for sponsoring this e-blast. Contact us to learn about the new sponsorship
opportunities for your business.
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Dear Friends:
I hit the big 6-0 last week. How the heck did THAT happen? I’m hoping that 60 is the new 50 (dare I say 40? That might be pushing it).
As I cross this milestone, I realize
how important both movement and gratitude are. Movement in the physical sense, for sure, but also the psychic sense, growing and expanding in the mind and heart even when
we aren’t sure we are capable of it anymore. And the barriers we put
up for ourselves aren’t necessarily
age-related.
But one thing my 88-year-old dad has taught me is that while we might slow down, we ARE still capable of growth and change and movement. He travelled by himself to Egypt at age 84. He has taught himself about healthy nutrition and changed his diet completely. He lives independently and drives. He enjoys concerts and dinner theater and golf. Scary movies, too, believe it or not. His kids and grandkids are devoted to him.
As my family and I prepare to visit
him in Florida for Thanksgiving, I’m reminded that it was really he who first modeled to me the importance of movement and gratitude. Research tells us that both positively impact long healthy life. I think my dad is proof of that.
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I look forward to being with him and other loved ones on Thanksgiving, over a hearty meal and the Detroit Lions
(I know, I know). We’ll share what we are grateful for—in my case it will be each other, meaningful work with exceptional colleagues, volunteers, and a generous community, our basic needs met and then some, our good fortune in our health and safety.
Wishing you (and all of us) even more of what you are grateful for this holiday season.
Warmly,
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Gina Aranki
Executive Director
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Youth Homelessness Awareness |
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November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. In Michigan, 1 in 30 youth between the ages of 12-17 will experience homelessness in a given year. Youth may become homeless because of conflict in their homes, guardians being homeless, or many other factors.
When there are times of heightened emotions, such as during a pandemic or during the holidays, there can be spikes in conflict between youth and their families.
Youth who experience homelessness have an increased likelihood to develop a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, and face many dangers to their safety.
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Programs throughout Michigan have been created to assist youth facing homelessness – Pete’s Place is one of those them. Pete’s Place is a safe place for homeless and runaway youth, ages 12-17, in Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Antrim, Benzie, and Leelanau Counties.
Whether youth are kicked out, running away, couch surfing, or just have nowhere to go, Pete's is here to help, everyday, 24/7. While at Pete’s Place youth are able to figure out what their next move is, whether that is reuniting with family, moving in with a friend, or moving out into independent housing.
During their stay at Pete’s Place youth receive counseling, learn life skills, and don’t have to worry about their basic needs being met. Pete’s Place
is able to provide transportation to school, work, or appointments.
Youth are able to receive the individualized support that they
need to work towards goals that
they would like to achieve.
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Gratitude can change your life! |
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The practice of gratitude saved my life
11 years ago. Not practicing gratitude,
in hindsight, likely contributed to my
self-made disaster. Looking for anything to help, a wise person suggested that I take his pen and paper and write a quick “Gratitude” list. The idea seemed extremely unusual to me, lacking any value, and I thought the activity would end up being a total time suck. Thirty seconds later, I told the “wise” person that I had ZERO to be grateful for, as I handed back his pen and piece of paper now marked with a giant X.
I was informed that my perspective might be skewed. He started with stating the facts— I was alive, married to a patient person, and have two beautiful daughters. I could take his advice and start a gratitude practice, which could change my outlook on life, or I could take the easy route and change nothing.
It did not take me long to realize that I spent an exorbitant amount of time in
my brain consumed with non-productive thoughts. I would run through scenarios of events of the past (that did not exist) and what was to come (which do not exist). There was no wonder why I thought there was absolutely nothing to be grateful for in my life. How could I? There was no room between my ears for anything but depressing myself with thoughts of the past or worrying and initiating panic attacks trying to predict the future.
There seemed to be a fork in the road.
I was exhausted and my perspective needed to change. I was finally ready to take my friend’s advice and started the gratitude practice.
I learned that being grateful for even
one second disrupted my mind from
a non-productive thought cycle to a healthy outlook.
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As I continued to practice, that one second of freedom turned into two seconds and so on. Gratitude allows me to be more present and satisfied in all aspects of life. This new perspective not only makes me less stressed, but it has improved my health and how I feel. It stopped the panic attacks, and lowered my heart rate. It has diminished the unnecessary cortisol spikes and has resulted in other positive cardiovascular improvements!
As a quality, gratitude is easy to invoke. It can be very skillful and wise to do it. There are so many benefits to making a conscious effort to implement some type of a gratitude practice in your daily routine. The link below covers the many benefits of a consistent gratitude practice.
Take my word for it...Gratitude truly will make a positive impact in your life. Not just at Thanksgiving but all year long.
Chad Parker
CFS Family Support Worker
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Our YES Program is making a difference! |
The school counselor's relief was clear even over the phone. She had three students (at least) in situations that put them at risk for substance abuse whose parents were struggling to find counseling. School counselors are working so hard to meet their students' increased need for mental health care while managing all of the challenges that come with the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a YES counselor come in and provide services during the school day takes some of the pressure off, and ensures that students have the extra support that they need.
The Solution Focused Brief Therapy model that YES uses with youth ages 12 to 20 can be a powerful intervention for young people who are struggling with day-to-day issues that, caught early, can be prevented from spiraling into more serious mental health challenges. YES can be instrumental in filling some of the gaps in mental health care and substance use prevention for young people, helping to avoid the need for more intensive interventions down the road.
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A huge thank you to Zonta for your hard work and generosity! Child & Family Services was one of three local non-profits that benefitted from the proceeds of the awesome Festival of Trees Event. Thanks to all that put the event together, worked it, bought an item, or just came out to enjoy the festivities!
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Get cozy this long holiday weekend and watch the Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Tour! |
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CFS has achieved a 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Guidestar, showing our commitment to integrity and accountability. By providing information about our goals, strategies, capabilities, and vision, we are highlighting the difference we help to make in the world.
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Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan
3785 Veterans Drive, Traverse City | (231) 946-8975
3434 M-119, Ste F, Harbor Springs | (231) 347-4463
Third Level/Pete's Place | (231) 922-4800
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