I announced last month that Good News Network was giving away 2,500 free books for our 25th anniversary—and it took many weeks to read and assess the hundreds of requests. But all the books have now been packaged, and I wanted to share the wonderful list of groups that are receiving them.
The paperback—And Now, The Good News: 20 Years of Inspiring News Stories—is a collection of my favorites published on GNN over its first two decades (which makes a great stocking stuffer or holiday gift, by the way!)
For this giveaway, I chose groups that are making a big difference in large populations of people struggling with mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and cancer.
Check out this inspiring group of providers, who every day work to make our world a better place by helping those having the hardest time:
Women’s Prison in South Burlington, Vermont – Alexandria Kerrigan works as a mental health clinician at a women’s prison where inmates have “experienced so much trauma”. She aims to facilitate a group to discuss the inspiring stories.
Psychiatric Hospital in Louisville, Colorado – Centennial Peaks hospital provides psychiatric stabilization and around-the-clock nursing care for patients experiencing critical mental health issues, such as suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, homicidal ideation, or psychotic episodes.
Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida – The James Haley Veterans Hospital will distribute books on the rehabilitation floor, where many of the Vets suffer from depression and anxiety.
At-Risk Youth in Rancho Cucamonga, California – Mental Health Systems / Turn is a nonprofit organization outside of Los Angeles offering early wraparound programs that help at-risk youth with different diagnosis like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Detox and Recovery in Chandler, Arizona – Buena Vista Recovery is a substance abuse and detox treatment center with three campuses that accepts government-funded insurance, as well as private—treating all walks of life.
Residential Treatment in Frederick, Maryland – ClearView Communities is a nonprofit residential treatment program for those with severe and persistent mental illness that focuses on helping people learn how to manage their illness, so that they can reintegrate into the community and live a better life.
Homeless Shelters in Down East Maine – H.O.M.E. is a nurturing 55-bed community housing the homeless and low-income residents in Orland. The Emmaus Homeless Shelter in Ellsworth is a 25-bed facility which can accommodate four families, six single women, and five single men. Both are part of Healthy Peninsula.
Mental Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan – Ann Arbor Center for the Family employs 16 psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists, who see all kinds of clients—many with depression and anxiety—including kids and families.
Community Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Milestone cares for over 1,200 individuals per year within their mental health programs, including outpatient, partial hospitalization, peer support, supportive housing, food bank, drop-in center, social rehabilitation, and community residential rehabilitation.
Vulnerable Teens in Alameda, California – The Alameda County of Education operates juvenile court schools, community schools, and programs to educate students not served by local school districts in the San Francisco Bay area. They provide academic instruction and support services to the county’s most vulnerable students including justice-involved youth, pregnant and parenting minors, foster youth, and homeless youth.
Crisis Response in Tucson, Arizona – The Connections Health Solutions Crisis Response Center serves anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Their youth unit provided therapeutic crisis services to over 2,900 youth last year, with 1,200 of those staying on-site for up to several days.
Intervention and Treatment in Lexington, Virginia – Rockbridge Area Community Services provides help for a rural region of around 40,000 Virginians—from intervention and treatment for mental health and substance use to developmental disability services.
Women’s Treatment Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota – Wayside Recovery is a Women’s Treatment Center with two residential sites that have treated women and women with children for over 65 years, improving the lives of more than 32,000 women and 6,100 children impacted by trauma and addiction.
Spiritual and Educational Support in Prisons – LinkOutside, founded 7 years ago in Orange County, California, serves the spiritual, moral, and educational well-being of incarcerated men and women in the U.S. and will distribute the books among multiple prisons, like Wasco State Prison in California, Marion Federal Penitentiary in Illinois, and the Texas correctional facility’s Coffield Unit.
Caregiver Support in Snohomish County / Seattle, Washington – This local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a small all-volunteer nonprofit treating those in behavioral health crisis—with a particular interest in caregivers who themselves are in the throes of depression, anxiety or PTSD, while caring for someone else with illness.
Mental Health Support for Teens in Manchester, Connecticut – The Manchester Clinical Day School serves middle and high school students who have a variety of severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, ADHD, and difficult family situations.
High School Students in Baltimore, Maryland – A social worker at Perry Hall High School serving 2,000 students in Baltimore County has seen that many of the teens are struggling to manage their emotions, with disorders including anxiety, depression, and stress—especially since the pandemic.
PTSD and Bipolar Disorder in Chicago, Illinois – RebeccasDream.org promotes compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder among teachers and students struggling with mental health challenges. Many in their Highland Park community were traumatized by a July 4th shooting and the group hopes to launch a book discussion via zoom with mental health professionals and the GNN team to explore the use of positive news to promote emotional wellbeing.
Cancer Center in Paterson, New Jersey – The Valerie Fund Children’s Center, a children’s hematology and oncology outpatient clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital, will be giving books to families who are visiting to receive cancer treatments and placing them in waiting rooms.
Veterans in the Justice System in Montgomery County, Texas – Tri-County Behavioral Health assists military veterans to cope with depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Books will also go to those involved with the justice system through Vet Court programs that help restart lives following bad decision due to PTSD.
Seniors With Mental Health Disorders in Alliance, Ohio – The Acute Psychiatric Unit at Aultman Alliance Community Hospital provides senior care for adults 55 and older with mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. The books will be used to improve self-esteem, optimism, and self-confidence.
Thanks to all of you who wrote in. I wish I could have sent books to everyone. You are GOOD people doing great work. We love you all! xxoo
Geri, GNN’s Founder and CEO