News & Information


April 25th, 2008 - The Responsibility of a Counseling Center.

A Message From
Gabe Guerrieri,
Executive Director

It is normal and appropriate for people to think that the first responsibility of a community based non-profit organization is to be there when needed. I agree! It is also reasonable to think that a counseling center should have available certified and competent people. I also agree that people should expect us to be ready and willing to do the best we can even if it takes that extra special time to go the additional mile for someone’s cause and concern. It is also important for us to walk in someone’s shoes in order to understand what they are dealing with, and I am confident that we do that each and every time someone calls us for help. I am so confident in that promise that I would stake our 29 years reputation on it. But I think there is more to be said.

A community center that serves the public should also take the leadership to point out to people some of the everyday concerns that face the American public everyday. We also have the responsibility to give back something to the community in which we work in. I am concerned about each individual that we serve in our offices but I am also concerned about the general health and wellbeing of the community at large. Keeping us all healthy will in itself build a stronger community, a healthier population, a more knowledgeable populace, and kids that will grow up to respect us all for being better informed thus teaching them to do the same. Some of these things I am thinking about are as follows.

Violence in our homes, our schools and our communities needs to be addressed; Parents who need help in managing their families; Those who want to stop smoking but have difficulty in doing so; How do we deal with anger – does anger run our lives? What do we know about global warming if anything? Do we take recycling seriously; do we know how it affects our environment? Do we try to conserve water, or walk more and try to use our cars less frequently? Is our behavior erratic and what do we teach our kids if it is? Are we aware of our weight and what we should do about it? Are we being responsible to others so that our kids know what that means? Do we volunteer our time for a good cause? Do we try to do the right thing most of the time?

Whether it is the environment, for our personal integrity, community norms, or our own personal standards, whatever the thought, are we as aware as we could be in making changes that could affect a larger picture? Do we sit down to eat a meal together, do we take time to talk to each other, does dad and mom take that extra special time to zero in on the uniqueness of their children? All these things happen first in the home and then in society. We need to remember that children learn what they see.

I want to think that Genesis does more then treat the individual. We are also here to educate society that the individual lives in and to have that healthier society we have to take a good look at ourselves and make the change.

To begin this process, Genesis, in conjunction with Dillon Marcus Executive Retreats, Greentree Total Health Care, and The Collingswood Police Department, has created a new workshop series called the Living Tree Series. This series will be free to the public due to a generous sponsorship from The Tap Room and Grill. In these workshops different topics will be covered through different series, which will include a Women’s, Family, Adolescent, General Wellness, and a Professional Training Series. The purpose of this writing is not to offend fathers simply because they are not the topic of this writing. Although Mother’s Day is right around the corner when everyone and their uncle writes about mothers, I want to stress the importance of mothers so I thought I’d write a few comments.

April 10th, 2008- Genesis Announces Walk-a-thon.


"Walk the Talk: Christopher Schultes 5k Run / Walk to Change Lives

Click here to register online.

Saturday, October 11, 2008
Cooper River Park, Collingswood, NJ
Check In: 8 – 9 am
Runners: 9 am
Walkers: 9:15 am

More event and sponsorship information coming soon.


April 25th, 2007 - The Strength of Mothers.

Mothers keep the world moving. We take them for granted. We expect from them and seldom say thank you. We need to celebrate mothers along with Mother Earth because they are truly the Salt of the Earth. In the Fall, Genesis sponsored a Walkathon and it was a huge success. People came, walked, mingled and socialized, and contributed to a cause. That cause was to celebrate youth. But to be honest, none of this would have happened if the mother of the adolescent we remembered that day had not come forth and said, “I want to celebrate my son’s life.”
We had an open house for our Mt. Laurel office. A mother came forward and asked me to help her and others remember the life of her son even though he died at a young age. She said, “I want people to remember the good things about my son, not just the questionable moments.” So this mother donated some money to make the office a reality.

When a young person is hit by cancer and they go through many moments of doubt and despair, so too does the mother of that young person. The mother sits quietly and prays. She holds on to any expression of hope and faith and love from others to get her child through the difficult times ahead as he struggles through the process of healing. She does this silently and in the quiet of her mind and hopes, against all adversity, that God will be merciful and help.

When a child commits suicide, the family is wracked with pain. The trauma that hits that family is unbearable, and yet the mother keeps moving the family forward. Where does she get her strength? I really don’t know, nor could I even guess an answer.

When mental health problems and/or addictions hit her family, how does she plough through life every day? Where does she find the strength to keep going? How does she know things will work out at all? I don’t know that answer, either.

What I do know is that there is a small magnetic card on my daughter’s refrigerator which has a quote by Winston Churchill: “if you are going through hell, keep going.” Maybe in some strange way the commitment and the reserve to keep going no matter what lays ahead, is the secret that makes the difference. Is that what mothers do?

I would like to see husbands, sons, significant others, and children take the time to recognize the value of mothers. Take the time not just on special occasions to show appreciation and thanks for moms who are so stalwart, so strong, so present in good times and in bad. A simple “thank you” can make a significant difference and be a true recognition of the person.

 

March 30th, 2006 - Genesis Announces Walk-a-thon.

Genesis announces its annual fundraiser...
"Walk the Talk: Christopher Schultes 5k Run / Walk to Change Lives

Click here to register online.

Saturday, September 23, 2006
Cooper River Park, Collingswood, NJ
Check In: 8 – 9 am
Runners: 9 am
Walkers: 9:15 am

More event and sponsorship information coming soon.

 

March 20th, 2006 - President Unveils New Image

It is exciting to see Genesis grow, at one time it was easy to see where people were coming from or who referred them. However, in the recent years people have been referring family and friends, because people have been satisfied with what they have received – quality treatment . Genesis has won the hearts and respect of those who know us and for me this is the highest form of flattery.

This new Web Site and look is turning the page on a whole new Genesis that has been growing for many years. People can now access our services and know what we stand for in a new way. My hope is that in reading what is contained, the reader will see in the printed materials, the care and respect that has made Genesis so successful over the years.

We now have another announcement to make. Starting May 1st Genesis will also be located in the Mt. Laurel area which borders Cherry Hill and Mt. Laurel. The address is 20000 Horizon Way (on the corner of Springdale road and Horizon Way) Suite 170. This new office will serve the area of Mt. Laurel, Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Marlton, Medford, and the surrounding townships. This reiterates what I said earlier about our growth and our commitment to excellence.

For now I hope you enjoy this new website and please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions that will help us to continue our mission.

 
     
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