LCCC E-Newsletter
Vol. 39, April 2021
"Let us be very sincere in our dealings with each other and have the courage to accept each other as we are. Do not be surprised at or become preoccupied with each other's failure; rather see and find the good in each other, for each one of us is created in the image of God." - St. Mother Teresa
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
YOU MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE JUST BY BEING IN IT!
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As the health crisis lingers, it continues to have a profound impact on the mental health of persons of all ages. It is even more important now to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health.
In support of mental health awareness month in your home or business, there are a few things that you can do:
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Choose a day or week to "Wear Green" at home, the office or on video meeting calls. Get your coworkers and family on board to do the same.
- Laughter provides both long-term and short-term benefits - choose laughter.
- Physical activity provides many benefits - take breaks to do simple exercises at work/home, take walks, take stretch breaks.
- Maintain hydration.
- Schedules and routines can provide calming benefits.
- Challenge negative thinking.
- Learn to say "NO" to things that feel taxing, overwhelming or add stress.
- Make small positive changes and celebrate your successes.
- Journal your thoughts.
- Lastly, offer your struggles up to God. He asks that we turn our troubles over to him.
Anger, frustration, sadness can be overwhelming and these activities can help you manage your feelings. If you find you cannot manage your feelings through these and other self-help activities, reach out for help. LCCC, Community Mental Health and a host of other counseling facilities are here for you. Have Hope. Get Help!
Your support can help to break the barriers for persons seeking mental health counseling. Click the button below to make your donation today to provide help through LCCC's Counseling services that are offered on a sliding fee scale to the uninsured, underinsured and unemployed.
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Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7): 800-273-8255
Livingston County Community Mental Health (24/7): 800-615-1245
Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838255
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The Mental Health Awareness Workgroup of the Human Services Collaborative Body has been working on a Wellness Newsletter to help you create a more positive outlook as we head into spring. It has some great advice and they hope you enjoy it and are inspired to “spread kindness like confetti!”
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May is also National Foster Care Month |
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In Michigan, there are approximately 13,000 children in foster care and 300 children who still need an adoptive family. We need your help to provide a safe, nurturing home for these children until they can be returned to their families. Have you ever considered becoming a foster parent?
Join us to learn more about foster parenting. Attend one of LCCC's monthly informational meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month from 5-7:00 pm at 2020 E. Grand River #101 in Howell. Email fostering@LivingstonCC.org today to reserve your spot.
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Prevention of Elder Abuse Workshop |
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Financial Exploitation & How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
Grab your lunch and join us!
MAY 12, 2021
11:30a – 12:30p – Virtually
Join us for a 1-hour presentation with Q & A period. Topics covered are:
- Keeping your money safe.
- What to look out for when working with and choosing a financial advisor.
- What to do if you are in a position where you suspect someone is being victimized by financial exploitation (how to help, what to ask, etc.).
- How POA and guardianship play a role in personal finances?
Presenters:
- Michael Foguth, President and Founder, Foguth Financial Group
- Kristina Martin, Attorney, Legal Services of South Central Michigan
Zoom invitation and link to participate.
Funding provided by the Harry A. & Margaret D. Towsley Foundation
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NEW...The Elder Abuse Recovery Support Group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. For more information - contact Beth at 517-545-5944 or beth@livingstoncatholiccharities.org.
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PEANE Coalition Member Spotlight - Michael Foguth |
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Each month we will highlight one of our dedicated coalition members of the Prevention of Elder Abuse Neglect & Exploitation team. This month we'd like to welcome our newest member, Michael Foguth of Foguth Financial Group who will be a tremendous asset in learning ways to avoid financial exploitation and how to protect yourself.
Michael Foguth guides his clients through the retirement planning process with custom tailored plans designed to withstand whatever the road may hold. Raised in Mid-Michigan by his parents Michael and Marie, he was taught that faith and family are the foundation to a successful journey through life. Having seen firsthand what improper preparation and market volatility can do to one’s retirement, he makes it a point to educate others on what they can do to ensure history does not repeat itself.
Michael’s passion led him to specialize in working with retirees and those nearing retirement. Michael and his team pride themselves on the long lasting relationships they have developed with their clients. Michael’s clientele turn to him when they are faced with tough decisions that come up during their pre- and post-retirement journeys.
Michael has become a premier national expert when it comes to retirement planning in today’s economic times - to date, he has published 3 books and has trained financial advisors across the country on exactly how to properly plan a successful retirement for their clients.
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2020 kicked off a number of "longevity" celebrations at LCCC. On July 31, 2020, Michelle Riddle, Financial & Office Administrator, celebrated 20 years with the agency and she was joined on January 29, 2021, by Mark Robinson, Executive Director, as he also attained the 20-year milestone. On April 7, 2021, Julie Amman, the Director of Fund Development and Marketing at LCCC, celebrated her 20-year anniversary with Michael Stuart, Therapist, joining the 20-Year Club this coming August.
The agency is blessed to have and maintain this crew of talent, each contributing daily to the agency’s response to the needs of individuals, families and the community. At the current time, 40% of our coworkers, 19 of 48, have 5+ years with LCCC. This continuity provides the agency with stability and provides the people that we serve with continuity. Thank You to all of our team members.
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Your Donations Provide Valuable Care |
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Community Liaison
A Senior Outreach Program
A recent client shared this comment in appreciation of our generous donors and the support of Area Agency on Aging 1-B. “Thank you so much for the money you gave for the tax service!”
Did you know that one of the services our Community Liaison staff can provide to low income and home bound seniors, at no cost because of your generous donations, is assistance with Home Heating Tax Credits and Property Tax Credits?
One low income senior who had not been aware of these credits was able to regain $2,000 total between 2019 & 2020 through learning about and help with filing these credits. Thank you for helping to put money back into her pocket to help with basic needs!
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Come Join the Fun!
Be Our Guest Adult Day offers a safe and stimulating day in a club-like setting for persons with dementia and related memory diseases such as Lewy Bodies, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Chemo Brain and more.
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Volunteer Spotlight - Karen Boyd |
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Karen Boyd has been an exceptional addition to the Volunteer Caregiver Program (VCP) for over a year. She spent a number of years caring for her elderly grandparents, then her own parents. When she no longer had anyone to take care of, she wanted something fulfilling to do with her retirement.
Since she loves to work with, and help, the elderly, a therapist at LCCC introduced her to VCP. She visits two women and one man, and does “anything that needs to be done”. This includes going to the grocery store, cleaning and other household chores. Patrick, Karen’s husband, is also always willing to help when there are tasks that Karen cannot do. Patrick will come in and do things like weed whacking while Karen is helping with yard work. She even considering adding a fourth person to visit. Despite Covid, Karen has no concerns about continuing with friendly visits. They wear masks and always socially distance.
When not being a Volunteer Caregiver, Karen can often be found helping at the local animal shelter. We are blessed to have her!
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Be The Most! Youth-Led Rally |
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Livingston County Community will be holding a Youth Mental Health Rally on May 8th from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. This rally is for youth, families, teachers and anyone who wants to be there! We are planning an in-person event at the Howell Courthouse. This event is to bring light to mental health and break the stigma. We will have various agencies, non-profits, and groups providing information about mental health services/supports and activities for people to do.
Hannah Palmer from The Sunflower Project will be the keynote presenter. She is going to share her story and help encourage people to reach out for support if needed. Information will be updated on Livcpp.com.
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Update from Special Ministries |
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For the safety of our Special Ministries friends and their families we had to postpone starting in-person events in April. We will keep you posted on changes as they occur, but we are excited to have some fun activities on the May Calendar.
We were ecstatic to be able to serve our participants by bringing Easter fun to them this year. We normally have an Easter Party with dinner, a visit from the Easter Bunny and an Egg Hunt, but were unable due to Covid restrictions. Our volunteer Easter Bunny had a ton of fun, though, bringing smiles to everyone's faces while we dropped off goodie bags and took photos!
Keep checking our Facebook page and the Special Ministries page of the LCCC website for the latest events!
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Last Sessions so Sign Up Today!
FREE Interactive Virtual Reality Tours
May 5-7 & May 10-12
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This program shares a Day in the Life of a Teen Who Chooses to Use Drugs...an Experiential Experience that Opens Conversations with Parents & Children in a Safe Space!
The tour is recommended for children age 10 and up when accompanied by their parent. Click here for full details.
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LCCC Has a New Look and New URL |
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Our new website and URL are so much easier to use (and look at)! Visit, check it out and sign up for our e-newsletter while you are there!
www.LivingstonCatholicCharities.org
is now
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Virtual Scavenger Hunt! Congratulations to to the winner drawn from those with correct answers - Paula Dzombak! She received $50 in gift cards to Livingston County eateries. |
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Thank you for shopping with AmazonSmile!
Your donations change lives and save lives!
AmazonSmile customers can now support Livingston County Catholic Charities in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones!
Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/38-2570420 to confirm "Livingston County Catholic Charities" as your charity of choice, and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase price to our organization.
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On-going Groups & Meetings at LCCC
1st Tuesday & 3rd Wednesday of each month, 5:00-6:00 pm
Email LeAnn@LivingstonCatholicCharities.org Zoom info
Elder Abuse Recovery Support Group
3rd Tuesday of each month, 3:00-4:00 pm
Email Beth@LivingstonCatholicCharities.org Zoom info
3rd Monday of each month, 5:00–7:00 pm
Email Amy@LivingstonCatholicCharities.org for Zoom info
Tuesdays 6:00–7:30 pm
Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am–11:30 pm
Email Jessica@LivingstonCatholicCharities.org 517-375-1652 for Zoom info
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Charitable Bequests Help Provide for Our Community's Future!
Did you know that leaving a Charitable Bequest in your will or trust to bestow on Livingston County Catholic Charities makes it easy to help ensure for generations the work of one of your favorite charities without dipping into your current income or savings?
Contact Julie Amman or Mark Robinson at 517-545-5944 or your lawyer or financial adviser for more information.
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Click Here to Donate Locally & Give the Gift of Hope! |
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Livingston County Catholic Charities
2020 E. Grand River #104, Howell, MI 48843
Office Phone 517-545-5944 Be Our Guest Adult Day Phone 517-546-9910
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Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the Foster Care Parenting Tip of the Week or the Caregiver Tip of the Week along with other great information & activities.
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