Nexus-Gerard Family Healing has been awarded a grant of $500,000 by The Hormel Foundation toward the addition of a new Family Center on their campus, formerly the estate of Jay C. Hormel.

“We are incredibly grateful for this tremendous support from The Hormel Foundation in cooperation with the United Way of Mower County,” said long-time Austin resident Karen Wolf, Executive Director of Nexus-Gerard. “This will be an important resource for local and visiting families who turn to Nexus-Gerard for support in healing from trauma and mental health challenges.”

Youth who have families actively engaged in their mental health treatment processes have better outcomes. The Family Center will provide families a designated, inviting space to engage, heal and move forward. Designed to create a calm, warm environment from the first step inside the door, the Family Center will include private family spaces and space for support groups.

I have a pit in my stomach over the holidays coming up. My mom's entire side of the family gets together and it's that typical dysfunctional family gathering with too much drinking and snarky comments. I hate it. I've been able to avoid going the last two years (due to COVID) but this year my mom is laying the guilt on thick for me to come. I don't want to go but I don't want to disappoint her. What should I do?

Let someone know you are thinking of them with these printable cards centered around expressing gratitude. These will print with 2 cards on a sheet of paper that you can cut apart and fold.

A list of ideas for finding an item or a gesture to express gratitude to a loved one.

A list of activities to get you and your family started on naming what you are thankful for. You can get as creative as you want with these or keep it simple.

A fun example of the science behind gratitude, explaining why it’s important and how it impacts our brains and helps us build resilience.

Nexus Family Healing names Bryon Fracchia Executive Director of their Baltimore agency, Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing.

In this role, Fracchia will provide leadership and oversee operations of Nexus-Woodbourne’s residential treatment, education, and treatment foster care programs. Fracchia has been serving as interim Executive Director at Nexus-Woodbourne, and prior was the Education Director at the Woodbourne School, the agency’s non-public middle and high school.

“Mr. Fracchia was selected for his outstanding communication skills, strong work ethic, focus on operational excellence and vision for the future of Nexus-Woodbourne,” said Bobbi Kochevar, Chief Operating Officer. “He is passionate about the youth we serve and ensuring we put them on a path to a brighter future.”

Every person’s journey is different, especially when it comes to finding personal health and well-being. These holistic lessons below are helpful reminders when your mindset may be struggling, when you're having difficulty finding positive momentum forward, and needing to change your perspective. 

I'm concerned for my family's safety because my 30-year-old son screams, hollers, makes noises and scares all of us, while refusing to talk to anybody. I don't know what to do about it and I am afraid to confront him because I am scared about what he might do. I'm thinking of sleeping with a baseball bat for protection. What should I do?

When you see or experience a child or teen acting out, what is often your first thought? For most, that first reactionary thought is not one of empathy nor is it thinking about the deeper meaning behind the behavior. If you take a step back and search to understand why a child may be having a certain “undesirable” attitude or outburst, it can solve the problem in a faster, friendlier, and less stressful way.