Mathematically, a great circle refers to the largest circle that can be created by the intersection of a sphere and a plane. While the concept may seem a little abstract when described verbally, the nonprofit Great Circle has brought its own powerful meaning to the term. The children and families it serves join with its partners to create a circle of support to help families through some of life’s toughest challenges. Great Circle is dedicated to breaking the stigma attached to behavioral and mental health issues and providing the necessary services to help those affected thrive.
“Everyone, at some point, needs help dealing with life’s challenges,” says CEO and president Vince Hillyer. “People need to feel they can reach out without fear of stigmas or being branded as weak or crazy.” Great Circle’s multiple regional campuses throughout Missouri, including one in Webster Groves, offer more than 40 programs, including autism services, parenting support, individual and family therapy, and 24-hour specialized care. It offers a continuum of care that includes the option to visit the campus or have experts come directly to families’ homes. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution; instead, the nonprofit focuses on helping each family on its own unique journey. “The breadth of our services sets us apart from other organizations,” Hillyer notes. “Clients have stability during treatment because they can move easily from one service to another without interruption as needs or goals change. They also can access multiple services concurrently.”
One service offered is Great Circle Academy, an alternative for children who struggle in traditional schools. The organization operates five schools in Missouri, including one on its Webster Groves campus. The local school serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 with social, emotional and behavioral health challenges and those with an autism spectrum diagnosis. A high school program is dedicated to teens recovering from substance abuse. The school is equipped to meet students’ educational needs while also providing them access to Great Circle’s extensive array of therapeutic services, allowing them to receive individualized attention and care not available in standard educational environments. It’s reflective of the same structure of support that defines the organization. “We don’t ask, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ but rather, ‘What happened to you?’” Hillyer explains. “Then we provide care that’s as individual as the person who’s seeking help.”
To share its mission with the community, Great Circle throws an annual gala, Starry Starry Night. This year, the event is Nov. 10 at the Four Seasons. The theme, Celebrating the Rhythm of Us, reflects how the organization helps children and families find an internal rhythm to make navigating life easier. To illustrate the empowerment its programs provide children, the evening will include performances of poems and songs written by young clients. “Everything Great Circle does focuses on strengthening families because when they are the best they can be, your community is stronger,” Hillyer says. “Within our circle of support, families and children find access to care when they need it most from people who understand mental health is as important as physical health. They receive the tools to build a future filled with promise.”
Great Circle offers a spectrum of behavioral health services to children and families. Its annual gala, Starry Starry Night, is Nov. 10 at the Four Seasons. Pictured on the cover: Jeanne Crawford, Jill Arbet, Nick Gates, Bette and David Mueller. For more information, call 314.919.4785 or visit greatcircle.org/events.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured above: Great Circle teachers see each student as an individual.
