Fall 2024 Newsletter
A Night to Remember: Go4GarrettsSpace 2024!
On a beautiful summer evening, Garrett’s Space hosted our 5th annual Go4GarrettsSpace fundraiser at Washtenaw Community College! With over 300 attendees, the energy was palpable as our community came together in full force to support young adults struggling with depression and anxiety.
The evening featured powerful testimonials from Garrett’s Space participants and Garrett’s family, touching musical performances and a silent auction with 190 items from local businesses and individuals. The night was bookmarked with a meditation session and a sound bath, the types of healing activities we hope to feature at our Residential Center. One of the most exciting moments of the evening was the live ask with a matching gift from an anonymous donor doubling the impact of every gift made! We raised $15,000 in under 10 minutes!
Overall, it was a magical evening, and we are truly grateful for everyone who joined us! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, silent auction and in-kind donors, whose generosity made this event possible. Visit this page to see the full list of our sponsors.
Because of your generous support, we will continue to address the gap in mental health services for young adults. Your contributions make it possible for us to offer free virtual support groups and monthly in-person gatherings that provide hope, healing, and connection to those who need it most!
We hope to see you next time! Please save the date for August 23rd, 2025!
If you missed the evening, no worries! You can watch the program on YouTube!
DID YOU KNOW?
September is National Suicide Prevention month. At Garrett's Space, we believe that every month is Suicide Prevention month. Talking about suicide is the first step in preventing it.
Please check on those around you, especially if you notice any change in their behavior or in the ways they engage with the world. Don't be afraid to say the word "suicide", even if it feels hard to do so. Naming it shows that you are open to the conversation and shows that you are a safe person.
We can all help make the world a safer place!
WELLNESS PROGRAM CORNER
“The most helpful parts of Garrett’s Space are knowing that I’m not alone, being able to get insight from lots of different people at once, and honestly the vibes are just good.” — Wellness group participant, shared with permission
All About Programming
At Garrett's Space, the Wellness Programming is thriving! We talked to our Clinical Director, Peggy Galimberti, who shares what’s different about our programming, what the groups are like, and how they’re evolving. We are so thankful to Peggy and our incredible facilitator team for holding space and making our groups and in person gatherings possible!
What is unique about Garrett’s Space peer support groups?
Garrett’s Space supports young adults ages 18-28, which is a time of promise and possibility, and also a very challenging time of transition. There are very few services available that specifically target this age group. At the start of each group, we invite participants to “check in” with themselves to assess how they are doing and what they might need that day. We offer discussion prompts and share coping strategies including breathwork, stretching, and mindfulness – addressing overall wellness. We are careful to avoid ‘toxic positivity,’ (‘look on the bright side!’, ‘tomorrow is a new day!’), as denying people’s experience can feel invalidating, especially to those living with depression and anxiety. We invite participants to show up exactly as they are on any given day. We recognize that some days are really tough, and we want to be present with the group members wherever they are emotionally.
What different skills and backgrounds do the facilitators have?
Our amazing facilitators bring a wide range of talents and experience. Our educational backgrounds include social work, psychology, neuroscience, communication, fine arts/dance, and yoga. We all have previous experience in group work and in navigating life challenges. The biggest gift we offer is a commitment to show up each week as our authentic selves. This creates a space where our participants can do the same, allowing all participants to feel seen, heard and understood.
What can participants expect?
They can expect a safe space to share their stressors, feelings, worries, and successes with a warm community of peers and caring facilitators. They can expect kindness, support, and an opportunity to learn and practice helpful coping strategies. We follow the same structure each week, and the groups unfold the way they need to on that day. Some weeks are heavy and emotional, other weeks are lighter. We typically see and feel a range of emotions which reflects life! Our participants share gratitude for the opportunity to be with others who "get it"– people who have walked a similar path and can relate to the challenges that come with living with depression and anxiety.
Peggy Galimberti, Clinical Director
How has programming changed since you started?
The Wellness Groups were originally piloted as 8-week sessions. We recognized that many people benefit from having more time to build trust and connections with group members. We now offer open-ended groups, so participants can choose how long to attend based on their schedule, availability and support needs. We are committed to seeking and incorporating feedback from our participants and to constantly evolving our program. We regularly offer new and creative activities and have become very adept at navigating the ever-changing dynamics of our groups.
What’s next for the team?
Our program will continue to grow and evolve. Our newly acquired property will allow us to increase our in-person offerings soon. We plan to add more groups and offer yoga and movement classes, art, cook together, game and movie nights… so many opportunities!
If you are interested in becoming a group participant or would like to refer someone, visit this page for details or email Peggy at: peggy@garrettsspace.org.
To learn more about our Wellness Programming and facilitator team, visit the Wellness Programming page.
How You Can Help
Thank you for your generous contributions to our efforts! Your support helps us offer free wellness groups and monthly in-person gatherings while we work towards realizing our vision of creating a residential space for young adults in need. We are excited to continue this journey together and are grateful for your ongoing commitment! Here’s how you can stay involved:
Volunteer: Join our dedicated team of volunteers to support events or help with tasks that keep our mission moving forward. To learn more contact info@garrettsspace.org.
Donate: Your generous contribution directly supports our programs, offering hope and healing to young adults facing mental health challenges. Every donation, no matter the size, makes an impact. Donate here.
Spread the Word: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. And share our mission with your network to help raise awareness and grow our community of support.