After Sandy Hook, Children's Grove sought to improve mental health. Here's what it's done

A Columbia organization aimed at improving youth mental health is celebrating two milestones this week: a 10th anniversary, along with an art installation to mark it.

The nonprofit Children's Grove got its start in 2012 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The organization was formalized by Spring 2014.

Children's Grove is known for its Kindness Tree program and butterfly benches throughout the city, kindness clubs and ambassadors in Columbia schools, mental health outreach, murals downtown in Alley A and at Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and it sculpture garden at Stephens Lake Park east of the Reichmann Indoor Pavilion in the 2300 block of East Walnut Street.

The Children's Grove Sculpture Garden started with 41 butterfly magnolia and crabapple trees planted in arcs to represent arms hugging the community. The second phase of the sculpture garden started Monday with the dedication of the sculpture "Be" by Ben Pierce, the first of upward seven sculpture installations. Art installations will focus on "the language of acceptance toward self and others," an information sheet noted.

Children's Grove art committee co-chair Judith LeFevre recognized collaborations and partnerships the organization has with various City of Columbia Departments, including Parks and Recreation and the Office of Cultural Affairs. She also recognized committee members before reading Pierce's artist statement on his sculpture.

The sculpture is two square stainless steel columns arching toward each other, one taller than the other. The shorter piece has a wild and circular engraving pattern, while the taller has has smoother and calmer engraved pattern.

"My idea is that it is two figures that could be a parent and child or just someone in need coming to someone for help," LeFevre said, quoting Pierce. "The two inside surfaces don't have the same design as the outer layer. They are clean and smoother and it is like a sacred space: The space of connection and a bonding element.

"All of this is to say we need to be aware of those around us and of ourselves, not just for yourself, but for others, so we can help them in their time of need."

Programs on youth mental health

Prior to formalization, Children's Grove was working with the Putting Kids First coalition, which eventually put up a Boone County tax ballot measure in 2012 that passed, leading to the creation of the Boone County Children Services Board.

That fund has helped get more mental health services for school-age students. One pilot program that developed into a regular program known as Bridge was highlighted by Laine Young-Walker, University of Missouri Health Care psychiatry department chair.

"Boone County really saw mental health for children as a concern and they wanted to do something about it," Young-Walker said. "Bridge school-based psychiatry is one of those programs funded from the children's mental health tax."

The inspiration for Bridge came from a conversation Young-Walker had with a nurse during inpatient rounds on a psychiatric unit.

"She said we need to go in schools, ... so she and I mobilized," Young-Walker said, adding Bridge officially started in 2015. "It brings child psychiatrists and nurse case managers to the schools."

This is all done regardless of a student or their family's health insurance status, and the nurse case managers are there to help families who may be underinsured or need help getting insurance, such as Medicaid, Young-Walker said. About 350 to 400 children and families receive services and aid each year.

"It really helps to stabilize the children's mental health but it also helps the parents. That nurse case manager is pivotal," she said.

Getting Children's Grove started

While the impetus behind the start of Children's Grove was the Sandy Hook shooting, one of the people to get it going was Anne Deaton, wife of former MU Chancellor Brady Deaton, and professor in her own right in human development and family studies.

Other founders included Pete Millier, who has remained on the Children's Grove board since its inception. He read a statement from Anne Deaton about Children's Grove founding.

More: Here's how Columbia, Boone County organizations raised awareness for Children's Mental Health

"Think about how a small band of Columbians further committed to reclaiming the power of kindness to connect us all," Millier said, quoting Deaton.

"Every act of kindness raises the happiness of two people, the recipient and the giver," he added, referencing Deaton's note about Pierce's sculpture.

Other speakers Monday included Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington, who spoke to Children's Grove impacts in the community and its recognitions statewide.

More: Inclusive 'Kindness Heals' mural embraces 'all of our diversity,' Columbia mayor says

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Children's Grove in Columbia marks 10th anniversary with new sculpture