PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — GRO Community is working to improve the lives of boys and men across Illinois and Ohio with mental health and social services.
Some of those services include psychiatric, re-entry and school-based social emotional learning with a focus on Black, Brown and low-income communities.
“If there’s a way we can have African American male practitioners, clinicians to fill this void and create this change,” said Founder and CEO Aaron Mallory.
GRO stands for God Restoring Order. Mallory’s background as a social worker was a catalyst for GRO.
“Oftentimes I would be the only positive male figure going into the household and being able to help their sons,” he said. “And just how the kids would gravitate to me. I’d go to these schools and oftentimes the only African American male going into these schools and working with these African American boys.”
Mallory said 90% of his clients are African American and 70% of his clients come from single-parent households. GRO reports a 69% reduction in symptoms of oppositional behavior and impulsiveness, a 65% reduction in symptoms of depression and PTSD, a 73% reduction in symptoms of anxiety and a 58% reduction in symptoms of hyperactivity.
“We go from super aggressive to non-aggressive. And a large amount of that credit should go to GRO,” said Carl Cannon, founder and CEO of Elite Community Outreach.
Elite is a community partner with GRO Community. Cannons refers his students to GRO to help navigate their mental health.
“They’re amazing. The talent that they bring to the table that helps our young men, young boys grow into being men. They’re phenomenal with that,” said Cannon.
Parents are noticing the changes as their sons work with GRO Community. Linda Davis’ 12-year-old son has been working with GRO Community for a year after getting into some trouble at school.
“He’s more respectful. He knows boundaries now. They work with him. Inside of school, outside of school. In every aspect of his life they helps him,” she said. “His mentor works with him every week. Every week, twice a week. And he checks on him in school, anything. If he needs him outside of school he will show up.”
Davis is thankful for the positive impact the GRO Community has had on her son.
“Everybody makes a mistake. But he’s not the mistake that he made. There’s more to him than that.”
In October, Mallory was notified by the insurance company Meridian, GRO’s contract would end on Dec. 1, a decision that would impact 500 clients in Illinois. Mallory said he took the matter to God, plus his team and clients reached out to stakeholders and elected officials.
As of Nov. 7, Meridian has reinstated its contract with GRO Community.
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