This newsletter’s purpose is to share information about The Center’s people and activities in each department and by each employee, in order to highlight the contributions made by all in helping The Center reach its goals. 
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Memo from Management

It’s been a period of significant achievement and progress at The Center!

We’ve successfully navigated a series of important reviews and audits, including re-accreditation of all Comprehensive programs by The Joint Commission, a positive Fiscal and Administrative Review by the state of Illinois, and a successful compliance review of our HUD grant programs by MISI. Your hard work and dedication during these processes are truly appreciated.

Looking ahead, The Center continues to expand its impact. We’ve recently published a request for proposals for a new 16-unit apartment building at the East Campus, funded by St. Clair County. This vital project will provide much-needed housing for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, further demonstrating our commitment to the community. We also have ongoing and upcoming reviews, including a current HUD Technical Assistance review and an upcoming review of our Illinois supportive housing programs.

We have some exciting leadership futures we would love to share.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Latanya Tunstall-Robinson for her dedicated service as our Medical Director. Her contract concludes on July 4, 2025, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

We’re also incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Joseph DeLucia as our new Medical Director! Dr. DeLucia brings a wealth of experience from his many years in emergency medicine and is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine. We’re confident his expertise will be a tremendous asset to The Center.

You’ll also be seeing a new, friendly face ensuring our safety: Eric Reese is our new primary security staff from GARDA World. Eric has already begun meeting with departmental managers and is proactively working to address any security concerns, ensuring a safer environment for everyone. Welcome aboard, Eric!

Get Ready to Celebrate Juneteenth! The Center is hosting a festive BBQ on Wednesday, June 18th, for all our amazing staff. We’ll be sharing more details soon, so keep an eye out for updates. Get ready to enjoy some delicious food and celebrate this important day with your colleagues!

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and Resilience! 

Greenway Court Theatre | Greenway Celebrates Juneteenth, Picture

The Center will celebrate Juneteenth on Wenesday, June 18, 2025. Be on the lookout for more information.

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, marks a pivotal moment in American history. This holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

The origins of Juneteenth date back to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas. They brought with them news that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved individuals were free, as mandated by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had taken effect two and a half years earlier. Despite the proclamation, many enslaved people in Texas remained unaware of their freedom until the Union forces arrived, highlighting the delayed and often chaotic nature of the struggle for liberty.

Over the years, Juneteenth has evolved from a regional celebration in Texas to a nationwide recognition of African American history and culture. It is a day filled with educational events, community gatherings, and family barbecues, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and reflection on the ongoing fight against racism and systemic injustice in America.

The significance of Juneteenth lies not only in its historical context but also in its powerful message of resilience and hope. It serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the importance of continuing the work toward equity and social justice.

In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday, affirming its importance in the American narrative. As we celebrate this day, it invites everyone to engage in conversations about freedom, equality, and the collective progress we must strive to ensure that the ideals of liberty and justice for all are truly realized.

Goodbye Wanda Walker

On June 30, The Center will be saying goodbye to Wanda Walker as she retires.  With her role as payee specialist in records and billing, you may not have seen Wanda very often, but if you have you probably know her for her bright smile and friendly hellos. 

The newsletter staff had a chance to sit down with Wanda and interview her about her experiences over her 18 years working here. 

Wanda began at The Center in 2007, when a friend at church told her about the job she was retiring from. Wanda joined the Records and Billing (formerly Medical Records) department.  In 2017, she shifted within that department to take on her current payee specialist role as well. 

Over her time here, Wanda has seen many changes. “The dress code has relaxed over the years.  I remember we used to have to wear hose, even in the Summer!”  In her time under three Executive Directors, not only the dress code has changed, but Wanda is excited about all the additional programs she has seen added to help our clients. She particularly notes that she loves the Drop-In Center and recommends it to people she encounters. 

Not all the changes she’s seen have been positive. She says one of the hardest experiences she went through was funding failures from the State that resulted in mass layoffs in 2015. “I came back from vacation and the parking lot looked empty. It was a very emotional time for staff and clients. We went from 6 staff in records to just 2 of us. Between us we had to do all the work of 6 people while also working the front desk.” When asked what she’s most proud of she says “we stayed open!” continuing to serve clients and ultimately growing to serve more clients than we were able to before the cuts. 

“The variety of valuable services that we provide to a community that really needs it” is Wanda’s favorite thing about The Center, and what kept her going through such hard times. 

In retirement, Ms. Wanda is looking forward to spending more time working with the ministries of her church, gardening and taking care of her home, and spending time with her husband and family. Her first trip is already booked and she will be going to Texas to celebrate her 10th anniversary with her husband on the beach and see her children and grandchildren who live in Texas. 

When asked what she would want to say to her coworkers as she retires, Wanda offered the following wisdom: 

“Strive to do everything in excellence.  Let your work be a positive reflection of you.  Plant seeds of grace, mercy, and service and reap a harvest that will return you.” 

Wanda says she will continue to advocate for The Center and recommend it to people in need and she left us with this final piece of advice: “continue the work of reaching out to help!” 

Brian Stewart Honored by the Metro Area Professional Organization

We are thrilled to announce that Brian Stewart, our Chief Operating Officer at Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center of St. Clair County, Inc., was recently honored with a prestigious service award from the Metro Area Professional Organization (MAPO).

Mr. Stewart, alongside other distinguished honorees, received his award at a ceremony held at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

This recognition from MAPO is a testament to Brian’s unwavering commitment and profound impact on our organization and the broader community. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in allowing us to provide essential behavioral health services to those in need.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Brian Stewart for his tireless efforts and all he has done, and continues to do, for the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and the St. Clair County community.

June’s Birthdays

 Who’s New

Several new members have joined our team. We would like to welcome each of our new team members.

June is Pride Month!

June is Pride Month!  This month commemorates and honors the Gay Rights Movement that took huge strides forward after the Stonewall Riots in New York’s Greenwich Village in June, bringing national attention to the movement to end the marginalization of LGBTQ+ communities. 

Last year’s June newsletter featured a history of Pride and Stonewall.  This year we are providing some best practices for when you interact with members of the LGBTQ+ community.  Your coworkers and clients will appreciate it! 

Ask for and honor preferences.  If my name is Thomas but I tell you to call me Tom, you would have no qualms about it.  Ask people their pronouns and the name they would like to be addressed by (for many, this may HAVE to be different from the names they put on forms), then honor those choices.  Don’t make assumptions. I (Jordan) have a big beard, but I prefer They/Them pronouns.  If someone is married or dating, use spouse or partner until you know the gender identity of the person your client is with.  Avoid assuming someone who appears male (for example) has a wife or girlfriend. Some members of the community may use the word “queer” to describe themselves. This is a term that should only be used by members of the community. Using the term may indicate they have several LGBTQ+ identities (i.e. nonbinary and bisexual) or it may indicate that they don’t want to share the details of their gender or sexuality with you at this time.  Many other members of the community have experienced the use of this term as a slur and do not use it. 

Know the proper terminology for someone who is not part of the LGBTQ+ community.  Many members of the community frequently encounter people who describe LGBTQ+ people by terms like gay, lesbian, trans, etc. but they use them only for members of the community.  This sets up the idea that the split is gay/trans/lesbian vs normal. Use the proper terminology for people who are not members of the community.  Someone who is not transgender is cisgender, someone who is not gay/lesbian is straight. Use these terms when applicable to refer to yourself or others.  Better yet, there is no need to constantly refer to someone including their sexual or gender identity.  Honor the person’s preferences. 

Know the difference between sex, gender, and sexuality. 

Sex refers to the nature of one’s body and genetic makeup. To many, it is not a binary selection just between male/female. Intersex people, and people with varying numbers of sex chromosomes exist. 

Gender goes beyond biological sex to encompass the various ways that society expects men and women to “be” or “act”.  We see this even in early childhood with expectations for clothing and toys for boys and girls as well as terms for children who don’t fit the norms like “tomboy” for girls or “sensitive” for boys. People can identify as cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, or gender fluid. 

Sexuality refers to one’s preferences for who and how they engage with others in sexual relationships. Gay and Lesbian people are attracted to people of their own gender. Bisexual people are attracted to men and women. Pansexual people may not take someone’s gender into account when dating. Asexual or demisexual people may not engage in relationships at all or may not until a strong romantic connection is formed with a partner. 

Keep learning!  This guide covers only the most basic best practices.  Explore classes or books. Don’t pepper your clients or coworkers with questions unless someone gives you permission to but pay attention to your conversations with them and the way they speak about themselves or other members of the community. 

Celebrating Father’s Day: A Tribute to Dad

Father’s Day is a special occasion to honor fathers and father figures worldwide. It allows us to express our gratitude and love for those who play significant roles in our lives, including biological fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and mentors. 

 Fathers offer emotional support and guidance, positively influencing their children’s development and well-being. This day celebrates the diverse forms of fatherhood.