John has been part of the CSC community since 2001. In his role of Weed and Seed Coordinator and later Director of Community Capacity Building, he helped establish the Gang Intervention Partnership model. He later served on the staff of Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham and helped initiate legislation that would extend the GIP model and related youth programs into neighborhoods beyond Ward One.

We need to understand that families in crisis are very similar to families in recovery. It is the constant support, the constant reinforcement, it is the connection to the community, a connection to a larger group…. maybe, just maybe, we won’t have another child falling through the cracks, through the safety net, and into our child protection system. Public systems don’t do that. Local communities can.

At Collaborative Solutions for Communities (CSC), 30 years of service has always centered on one belief: if we address root causes, we can change outcomes. Today, that commitment is powerfully reflected in the TAMAR program, an evidence informed, trauma focused initiative helping youth and adults heal, grow, and reclaim their futures.