The registration link for Third Thursday: Veteran's Services Awareness was incorrect in our previous newsletter. We apologize for the confusion!

November 2025 Newsletter

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Third Thursday:
Veteran's Services Awareness

November 20, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Hybrid Format

Join us on Zoom or in person at DNEM's Fort Gratiot Office.

Presenter:

Ryan McCann, Director / Accredited County Veterans Service Officer

St. Clair County Department of Veteran Affairs (SCCVA)

Come discover what benefits veterans may be entitled to and how SSCCVA can help veterans and their families obtain them.

Questions about Third Thursday?

Contact Janeen Bourlier

JBourlier@DNEMichigan.org

810-987-9337, ext. 8801

Build Resources for a Better Life!

Do you live in or around Huron County and want enduring financial stability?

Then join us for Getting Ahead, a 16-session workshop where participants will build resources, set goals, increase their financial literacy, and make lasting financial changes in their lives.

Benefits include:

• Tools to transform your personal life.
• Light refreshments during the sessions.
• A $25 Walmart gift card after each session!

The participants will determine the date, time, and location of the sessions.

Sign Up Today! Only 12 spots are available. The registration deadline is November 12, 2025.

Getting Ahead is sponsored by:

Questions about Getting Ahead?

Contact Janeen Bourlier

JBourlier@DNEMichigan.org

810-987-9337, ext. 8801

Planning for long-term care or navigating a major life change can feel overwhelming. Michigan's new statewide MI Options program offers free, unbiased Person-Centered Options Counseling to help adults and their caregivers explore the full range of services and supports available. 

A trained options counselor will work with you one-on-one to understand your unique situation, personal goals, and preferences. The goal is to build a plan of action that empowers you to make informed decisions and live the life you choose in your community.

What to Expect:

• Free and unbiased guidance: Receive one-on-one counseling at no cost, with no obligation to implement any suggestions.

• A full spectrum of options: Explore long-term care possibilities, including in-home support, community-based services, and other housing options.

• Focus on your priorities: Create a plan that honors your personal goals, values, and preferences.

• Support through major life changes: Identify next steps after a hospitalization, new diagnosis, or other significant event.

• Empowering you to choose: Learn how to combine your personal resources with community resources to continue living safely and happily.



• Available to all adults and caregivers: Services are open to any adult, their family members, and caregivers, regardless of income, assets, or disability status. 

Schedule an appointment with an Options Counselor today!

MI Options Statewide Call Center:

1-800-803-7174 (8:00 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Friday)

Oakland/Macomb Counties

586-268-4160

Thumb Region

810-987-9337

This project has been made possible through a grant awarded to AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

Mobility is Freedom

This beautiful adult tricycle represents more than mobility. It is also a symbol of empowerment, independence, and community support.

Originally donated to Disability Network Eastern Michigan, the trike did not quite fit our adaptive cycling needs. So we passed it on to Trevor, our amazing volunteer and partner from Trev’s Mobile Bike Shed. Trevor, in turn, gifted it to another community ally, Kind Human 4 Human Kind’s Wheels of Kindness program.

Their team delivered the trike to a 71-year-old local volunteer who simply needed a safe, sturdy way to get to her volunteer work and appointments.

Her reaction? Almost speechless. Because freedom — the ability to move independently and with dignity — truly is life-changing.

If you have a bicycle, tricycle, e-bike, or even a bike lock you no longer need, consider donating it to Kind Human 4 Human Kind. They have a waitlist of people waiting for transportation.

Donate here: https://tinyurl.com/WheelsOfKindness.

Your small act of kindness can make a big difference!

Medicare Open Enrollment is through December 7.

Overwhelmed by the choices? Our certified State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors can help you navigate Medicare. We are a free, unbiased resource to help you maximize your benefits.

We can help you enroll, compare, and understand how each Medicare plan can benefit you, including:

• Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
• Medicare Drug Coverage (Part D)

If you meet income and asset limits, we can also help you apply for:

• Medicare Extra Help (Low-income subsidy for Part D)
• Medicare Savings Program (Low-income subsidy for Part B)

Schedule an Appointment for Medicare Counseling

Oakland/Macomb

586-268-4160

Info@DNEMichigan.org

Starting November 1, 2025, thousands of Michigan families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be impacted by a federal funding lapse. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered all states to pause SNAP distributions until new federal funding is approved.

SNAP helps more than 1.4 million Michiganders buy food each month. Benefits already loaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards before November 1 can still be used, but new payments are on hold until further notice.

Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges residents not to panic but to prepare. Applications will still be accepted and processed during the pause. Benefits will resume when funding is restored.

This pause is more than a policy issue—it’s a people issue. Many low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities already struggle with food insecurity. Without SNAP, families will likely turn to food pantries and community programs, which are expecting a surge in demand.

For people on fixed incomes, SNAP isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. The pause could force difficult choices between food, medicine, or transportation.

At Disability Network Eastern Michigan (DNEM), we understand that access to food is more than nutrition; it’s about dignity, independence, and inclusion. When one piece of the system fails, it affects every part of a person’s life.

AMPED (Advocate. Motivate. Participate. Educate. Defend)* believes advocacy means standing up for equity and human rights, including the right to eat. We urge state and federal leaders to act quickly to restore SNAP funding and prevent millions of Americans from going hungry due to political gridlock.

If you need help:

• Use existing EBT benefits now. They remain available.
• Keep applying. Submit and renew applications through MI Bridges so you’re ready when benefits resume.
• Call 2-1-1 to find local food resources.
• Reach out to food banks and pantries. Many are expanding hours and outreach.
• Community programs, be prepared for increased need. If possible, partner with pantries or churches to provide emergency snacks and meals.

*AMPED represents a renewed commitment to the core mission of Centers for Independent Living to support individuals with disabilities in living full, self-directed lives in their communities.

DNEM's Troy office is a Focus: HOPE distribution center!

Shelf-stable food is available for Oakland and Macomb County residents 60 years of age or older who have a monthly income of:

• Household of 1: $1,957 or less
• Household of 2: $2,644 or less
• Add $688 for each additional household member



The food boxes can be picked up at DNEM’s Troy office once a month.

If you live in another county, contact us, and we will connect you to a Focus: HOPE distribution center closer to home.

Contact us for more information about or to register for Focus: HOPE.

• In Oakland or Macomb County, call 586-268-4160.
• In the Thumb Region, call 810-987-9337.
• Info@DNEMichigan.org

Disability Network Eastern Michigan (DNEM) is a Center for Independent Living (CIL), proudly serving Huron, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties.

If you reside outside of these counties, we’re happy to assist you in connecting with the CIL that serves your area. 



To register for DNEM activities, you will need a RecDesk calendar account.

To help with the registration process, we have created these two videos:

Questions about RecDesk?

Contact the RecConnect Team

REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org

586-268-4160

Choose from 5 ASL Skill Levels.

 Classes are held once a week via Zoom and include aspects of Deaf culture.

Please register for only one class at a time.

Classes are listed in order of increasing difficulty.

Questions about the ASL Classes?

Contact Jay Watson

JWatson@DNEMichigan.org

810-987-9337 

Join us for a special night of fun!

Get into the Holiday spirit with us at our festive Karaoke Party—a night of singing, dancing, laughter, and sweet treats! Warm up with hot chocolate, enjoy some cookies with friends, and make memories that'll jingle you all the way to the New Year! 



December 17, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 pm

DNEM's Troy Office

Questions about the Holiday Karaoke Party?

Contact the RecConnect Team

REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org

586-268-4160 

Join us on the third Tuesday of each month for hand drumming and musical activities in a social, healing environment. Everyone is welcome, and no musical experience is necessary. It is all about the process of creating rhythms and community!

November 18, 2025

5:00 - 6:00 pm

DNEM's Troy office

Questions about Therapeutic Drumming?

Contact the RecConnect Team

REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org

586-268-4160 

WeaveChat is a free Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app. AAC is used by people who are non-verbal or who have speech barriers. Watch this video to learn about WeaveChat's features and how to build a custom AAC board.

Do you need support now?

Or are you worried about a loved one who may need crisis support?



988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Your conversations are free and confidential.

Text, call, or chat 988.

Access to 988 is also available for Deaf/HoH and Spanish speakers.

Disability Network Eastern Michigan has a team of Community Information Specialists ready to assist you in finding resources. We can support inquiries about advocacy, accessibility, housing resources, transportation, high school transition, community transition services, veteran services, and more. Call us!

Oakland and Macomb County:

586-268-4160

Thumb Region:

810-987-9337

Accommodations: Please contact DNEM with accommodation requests.

It is our pleasure to serve the community as we believe people with disabilities should have the same options, and control over choices in their own lives as do people without disabilities. We hope you will share your experience with us, allowing us to connect with others who will benefit from our services. Please take a moment to provide a Google review.

Disability Network Eastern Michigan is committed to promoting independent living by breaking down barriers and opening paths towards personal choice through resources, advocacy, information, support, and education.

Follow our social media pages to remain up-to-date with everything happening at DNEM.