FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Garfield Counseling Center, Inc. Announces New CEO Frances A. Gordon and Launches New Era of Innovation and Community-Centered Care
Chicago, IL – Garfield Counseling Center, Inc., a trusted behavioral health provider serving Chicago’s West Side for more than 42 years, announces the appointment of Frances A. Gordon, MS, MHS, CSADC, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Gordon, who began her tenure on September 22, 2025, brings decades of experience in substance use treatment, program leadership, and community-based care, including her impactful work with the Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI).
A Certified Supervisor Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CSADC)—one of Illinois’ most rigorous and respected credentials—Gordon is uniquely equipped to lead clinical teams, strengthen organizational quality, and expand access to life-saving services for individuals affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
“We are building something powerful here—a Garfield Counseling Center that listens to its consumers, uplifts its employees, and shows the West Side what compassionate, culturally responsive care truly looks like,” said Frances A. Gordon, CEO. “Our mission is to restore trust, rebuild relationships, and meet the real needs of our community with excellence.”
Early Initiatives Under Gordon’s Leadership Gordon has already launched several strategic initiatives focused on strengthening organizational culture, improving access to care, and enhancing client experience:
- Consumer & Employee Focus Groups: Monthly groups that ensure the voices of clients and staff directly inform programs, services, and future planning.
- Hiring From Within: The Center recently hired a graduate of its own program—now two years sober—as a Peer Support Specialist, reinforcing the value of lived experience in recovery.
- Transportation Access: Garfield Counseling Center is adding agency-owned vans to help clients safely and reliably attend appointments, addressing a long-standing barrier to treatment.
Major Renovations Now Underway
The Center is undergoing its most significant renovation in decades. Phase I, expected to be completed by February 2026, includes:
- A modernized nurses’ station
- An updated first-floor clinical services area
- A refreshed front entrance with handicap accessibility
- Organization-wide trauma-informed care training
“These improvements are more than aesthetic,” Gordon said. “They symbolize our commitment to dignity, safety, and a healing environment for every person who walks through our doors.”
Strengthening Behavioral Health Services on the West Side Garfield Counseling Center continues to provide a full continuum of outpatient behavioral health services, including:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Outpatient detox support
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Individual and group counseling
- Telemedicine
- Trauma-informed care
- Relapse prevention
Gordon is committed to strengthening whole-person, culturally informed care that blends evidence-based treatment with community support and long-term recovery stability.
Future Vision: Reinstating Youth and Court-Mandated Programs Looking ahead, Garfield Counseling Center plans to reinstate two vital programs:
- Adolescent & Young Adult Program (Ages 14–26): A violence-prevention and empowerment initiative offering GED preparation, college readiness, job training, vocational trades (barbering, cosmetology, nail tech), and trauma-informed support.
- DUI Court-Mandated Program: A structured accountability and education model designed to promote safety and lasting behavioral change.
“These programs changed lives for decades,” Gordon added. “We’re committed to bringing them back so our youth and court-involved residents have pathways to safety, purpose, and better futures.”
About Garfield Counseling Center, Inc.
Garfield Counseling Center, Inc. is a community-based behavioral health organization serving Chicago’s Lawndale, Garfield Park, and Austin communities for more than 42 years. The Center provides comprehensive outpatient substance use treatment, including methadone maintenance, detox support, counseling, and co-occurring disorder services. Garfield’s mission is to empower individuals to achieve recovery, stability, and self-sufficiency through evidence based and culturally responsive care.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (773) 533-0433 ext. 210
