Grant Spotlight: Center for Holistic Development, Inc.

Mission: The Center for Holistic Development (CHD) is committed to serving a diverse community by providing “holistic” behavioral healthcare and education to individuals and families. Our services go far beyond traditional counseling services as they incorporate prevention, education, community outreach as well as intervention. We show our commitment to those who invest in us by investing in the community. Our firm understanding is that as we change an individual’s mind, we can change their life, and as we change their life, we change the community.

Funded Program Description: The Brighter Days program is CHD’s holistic approach to suicide prevention in the African American community. The initiative’s aim is to provide opportunities and resources to memorialize those who have been lost to suicide, comfort those who have experienced the loss of a loved one who died by suicide, provide resources and opportunities to process grief associated with this traumatic loss, and offer resources to educate and prevent suicide by promoting the benefits of mental wellness.

Successful Rally and Memorial Walk: August 24, 2024 @ Benson Park in Omaha, NE
HOPE is the message that resonated with the more than sixty people who attended the 2nd Annual Brighter Days Rally and Memorial Walk.

The event began with Pamela King, the program’s coordinator, who set the atmosphere with a description of the program and a warm welcome. Doris Moore, CEO of CHD, shared statistical data on rising suicide trends and local & national incidents within the African American community. Allen Stevenson’s original poem captivated the crowd as he expounded on the hope needed to persevere and overcome the feelings associated with challenging emotions and survivor guilt. Likewise, local artist Alisa Moore took everyone through a range of emotions with her beautiful rendition of Casey J’s hit song “Journal.”

Rally attendees heard two personal testimonials of real-life experiences with suicide and the impact on family members who lost their loved one(s) to death by suicide. An African American male in his 50s shared heart wrenching details of a suicide attempt as a teenager. An African American mother shared the effects of losing a son and nephew (within a brief period) to death by suicide.

Over the Hill Drill Team provided a captivating kick off to the Memorial Walk. The African origins of drumming and dancing continues to be a huge presence in African American culture. The drummers hammered out rhythm and soul. The call and response from the dance team reverberated through the crowd as they executed each move with precision. In addition to a great show, the drill team delivered rejuvenation
for attendees. CHD staff then adorned the necks of attendees with color coded memory beads signifying whom they had lost to suicide. Previously bowed heads lifted, wet eyes dried, and smiles returned as the group began the journey around Lake
Benson. It was clear that while the Rally’s attendees have suffered loss—HOPE remains.

Keep an eye out for CHD’s upcoming efforts to address suicide through a lens of prevention, education, outreach, and intervention. Plans include opportunities for the community to participate in an educational suicide workshop, attend a reading by local artists that destigmatizes behavioral health services, and a rally/memorial walk that highlights the need to #endthetrend and provide support to those impacted by suicide.

Doris Moore
Founder and CEO

Pamela King
Community Outreach Coordinator