Since 1911, Child and Family Charities has been protecting and strengthening families in need. The agency’s founding purpose was “to secure for every child the same love and the same opportunity that we would have our children receive should they be left orphaned or friendless.” It is through 30 programs that our services reach over 15,000 abused, neglected and at-risk children, youth and families, providing advocacy, prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services to the most vulnerable throughout Michigan.
Our programs in brief:
Behavioral Health: Providing help to children, youth, individuals and families through mental health counseling, therapy, assessment and substance abuse treatment. Child Abuse Prevention: Helping low income families by providing a no charge Family Growth child care center, providing parental guidance and resource referrals and more! Child Welfare: Helping foster children through Foster Now! Fosterfamily recruitment, training, placement and case management. Making forever families through adoption and continuing support through post-adoption support programs, and providing supervised, court-ordered visitation for families. This department also includes Angel House, a program for girls transitioning from foster care to independent living and their children. This program provides guidance and support while the teens learn to live independently.
Gateway Youth Services: Through Street Outreach to homeless and runaway youth in unstable and unsafe housing situations, a temporary shelter support for minors who are unaccompanied by an adult at Higher Grounds; a residential program for teens at Crossroads; TRUE—a support group for the LGBTQ youth; Housing Young Families and Rapid Rehousing Youth program for homeless youth and for youth who are homeless and also parenting— providing housing, food, clothing, therapy and direction for successful independent living! Prevention Services: Teen Accountability Court helps first-time offending youth gain valuable understanding of their wrong-doing and work with the youth to prevent repeat offenses. Teen Court also offers School Code of Conduct in schools that reduces time spent on suspensions and school expulsions. TEAM Attendance—Counselors work within local schools to help identify causes and eliminate barriers for children who have poor attendance records or are considered truant. Other programs include: Strengthening Families—helping struggling families succeed.
Operation Good Cheer: Over 7,000 children in foster care receive hope and joy through gifts given by thousands of generous donors throughout Michigan. Hundreds of volunteers come together the first week in December to ensure each child has their gifts delivered by plane and truck in time for Christmas!
Other programs include: Hope for the Holidays, providing Christmas gifts for mid-Michigan area children, youth and families in need that do not qualify for other programs such as Operation Good Cheer; Red Nose Ruckus, a fun winter fundraising gala held each year at the Kellogg Center; Fill the Backpack school supply drive for kids in need.
Top Needs:
- General and designated funding support for our various programs.
- Donations of new clothing all sizes—especially infant and children’s sizes
- Donations of household items (new is best, but we can use good condition as well and sets)
- Used clothing for all ages—but clean! and gently used only.
- Dish soap and laundry detergent
- Furniture (not too heavy), nonperishable food, restaurant (fast food is okay) and Meijer, Walmart gift cards.
- Holiday gifts—pick a child, a family, Amazon wish list (link below), etc. that will help us provide Hope for the Holidays!
For more information, contact Demphna Krikorian, Senior Director of Development at (517) 816-9139 or email to [email protected].
Amazon General Holidays Wish List Link: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/
Information provided by Child and Family Charities
