ROCHESTER HILLS — Those impacted by the tragic shooting at the Brookland Splash Pad can now find support and come together to heal thanks to a new resiliency center. In the aftermath of the July 15, 2024 Brooklands Splash Pad shooting, the state of Michigan knew it needed to do something to help people connect, while finding appropriate services to assist in the healing process. So officials approached Common Ground, which already opened centers in Oxford after the school shooting and again in Lansing after the mass violence at Michigan State, to spearhead. Common Ground’s newest resiliency center, funded by the state of Michigan through a federal Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance grant, opened its doors Jan. 15 at 1970 E. Auburn Road in Rochester Hills to provide a safe and nurturing environment for healing. “The purpose of these resiliency centers is really to help the community heal after an event like this,” said Common Ground’s Chief External Relations Officer Jeff Kapuscinski. The center, he added, offers long-term healing to anyone impacted by the mass violence incident at the Brooklands Splash Pad. “People from that community, whether they were directly impacted or indirectly impacted, can come to the center,” he said. “We really try to meet people where they are.” The center features a number of services and therapies for people of all ages. “They can sit down and talk to somebody one-on-one, they can participate in group activities, or, we generally have snacks, so people can just come in and hang out,” said Kapuscinski. “In this particular incident, people of all ages were impacted, so we want to be there for the community as it needs us — and certainly young and old alike are part of the community, so anyone can come into the center.” Staff offers compassionate mental health support, opportunities for community connection and other resources free of charge. “We are there not to judge, but to just listen, so all of our folks are really well trained in crisis management, obviously in trauma-informed care,” Kapuscinski explained. “We’re really a resource for the community and we’re happy to provide the service for Rochester Hills.” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said the new resiliency center is beautiful. “Keep in mind this isn’t only for folks that maybe had an experience with our splash pad, this is open for the entire community, so we really want our residents to take advantage of this,” he said. “There could be lots of things on your mind and these are some folks that are professionally trained to help.” The federal funding to support the program generally has a limitation of two to three years, according to Kapuscinski. In person hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with walk-ins welcome, and by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Outside of normal business hours, people can call the 24/7 Resource and Crisis Hub at (800) 231-1127. For more information, contact the Rochester Hills Resiliency Center via email at RHRC@cghelps.org, or call (248) 451-2610.

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