Thank you Serra Buick GMC Traverse City and Northern Michigan Woman for sponsoring this e-blast. Contact us to learn about the new sponsorship opportunities for your business.

Dear Friends:

This newsletter is a public service announcement for the importance of connection. 

Connection is a core human need, the basis of our relationships, the way to feeling loved and valued. Connection is vital to the healthy development of children. And connection is at play in both the thanks we share with you for your support of CFS, and in the fact that September is Suicide Prevention Month. 

While some of the steps we can take to help understand and avert a suicide crisis are listed below, a big part of the mental health and suicide crisis in our country across ages and backgrounds is a lack of feeling connected to others. The increasing presence of social media in all our lives, the fear of being in groups of people post-COVID, and other factors have led to social isolation for many. And social isolation can, in turn, lead to self-harm or antisocial behaviors, as we have seen in school and other violence in recent years. 

But we are fortunate in our community in many ways, not the least of which is the connection we enjoy with so many of you. The beautiful crowd that attended our second annual Masquerade Gala last week reminded us of the importance of being grounded in community, which makes work like ours possible every day. The way you showed up, and did so with such generosity, is the hope we all need in a challenging and uncertain world. Thank you. 

Remember that 988 is the number to call if you or someone you love needs help with a suicide crisis. And seek connection with others around you with a smile, a compliment, even a nod of the head, in acknowledgement of our shared humanity. You’ll feel better and you might just make someone else’s day.

Warmly,

Gina Aranki, Executive Director

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Unfortunately, suicide prevention has become even more relevant in recent years, as rates of suicide and attempted suicide have risen greatly. This might feel like a problem each of us can do little about. But actually, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent suicide. 

The first thing is to be aware of red flags among those you love, work with, come in contact with, or even yourself. There can be behavioral, verbal, and situational red flags. When one or more of them is present, you are right to be concerned. 

But concern alone will not prevent a person from acting on suicidal thoughts. Once you have identified this serious concern, there are a number of resources to help you and/or the person you care about deal effectively with this issue. Take a picture with your phone of the many resources listed here, so that you always have them with you. 

To be even more proactive, schedule a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) workshop with a group of 5 or more coworkers, club members, or friends. This evidence-based 2-hour workshop will give you all many tools with which to address suicidality. To schedule a workshop or find out more, contact Allison Zimpfer at AZimpfer@cfs3L.org.

Resources DO exist, and help IS available. Be prepared to do your part for suicide prevention! 

Prevention Resources

-988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, seven days a week) 

-https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/suicide-prevention  

-Community Mental Health- FAST and Crisis Welcoming Center 

-The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://afsp.org/

-Creating a safety plan to help you cope with difficult life circumstances, emotions or thoughts can be lifesaving. If you feel as though you might be at risk of suicide in the future, download the My3 App from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to list your crisis contacts, make a safety plan, and use emergency resources. For more information go to: https://my3app.org/. 

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for our second annual Under the Moon and Stars Fall Gala. Your presence, generosity, and support made the night truly magical, and together, we are making a meaningful difference for the children and families we serve. 

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Highstreet Peterson McGregor, whose generosity played a pivotal role in the success of the evening. We also want to extend our gratitude to our VIP guests, sponsors, donors, and volunteers who contributed their time, resources, and energy to help us surpass our goals. 

Thanks to you, we are able to continue providing vital services that empower and uplift children, youth, and families in our community. We look forward to many more memorable moments together as we strive to build a brighter future for all. 

With appreciation, 



Emma Smith 

Director of Development and Marketing 

For the past 35 years, CFS has been making a profound impact on the lives of children in foster care through its Annual Brown Bag Campaign. This campaign, now a cherished tradition, raises essential funds to support foster children and provide them with the resources they need for a brighter future. Each year, the campaign garners widespread community support, with individuals and businesses alike contributing to ensure that these vulnerable children receive the care, education, and opportunities they deserve. 

The 35th Annual Brown Bag Campaign is particularly significant as it highlights the enduring commitment of CFS to fostering stability and hope for children who have experienced trauma and displacement. The funds raised through this initiative are used to provide essentials such as clothing, school supplies, and therapeutic services, as well as to create enriching experiences that help foster children thrive. As the campaign reaches this milestone year, CFS continues to emphasize the importance of community involvement and compassion in making a difference in the lives of foster children, ensuring they have the support they need to succeed in life. 

Relative caregivers providing in-home care to children under the age of 18 may qualify for financial assistance through the Kinship Caregiver Grant managed by Child and Family Services. Grant funds can be used to help offset the cost of providing care to a relative child in your home.



Do you Qualify?

Do you provide care to a relative child under the age of 18, through foster care placement, guardianship, informal arrangement?

Are you 55 years or older?

Do you live in our 10 county regions (Grand Traverse, Antrim, Wexford, Benzie, Manistee, Kalkaska, Charlevoix, Emmet, Missaukee, Leelanau)?

Click here to learn more or apply.

Thank you to Traverse Bay Sunrise Rotary for once again supplying backpacks and supplies for our kids in need!

August is Planned Giving Month. Planned giving to Child and Family Services is an extraordinary way to ensure that your legacy reflects a deep commitment to the well-being and future of children and families in need. By incorporating charitable contributions into your financial or estate planning, you can provide enduring support to programs that offer essential services, such as counseling, adoption, foster care, and family preservation. Whether you choose to make a bequest in your will, establish a charitable trust, create a gift annuity, or designate Child and Family Services as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy, your generosity will have a lasting impact. Planned giving not only benefits you through potential tax advantages but also empowers Child and Family Services to continue its vital work, fostering safe, healthy, and nurturing environments for children and families. Consider planned giving as a profound way to make a difference, knowing that your support will help create brighter futures and stronger communities for generations to come.

Wednesday October 2, 3-6pm

Safe Haven North Open House

3434 M-119, Suite F, Harbor Springs MI, 49740

Please park in the lower lot of the health department of Northwestern MI building and follow the sidewalk at the back of the building to our door

If you have any questions please contact Tracy Martin at 231-347-4463 or email tmartin@cfs3l.org

Trauma Informed Parenting Training

This training will be offered in person and virtually October 5^th , 6^th and 19^th, 9:00am to 3:00pm. All three days of training must be attended. For those attending, in-person lunch will be provided. Click here to register today, as space is limited.

Yak Fest October 5th,

9-5pm at a A Yak or 2 Ranch, 6885 County Rd 571 Mancelona, MI

Our staff will have a table at Yak Fest. Stop by and learn about the resources that CFS provides and how you can get involved with the work we do. Our knowledgeable staff will have swag and giveaways. Stop in and see us! 

Licensed respite providers needed! Join us virtually to learn more about this short-term foster care option. Our licensing staff will explain the process of becoming a respite caregiver and answer any questions you may have. The process is easier than you think. Consider helping today!

Virtual Respite Care Information Session Monday, October 7th at 6pm

Click to learn more and register.

October 10^th 6:00pm - 7:30pm Cadillac Area Public Schools Family Expo



Our knowledgeable staff will be hosting a table at this event to share information about CFS and the services that we offer. Stop by and see us to learn more about CFS and the work that we do!

October 12^th Cheboygan Community Harvest Festival at The Cheboygan County Fairgrounds

Our staff will have a table at The Harvest Festival. Stop by and learn about the resources that CFS provides and how you can get involved with the work we do. Our knowledgeable staff will have swag and giveaways. Stop in and see us!

October 19th, Join us for our first "Seven Steps Forward" domestic violence awareness and prevention walk—a powerful event that not only raises awareness but also provides crucial support for survivors. The walk's title reflects the difficult reality that it takes, on average, seven attempts for someone to leave an abusive relationship. Each step in the journey forward represents resilience, courage, and hope. Proceeds from this event will benefit our Safe Haven program, which offers a secure environment for supervised visits and exchanges for families affected by domestic violence. Together, we can take meaningful steps towards safety, healing, and hope.

Click here to register by October 3^rd to guarantee a t-shirt!

Paper Angels 2024 is coming soon! Spread your holiday spirit to others by providing requested gifts for children and families who need a little extra support at holiday time. Paper Angels 2024 is coming soon! Check back November 11th to request a list.

Click here to donate now.

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan

3785 Veterans Drive, Traverse City | (231) 946-8975

3434 M-119, Ste F, Harbor Springs | (231) 347-4463

  cfs@cfs3L.org   |  www.cfsnwmi.org