December 19, 2025

Mission Moment: Roberta Heyward and Family Comes Together to Sponsor Winter Wear Giveaway at Bell Building

Thank you to Roberta Heyward and family for their generosity in sponsoring a Winter Wear Giveaway for our Bell Building residents. Along with words of encouragement, they provided 120 package lunches and 120 sets of essential items, including hats, gloves, and toiletries, helping ensure residents had both warmth and practical support during the winter season.

Macro Connect for their generous donation of holiday stockings filled with essential toiletries for the women at our Detroit Healthy Housing Center Women’s Shelter. Members of the Macro Connect team thoughtfully decorated each stocking with heartfelt words of encouragement this holiday season. We are deeply grateful for their compassion and for reminding the women we serve that they are seen, valued, and supported by their community.

NSO’s Leadership Team brought extra holiday cheer to staff by hosting a Holiday Cocoa Cart filled with warmth and appreciation. Team members were treated to hot cocoa, cupcakes, and candy canes, along with a festive holiday card that included an extra special gift for each staff member. This thoughtful gesture was a heartfelt way to thank our team for their dedication and “heart work” throughout the year and to celebrate the season together as one NSO family.

NSO brought the spirit of the season to life by hosting a Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Bell Building and Clay Apartments. Residents gathered in their common areas to decorate the tree together, enjoy warm hot cocoa and holiday cookies, and take in the joy of seasonal music. The celebration created a festive space for connection, reflection, and community.

We are incredibly grateful to Gilbane for their generous food drive supporting our community. Because of their commitment to service, families and individuals were able to receive essential food items during a time when it mattered most. Thank you for helping us nourish hope and stability.

Full hearts truly led to full plates! Our Clay Apartments residents were blessed with a warm lunch distribution that brought nourishment, smiles, and a sense of togetherness. Thank you to everyone who helped make this moment of care and connection possible.

We extend our sincere appreciation to AlixPartners for hosting a hygiene and essentials drive benefiting our Detroit Healthy Housing Center. These items provide dignity, comfort, and daily support for our residents and your generosity made a lasting impact.

A special thank you to Mercedes-Benz for their generous food donations. Your support helped ensure individuals and families had access to nutritious meals, reinforcing our shared commitment to community care and compassion.

A heartfelt thank you to Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church for their generous donation of new coats. Because of your kindness, our residents are able to stay warm, safe, and covered this winter. Your love was felt in every coat given.

Thank you to Kadash Missionary Baptist Church for the thoughtful blanket donations. Your generosity brought warmth and comfort to our residents during the colder months, reminding them they are seen, valued, and cared for.

The podcast welcomes Christina Hines – attorney, advocate, and candidate for U.S. Congress. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership, accountability, and giving a voice to The Silent Majority.

Learn more at donttouchme.wiki.

Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the U.S. experience domestic violence in their lifetime. More than 15 million children live in homes where partner violence has occurred at least once.

If you’re in danger or need support, call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

Children deserve safety. Let’s ensure they get it.

As the holiday season approaches, we at NSO are grateful for your support. Your generosity has made a profound impact on the lives of those we serve, and we are truly thankful for your continued commitment to our mission.

This year, we are excited to bring back our annual "Holiday Elf Campaign," and we invite you to be a part of this heartwarming initiative. We aim to collect 300 gift cards to bring joy and comfort to individuals living in permanent supportive housing at Clay & Bell, those staying at NSO’s women’s shelter at the DHHC, and other clients who are in great need during this time. 

How the Holiday Elf Campaign Works:

We are collecting gift cards in $25 denominations from ALDI, CVS, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Little Caesars, and Meijer.

• Mail a physical gift card from one of the identified retailers to 882 Oakman Blvd. Detroit, MI 48238 Attn: NSO Corporate Affairs.
• You can make a monetary donation specifically earmarked for this campaign, and we will purchase the gift cards on your behalf.

Your generosity will allow recipients to choose the items that they need most, ensuring that they receive a gift that truly brightens their holidays. Your involvement in the Holiday Elf Campaign can make a significant impact on the individuals we serve.

We kindly ask that all gift cards and donations be received by December 18 to ensure they reach the recipients in time for the holiday season. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission and for making this season brighter for others. We are profoundly grateful for your continued support.

NSO is proud to partner with the Shumake Family Foundation and community partners across Detroit to help families head into the holidays with the essentials they need. This year, we’re hoping to feed more than 1,000 individuals, and you’re invited.

Monday, December 22

10 AM – 3 PM

Bert’s Marketplace, 2727 Russell St., Detroit

If you or someone you know could use support, please join us.

We also need volunteers for both setup and event day. Choose a shift that works for you.

Setup Day — Sunday, Dec 21:

• 10AM–1PM

• 1PM–4PM

• 4PM–7PM

• All Day

Event Day — Monday, Dec 22:

• 8AM–10AM

• 10AM–1PM

• 1PM–3PM

• 3PM–5PM

• All Day

The Detroit Public Library has partnered with Forgotten Harvest to provide free meals for families this December. All library locations will have take home meal bags available. Each bag contains 3 breakfast snack items and 3 lunches. The meals can be picked up at any location—while supplies last.

DAAA is seeking volunteers for the 2025 Christmas Holiday Meals on Wheels Program. Join us on Thursday, December 25 to deliver hot meals and holiday cheer to older adults across Metro Detroit.

Volunteer opportunities:

• Package meals starting at 6:00 a.m.

• Deliver meals starting at 8:00 a.m.

The volunteer application deadline is Friday, December 5, 2025. Volunteers must be 18+ and complete a background check.

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S., and it can be prevented. If you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide,

please call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.