At Child Guidance Resource Centers (CGRC), our mission is driven by our core values: Respect, Compassion, Integrity, Efficiency, Excellence, and Quality. These values guide our approach to mental health and educational services, ensuring that every child, family, and community we serve receives the highest level of care and support.

We recognize that fostering a sense of belonging is essential for individuals facing mental health challenges. When clients see themselves reflected in their therapists, educators, and support systems, it fosters trust, comfort, and openness—essential elements for healing and growth.

For our clients of color, having a therapist who shares their racial or cultural background can be particularly impactful.

Lived experiences, such as racial trauma, discrimination, or cultural stigmas surrounding mental health, can create barriers to seeking and continuing care. When mental health professionals understand these challenges firsthand, it validates clients' experiences and reinforces that they are not alone.

As we celebrate Black History Month at CGRC, it’s important to highlight the employees who make it their mission to build strong, meaningful relationships with clients.

Empowering Individuals with Mental Disabilities To Make Their Own Choices

Adejoke Balogun, Senior Director, Adult and Residential Services

My name is Adejoke Balogun, and I am the Senior Director for the Adult and Residential services programs at Child Guidance Resource Centers, and I have worked at CGRC for almost 21 years.

What I love most about my job is the fact that it aligns with my personal goals to encourage, to teach and to provide support to individuals with mental disabilities. More importantly, the work we do empowers our clients to develop skills needed and access resources they need to remain safe and stable in the community.

In addition to working with our clients, I have had the privilege of working with kind, dedicated and compassionate employees throughout CGRC. As a woman of color, I feel fulfilled in this field which provides services that enable people to develop life skills & become more independent. I also feel blessed that we empower individuals with disabilities to make their own choices, exercise their own rights and live a life of purpose.

Leading Through Empathy and Fostering Inclusivity

Johnathan Clark, Senior Director of Education Services

As the Senior Director of Education Services at CGRC, I have found my work to be deeply fulfilling. I embrace the responsibility of servanthood through leadership, knowing that my efforts make a lasting impact on the children, families, stakeholders, and coworkers I serve.

Through my role, I support private EES schools, collaborate with community schools, and oversee IBHS services, creating educational mental health clinical programs that foster children’s growth, mental health, and overall well-being. My passion lies in ensuring that every child has access to quality education and resources, breaking down barriers to learning, and empowering individuals with the tools they need to thrive.

Being a biracial minority man in this field adds another layer of significance to my work. Representation is deeply personal to me—it reflects my culture, my family, and my commitment to giving back. My presence as a leader serves as a source of inspiration for others who may not always see themselves reflected in positions of influence. By bringing cultural awareness, empathy, and inclusivity to the programs I lead, I strive to create an environment where all individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered.

My goal is not only to enhance the lives of the children, families, and staff I serve but also to contribute to a more equitable and understanding community. By fostering inclusivity and representation in both mental health care and education, we are creating a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive—academically, emotionally, and personally.

Our Values Drive Our Impact

At CGRC, we embody our values every day, with every client, and with every employee:

  • Respect     ensures that all individuals, regardless of background, feel seen, heard, and valued.
  • Compassion     drives us to provide care with empathy and understanding.
  • Integrity     leads us to serve with honesty, accountability, and a commitment to doing what is right.
  • Efficiency     allows us to maximize our resources to best serve the needs of children and families.
  • Excellence     challenges us to continuously improve and innovate in the services we provide.
  • Quality     ensures that every program and intervention is delivered at the highest standard.

We also emphasize diversity and cultural competence. This allows our staff to break down barriers to healing and ensure that every individual receives the support and validation they deserve. Representation matters—not just in the therapy room but in leadership as well.