NNews April 2024

45 April 2024 (continued on page 46) about in the community to enrich and fulfill consumers’ lives with different experiences. We keep them connectedwith families and the community at large,” Widdows said. To offer more events and socializing, SERV is preparing tomove into a newheadquarters location that includes recreation areas for clients and staff. “Our programs reach over 3,000 people annually, providing vital support, resources and residential services. With our new corporate site, we will have a centralized space to oversee our operations and provide amuch-needed gathering place for our community,”Widdows said. Diversity, equity and inclusion are also a major focus at SERV. “We strive to treat everyone equally and ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities,” Widdows stated. SERV encourages internal promotions, “Nonprofit work with underserved populations dealing withmental health and substance use is of the utmost importance for our communities,” stated Kendria McWilliams, MBA, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Maryville since 2011, chairs the Board of Trustees for NJMHI and is a NJMHI Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionalsmentor. Since Maryville was established in 1949 as an alcohol treatment center for men, it has grown to 20 treatment programs in four South Jersey locations serving 7,000 people each year. A fifth location will open in Voorhees in the near future. “Our growth and success results from our constant focus on serving people,” McWilliams said. “We build relationships and bridges for clients through hundreds of partnerships with hospitals, schools, other treatment agencies and other organizations.” and prides itself in providing the training and support necessary for dedicated teammembers to advance into supervisory positions. “We havemore than 800 employees, and any employee can attend a specialized program, appropriately named SERV University, for specific training to learn the skills necessary to be promoted into supervisory, management and director positions, independent of formal advanced education. We help valued teammembers develop the skills needed to transition fromdirect care provider to supervisor, and from supervisor to coordinator andmanager,” saidWiddows, who is also amentor for the New JerseyMental Health Institute (NJMHI) Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals (see page 38 for details) . Maryville Addiction Treatment Center Partnerships Result in Innovative Services and Lasting Positive Outcomes Several partnerships were established in recent years, many through a competitive grant process. In 2019, Maryville workedwith Burlington County Department of Health’s drug and alcohol program to create Hope One. Nurses, social workers, counselors and Certified Peer Recovery Support staff go into high traffic/ use areas to provide treatment referrals, fentanyl test strips, Narcan training, clothes, food, and community services. In 2023 alone, this programserved 5,262 people.