Thompson Child & Family Focus, a leading nonprofit provider of treatment, care and education for at-risk children and families, will officially unveil its new Thompson Family Services Center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Board members, elected officials, donors, supporters, staff and families and residents of the Grier Heights community are invited to the ceremony at 769 N. Wendover Road. The media is also invited.
The agency is relocating (and expanding) all the programs housed in its 7th Street campus to the 3.65-acre Wendover Rd. campus. The 16,697-square-foot center will provide education, care and intensive support for some of the region’s most at-risk populations. Thompson’s programs include Foster Care, Outpatient Therapy, Intensive In-Home services, School-based Intervention Therapy, Parent Education, Family Partners and Family Mentors. Along with the additional space, Thompson will add more classes and staff. Agency officials expect to serve 30 percent more children and families. Last year, Thompson provided care and support to 1,000 children and families from its 7th Street campus.
“Our relocation to Grier Heights is a strategic move,” said Mary Jo Powers, president/CEO of Thompson Child & Family Focus. “We intend to be a vital part of the community and to provide critical services that help stabilize the lives of the people who call Grier Heights home, while continuing to serve struggling families from across Mecklenburg County.
Collaborating with other groups that serve Charlotte’s at-risk families will be a priority for Thompson staff. CrossRoads – an affordable housing and community development nonprofit – is one such group. Don Gately, Crossroads president and executive director, said, “CrossRoads Corporation welcomes the contributions that Thompson Child & Family Focus will clearly make to the residents of Grier Heights and looks forward to partnering with them for the betterment of this great neighborhood.”
Thompson hopes to celebrate the community through participatory activities that build bridges, foster relationships and create ownership. The ribbon-cutting ceremony presents the first opportunity for community collaboration.
Ceramic artist Leslie Scott, a recent Charlotte transplant by way of California, has designed a 148-square-foot mosaic mural in three panels (10 feet by 4.5 feet, 11 feet by 4.5 feet and 12 feet by 4.5 feet) that will be installed on the building’s facade. The mixed-media mosaic uses broken tile, custom ceramic, stone and glass. The theme will reflect the healing journey of children and families served by Thompson.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 12, she will manage an art area where everyone can make a piece of the mural. Anyone, regardless of age or ability, can roll out a piece of clay, texture it and cut the shape.
“This mural is an apt visual metaphor for the transformational power of our mission – to help restore the lives of families in trauma and break generational cycles of unhealthy behavior,” said Rosa Underwood, Thompson’s Chief Program Officer, Prevention Services.
The Family Services Center includes libraries, a playground, planning rooms, multipurpose rooms, kitchen and spacious waiting areas.
“Court-ordered intervention and counseling happen at the center, so providing a stress-free environment for therapy and recreation was important,” said Underwood. A $25,000 grant from Messer Construction Co. provided for the development of a 5,000-square-foot playground and furnishings for child therapy rooms.
“We are committed to building better lives for our customers, communities and employees. One of the ways we do this is by giving our time and dollars to high-impact organizations like Thompson through our Foundation. The work being done at Thompson is really making a difference, and we are proud to support them,” said Steve Keckeis, vice president and region leader at Messer Construction Co. and Thompson board committee member.
The Oct. 12 event will feature brief remarks by Powers and Underwood; Thompson Board Chair Suzanne Bledsoe; Pat Rodgers, Rodgers Builders; and Steve Keckeis of Messer Construction Co. Powers will congratulate Rodgers Builders on a rare accomplishment: finishing the project ahead of schedule and under budget. Tours and refreshments will be offered.
Rodgers Builders served as general contractor; project architect was Fryday and Doyne. The LEED-certified building includes features such as: lighting controls and timers to save energy, local building materials, low water use restroom fixtures and showers for staff who walk and bike to work.
In addition to the new Grier Heights campus, Thompson operates Saint Peter’s Lane Campus (in Matthews) – Thompson Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center and agency administrative offices and Clanton Road Campus – Thompson Early Childhood Services Center, and York Place, the S.C. division of Thompson.
