Growth Groups
Gray Center Growth Groups
Opportunities for participants to grow personally and interpersonally through facilitated instruction and connecting with others.
Several options for a variety of ages are available. You do not need to have a diagnosis in order to attend these meetings.
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Stay in touch:
- To receive important updates about new groups and upcoming meetings and social events (including movie nights, morning coffees, etc.), please join our mailing list
- You can join our Facebook Growth Group fan club
- You can also watch for scheduled activities on our Gray Center online calendar.
- NOTE: We occasionally have to cancel meetings due to inclement weather. Be sure to check out our "inclement weather policy" below.
Growth Group for PARENTS:
Often parents can bring about the most success for their child with autism--and their entire family--by receiving information about autism, and strategies for managing difficult behaviors, encouraging communication, teaching valuable social skills, accessing outside supports, etc., and by connecting with others who can provide valuable encouragement and support. Our parent meetings are an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect in meaningful ways!
For parents of kids of any age (even those who are now adults), with or without a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Other community members (grandparents, teachers, etc.) are also welcome to attend.
DATE/LOCATION: Typically the 3rd WEDNESDAY of each month, 7-8 p.m. at CALVIN COLLEGE, DeVos Communication Center (east end of the pedestrian bridge over the East Beltline, lower level classrooms). COST: $5.00
Stay tuned to email updates for more information.
Growth Groups for Teens and Adults (formerly the "Young Adult Network")
The Gray Center Growth Group for Teens and Adults (which meet monthly in Grand Rapids and Zeeland) is open to individuals high school aged and older. You do not need to have a diagnosis in order to attend these meetings. You can receive and provide valuable information and support from the other members and leaders whether or not you have been identified as being on the autism spectrum. In addition to the monthly meeting, social outings are sometimes organized by parents, young adults, or Gray Center staff. Be sure to sign up for Growth Group updates at http://eepurl.com/ekqF in order to receive these updates! The cost is only $5.00/family to attend each meeting. Feel free to bring a friend!
GRAND RAPIDS Growth Group for Teens/Adults: LIFE STORIES and APPLICATIONS
Learn to talk about your experiences (and listen to others) as a way of practicing social skills, getting to know each other, and applying valuable lessons to your life!
We have a wonderful group of young adults that meets monthly. We typically discuss a topic selected in advance, finding opportunities to share information about ourselves and to learn about others. We also learn important details about social interaction and communication, helping us to interact more effectively with each other, with our families, and with other people in our community. Facilitator: Steve Falvo
Parents of the young adults have an opportunity to meet with each other (and a facilitator, Nelson Grit) in another room at the same time.
GRAND RAPIDS TEENS/ADULTS: Typically meet the 3rd WEDNESDAY of each month, 7-8 p.m. at CALVIN COLLEGE, DeVos Communication Center (east end of the pedestrian bridge over the East Beltline, lower level classrooms).
LAKESHORE Growth Group for Teens/Adults: LIFE SKILLS and GOALS
Learn independent living and relationship skills, set goals for your own life, and network with others for encouragement and support! Some topics we've discussed in the past include managing your money, independent living skills, hygiene, networking with other people, avoiding gullibility, Internet safety, Growing personally and interpersonally, and more!
NEW: At our meeting on February 7th, we'll unveil some exciting new changes for this group! Stay tuned for more information...
This group meets at our Zeeland office (at City on a Hill Ministries, 100 Pine St. Suite 121) on the FIRST Tuesday of every month, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Cafe 58, on-site at City on a Hill (where The Gray Center is located) servres a delicious dinner from 5-7 p.m. most Tuesdays for a suggested donation of only $4-6 each (click here for this week's menu). Feel free to eat dinner first before coming to our group! Facilitator: Laurel Falvo
*Parents will either meet separately, or in a joint educational session with Laurel Falvo.
GROWTH GROUP FOR WRITERS:
We occasionally schedule meetings for people interested in writing. Bring samples of your writing to share with others, and practice listening and giving constructive feedback!
You are welcome to join one or all of these groups whenever it works with your schedule!
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
It is very difficult to create an inclement weather policy when our members come from such a wide geographic area, with many beginning to travel before the weather turns dangerous. However, to avoid confusion and attempt to keep everyone safe, we have established the following policy:
- In the event of a WARNING (tornado, thunderstorm, or winter storm) posted in the county where the meeting is scheduled (Ottawa for the Lakeshore meetings, Kent for the Grand Rapids meetings),within two hours of the meeting time (i.e. by 5:00 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. meeting) meetings will be CANCELLED. If possible, an email will be sent through this mailing list, The Gray Center calendar will be updated at www.thegraycenter.org/calendar, and "The Gray Center" will be listed as a closing on WOODTV8.
- In the event of a WATCH in the county of the scheduled meeting, or other potentially inclement weather in surrounding counties, the leaders will make a decision about whether to hold the meeting within two hours of the meeting time (i.e. 5:00 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. meeting). If possible, an email will be sent through this mailing list, The Gray Center calendar will be updated at www.thegraycenter.org/calendar, and "The Gray Center" will be listed as a closing on WOODTV8.
Gray Center Parents in Yahoo groups
Parents of young adults on the autism spectrum gather monthly to discuss issues and share resources with each other. They help plan social events for the young adults, too. This group will serve to increase communication among group members and offer tools such as file uploading (information sharing) and a calendar (to list events, including social events for young adults). We'll help each other as we all help our young adults to soar! Click here to join.
NOTE: Some of the young adults and their parents have been instrumental in setting up a yahoo group concerning housing options in the West Michigan area. You can access that by clicking here.
