Terry Cradick - A True Friend of the Crisis Center
Terry Cradick wishes every city had an organization like the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. She was first introduced to the Crisis Center by
Women in Action member, Tammie Brewer, who invited her to attend the 2013 Cup of Compassion breakfast.
At the breakfast, Terry was introduced to many of the Crisis Center's services, including the 2-1-1 crisis line, trauma counseling, and suicide prevention services.
These services resonated with Terry because she had lost her 22-year old step-son, Devin, to suicide in 2007. He was a troubled young man who had problems keeping a job and struggled socially. He was also dealing with the loss of two people he deeply cared about. In the span of six months, his grandfather passed away and his best friend was shot and killed.
He called a suicide line in South Carolina. They arranged to have him taken to a local hospital. That same night he walked out of the ER without talking to anyone and without receiving any opportunity for follow-up. His family and friends knew nothing of this attempt until a little more than one month later, after he had taken his life. Early one morning, after an all-night party, his body was found by friends in his apartment.
Terry realized the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's Care Coordination program could have helped Devin. If Devin had connected with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, a case manager would have helped Devin develop a safety plan. The case manager would then have arranged to call Devin the next day, and the day after until he was able to access more help. Devin might have been referred to the Crisis Center's Corbett Trauma Center for counseling to help heal from the sudden loss of his grandfather and best friend.
When Terry discovered the Crisis Center's life-saving services, she decided to get involved. She made a donation at the Cup of Compassion breakfast and soon became a member of Women In Action. One year later she was hosting her own table at Cup of Compassion.
Terry encourages friends and family to also get involved with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. When asked how the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay helps people, Terry says:
"The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is a resource for the community. You can call 2-1-1 and talk to someone who can help you find a solution to your problem. We provide 2-1-1 cards to our employees and we know some of them have turned to the Crisis Center for help. "
Terry Cradick is President of Pepper Contracting. The company is a Cup of Compassion Sponsor. Terry is a donor, Cup of Compassion table captain, and Woman in Action member.
