Mental Health Professionals Roundtable: Dr. Laronta Rush, Healthy Minds Psychology Assoc., Dr. Brooke Jones, Fresh Start for the Mind, Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services, and Kristen Fraser, LPC, Canton Counseling

June 19, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Mental Health Professionals Roundtable: Dr. Laronta Rush, Healthy Minds Psychology Assoc., Dr. Brooke Jones, Fresh Start for the Mind, Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services, and Kristen Fraser, LPC, Canton Counseling

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Mental Health Professionals Roundtable: Dr. Laronta Rush, Healthy Minds Psychology Assoc., Dr. Brooke Jones, Fresh Start for the Mind, Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services, and Kristen Fraser, LPC, Canton Counseling (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 46)

On this edition of ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, four independent mental health professionals joined host Bill McDermott. Dr. Laronta Rush, Dr. Brooke Jones, Dr. Brianna Gaynor and Kristen Fraser, LPC discussed their friendship and how they came together, supporting each other as business owners and mental health professionals, how they navigated changes during the pandemic, a major mental health issue of teens and social media, and much more.

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Healthy Minds Psychology Associates

Healthy Minds Psychology Associates is a group practice providing comprehensive mental health services, including psychological and educational assessments, individual, family and couples counseling, and executive function coaching.

They strive to provide their patients with a superior experience, and this means selecting well-trained clinicians and ensuring the highest quality of service to their patients. Their patient-centered approach is critical to their success, and they pride themselves on excellence in every form.

Website | Facebook

Dr. Laronta Rush, Founder & Director, Healthy Minds Psychology Associates

Dr. Rush is the Founder and Director of Healthy Minds. She specializes in psycho-educational and psychological evaluation to help identify the presence of neuro developmental disorders in children as well as learning and emotional/behavioral disorders in adults. She has well over a decade of experience in assessing symptoms related to learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and developmental disabilities.

Dr. Rush has particular interest and clinical expertise in the evaluation and diagnosis of dyslexia and other learning disabilities, ADHD/ executive functioning difficulties, as well as anxiety and mood disorders. Through her early career work as a School Psychologist, Dr. Rush has developed a broad base of knowledge of empirically supported, and developmentally appropriate interventions for common childhood problems, associated school based services/ accommodations, and works closely with parents as they navigate the special education, 504 accommodation, or Student Support Team (SST) process.

In addition, Dr. Rush provides expert testimony for cases involving special education or other school-based services for children with disabilities and conducts psychological testing that is used to inform legal cases.

Dr. Rush is an approved psychologist for metro Atlanta school systems to perform Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs). She also works closely with several special education attorneys to assist them in obtaining the best outcomes for their clients.

Fresh Start for the Mind

Fresh Start for the Mind is a mental health group practice that offers psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults. They provide psychological evaluations, counseling services, medication management, and diet and nutrition support. With three locations (in Canton, Suwanee, and Stockbridge), Fresh Start has an impeccable reputation for offering quality and effective services.

Website | Facebook

Dr. Brooke Jones, Owner & Clinical Psychologist, Fresh Start for the Mind

Dr. Jones is a licensed psychologist specializing in psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Jones takes pride in offering comprehensive and thorough assessments, considering all areas of functioning, including physical health and environmental/cultural issues that may mimic underlying psychological disorders.

Dr. Jones earned her doctorate degree and M.A in Clinical Psychology at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology (Argosy University Atlanta) and completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Hampton University in Virginia. In 2009, she completed an APA-approved internship in Chicago, IL, while completing her dissertation. She has also held clinical positions in group practices and taught undergraduate studies in psychology.

Peace of Mind Psychological Services

Peace of Mind Psychological Services is a mental health practice which focuses on individual therapy, support groups, and psychological evaluations. They treat patients starting from age 5-65 for various concerns including depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, trauma, and divorce.

They also conduct evaluations for children and adults for learning disorders, emotional concerns, parental fitness, and behavioral problems. Their goal is to support those they serve through all areas of life through therapy, assessment, and educational workshops.

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn

Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Licensed Psychologist, Peace of Mind Psychological Services

Dr. Brianna Gaynor has a passion for mental health and has noticed time and time again, the healing effects of her work. Dr. Gaynor has been licensed as a psychologist in the state of Georgia since May 2011 and received her doctorate degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in 2009.

Her training while in graduate school focused primarily on the treatment of children, adolescents, and families. During her internship year she was also trained in faith based therapy and, although not a traditional Christian counselor, has learned how to incorporate faith based techniques for those clients who express a willingness to hear the word of God. She has also worked in various settings, including outpatient, residential, and a mental health hospital.

What Dr. Gaynor enjoys most is the opportunity to connect with people and help encourage them through their troubles. Currently, she works at her own private practice, Peace of Mind Psychological Services, where much of her work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral disorders through psychological evaluations. Peace of Mind also specializes in helping the whole family “find peace in every circumstance” by providing therapy services starting at age 3 through adulthood.

Dr. Gaynor has a unique way of connecting with others through humor and kindness and her goal in every encounter is to help others to “find peace in every circumstance.”

Canton Counseling

We all need support in dealing with life’s challenges, but sometimes just asking for help can feel as overwhelming as the problems for which we are seeking support. The task of finding the right therapist can be difficult. Who can I trust? Will I be heard and understood? Will they work well with my children and/or family?

Canton Counseling understands these concerns and work to create a compassionate therapeutic environment to help clients grow and change. Whether you are looking to learn new ways of dealing with a behavioral or relationship pattern, or are seeking support for your child or family, they offer their clients a compassionate and supportive, yet challenging environment in which to achieve their full potential. When talking with adolescents, Canton Counseling works to create a space where the adolescent feels supported and safe while also incorporating some fun!

Their goal is to always meet each young person where they are both developmentally and emotionally. They are committed to providing understanding, education, coping strategies, and support to help others find hope and healing for the challenges of life.

Website | Facebook

Kristen Fraser, LPC, Owner & Clinical Director, Canton Counseling

Everyone faces conflict and difficult situations in their lives at one time or another. Kristen believes some experiences hit us a little harder than others and we need support in overcoming those challenges. Dealing with and overcoming those conflicts will allow you to grow into a stronger and more capable person. Life transitions typically mark the end of one phase of your life and can allow you the opportunity to replace the old way of being with something new.

Kristen sees therapy as an empowering opportunity for self-development that provides you with a safe place to openly express and explore your thoughts and feelings. She is committed to working with people to help them find meaning and fulfillment in their lives. Her greatest strengths are working with individuals (pre-teens, teens, and adults) and couples.

Every journey begins with a single step, and finding the right support is the first step. Theoretical Orientation: Client Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Gottman Method Couples Counseling.

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion, and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Violence

May 26, 2022 by John Ray

Minneapolis St. Paul Studio

How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Violence

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How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Violence

In this public service announcement, Dr. George Vergolias, Chief Medical Director of R3 Continuum, offers guidance on how to talk about gun violence with your kids.

TRANSCRIPT

George Vergolias: [00:00:00] Hello. My name is George Vergolias. I’m the Medical Director for R3 Continuum. I am a forensic psychologist and a certified threat manager with 20 years of experience, specializing in workplace violence and school violence. Most importantly, I’m also a father of a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son.

At R3 Continuum, our primary and passionate mission is to help organizations adjust to, manage and navigate through difficult disruptive events, including violent incidents. Last week, we collectively witnessed the heinous hate crime in Buffalo, New York, with the killing of 10 black community members at the Tops grocery store, most of them elderly. And we barely absorbed that event, until yesterday, once again, we woke up and bore witness to the attack at an elementary school in Texas, resulting in the deaths of two adult teachers and 19 children – second, third and fourth graders.

There are few words that can capture the outrage, the emotional reaction, the despair that comes with these events. Although we, at R3, can’t change these events having occurred, we can offer tools to make a positive impact. And towards that goal, I want to offer five tips for speaking with children about gun-related violence.

The first tip is that you should talk to them about their worries and concerns openly. Ask open-ended questions to understand what do they know, what are some misconceptions they have, what do they understand about the event. Express feelings about the event. Get them to open up about that, and express their feelings and thoughts. And then, you should also share your feelings as well. And you want to adjust that to their developmental age.

Secondly, adjust your dialogue to what you think they can handle emotionally. Kids at different age ranges and even kids at the same age range with different maturity levels will react differently to these events. Kids that have been previously traumatized may have a more difficult reaction, and you need to adjust that dialogue and that discussion accordingly.

Number three, reassure them about safety. These attacks are high impact, but they are low probability events. They’re unlikely to occur in any given school or any given school district. It’s also important to remind children about all the wonderful and exceptional measures that schools have taken to develop threat management teams, threat assessment, and reaction protocols and security protocols. In total, schools are a pretty safe place to be for kids and one of the most safe environments for them to be in the aggregate. And it’s important to remind them of that.

Four, reduced exposure to media and social media. This is not the time for information overload, particularly information that may not be accurate or may have been created simply for sensationalistic purposes in order to get clicks or additional views. We want to be cautious of exposing them too much to that. Ideally, you would want to titrate their exposure to those situations and that media over time, so they’re not overwhelmed.

Many of our kids, including my 14-year-old and 12-year-old, have their phones. It may be very difficult to get their phones back from them at this age with how much they’re involved in activity and social media. So, rather than trying to completely take the phone away, what you may want to do is some of the older teens where that might be more difficult, you want to at least check in with them periodically – once a day, twice a day – about what they’re hearing about these events, what they’re seeing online, what they’re being exposed to. And the goal there is to be able to correct any misinformation and give them an avenue to digest the information and talk it through. It’s really important to give them that opportunity.

Five, maintain regular routines and model healthy behavior. This is really important. Our kids will look to us for normalcy, as well as when something is not normal or off. And by maintaining regular habits, that becomes critical because these habits are are behavioral anchors to what is normal, and routine and comfortable in our life. And we want to model that and continue to show that in our daily interactions with them. To the extent possible, we want to continue those as much as we can. We can be sad, we can express outrage, we can express anger. Those are human emotions and they’re very normal in response to these events, but we also want to model a proper and productive way of managing those emotions and coping well through those events. And we want to be able to show our kids how to do that effectively.

This list is not exhaustive, but these are very easy take-and-used tips that you can utilize talking with children, and preteens and teenagers about gun violence, about the recent events in the last few weeks that hopefully can get them to express and open up a dialogue and be productive. Thank you for listening. Take care of yourself and take care of those you love.

About R3 Continuum

R3 Continuum (R3c) is a global leader in workplace behavioral health and security solutions. R3c helps ensure the psychological and physical safety of organizations and their people in today’s ever-changing and often unpredictable world. Through their continuum of tailored solutions, including evaluations, crisis response, executive optimization, protective services, and more, they help organizations maintain and cultivate a workplace of wellbeing so that their people can thrive. Learn more about R3c at www.r3c.com.

R3 Continuum is the underwriter of Workplace MVP, a show which celebrates the everyday heroes–Workplace Most Valuable Professionals–in human resources, risk management, security, business continuity, and the C-suite who resolutely labor for the well-being of employees in their care, readying the workplace for and planning responses to disruption.

Connect with R3 Continuum: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Teens and Social Media

February 25, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Teens and Social Media

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Teens and Social Media (Episode 70, To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow)

On this episode of To Your Health, Dr. Jim Morrow addressed some of the issues around teens using social media. While there are benefits to social media, such as entertainment, community, and self-expression, there are also risks like bullying, undue peer pressure, and depression. To protect teens, Dr. Morrow offered several suggestions, including limiting screen time and monitoring your child’s accounts, and he discussed when to involve a health care provider. To Your Health is brought to you by Morrow Family Medicine, a Member of Village Medical, which brings the care back to healthcare.

About Morrow Family Medicine, A Member of Village Medical

Morrow Family Medicine, a Member of Village Medical, is an award-winning, state-of-the-art family practice with offices in Cumming and Milton, Georgia. The practice combines healthcare information technology with old-fashioned care to provide the type of care that many are in search of today. Two physicians, three physician assistants and two nurse practitioners are supported by a knowledgeable and friendly staff to make your visit to Morrow Family Medicine, A Member of Village Medical one that will remind you of the way healthcare should be. At Morrow Family Medicine, a Member of Village Medical, we like to say we are “bringing the care back to healthcare!” The practice has been named the “Best of Forsyth” in Family Medicine in all five years of the award, is a three-time consecutive winner of the “Best of North Atlanta” by readers of Appen Media, and the 2019 winner of “Best of Life” in North Fulton County.

Village Medical offers a comprehensive suite of primary care services including preventative care, treatment for illness and injury, and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. Atlanta-area patients can learn more about the practice here.

Dr. Jim Morrow, Morrow Family Medicine, and Host of To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow

Dr. Jim Morrow is the founder and CEO of Morrow Family Medicine. He has been a trailblazer and evangelist in healthcare information technology, was named Physician IT Leader of the Year by HIMSS, a HIMSS Davies Award Winner, the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Steve Bloom Award Winner as Entrepreneur of the Year and he received a Phoenix Award as Community Leader of the Year from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He is married to Peggie Morrow and together they founded the Forsyth BYOT Benefit, a charity in Forsyth County to support students in need of technology and devices. They have two Goldendoodles, a gaggle of grandchildren and enjoy life on and around Lake Lanier.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorrowFamMed/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7788088/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/toyourhealthMD

The complete show archive of To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow addresses a wide range of health and wellness topics and can be found at www.toyourhealthradio.com.

Dr. Morrow’s Show Notes

What’s the impact?

Social media is a big part of many teens’ lives.
- A 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13- to 17-year-olds found that 45% are online almost constantly
  - and 97% use a social media platform,
    - such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat.

But what impact does social media use have on teens?

Social media benefits

Social media allows teens to create online identities,
- communicate with others
- and build social networks.
  - These networks can provide teens with valuable support,
    - especially helping those who experience exclusion or have disabilities or chronic illnesses.
  - Teens also use social media for entertainment and self-expression.
    - And the platforms can expose teens to current events,
      - allow them to interact across geographic barriers
        and teach them about a variety of subjects,
        including healthy behaviors.
        Social media that’s humorous or distracting or provides a meaningful connection to peers and a wide social network might even help teens avoid depression.

Social media harms

However, social media use can also negatively affect teens,
- distracting them,
- disrupting their sleep,
- and exposing them
  - to bullying,
  - rumor spreading,
  - unrealistic views of other people’s lives
  - and peer pressure.
- The risks might be related to how much social media teens use.
  - A 2019 study of more than 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S.
    - found that those who spent more than three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems.
    - Another 2019 study of more than 12,000 13- to 16-year-olds in England
      - found that using social media more than three times a day predicted poor mental health and well-being in teens.
    - Other studies also have observed links between high levels of social media use and depression or anxiety symptoms.
      - A 2016 study of more than 450 teens found that
      - greater social media use, nighttime social media use and emotional investment in social media —
        such as feeling upset when prevented from logging on —

were each linked with worse sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression.

How teens use social media also might determine its impact.
- A 2015 study found that
  - social comparison
  - and feedback seeking
    - by teens using social media and cellphones was linked with depressive symptoms.
    - In addition, a 2013 study found that older adolescents who used social media passively,
      - such as by just viewing others’ photos,
        reported declines in life satisfaction.
        Those who used social media to interact with others or post their own content didn’t experience these declines.
      - Another study on the impact of social media
        on undergraduate college students
        showed that the longer they used Facebook,
        the stronger was their belief that others were happier than they were.
        But the more time the students spent going out with their friends, the less they felt this way.
        Because of teens’ impulsive natures,
        experts suggest that teens who post content on social media
        are at risk of sharing intimate photos or highly personal stories.
        This can result in teens
        being bullied,
        harassed or
        even blackmailed.
        Teens often create posts without considering these consequences or privacy concerns.

Protecting your teen

There are steps you can take to encourage responsible use of social media and limit some of its negative effects.
Consider these tips:
Set reasonable limits.
- Talk to your teen about how to avoid letting social media interfere
  - with his or her activities,
  - sleep,
  - meals
  - or homework.
  - Encourage a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use, and keep cellphones and tablets out of teens’ bedrooms.
    - Set an example by following these rules yourself.
  - Monitor your teen’s accounts.
    - Let your teen know that you’ll be regularly checking his or her social media accounts.
      - You might aim to do so once a week or more.
      - Make sure you follow through.
    - Explain what’s not OK.
      - Discourage your teen
        from gossiping,
        spreading rumors,
        bullying
        or damaging someone’s reputation —
        online or otherwise.
        Talk to your teen about what is appropriate and safe to share on social media.
        Encourage face-to-face contact with friends.
        This is particularly important for teens who are vulnerable to social anxiety disorder.
        Talk about social media.
        Talk about your own social media habits.
        Ask your teen how he or she is using social media
        and how it makes him or her feel.
        Remind your teen that social media is full of unrealistic images.

If you think your teen is experiencing signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression related to social media use, talk to your child’s health care provider.

Kris Jacober with Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Tamanie Sheldon with Arizonas Children Association E1

April 30, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Kris Jacober with Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Tamanie Sheldon with Arizonas Children Association E1

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Kris Jacober with Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Tamanie Sheldon with Arizonas Children Association E1

On this episode of 3C Amplified we discuss the needs of foster children, their foster families and the agencies who serve them. Did you know that each day in the State of Arizona approximately 24 children will come into foster care? Kris Jacober, Executive Director of Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation shared this statistic as well as her agency’s mission to help bring some normalcy to the lives of children and teens in care. Last year her nonprofit was able to grant more than $1Million so children and teens in foster care could participate in extracurricular activities, like sports and music, post-secondary education and for life’s surprises, like car maintenance.

Tamanie Sheldon, Program Director for Arizona’s Children Association, relayed the message that there is a great need for families willing to care for teens in foster care. Her agency is spending the month of May, also known as National Foster Care Month, recruiting new families to fill this need.

Want to get involved and help make a difference? Listen now to hear how you as a business owner or individual can help by becoming a mentor, hosting a backpack or toy drive, offer free event space, or participate in AFFCF’s Keys to Success Program.

The mission of the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is to improve the lives of children in foster care in Arizona by funding social, athletic and educational activities and items that are not paid for in any other way. AFFCF pays for athletic registration, music lessons, theme park tickets, martial arts, gymnastics, summer camp, swim lessons and more. AFFCF also funds post-secondary scholarships for young men and women who have aged out of foster care. And, the AFFCF Keys to Success program provides one on one career development and employment services for youth in foster care and who have aged out of foster care, ages 16-21.

Kris Jacober is Executive Director of the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and President of the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents. Kris is most proud of her role as foster mom, and the care that she and her family have provided for 17 children in foster care over 15 years.

Prior to joining the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation in 2011, Kris filled marketing, communications and fundraising positions at Arizona’s Children Association and Aid to Adoption of Special Kids.

Kris is a graduate of the University of Michigan and moved to Arizona to ‘never be cold again.’ She is also a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XVII. Kris and her husband Joe were recognized by the Children’s Action Alliance as the 2013 Phoenix “Champions for Children.” She is also active in the ‘Recycle Your Bicycle” drive to collect and refurbish bikes for children in foster care. Kris and her husband Joe have been married for more than 33 years and have three children.

Follow AFFCF on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) is the best resource for helping children and families in the state. Our mission is to protect children, empower youth and strengthen families. Founded in 1912, we are now one of the oldest and largest statewide child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit agencies in Arizona. Our professionally trained, caring and dedicated staff provides a broad spectrum of services that help create and sustain a healthy family environment. We meet the needs of our local communities by providing foster care & adoption, behavioral health services, family preservation & reunification, kinship services, parenting education, and transitional youth services. Our programs serve more than 40,000 children, individuals and families in all 15 counties of the state each year. AzCA is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).

Tamanie Sheldon has worked in Child Welfare cumulatively for 11 years and worked specifically with Arizona’s Children Association in different capacities for nearly 6 of those years. Tamanie currently works as the Program Director of Foster Care and Adoption for Arizona’s Children Association and co-chairs for the Project Jigsaw committee. She has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Arizona State University and continues to be an ambassador for the children and youth in foster care and the LGBTQ community within the child welfare realm; assuring persons from the LGBTQ community have the resources and information to become parents through foster care and/or adoption.

Follow AzCA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About 3C Amplified

3C Amplified is a space to highlight businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals collaborating to amplify their impact in the community. We share real world examples for how partnerships allow for growth both within our businesses and our communities. Listen in as we share how others are connecting, creating and collaborating and how you can be part of something greater.

About Jacqueline Destremps

Jacqueline Destremps is a creative marketing strategist and founded Another Hand Advantage, LLC in 2014 to help community minded small business owners and nonprofit professionals move forward more confidently with their marketing strategy. After graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Psychology, she has spent her professional career working in both the nonprofit and for-profit sector.

She now enjoys being self-employed and the flexibility it provides to allow more time to volunteer, serve on nonprofit boards, choose pro-bono projects, run 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun (which she co-founded in 2014) and travel the world. Jacqueline believes in creating connections between businesses and nonprofits in the community to stimulate growth and collaboration.

Follow AHA on Twitter and Facebook.

Pensacola Business Radio-04.20.16 – idgroup-Special Edition-“Brand On Us”

April 20, 2016 by angishields

Pensacola Business Radio

Pensacola Business Radio-04.20.16 - idgroup-Special Edition-"Brand On Us"

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Mona Amodeo/idgroup: President and Founder

Kristin Fairchild/Chain Reaction: Executive Director and Founder

Ray Palmer/Pensacola Sports: Executive Director

Sarah Humile/Humane Society: Executive Director

Susan Byram/Autism Pensacola: Executive Director

Giving Back

We believe in lifting up small, local not-for-profit groups that have a big impact in our community.

For years, idgroup has partnered with local not-for-profit organizations to fulfill a variety of their branding and organizational development needs. Through our past work, we know that our community is full of compassionate, giving hearts, and we know that building strong identities and increasing awareness for these organizations has had a meaningful impact on our community.

If you’ve ever visited us in our office, you’ve heard the idgroup saying, “Trust the Process.” Looking at our past not-for-profit work, we realized that we were not empowering these organizations with our strongest tool, the idgroup process. Since then, we’ve made a commitment to dedicate our time and talents to a small, local not-for-profit group annually. We commit to building firm foundations that create the most important part of a brand: a strong brand reputation that lasts.

To stay true to our beliefs and impact our community in a big way, we created Brand On Us™. Through the Brand On Us initiative, one deserving not-for-profit group will be chosen each year to receive a comprehensive and integrated brand makeover. During a seven-month Branding from the Core engagement, the selected organization will receive over $100,000 in idgroup services.

For details on applicant requirements and project timelines, download our Brand on Us 2017 Application or contact:

Lindsey Braxton Shook

lindsey@idgroupbranding.com

850-438-7823 ext. 101

Kristin Fairchild / Chain Reaction

Kristin Fairchild is the founder and executive director of Chain Reaction, and has been leading the teen leadership institute for 13 years. She has a Bachelor of Human Sciences, Family and Child Development degree from Auburn University (1992-1996). Additionally, she is a keynote and motivational speaker for several schools here in Pensacola.

About Chain Reaction

Chain Reaction is a teen leadership institute with a character education program that uses volunteerism as a teaching tool. They are focused on helping teens become all they can be and learning life’s lessons through volunteering. The organization utilizes each teen’s passion and talent to create volunteer opportunities that are fun and educational. Their scientific approach to service is what makes us different. By mixing our teens like chemicals in laboratory, they create a positive force that impacts the local community. They leverage a proven curriculum to mix their teens with the elements of service—empowering teens to discover their innate strengths and untapped abilities while uniting as a team of connected, committed citizens who aspire to see the good in all things. They seek to create opportunities for our members to learn servant leadership skills through community service learning and civic projects within a safe, fun and empowering environment.

Sarah Humile is the Executive Director at the Pensacola Humane Society and is a life-long animal lover and shelter pet advocate. She has been with the Pensacola Humane Society for 4 years, and in that time has taken them through a re-brand, built their low-cost spay and neuter clinic, and started the organization on its 10-year endeavor to make all of Escambia County no-kill.

About The Pensacola Humane Society

The Pensacola Humane Society is an organization comprised of passionate advocates that love animals as much as they love us: unconditionally. We are a unique mix of dreamers, idealists, and optimists grounded in reality and fueled by an overwhelming commitment to the wellbeing and care of all animals within our community. We are known both within our community and nationally as an exemplar animal agency. We are the Pensacola Humane Society, changing our community four paws at a time.

Ray Palmer/Pensacola Sports: Executive Director

Pensacola Sports

Pensacola Sports is a private 501(c)4 not-for-profit agency primarily funded from revenues generated from membership and events. It is one of the oldest sports events organization in the country; their history dates back to 1955 when they led efforts to manage local and national golf tournament events right here in Pensacola.

Since then, their reach has grown to encompass more than golf. Today, they reach over 25,000 people across a variety of sport events, activities and initiatives, including baseball, basketball, football, running, soccer, tennis and more. They are committed to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Pensacola and the surrounding communities through the virtues of sports.

Susan Byram / Autism Pensacola

Susan Byram is the President/CEO of Autism Pensacola, Inc. (API). She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and briefly taught elementary school. In 1994, she co-founded the Purchase Area Autism Society and after moving to Florida in 2001, co-founded the Autism Society of the Panhandle (now Autism Pensacola, Inc.) She served as a volunteer advocate and leader in the autism field from her son’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2006, she began serving as director of API. Under her leadership API has grown from a small parent led support group to a non-profit business with strong community support and leadership. Susan and husband Mike have 2 adult sons, who both live in the Pensacola area.

Torri Hicks with Youthnique and Vince Bailey with Vince Bailey Productions

June 13, 2014 by Mike

Business Leaders of Today

Torri Hicks with Youthnique and Vince Bailey with Vince Bailey Productions

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Vince Bailey, Angel Nowlin, Tess Turrin, Torri Hicks

Torri Hicks/Youthnique

It takes a unique and youthful approach to help nonprofits thrive, thus “YouthNique”. YouthNique is a cutting-edge nonprofit management company that assists in the start and management of thriving nonprofit foundations and organizations providing leaders, entertainers and professional athletes with an opportunity to turn their philanthropic vision into reality.

Vince “the Voice” Bailey/Vince Bailey Productions

Vince has been in the video production business for the past 30 years, the past 16 as the owner of Vince Bailey Productions. Clients have included the USDA National Forest Service, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, UnitedHealthcare, Job Corps, State and Local Government Agencies, Georgia Force arena football, Atlanta Dream basketball and many commercial and non-profit organizations. From idea to completion, large or small, contact Vince Bailey Productions for all of your video production needs!