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.

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The Women of Impact of Greater Battle Creek have selected Miles For Memories as the recipient of our July collective donation!

Miles For Memories aims to change the face of Alzheimer’s Disease in Calhoun County through movement, programming and research.

Our donation will fill a need for providing identifying bracelets for local residents with dementia. These bracelets provide peace of mind for caregivers who worry that their loved one may become lost if they leave home.

Esmay’s Garden was the selected by the Women of Impact to receive the donation from our April 10, 2018 meeting.

Esmay’s Garden is an organization spearheaded by Sherrie Schanzenbaker to provide housing, counseling and support to youth who are aging out of the foster care system, survivors of human trafficking and the homeless. The donation will be applied toward the establishment of the housing community.

You can follow them on their Facebook page.

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The Battle Creek Diaper Network was selected for the Women of Impact funding at our January 9, 2018 meeting.

Our contribution will be earmarked for a diaper donation program for low-income residents in Battle Creek.

Update 4/14/2018:

We had the pleasure of hearing of our donation impact from Dr. Michael Glass.  The purchase of diapers does not qualify for many of the programs that provide support for low-income families.  This makes them a difficult item for families to buy. Our donation of over $3000 was a huge boost for the program and will allow them to expand the diaper distributions.