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Director's message

Dear Friends,

As we commemorated Martin Luther King’s life and legacy this month, I was reminded of the concept he popularized called the “Beloved Community” – a world free of the violence and indignity of war, racism, and poverty. MLK Day reminds us that some progress has been made since Dr. King lived and preached, but also that there is much more work to do to realize the Beloved Community. Dr. King often stated that "an injustice to one is an injustice to all", continuing in his letter from Birmingham jail that "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

The generosity of our community toward the children and families we serve makes it clear that you recognize this network of mutuality. We see it time and time again when people who have benefited from Child and Family Services programs return to us to pay a visit, to share how our team made a difference in their lives, and perhaps make a donation because they remember what it was like to realize that a stranger cared enough about them to provide them with Christmas gifts, and they want to do the same for someone else.

These gifts, this generosity, and the love inherent in them—they are the key to how we make it to Beloved Community. Dr. King was optimistic despite all the hate and vitriol directed against him and his vision, believing that, “We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom.”

What will we each do to help create Beloved Community? I share Dr. King’s optimism that we will get there, if good people overcome their divisions and prejudices (we all have them) and treat each other with kindness, respect, and understanding, even when we disagree. Here’s a 2-minute video that makes this point powerfully well.

Thank you for all YOU do.

Warmly,

Gina Aranki, Executive Director

Equality and Inclusion in Action

In one way or another this month we were all reminded of the world- changing work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We see iconic images of him leading marches and making speeches. We are inspired and wish that we could find some way to take action to build on Dr. King’s amazing legacy. Fortunately, he gave us a hint as to how we can do that.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Even in a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. King knew that we’d need some prompting. I wonder if he’d mind if we proposed a similar message in our efforts to decide the next right thing; “Justice anywhere uplifts justice everywhere.” Perhaps this gives us a solid foundation from which to decide how we’d like to influence the spaces in which we live, learn, and work, not just because it’s poetic, but because it’s true. Systems and cultures (companies, organizations, schools, churches) that clearly demonstrate that they value equity and inclusion are safer, happier, and more interested in individual members’ wellbeing by everyone who participates, regardless of demographics.

Most companies, organizations, and schools may say they have it covered. Many have non-discrimination policies, policies that “discourage” harassment and discrimination, among myriad other written declarations of focus on equity and inclusion. Unfortunately, writing something down is the least efficient way of communicating systemic and cultural values. The human mind learned to observe its environment long before it learned how to describe it in words. Systems and cultures must show evidence of equity and inclusion as part of everyday operations. For example:

School cultures that value equity have systems in place to make sure that every student gets lunch, regardless of their ability to pay at the cash register, even if they just “forgot” their lunch money.

Educational curricula include the contributions of folks from marginalized groups in all subjects, all the time.

Organizations that serve the public educate their staff about the demographics and cultures of the communities that they serve, regardless of how many (or how few) members of marginalized groups receive their services.

Leadership does not tolerate bias or harassment of any kind.

Businesses focus on accessibility for customers in architecture, language services, materials distributed, and all other aspects of customer service.

This month we experienced some examples of Dr. King calls to action about equity and inclusion. All of us have the power to influence the spaces where we live, learn, and work to demonstrate the value of equity and inclusion, knowing that even small, subtle actions communicate far more than words ever could.

Story by Ann Ronayne, MS, NCC, LLPC

YES Program Counselor

85 Years of Fostering Love

Since 1937 Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan (CFS) has grown substantially in order to provide social services our community members deserve. We started with just five employees and one location in 1937, and today we have an incredible 102 year-round employees with an additional 90 YouthWork members in the summer months, and four locations! The number of clients has also increased dramatically since our doors first opened.

The growing and changing needs of children and families in our community reminds us of why we continue to do this work 7 days a week, 365 days a year! We will continue to serve until every need is met. CFS has progressed from its humble but strong beginnings to the multi-faceted organization we now know. Eighty-five years of looking out for children and families is impressive and has shaped our community in so many positive ways.

Over the years CFS has experienced much growth and also many setbacks. We strive to provide comfort and support no matter what hurdles come our way. As we look back, we are proud to say that through it all our mission to “support the safety and well-being of those we serve in times of crisis, challenge and life transition” has persisted and inspired us to continue on this path.

Last year we celebrated our 85th anniversary and one of the most successful years yet for some of our programs. One of our improvements over the last year was establishing our 85 & Green! Team initiative, to join our YouthWork program in helping move CFS towards reducing our environmental impact. To this end, we added a new Core Value, Sustainability. This value states that "We are committed to environmental responsibility and protecting the world in which we and our stakeholders live." CFS also wrote and received a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to make some needed energy conservation upgrades to our Traverse City location. These have already begun to lower our greenhouse gas emissions and costs and help us become more environmentally sustainable.

Our foster care program was the driving force behind opening our doors back in 1937 and is still just as crucial today. When children are removed from their home by the state’s Child Protective Services (CPS) due to abuse and/or neglect, CFS steps in to provide a licensed and loving home that is a good fit for that child. Reunification is typically the goal in foster care situations, and CFS works with birth parents towards this end. When reunification is not possible, CFS facilitates the adoption of foster children.

Another very strong community-serving CFS program is Safe Haven. This supervised visitation and child exchange service is for families who have experienced domestic violence. Statistically, when parents exchange children, it is a key time for domestic violence to erupt. Safe Haven short-circuits this by handling child exchange communications between parents and making sure parents do not come in contact with each other during exchanges and visits. This removes children from their parents’ conflicts. Supervised visits, often court-ordered, are for non-custodial parents. With this kind of support, many children are able to have a positive relationship with both parents.

Our Wraparound program also saw growth this past year. Serving families who have a child with Severe Emotional Disturbances, this team effort provides support and professional consultation in order to keep the child successfully in their home. This year, CFS wrote and received a grant from Eagles for Children and partnered with Reining Liberty Ranch to provide equine therapy for our child clients. Through the efforts of our workers and over 50 referral sources and community partners, 97% of the time we were able to keep kids with their families rather than being placed in foster care or an institution.

Counseling is a star program at CFS. Counselors work tirelessly to provide trauma-informed services to our foster children and other community members.

CFS Youth Services program continues to address the stresses of our region’s youth, including family instability, bullying, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health challenges, homelessness, poverty, conflict, peer pressure, and academic expectations. Our high-caliber team supports young people with a 24-hour crisis line for immediate assistance, and with Pete’s Place, the only teen shelter in the region for runaway or homeless youth. Support includes food, clothing, hygiene items, individual and family counseling, life skills training, referrals, and academic and relationship support. To learn more contact our team by calling or texting 231-922-4800.

Our YouthWork program, founded in 2018, has provided over 95,000 hours of community services for over 200 partners and 300 projects. With crew member numbers almost doubled since the program started, YouthWork teams were able to take on and accomplish a wider variety of projects, especially in the Upper Peninsula making our 85th our most impactful year yet.

CFS’s work is at times heartbreaking, stressful, and frustrating. Though our growth and successes are inspiring and rewarding, none of this would be possible without CFS’ amazing leaders and staff. The staff at CFS go above and beyond the call of duty every day to support our most vulnerable community members. Workers provide an empathetic ear, strength and guidance when clients do not know where else to turn, and connections to other area resources when a client needs assistance that we cannot provide ourselves. Our workers are caring, courageous, passionate, strong and professional.

We wear our hearts on our sleeves every day here at CFS, making sure that we are available to our clients, but always walking the line between emotions and professionalism. However difficult the work may be at times, we continue this journey because it is crucial, not only to our individual clients, but to the community as well.

We look forward to this new year and to the future with enthusiasm and ongoing dedication for the work we do. We are forever appreciative of our community partners, donors, and volunteers. The support we receive every day is inspiring and uplifting; it lets us know that we are not alone in this fight.

To learn more visit our website or call us at 231-946-8975.

Story published in Families First Monthly by Jayme Weber, BSW

Development Specialist

2023 Goals

As we kick off the year, our Directors and their departments are busy developing goals and strategic plans. Read a few of their goals and thoughts for 2023...

“The demand for the following behavioral health services—Counseling, Safe Haven, and Wraparound—remains high. All are longstanding CFS programs that provide critical mental health services as well as safe exchange and visitation to children and families who have experienced domestic violence. Our community partnerships and ongoing support from donors are vital to maintaining our ability to respond to the growing needs, allowing us to serve those looking to us for help.”

Paula Smith, MA, BSW

Director of Behavioral Health

"As we look ahead for the new year, our Child Welfare goals and focus continues to be successful reunification with kids and their parents, well-matched, strong adoptions, and new foster families who will support reunification and help kids in care reach their full potential.

In addition, we hope to further strengthen relationships with our agency partners, including local tribes, DHHS, and community members through collaboration, education, and meaningful connections."

Aprille Sutton

Child Welfare Director

"YouthWork is excited for its largest season ever! We expect to have 80-100 young adults in the program this summer from across Michigan. AmeriCorps crews will complete conservation and skilled trades projects in each of Michigan’s five National Parks, four National Forests, more than 15 trail systems, and countless other public spaces. We are also excited about the launch of YouthWork’s Climate Corps which will help reduce the negative impacts of climate change through weatherization, education, habitat restoration and protection, and other climate-related activities."

Amanda Scott

YouthWork AmeriCorps Director

"Our goal is to support the community by ensuring the existing programs are financially healthy and strong to meet the growing and changing needs of children and families. We are focused on building our capacity to help with mental health needs, community education, YouthWork development for young adults, and other ongoing community challenges such as youth homelessness, and child welfare."

Linda Sommerville

Development Director

"To be a better family member, friend, and leader by talking less and listening more; to acknowledge the gains before the gaps, and to continue to help facilitate an ethic of excellence, compassion, and sustainability across all CFS programs."

Gina Aranki

Executive Director

Thank You!

Our 85th year was eventful and very impactful for the children, youth and families we serve. We couldn't have done it without the continued and generous support of our donors, grantors, volunteers, board members, and community partners.

We are touched and amazed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of our community. Individuals and organizations contributed time and talent, donating homemade items such as quilts, hats and gloves. There were also many thoughtful donations of coats, boots, backpacks, books, diapers, personal hygiene items, food, toys, furniture, gift cards, and so much more. Friends coordinated company fundraisers to collect money and items, and a local church continued their support donating much-needed and appreciated Easter and Thanksgiving meals. The year ended in a great way with our successful Paper Angels program. In Partnership with WTCM and Team Elmers, and hundreds of donors we filled over 500 Christmas wish lists for families in need throughout our community! On behalf of CFS, THANK YOU ALL! We could not do this important work without you.

Congratulations!

Congratulations and thank you to CFS employees who received milestone service awards at our holiday party. The awards celebrate their dedication for 5-25 years of working at CFS. We had a great time at Incredible Mo's. Special thank you to board member Chris Mohrhardt for his generosity in hosting and donating our party. It was so nice to see everyone and get together in person!

Here are a few of our milestone award winners...