A women's giving circle in Battle Creek, Michigan
The Grace Health Reach Out and Read program was selected to receive our contribution for October 2019!
The program encourages early reading skills so children enter school better prepared. As part of the program, children aged 6 months to 5 years are given a new age-appropriate book each time they visit Grace Health for a regular well-child check up.
More information about this program can be found on their website: https://www.gracehealthmi.org/pediatric-reach-out-and-read/.
The Doris Klaussen Development Center (DKDC) is receiving the July 9, 2019 donation from the Women of Impact. The donation will help purchase items to furnish a “sensory room” used by students to take a break and calm themselves during a stressful school day event.
DKDC is operated by the Calhoun Intermediate School District (CISD) and provides educational services for students with moderate to severe impairments. Programs are administered on- and off-campus and include Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Impaired (mild, moderate and severe levels), Multiply Impaired (severe level), Emotionally Impaired (Day Treatment Program for severely emotionally impaired), and Adult Training Program.
The Community Breakfast Program of St. Thomas Church was the recipient of the Women of Impact funding at our April 16, 2019 meeting.
The Community Breakfast Program provides a free, substantial, healthy breakfast for those in need right in our community. This summer program provides an important bridge for children who receive their breakfast through their school during the school year.
The Kinship Program is the recipient of our quarterly donation from Women of Impact at our January 2019 meeting.
The Kinship Program is managed through the Family Enrichment Center at 415 S. 28th Street in Battle Creek, and provides comprehensive services for individuals who’ve taken over care for family members, often on their own and without the support of a formal service program. The kinship program helps support those caregivers not only through material support of emergency clothing, back to school packs, a placement package (personal hygiene items, underwear, pajamas, a set of clothes and a toy), but also through training, conferences, and respite child care. Probably most important, they offer support groups and advocacy and referral services that family members are often unaware of, or reluctant to access.
Karla Fales, who spoke on behalf of the Kinship Program, indicated that this program has been essential to support many of the seniors she works with, who have taken over responsibility for their grandchildren and are sometimes too proud to ask for public assistance. Two other members spoke up about their association with this wonderful organization and its impact on their own lives as they took on the care for their family members. More information about this program can be found on their website: www.fecfamily.com.
Sexual Assault Services – Bronson was the recipient of the Women of Impact funding at our October 9, 2018 meeting. The funds will be used in part to fund their Sexual Assault Prevention Education Program.
Sexual Assault Services (SAS) is committed to providing empathic, non-judgmental, comprehensive services, support and advocacy for survivors and others affected by sexual assault or abuse; raising awareness of sexual assault; and engaging others to join in working toward a community free of sexual violence.