Spero Counseling and Wellness Center Expands in West Frankfort, IL to Meet Growing Demand
Spero Counseling and Wellness Center are excited to announce the expansion of our office in West Frankfort, IL, in response to the overwhelming demand for services. Since opening our doors in 2017, Spero has been dedicated to providing exceptional counseling and wellness services to the community, and the expansion will allow us to reach even more individuals in need.
The decision to expand comes as a result of the increasing demand for mental health services in the West Frankfort area. Spero has observed the need for our services grow steadily over the years, with more and more individuals seeking professional counseling and support. The expansion will enable Spero to hire around 5 new therapists, allowing us to expand our capacity to serve clients and address the growing demand effectively. “We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in West Frankfort,” says Tammy Sweet, Executive Director of Spero Community Mental Health. “The support and championing of the West Frankfort community since our establishment has been truly humbling. This expansion will enable us to continue providing high-quality mental health services to even more individuals, helping them find healing and empowerment.”
The expansion project, set to be completed by March 2024 and involves the acquisition and renovation of the neighboring building. The new space will be transformed into a therapy center, providing a calm and welcoming environment for clients seeking support. This space will also include the addition of a new Play therapy and Sand Tray therapy room for children. Play therapy is an evidence-based type of therapy used with children of all ages. Children are not always able to share and process their emotions, past traumas, and current problems like adults do. Play is a child’s natural form of communication and something they use daily to make sense of their world. Play therapy allows the therapist to meet a child where they are.
Spero Counseling and Wellness Center remains committed to our mission of promoting mental health and well-being in the West Frankfort community. By expanding our team of highly qualified therapists, we will be able to offer a wider range of specialized services, catering to the unique needs of each individual.
For more information on Spero Counseling and Wellness Center and our services, please visit sperofs.org/counseling-wellness-center/ or contact 618-242-6944.
Spero to host Tune In Training
Visit sperofs.org/professional-development for a list of all available trainings.Spero Family Services Earns Prestigious COA Reaccreditation, Recognized as a Provider of Excellence in Behavioral Health Care and Human Services
COA is an independent not-for-profit international accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations.
“On behalf of the COA, I am delighted to inform you that Spero Family Services has been reaccredited. Reaccreditation is a tremendous achievement, demonstrating that your organization is recognized as a provider that continues to implement high-performance standards successfully and delivers the highest quality services to all its stakeholders. Congratulations!” states Jody Levison-Johnson, COA President & CEO, in an email to Spero Family Services.
The COA reaccreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administrative operations and service delivery practices. All are “measured” against national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, they confirm that a skilled and supported workforce provides the services and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
“This accreditation is independent verification that Spero Family Services provides high-quality professional services,” adds Joe Bernard, CEO of Spero Family Services. “I am very proud of our staff and their fine work.”
Spero Family Services has been providing quality services to children since 1913. This past year, Spero Family Services served over 1200 children, families, and individuals through several programs throughout the community.
COA reaccreditation is an objective and reliable verification that provides confidence and support to an organization’s service recipients, board members, staff, and community partners. Today, over 1600 organizations—public and private—are either COA-accredited or are in the process of seeking accreditation. These organizations serve over 7 million individuals each year.
Youthbuild program launches donation drive to support residents of nature trail health and rehab center
The Spero YouthBuild Program is inviting the community to give back this holiday season. For Giving Tuesday, the program decided to take on a community project by creating donation gift boxes for the residents of Nature Trail Health and Rehab Center. The hope is to provide them with items such as coloring books, colored pencils, puzzles, word searches, card games, hand warmers, and stuffed animals. To make this a reality, the program is asking individuals to visit any of the seven drop-off locations in town to donate any of these items that would bring a smile to the residents at Nature Trail this holiday season.
John Hayes, a YouthBuild participant, explained, “When I learned that we would be working on a project to give back to our community, I immediately thought about Nature Trail Nursing Home as a good place to give back to. Elders deserve love too, and they are often the forgotten part of our community. There is no reason why they should be forgotten about. A little bit of love goes a long way.” Donation boxes are set up around town at Spero’s Counseling and Wellness Center, Wilford’s Printing, Parkway Shoe Repair, Trinity’s Beauty, YouthBuild, Mount Vernon Baptist Temple, and Waltonville Baptist Church. Donations will be accepted at any of these locations until December 12th.
YouthBuild is a program that is free for young adults who are 16-24 years old and need a certificate of High School Equivalency (HSE/GED). The program is six months long and integrates work experience with education, occupational skills development in construction and other career pathways, support services, leadership development, and alumni success.
Enrollment for YouthBuild is now open! If you want to enroll or learn more about the program, please call (618) 242-6723 or visit https://www.sperofs.org/youthbuild.
November Tales of Transformation
Tales of Transformation
Annual Report 22-23
Tales of Transformation
Spero Youth Home Receives a Fresh New Look
Spero Foster Care Program Exceeds DCFS Goal
Spero Family Services, Foster Care Program celebrated exceeding their goal of achieving permanency for specialized foster youth in FY23. The team was recognized by Associate Deputy Director Deborah Kennedy and her team. During FY23, Spero’s Foster Care Program surpassed DCFS’s goal for placing children in adopted homes, with guardianships or returning the children home. Specialized Foster Care services for youth with mental health/behavioral special 
needs and/ or medical/developmental special needs.
Spero’s Foster Care Program received a program expansion from the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) to serve Home of Relative cases. Home of Relative Foster Care serves children placed in a licensed relative’s home due to experiencing abuse, neglect, dependence, or needing an out-of-home placement. “Spero has been given the opportunity to expand our Foster Care program. We have been serving Jefferson County and surrounding areas for many years and look forward to being able to support more children and families in our community! I truly believe that we wouldn’t be able to do our work without our foster parents’ continued dedication, says Elizabeth Carson, Adoption and Permanency Specialist.
Spero Family Services Foster Care Program is located on the 3rd Floor of The Mt. Vernon Innovation Hub located at 123 S. 10th Street.