LAHC Transforms Lives Through Supportive Recreational Therapy and More

Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities (LAHC) has deep roots in supporting young people — especially through rich social opportunities found in sports. The organization was founded in Dearborn in 1982 around a shared love of soccer in the immigrant refugee community of Wayne County.

LAHC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social services agency dedicated to providing essential human services. Founded four decades ago by immigrants with the original aim of offering social and recreational opportunities for local youth, particularly through the sport of soccer, it has evolved today into a dynamic and highly sought after social services agency that has adapted to the changing needs of the community.

LAHC remains unwavering in its dedication to its mission of empowering communities, one family at a time, by enhancing the educational, social, health and economic well-being of residents in southeast Michigan.

“Soccer was huge for youth and the immigrant community from Lebanon and the Middle East. The organization was tapping into what youth were passionate about, and the social opportunities that lead them in positive directions were available, including life skills and leadership, all woven into the sport of soccer,” says Marci Mahfouz, director of behavioral health at LAHC. The therapeutic aspects of sport and movement continue to be a foundation for mental health services at LAHC.

Through the 1980s and into the 1990s, LAHC grew and became well-known for a robust scholarship program that gave youth access to higher education. LAHC has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to local high school students, Mahfouz says.

In the 1990s and 2000s, needs assessments indicated LAHC needed to serve the community in new ways. It evolved to provide direct program services, including food access, utility and housing assistance and emergency relief. In 2023 LAHC’s programs collectively served more than 56,000 income eligible individuals in southeast Michigan region.

Throughout its history, LAHC has remained focused on youth, but the organization now serves all age ranges, from infants through seniors. Through its education department, there are youth leadership opportunities, training programs and scholarships. In workforce development, LAHC offers ESL, digital literacy and provides targeted skill training to develop essential job-related competencies. In the health division, clients receive wellness support, including obesity prevention, nutrition, cooking and mindfulness instruction.

“This all goes to those who are cycling in to receive behavioral health services, and they have the opportunity to experience our other departments to get so much more. We pride ourselves on the wraparound services we offer. Our substance misuse and behavioral health services are so vital to our community,” says Mahfouz.

Providing culturally supportive mental health services

LAHC stands firmly on the belief that everyone has the right to access “wonderful and comprehensive mental health supports,” Mahfouz says, adding that “sensitivity to personal experiences matter when you deliver services, and you need to be responsive to that.”

Trust is something that Mahfouz and her colleagues work hard to gain, especially with the youth they serve. “Youth tend to have mistrust in the system and authorities. They need to feel that they are in a comfortable space to express themselves and share what’s hard to talk about. That trust factor is so vital,” she says.

With its headquarters in a predominantly residential area of East Dearborn, LAHC’s goal is to be part of the neighborhood and this accessibility boosts trust in those they serve. “We are located in the middle of homes and I love that,” Mahfouz says, adding that community members are able to walk in to the headquarters to receive services, helping to alleviate transportation barriers.

Accessibility and trust help reduce the generational stigma that still surrounds mental health needs in this community, due perhaps to cultural and religious beliefs and other factors. Youth are the change agents in so many ways, including formal youth leadership programs at LAHC and in smaller everyday moments.

The supportive approach used by behavioral health professionals at LAHC engages youth and, as a result, they often share with their families the stress relief and calming strategies they learned.

Unique recreational therapy programming

LAHC’s Blooming Minds therapeutic program uses evidence-based interventions through a dynamic recreational therapy program that addresses stress, depression, anxiety, anger management and other struggles.

Programming is facilitated by a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. Interventions include creative expression, exercise and games, gardening, arts and music and more.

“We have had a lot of requests from communities and school districts related to youth depression, anxiety, grief and loss. Some family members are back home experiencing war, so there’s a lot going on for them,” says Mahfouz, adding that some families are separated and grief and loss is significant in the community. LAHC created the recreational therapy program with the intention to support youth struggling with mental health challenges, but specifically for what these youth are coping with.

“The interventions look to improve physical aspects, but also cognitive, social-emotional functioning and whole wellness,” she explains. “We have small group intervention in a safe, supportive environment. Youth can have art therapy, music, drumming, movement, mindfulness, martial arts and all kinds of sports built in. There are cognitive game-based activities offered in all of the interventions.”

Recreational therapy offers a welcoming and non-intimidating approach for youth and their parents seeking mental health support for the first time, particularly for communities that may have reservations about seeking help due to fear of stigmatization.

What youth participants say

Through these interventions, participants say they feel supported — not just by the facilitator, but by their peers in their small cohort. “In their home environment or in the community, they aren’t always able to openly express their feelings, but in a small group, it’s a safe space and a platform to finally share where no one will shut them down,” Mahfouz says.

And, participants learn tools they can use moving forward. “They are told they are not just going to throw all their problems on the table, but work through them with a toolkit, and that it might be hard,” she says. This approach is often contrary to how they have learned to address their mental health challenges within their families and communities.

“They have been told to snap out of it or that they will grow out of it. The small cohorts allow youth to breathe a little and express themselves, and that’s the biggest thing they like about it. They didn’t know that creating art or drumming is a form of therapy,” she says. Knowing that change happens holistically, LAHC has a whole-family component to every service offered. “We can’t just get in front of youth and expect change, but we have to engage the whole family,” she explains. “There’s more buy-in when everyone is at the table.”

Expanding across southeast Michigan

Knowing that not everyone across metro Detroit can access LAHC, the organization pushes out to different neighborhood pockets to create “mental health hubs,” partnering with local school districts, faith-based organizations and parks and recreation centers as well as federally qualified health centers and local libraries.

While the hubs are overseen by trained mental health professionals, they are youth led and employ a peer-to-peer mentor model to drive community activities around mental health.

Mahfouz says she wants youth to know LAHC is available and ready to help. “We are here for you. We are in your neighborhoods. We are always willing to work with you whatever your starting point is,” she says.

“It’s our responsibility to provide equitable care and show respect for diversity. When you show that all voices matter, you have trust and buy-in.”

Learn more about Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities at lahc.org.