GRIP : News

Associate Membership available for government, community organizations, and others. What does GRIP membership mean? GRIP is a coalition organization - so GRIP is our members: who they are, and what members do and identify as activities, actions, programs are more than the products of GRIP - they are GRIP. Please call or visit our Support GRIP tab to complete an application form today!

West County Residents experiencing Violence - related Anxiety or Other Stress Reactions can call the Contra Costa Mental Health Access Line: 888-678-7277. See, our Resources Page for more information.

GRIP is embarking on a number of projects to develop violence prevention and violence response strategies and programs in West County. These range from youth development opportunities, to the Mental Health Task Force and Police and Emergency response Teams, and more.

The Building Blocks for Kids is a coalition of 27 agencies and groups focusing on the challenges faced by those from birth to age 25 in our community, especially in the Iron triangle. This program is to be modeled after a successful project from Harlem, NY, the Harlem Children's Zone.

Mental Health Task Force: GRIP is leading a new effort to identify service delivery options and create an effective, safe system that protects and helps those living with mental illness, their families and communities. This is an issue that directly affect GRIP, through our clients and our neighbors from all walks of life.

The GRIP Mental Health Task Force met May 1. The meeting was attended by GRIP Board Members Joe Orr, Father Donald MacKinnon and Dorothy Herzberg. Donna Wigand, Contra Costa County Mental Health Director and two of her staff, several community and NAMI members.
Current mental health services, needs and access were discussed. Primary conversation focused upon two recent deaths of mentally ill persons in custody of the Richmond Police. Mental Health staff assisted in a review of the pending closing and moving of the Richmond Health Clinic and the 24th Street Mental Health Clinic closure; key elements of the former clinic are proposed to be moved to El Portal. The moving/closing of the two facilities will result in no mental health treatment in Richmond for adults.

Task Force recommendations agreed upon at this meeting:
- petition the Board of Supervisors to provide transportation for Richmond adults seeking mental health treatment should the facilities be moved or closed as proposed. The group also recommended a letter from GRIP to the Board of Supervisors and speakers to petition the Board of Supervisors at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
- Form a West County NAMI and help to locate a site for a Mental Health Education/Support Group.
Additional Mental Health News: as a member of the County’s “stakeholders’ group” for the Mental Health Services Act for the Prevention and Early Intervention initiative, GRIP's Executive Director attended the two final meetings in April. The group has completed its work setting priorities for a plan to be submitted to the State of California for about $7.1 million.

Richmond Chamber votes GRIP best nonprofit of 2007

West County Cities vote to fund GRIP: Hercules, El Cerrito, San Pablo each to write checks for $12,500; Pinole gives $6,000 for our Family Housing Program.
GRIP goes solar: The first solar powered shelter in the state, the Federal Home Loan and Mechanics Bank made it possible. Now, instead of spending $4,000 a month on power and heating, we can use those monies for programming and other needs. AND we reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment!
Crestmont School again names GRIP recipient of annual charity fundraiser along with Nature Conservancy. For twenty years, this parent-teacher cooperative elementary school in Richmond has donated to GRIP. This project is run by the students with help from their parents and faculty. The students select the organizations to which they wish to donate - the Nature Conservancy along with GRIP have been selected - and then organize and make items for sale in three annual bazaars. The items made range from ornaments, scarves, food, games, and in the process the children learn finance and marketing as well as other skills and about those they choose to help. This year, they presented GRIP with one-half their proceeds - a check for $2,888.70. Crestmont currently is enrolling. For more information contact the school at: 510-237-9336, or, visit their web site: www.crestmontschool.org