Dear Friends,

This month we look forward to hosting our first ever event of its kind— "Under the Moon and Stars: A Masquerade Gala Benefiting Child and Family Services." This evening will take place at Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms. What an incredible venue—many thanks to our generous hosts! And what a way to welcome the autumn season in gorgeous northern Michigan. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to dress up a little and have some fun—eating, dancing, catching up with you, and celebrating CFS! Have you bought your tickets yet? Please do—there are a few left so hurry, hurry! 

I want to thank our Gala Committee for their fantastic work to make this event one to remember—Amy Endresen, Amber Jaeger McKenney, Sally Oleson, Michael Lahti—and all our Board members who have contributed in some way, from sponsorship to ticket sales.

There is much more going on at CFS, as you can see below. Thank you so much for ALL you do in walking alongside us to support our region’s children and families. 

See you soon!

Warmly,

The Stars are aligned for an extraordinary evening of fun, fellowship, delicious farm to table cuisine from Island Thyme Catering, live and silent auctions, great music from the Fabulous Horndogs and more! Don’t miss out on getting your tickets to this special event for Child and Family Services hosted at Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms. You’ll be surrounded by orchards, vineyards and stunning views of West Bay before the night falls and the stars come out! And the best part of all is you’ll be in the company of many wonderful friends and supporters of Child and Family Services.

Tickets must be purchased by this Tuesday, September 12 and don’t wait as they are selling quickly!



This is also the deadline for additional sponsorship opportunities (please view our growing list!) For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.cfsnwmi.org/masqueradegala

Our Gala Committee on site at the beautiful Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms.

All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. Seven hundred children die of suicide using firearms each year. And 42% of all gun deaths in Michigan are suicides. These alarming figures don’t need to engender hopelessness—there are things we can each do to help.

Child & Family Services is here to support children, youth, and adults as they grow and heal from trauma.

But there are also other resources and actions for those struggling with thoughts of suicide, their friends, and their families:

· Call 211 for information and resources

· Call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, if you or someone you care about is in crisis

· Keep an eye out for our next QPR (Question-Persuade-Refer) class. QPR helps you recognize the suicidal person’s cries for help and offer hope through positive action. If your organization would like to host or enroll in this class, give CFS a call!

· If you would like to literally take steps to prevent suicide, please join the Out of Darkness Walk, with check-in starting at 9am at Clinch Park in TC on September 16. It is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. For more info and to register, click here: https://supporting.afsp.org

The little brown bags represent hope—hope that a warm and loving foster or adoptive family will give each child the start in life that they deserve.  The Brown Bag Campaign, now in its 34^th year, reminds our community of the needs of children in foster care, as well as the ongoing need for foster parents, volunteers, and donations to support our work. Donations help pay for things like a stuffed animal to hug, counseling, school supplies, winter boots, and opportunities such as music or dance lessons or summer camp.

Starting this month, you will see small brown paper bags in your local newspaper, and at your local Olesons and Oryana stores. Please consider making a donation. It's simple to fill out and mail in, or you can make a donation online! Your donation will help make life a little easier for the children in foster care whom we serve.

To learn more or to donate online please visit www.cfsnwmi.org/brownbag

Thank You Sunrise Rotary of TC & FrontierUS!

Thank you for the generous donation of pre-filled backpacks for kids in our programs. By providing these necessary items you help to ensure a successful start to the school year!

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan

3785 Veterans Drive, Traverse City | (231) 946-8975

3434 M-119, Ste F, Harbor Springs | (231) 347-4463

Pete's Place | (231) 922-4800

  cfs@cfs3L.org   |  www.cfsnwmi.org