The Express (Summer 2026) by WestCare Marketing & Communications

THE Express UPLIFTING THE HUMAN

SPIRIT AROUND THE WORLD ISSUE 61 | SUMMER 2026

FROM THE GULFCOAST:

CELEBRATING RECOVERY WestCare GulfCoast honors graduates and their journeys of transformation, resilience and hope.

A NN DD O A O TT HH EE RR SS TT O O RR II EE SS FF RR O OM M CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND MORE!

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Celebrating

RECOVERY, TRANSFORMATION, & HOPE By Carolyn Annand, Workforce Development & Alumni Services Supervisor, WestCare GulfCoast-Florida

On August 22, 2026, WestCare GulfCoast-Florida (WCGCFL) gathered with families, current WestCare program participants, friends, staff, community partners, and supporters to celebrate an inspiring milestone: Our 2nd Annual WCGC-FL Graduation Ceremony. The afternoon was a celebration of accomplishments, but it was also a celebration of the journeys that brought each graduate to that moment. As graduates entered the auditorium, they were welcomed by an audience filled with people who had encouraged, supported, and believed in them along the way. Steve Blank, WCGC-FL Regional Vice President, opened the ceremony by recognizing the graduates and thanking their families, staff, and supporters. He also expressed appreciation to the program sponsors: Westphal Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Kenneth City, and The Karol Hotel for their generous support of the graduation celebration. A moment of reflection followed, led by Pastor Ruben Cruz of Refuge Church. Through prayer and a moment of silence, attendees were invited to reflect on the challenges overcome and the hope represented by the graduates’ accomplishments. Kristy M., a current program participant, continued that reflection with her moving poem, “When the Darkness Falls.”

Perhaps the most meaningful moments came from the graduates themselves. Youth Program graduates Larry and Javen of Camp Mariposa shared their experiences, followed by Jessica B., a 2022 graduate of the WCGC-FL Residential Program, and Jorge L., a 2023 graduate. Their stories served as powerful reminders that recovery is a journey shaped by courage, perseverance, and the decision to keep moving forward. Special recognition was also given to those who helped strengthen and support WestCare’s programs. Jean Jones and Charlene Jenkins were presented with Awards of Appreciation, and Steve Westphal of the Westphal Foundation was recognized as an Honorary Graduate and presented with a certificate. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the graduates’ certificates and medallions. One by one, graduates were called to the stage and recognized for their accomplishments.

With uplifting music playing in the background and photographs capturing each milestone, the room filled with smiles, applause, and moments of pride. As the ceremony came to a close, Steve Blank reminded graduates that graduation was not the end, but just one step in their ongoing journey of recovery. Alumni resources and continued connections were shared to encourage graduates as they move forward. The celebration ended with Jon Batiste’s “Freedom,” as the lights came up and the music filled the room. Graduates, families, and supporters then gathered for refreshments, fellowship, and conversation, celebrating not only how far the graduates had come, but also the possibilities ahead. The 2nd Annual WCGC-FL Graduation Ceremony was a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, perseverance matters, and hope can light the way forward.

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Uplifting the Human Spirit

The ceremony then turned toward messages of hope and resilience. Allen Davidson, CEO of Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, WestCare’s managing entity, shared encouragement with the graduates as they continued their journeys of growth and recovery.

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EASTERN REGION:

WESTCARE GEORGIA: BACK TO SCHOOL BASH By Aanya Moore, RISE UP Prevention Specialist, WestCare Georgia On July 31, WestCare Georgia hosted a Back-to-School Bash at the Louise Watley Library, bringing together local youth, families, community organizations, and partners to help students prepare for the new school year. During the event, 200 backpacks filled with school supplies and resources were distributed to youth and families. Attendees also enjoyed cookout food, popsicles, snacks, music, giveaways, free books, and a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. A barber provided free haircuts for young men, while additional coupons for a nearby barbershop helped even more students start the school year feeling confident and ready. Community partners connected families with healthcare assistance and other local resources. A mobile library and Bio Hub/Flex Bus also offered books, interactive activities, and opportunities for learning and engagement. WestCare Georgia’s Youth Community Builders (YCB) participants and Youth Advisory Coalition members played an important role throughout the day, welcoming families, assisting with backpack and resource distribution, supporting activity stations, and engaging with children and community members.

The Back-to-School Bash demonstrated what can be accomplished through strong community partnerships and youth leadership. WestCare Georgia thanks the organizations, volunteers, youth leaders, and supporters who helped provide local families with the supplies, services, and resources needed to begin the school year prepared and supported.

BLOOD DRIVE MAKES A LASTING IMPACT By Marion Pugh, Ed.D., M.Ed., Program Director, WestCare Georgia WestCare Georgia recently hosted a community blood drive, collecting 17 units of blood to help support patients in need of emergency care, surgeries, cancer treatments, and other medical services. Of the 17 donations, 16 came from Black and African American donors, an important contribution toward meeting the need for closely matched blood products. Nine units were identified as CEK-negative, which can be especially valuable for individuals living with sickle cell disease. The drive also welcomed 13 first-time donors, helping expand the community of people contributing to the local blood supply. With each blood donation having the potential to help multiple patients, the 17 units collected could impact as many as 51 lives. WestCare Georgia thanks the donors, volunteers, and supporters who made the blood drive possible and helped strengthen the health and well-being of the community.

By Militina Fraser, Director of Operations, WestCare Georgia

WestCare Georgia’s Youth Community Builders (YCB) had an impactful summer filled with leadership, learning, service, and personal growth. Through a variety of educational and community-based activities, youth participants strengthened their life skills, explored future opportunities, and gained valuable experiences that encouraged them to become positive leaders in their communities. Throughout the summer, YCB participants completed the Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) curriculum, developing skills related to decision-making, communication, goal setting, managing emotions, and making healthy choices. The youth also participated in workshops focused on entrepreneurship, career development, nutrition, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They also made their own t-shirts. Community service was an important part of the YCB experience. Participants spent time with residents at Holbrook Decatur Retirement Community, where they played games, interacted with residents, and created meaningful connections across generations. These experiences provided youth with opportunities to practice compassion, teamwork, and service. One of the summer’s highlights was the youth’s planning and execution of the WestCare Georgia Back-to-School Bash. YCB members took an active role in preparing for the event and supporting families and children throughout the day. Their leadership demonstrated their ability to turn ideas into action while giving back to their community.

The youth also traveled to Alabama to visit the Legacy Museum, gaining a deeper understanding of history, culture, and social justice. They participated in National Night Out, further strengthening their connection to community safety, engagement, and neighborhood partnerships. The YCB summer program provided youth with opportunities to learn, serve, lead, and build relationships while creating memories that will last beyond the summer. In November, YCB participants will reunite for a Friendsgiving gathering to reconnect, celebrate their accomplishments, check in with one another, and revisit the GOALS Time Capsule they created. This reunion will give the youth an opportunity to reflect on the goals they established and celebrate their progress as they continue building a brighter future.

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A SUMMER OF LEADERSHIP, LEARNING & SERVICE

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ONE CLASS, ONE CONVERSATION, ONE LIFE CHANGED By Sydney Jernigan, Project Director, WestCare Tennessee She explained that the information and conversations during the class had encouraged her to think differently about her choices and her health. While the decision to quit was ultimately her own, she wanted the team to know that the class had inspired her to make a positive change.

The Strategic Prevention Framework team is making a difference in the lives of young people throughout the Cocke County School System. After the Prevention Team completed a class with a group of high school students, one student approached the team privately to share that she had decided to quit vaping.

For the Prevention Team, the moment was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Prevention is about more than teaching a curriculum. It is about providing young people with accurate information, creating opportunities for honest conversations, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions. The team was proud of the student for taking this positive step and grateful that she felt comfortable returning to share her success. Her story is a reminder that one class, one conversation, and one connection can make a difference in a young person’s life.

FLORIDA REGION:

SUMMER OF GIVING By Cindy Castillo, MSW, Therapist, WestCare The Village South On July 25, residents of WestCare The Village South’s Women & Children’s Residential Treatment Program attended the annual Christmas in July event with their children. Transportation was provided by Broward County Public Schools. Families enjoyed a day of activities including face painting, bounce houses, temporary tattoos, games, toys, snacks, lunch, and a police K-9 demonstration by local law enforcement. The event offered mothers and their children an opportunity to spend quality time together in a fun and welcoming community setting. Families also received back-to-school essentials, including backpacks filled with age-appropriate items such as clothing, shoes, books, diapers, notebooks, pencils, pens, highlighters, and other school supplies. Complimentary haircuts helped children get ready for the start of the new school year. Mothers expressed their gratitude for the generosity of the event organizers and shared how helpful the supplies would be as their children returned to school. They also appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the day together and strengthen family connections. WestCare The Village South is grateful to the event organizers and community partners who helped provide families with a memorable day of connection, celebration, and support.

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By Bronte Walsh, Prevention Coordinator, Guidance/Care Center On August 4, communities across the Florida Keys came together for National Night Out, an annual campaign that brings residents, community organizations, and law enforcement together to build safer, more connected communities. This year, the Guidance/Care Center (GCC) Prevention team joined the Mobile Response Crisis Team (MRT) to share prevention and mental health resources with communities from Key Largo to Key West. Teams participated at four locations throughout Monroe County: Key Largo Community Park, Founders Park in Islamorada, the Sheriff’s Office Aviation Hangar at Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, and Truman Waterfront Park in Key West. At each location, Prevention and MRT staff connected with families and shared information about GCC services. Interactive activities made prevention education engaging for all ages. Visitors could spin a wheel to answer questions about mental health and prevention or try alcohol, opioid, and cannabis simulation goggles to experience how substances can affect perception and coordination. Cornhole, memory challenges, mazes, and other games provided additional opportunities for staff to engage with families and start conversations about mental wellness. National Night Out also provided an opportunity to introduce the new Prevention in the Keys parent and community newsletter, which shares prevention resources, programming, upcoming activities, and ways to stay connected throughout Monroe County. Most importantly, the event allowed Prevention and MRT staff to meet families where they live, strengthen relationships with community partners, and create positive conversations around mental health, substance misuse prevention, and available support services. Events like National Night Out demonstrate that prevention doesn’t happen only in classrooms or offices. It happens in communities through conversations, relationships, and connections.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY ACROSS THE FLORIDA KEYS

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MIDWEST REGION:

HONORING SACRIFICE, STRENGTHENING SUPPORT By Darrell Mayo, Program Director, Family Alliance for Veterans of America, WestCare Iowa

On August 15, 2026, Family Alliance for Veterans of America/WestCare Iowa (FAVA/WCI) joined the 1 st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Division’s Homecoming Yellow Ribbon Event to share information about the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) homeless prevention grants. The 113th Cavalry Division recently returned from a 10month deployment to Syria in support of U.S. operations against the Islamic State. During the deployment, Sergeants Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and William Nathaniel Howard, 29, were killed in an ambush near Palmyra, Syria while operating alongside partner forces. The loss of fellow service members can have lasting emotional and psychological effects on those returning home, making access to mental health care, benefits, and community support especially important during the reintegration process.

As part of that process, service members and their families participated in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP), which provides resources throughout the deployment cycle and helps connect returning service members and their families with benefits, mental health services, and community support. At the event, the FAVA/WCI team provided information about available grants and benefits. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center assisted with VA healthcare enrollment, while the Vet Center shared information about counseling services. A local Veteran Service Officer (VSO) also helped connect service members with VA programs and benefits earned through their service.

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION, BUILT ON HOPE By Marissa Canda, Clinician Counselor, WPI Hatsa Program, and a Hatsa Program participant, WestCare Pacific Islands

WestCare Pacific Islands’ Hatsa Program provides a supportive environment for individuals navigating substance use and mental health concerns. Through individual and group counseling, recovery support, case management, and connections to resources such as housing and employment, Hatsa meets clients where they are and helps them build a foundation for recovery. One client supported through Hatsa’s counseling services has become an advocate for recovery, sharing their experience to encourage others on similar journeys. Reflecting on the Hatsa team, the client described staff as compassionate, nonjudgmental, and skillful. They also shared an important lesson from their clinician: “It is okay to not be okay.”

THE HATSA STAFF HELPED RESTORE SOMETHING

I HAD LOST:

hope.

“My foundation is strong, and it would not have been this way without the Hatsa team.”

Through individual counseling and weekly group sessions, the client began to see recovery differently.

Their experience reflects the importance of creating a safe and compassionate environment where individuals can recognize their strengths, accept support, and move toward lasting recovery.

“I learned to accept that I needed help and that sobriety was possible. The Hatsa staff helped restore something I had lost: hope.”

Hatsa remains committed to meeting clients where they are and helping them build stronger foundations for healthier futures.

The client shared that they have learned “sobriety is already happening,” and described themselves as stronger and happier. While they still consider themselves “under construction,” they recognize how far they have come:

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OFFSHORE REGIONS:

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WESTERN REGION:

BEACH THERAPY BUILDS CONNECTION By Chanel Harris, Case Manager, VETcare Oregon For VETcare Oregon participants, Beach Therapy Day has become a favorite monthly tradition, offering Veterans an opportunity to relax, recharge, and connect with one another outside of their everyday routines. In June, Veterans traveled to Depoe Bay, where they took in ocean views and explored local shops before continuing to Newport for lunch and fellowship. The group then spent time at the beach, enjoying the sound of the waves, fresh sea air, and an afternoon along the Oregon coast. While the outing offered plenty of opportunities for recreation, Beach Therapy Day is about more than a trip to the coast. Experiences like these help foster connection, peer support, stress reduction, and overall well-being among participating Veterans. Scan or click here to learn more about VETcare

By creating opportunities to spend time together in a relaxed setting, VETcare Oregon continues to strengthen relationships and provide experiences Veterans can look forward to each month.

WESTCARE CALIFORNIA RECOGNIZED AMONG THE CENTRAL VALLEY’S BEST NONPROFITS FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR Jessica Maxey, Media & Development Specialist, WestCare California WestCare California is proud to announce that we have once again been named the Best Nonprofit in the Central Valley, marking our third consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition through Fresno Bee’s Best of Central California Awards. This achievement is more than an award—it reflects the dedication, compassion, and commitment our employees and community partners bring to their work every day. Over the past three years, WestCare California has strengthened our programs and expanded our impact across the communities we serve. Our journey to this year’s recognition makes the achievement especially meaningful. After being named a Silver finalist, WestCare California went on to earn back-to-back Gold awards, demonstrating the incredible progress and momentum our organization has built. Each recognition represents not only where we are today, but also the resilience and determination that have helped us get here.

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At WestCare California, our mission is driven by people. From providing behavioral health and recovery services to supporting individuals and families through housing, veterans’ services, HIV programs, and other communitybased resources, our work is centered on helping people build healthier, more stable futures. This award belongs to every person who plays a role in that mission. It belongs to our employees who show up with passion and purpose, our partners who stand alongside us, and the communities that inspire us to continue moving forward. Three consecutive years as the Central Valley’s Best Nonprofit is an incredible milestone—and one we are honored to share with everyone who makes our work possible. Here’s to continuing the work, growing together, and making an even greater impact in the years ahead!

By Leo Magrdichian, Regional Vice President, WestCare Nevada

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As part of the partnership, WestCare Nevada will provide behavioral health treatment for individuals experiencing substance use and co-occurring disorders. Services will include Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and Outpatient (OP) levels of care, allowing individuals to receive support appropriate to different stages of treatment and recovery.

WestCare Nevada is joining the growing partnership at Campus for Hope, a major community initiative designed to expand access to behavioral health treatment, recovery support, and other essential services for individuals and families throughout Southern Nevada. Campus for Hope will bring multiple organizations and service providers together in one location, creating a more coordinated and accessible system of care. By connecting services on a single campus, individuals will have greater access to resources without having to navigate numerous agencies and locations.

The collaborative model will also strengthen connections to providers addressing housing, healthcare, employment, family needs, and other factors that can support long-term stability and recovery. For WestCare Nevada, the partnership reflects our Shared Principle of Prioritizing Success for Those We Serve. Through evidence-based care and community collaboration, WestCare remains committed to helping individuals build healthier and more stable futures. The 945-bed Campus for Hope is anticipated to be completed in 2028, representing a significant investment in the behavioral health and recovery needs of Southern Nevada.

A SUMMER OF LEARNING & CONNECTION By Jessica Cerda, Communications Specialist, WestCare Texas

Click here to learn more about WCTX Students participated in a wide range of programming, including STEM, coding, gardening, yoga, theater, sports, cosmetology, photography, financial literacy, and safety education. Second Baptist’s two-story Community Center provided plenty of room to explore, with classrooms and meeting spaces as well as a dual-purpose basketball gym and skating rink and even a bowling alley. Together, the facilities and programming gave students opportunities to discover new interests, develop skills, stay active, and find new ways to learn and create.

This summer, WestCare Texas partnered with Second Baptist Church Community Center to provide approximately 185 students and families with five weeks of academic enrichment, recreation, and opportunities to explore new interests. The partnership helped provide a safe and engaging environment during out-of-school time for youth ages 6–17. “Out-of-school time, after school, Spring Break and summer, can be very stressful for families, but for our kids it is the most dangerous time for them, and we want to keep kids safe,” said Rev. Keith Jackson. “We are able to provide a safe space, and we have a great facility.”

WestCare Texas Regional Vice President Francine Prosser-Johnson helped bring the partnership together, with staff, teachers, volunteers, Junior Camp Counselors, and Public Allies supporting students throughout the fiveweek program. The summer concluded with a WestCare tradition: a field trip to SeaWorld Aquatica Water Park, where students and staff celebrated their accomplishments with a day of fun. The partnership is already looking ahead to Summer Camp 2027.

Uplifting the Human Spirit

WESTCARE NEVADA JOINS CAMPUS FOR HOPE PARTNERSHIP

WESTCARE AROUND THE WORLD

Uplifting the Human Spirit

From California to the Caribbean, and from West Virginia to the Pacific Islands, WestCare is proud to serve individuals and families in 16 states, four U.S. territories, and two international locations. Each day, our programs deliver compassionate care in behavioral health, justice services, housing, education, and prevention... all rooted in our mission of Uplifting the Human Spirit.

STORIES WORTH SHARING FROM THE HEART OF WESTCARE We look forward to sharing your stories as they unfold, your monthly highlights from the field, the faces and moments behind the mission, and the work that uplifts lives and communities every day. We invite you to submit your stories of success, education, prevention, and healing to marketing@westcare.com. Your narratives fuel hope and contribute to our collective mission of Uplifting the Human Spirit.

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