By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
At the forefront of many emotionally charged conversations in Lake Orion, is the topic of mental health and the string of suicides that have become all too familiar.
It was these two topics that motivated Tony Rothschild to begin his work with Common Ground in 1990.
Now 67-years-old and just over a month from retirement, Rothschild views his career as one that helped build something bigger than himself and along the way helped thousands of children and adults heal from mental illness.
‘When I first started we had 20 employees, now we have over 200 and the numbers of people we serve has just escalated,? he said. ‘I take the most satisfaction in that movement in helping more people.?
Rothschild grew up in Los Angeles and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of California at Irvine. Soon after graduation, Rothschild and his wife, Mona, joined VISTA; an anti-poverty government group created in 1964 as the domestic version of the Peace Corp.
Both Tony and Mona were sent to downtown Detroit to help clean up the Cass Corridor.
Southeastern Michigan became a launch pad for Tony’s social work career, later moving to Orion in 1986. Not only did he have a desire to help those in crisis, but he also had an emotional connection to many of the individuals that would walk through the doors of Common Ground. And like so many families and friends in the Orion area recently, he has gone through the ultimate family tragedy involving his father.
‘Over the years I really had a personal story which was my father’s suicide in 1985 and that’s where my real passion for the work comes,? Rothschild said. ‘Connecting what I went through and our family went through and seeing today how that could’ve been prevented and trying to prevent the loss of more lives.?
A year after joining Common Ground, Tony became more involved with the community by joining the Lake Orion School Board in 1991. As a whole the 1990s would bring one of the biggest influxes of residents into school district.
Rothschild worked with other board members to transform the school district to mirror the transforming area.
One of Rothschild’s most proud accomplishments during his eight years of service to the school board was the creation of the new high school and the auditorium. The former school board president says he was one of the biggest proponents of adding an auditorium separate from the cafeteria.
‘We’ve always had a great performing arts department and one of the things we really wanted to see changed from the old high school was the cafetorium,? he said. ‘When the new auditorium was built it was just so much better from acoustics to even working backstage.?
Tony’s recognition of the importance of art transcended into his work at Common Ground. He says that at the base of helping anyone is to get to the root of the issue, a lot of times a trauma in someone’s life. But in order to begin the healing process, the people seeking help aren’t always willing to start talking; and that’s where art comes in.
Rather than the typical leather couch next to a person taking notes, the introduction of art therapy to a patient allows for people to express themselves through any sort of art medium. This allows for a dialogue to begin and the first step in the healing process.
‘A majority of the people that come see us have been affected by a past trauma, mostly in childhood, and you have to get to what the trauma is to really heal the person,? Rothschild said. ‘Sometimes people can’t talk about it and we found that through art therapy, it’s been very successful to get people’s story of their trauma.?
So as Rothschild approaches retirement his party will also be a fundraiser to help get art therapy to other programs throughout Common Ground. Their goal is raise enough money to have art in all facets of therapy, where appropriate, but especially in the youth program. The goal is to have become a stress reliever for them and start talking about their story.
During the fundraiser there will be an art show displaying the works of individuals whose art has helped them through a trauma. Some artists will be in attendance to give the art more a back story and guests will be able to see first-hand how there is a healing power with art. The fundraiser is planned for Thursday, September 10 and Rothschild’s official retirement will be two weeks later.
Common Ground was founded in 1971 by a group of students, parents and community leaders who were concerned about an increase in substance abuse and suicide’among young people. Today, Common Ground is a 24-hour crisis services agency dedicated to helping youths, adults and families in crisis. Through its crisis line and in person, Common Ground provides professional and compassionate service to’more than?70,000 people a year.
Both Tony and Mona will enjoy the retirement in a classic fashion by traveling the country in their newly purchased motor home. They’ll depart in December after Tony finishes teaching a macro social work course at the University of Michigan.
The two have always loved traveling and last week sold their home in Orion which was extremely emotional for both.
‘There’s been a lot of satisfaction on what we’ve been able to contribute to Lake Orion,? he said. ‘It’s been emotional leaving Lake Orion because it’s been our final, permanent home and we’re going miss it and our friends.?
Anyone interested in getting more information about the fundraiser for the arts can call Common Ground at 248-456-8150