Wedgwood Christian Services has owned the three-story Kentwood facility adjacent to its main campus since its construction in 2010. After housing a variety of programs over the years, it will now house teens for three-to-six-month periods as they continue developing essential living skills.
“It’s dedicated to helping individuals, youth, who have been through some significant trauma - trauma that you and I would struggle to imagine – who have done well coping with that and managing that.”
Dr. Dan Gowdy is CEO of Wedgwood. He says there is a significant need for these programs, with roughly 10,000 kids in Michigan’s child welfare system and 4,000 being added each year. Many teens who age out of the foster care system are expected to have independent life skills at age 16.
“Imagine when you’re 16 having to have all the skills and abilities to live on your own.”
Gowdy says the Audere Home aims to supply those skills.
“Audere is that transitional living program. It’s a 10-bed home designed for teens ages about 15 to 18 who have successfully completed their mental health treatment program but need continued support preparing for independent living.”
The facility will celebrate its grand opening on October 9th.
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