHTS, OR NEEDS HELP SOLVING A PROBLEM, THE HELP-LINE CAN BE USED. GRYPHON PLACE STAFF ARE EXPERTLY TRAINED IN SUICIDE PREVENTION AND ARE FULLY CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY. GRYPHON PLACE IS PART OF THE NATIONAL SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE NETWORK AND MEETS NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR BEST PRACTICES FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION HOT LINES. CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) TEAMS ARE ADMINISTERED AND COORDINATED BY GRYPHON PLACE USING VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY. TEAMS QUICKLY RESPOND TO GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY A TRAUMATIC EVENT, HELPING THEM TO PROCESS THEIR REACTIONS AND EDUCATING THEM ON STRESS SYMPTOMS. CISM TEAMS HELP PEOPLE AFTER A TRAUMATIC EVENT IN ALL TYPES OF SETTINGS INCLUDING SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, HOSPITALS, NEIGHBORHOODS, POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THEY DEBRIEF COMMUNITY GROUPS AS WELL AS FIRST RESPONDERS. GRYPHON PLACE ALSO PROVIDES MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS FOR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE. THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ANYONE WHO HAS LOST A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE TO SUICIDE.

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES SERVICES - GRYPHON PLACE'S RESTORATIVE PRACTICES OFFER A STRUCTURED PROCESS FOR RESOLVING CONFLICT USING A TRAINED FACILITATOR. THE FACILITATOR ASSISTS THOSE INVOLVED TO DISCUSS THE CONFLICT IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE SETTING, WHETHER THE CONFLICTS ARE FAMILY DISPUTES, WORK OR SCHOOL CONFLICTS, COMMUNITY ISSUES AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. GRYPHON PLACE ALSO OFFERS PORACTIVE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TO DEVELOP AND BUILD COMMUNITY. OUR YOUTH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS TEACH AND EMPOWER YOUTH TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS PEACEFULLY, REPAIR HARM, ADDRESS BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND BUILD COMMUNITY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A TRAINED FACILITATOR. THE PROGRAM HELPS REDUCE VIOLENCE, TRUANCY, DETENTION/SUSPENSION/EXPLUSION RATES AND BULLYING.

THE GATEKEEPER PROGRAM REACHES OUT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHES THEM SUICIDE PREVENTION SKILLS AND IMMEDIATELY CONNECTS AT-RISK YOUTH TO LIFESAVING SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL HELP. THE CURRICULUM IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO APPROXIMATELY 4,000 STUDENTS IN THE 7TH AND 9TH GRADES.