Keeping Babies Safe while they Sleep

For the last 33 years, Isabella County Child Advocacy Center has been working to support a community where children and their families have a voice, as well as an advocate, as they navigate toward confidence in a safe and successful future. The ICCAC is committed to child advocacy through multidisciplinary team collaboration within child abuse investigations and education programs dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy environments.

 The ICCAC is partnering with Cribs for Kids to provide a free “Safe Sleep Survival Kit” to low income families who may not be able to purchase a crib for their infant. The Women’s Initiative Fund provided funding for this program, which is aimed at reducing the number of infant deaths that occur due to unsafe sleep practices.

The survival kit will include a Graco Pack n’ Play, a Halo SleepSack, a Pack n’ Play crib sheet, a pacifier, educational materials with a safe sleep message, and a baby’s first baby book. This program is currently projected to benefit ten families in the community. As a new project in the community, the hope is to educate all parents on the importance of providing a safe sleep environment for their babies. 

Stationary Food Pantry Opens

More than one in seven people in Isabella County struggle with food insufficiency. Community Compassion Network (CCN) is a charitable organization with an ecumenical outreach, dedicated to feeding and caring for the hungry with dignity and equity. CCN was founded by Mt. Pleasant Community Church and rapidly grew into a community-wide, charitable organization.

CCN provides supplemental food to individuals and families in need. The organization has been hosting mobile food trucks every two weeks, serving approximately 225 families each time. Forty percent of those who come to the CCN mobile food trucks are over 60-years-old and have worked their entire lives, but their social security is no longer sufficient to cover food, rent, heat and medication. In addition to the mobile food trucks, CCN packs 600 bags of weekend food for local children in partnership with Isabella County schools. While there are several small food pantries that serve portions of Isabella County, CCN is the only pantry that serves residents county-wide with the only requirement being that guests meet USDA poverty guidelines.

A grant from the Community Impact Fund and W. Sidney Smith and Judith French Smith Family Fund in late 2017 helped CCN to open and stock a stationary food pantry that opened in January, 2018. Based on their history with stationary pantries, CCN anticipated serving almost one and a half times the number of families served by the mobile trucks. Grant dollars were used to purchase food through the Greater Lansing Food Bank, a regional affiliate of Feeding America, at twelve cents per pound. The CCN stationary pantry is now open four days a week, approximately four hours per day, and is located at 1114 West High Street in Mt. Pleasant.

Ronald McDonald House Supports Local Families

The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (RMHWM) serves to provide a “home away from home” for families who travel to the Grand Rapids area for critical health treatment of children and youth through their Family Support Program. On average, they will support eight to ten families from the Mt. Pleasant area each year for an average of 21 nights, resulting in an average savings of $2,500 per family.

 In 2016 alone, the RMHWM Family Support Program hosted eight families from the Mt. Pleasant area for a total of 102 nights, resulting in savings of $12,750 for the families. RMHWM recently received a 2018 Challenge Grant from the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation of Grand Rapids, which will match all new contributions from community foundations by 100 percent.

The Family Support Program received $650 from the Community Impact Fund, $1,250 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, and $600 from the Missy and Doug LaBelle Foundation Community Impact Fund. The program will be able to serve an even greater number of families as a result of these grants and the matching contributions.

The Mt. Pleasant community looks after their own, even when they need to go elsewhere for care. The Family Support Program of the RMHWM directly serves the Mt. Pleasant area by providing quality living accommodations so that families will have one less expense to worry about when seeking critical healthcare for their children.

Clothing INC Gets Organized

Clothing INC has operated a clothing closet in our community since 2005.  The mission of Clothing INC is to make an impact on the lives of underprivileged in the area by providing free clothes to those in need.

The Staples Family Fund and the Weisenburger Family Fund provided grant funding in 2017 for Clothing INC to  purchase three-drawer storage carts, large bins, 177 totes and a computer. Before the grant award, undergarments were stored in totes under the clothes and on racks. It was difficult for guests to find their sizes because they were required to go through all of the bags and totes.

On April 22, 2017, more than 20 Eydent Insurance employees volunteered at Clothing INC to arrange clothing by size, and to label the large bins for use in the closet. A guest recently commented, “I like the look of your closet. The storage carts help me find what I need without assistance.”

Since moving to 1114 W. High Street in Mt. Pleasant, the amount of new and gently used clothing donated by community members has increased to fill a full shed more than once a day. Volunteers regularly sort and organize the donations, using the bins and totes. Items that are unsuitable for distribution are taken to other local charities.

Counseling Services Exceed Expectations

The Family Initiative Project was born out of a need for affordable counseling services for Isabella County families and individuals. Faye Schaeffer, Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan (CCMM) employee, described the lack of affordable counseling as a “need especially among lower income families in the community. The financial hurdle, along with the mental health stigmatism makes reaching this demographic very difficult.” The impact of this program results in more stable families, community and local schools.

Every three years, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee conducts a Youth Needs Assessment to ascertain the top issues facing Isabella County youth today. Stress, school pressure, depression and loss have consistently been identified as some of greatest struggles. The YAC recommended support for the Family Initiation Project from the Kellogg Youth Fund as a way to address a top need identified in their survey. The Fabiano Family Fund, a community impact fund, also partially funded this project.

CCMM offers services to anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay. Employees felt pleasantly surprised at how far they were able to stretch the grant funding and the overall number of families and youth that were served. The total number of child and adolescent sessions held exceeded 85 with 100% of the services being provided at a reduced rate. CCMM reports that 73% of families will continue with services beyond the date of the project. CCMM will continue to offer services at affordable rates without ever turning anyone away due to an inability to pay.

Project Weidman Builds New Playground

Project Weidman was formed in 2016 with the goal of bettering the Weidman Community. They recently completed Project Playground, a rebuild of Mitchell Memorial Park Playground, in Weidman, Michigan. Project Weidman took interest in the project when Gleaner Life Insurance brought the poor condition of the recreational facility to their attention after a company picnic.  

The Access to Recreation fund, the Brewster Access to Recreation Fund, the Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund, and the Janet Maar Strickler Access to Recreation Fund have provided funding to assist in purchasing the equipment for the new playground. The Project Playground Committee took about a year to plan for the new recreational facility, and built it in two days. On August 26, 2017, construction was completed. The old playground was more than 60 years old and had become unsafe for children to play on. This left Weidman residents without a safe play structure for their children unless they traveled to neighboring cities.

Since the new playground has been constructed, Weidman residents have been seen using it every single day. Children play on the equipment while adults lounge at the picnic tables reading books and watching their kids. The playground has even become a venue for birthday parties. A sidewalk is to be added in the spring, and there are plans for a pavilion and decorative landscaping to be added in upcoming years. The Weidman community now has a safe space for their children to play.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Blitz

For years, Isabella County Habitat for Humanity has worked to eliminate sub-standard housing in our county by providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income families. With the help of thousands of volunteers recruited and trained to build houses for those in need, Habitat for Humanity of Isabella County has constructed more than 35 homes.

Proceeds from sales at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located on Pickard Street in Mt. Pleasant, allow the organization to advance its mission. The ReStore sells new and gently used items that have been donated by community members. Appliances, furniture, cabinets, windows, and building materials may be donated and purchased at the ReStore.

A large portion of the ReStore building was left unfinished resulting in minimal insulation in walls and ceilings. Without insulation, extreme temperatures in the summer and winter greatly affected the people working inside. Habitat for Humanity was in need of materials to properly finish its own building. A finished interior would encourage sales, which directly impacts the organization’s ability to serve more families in our community.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation recognized the importance of properly finishing the facility and awarded Habitat for Humanity a grant from the John R. and Constance M. Harkins Community Fund. The finished building enhances the experience for dedicated volunteers and staff, and results in better service to donors and shoppers.

Isabella County Habitat for Humanity works hard to provide a hand up for families in need. With the finished building, the ReStore may continue to help families in need of good, safe, and affordable housing.

Sacred Heart Academy Uses Technology for Interactive Teaching

Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) recognizes that engaging with the newest technology is important for their students. Sixth grade teachers at the school believe that one of the best ways to engage children in math and science is to use short-throw projectors. These projectors essentially turn any classroom whiteboard into a SMART board.

The Kellogg Youth Fund recently provided funding for Sacred Heart Academy to purchase two short-throw projectors for the sixth grade classrooms. The projectors connect to teacher computers and allow students to engage in problem solving in math and science using interactive websites.

For example, students are able to follow along in math lessons, actually seeing the work steps needed to solve an equation. According to sixth grade teacher Kathy Wyman, "I am able to project an entire math problem and the steps necessary to solve it. By being able to do so, the students are able to see how our work flows and fits together throughout the entire problem rather than seeing it in chunks or individual pieces. We see the complete puzzle."

The short-throw projectors are easier to see compared to flat screen television screens. The entire whiteboard turns into an interactive avenue for the students to learn. Thirty SHA students have benefited from the new technology this year, and future sixth graders will too.

Mt. Pleasant High School Improves Baseball Stadium

Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and the Oiler Athletic Boosters have combined efforts to improve the Carlo Barberi Varsity Baseball Field inside the Joe “Iron” Epple Athletic Complex. In the spring of 2016, stadium seating for 120 spectators was constructed, as well as safety railings, a new press box, and landscaping. The stadium is now a handicap accessible place for youth and adults to watch baseball.

The project was made possible, in part, by assistance from the Kellogg Youth Fund and the LaBelle Family Fund of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

The new stadium facility will allow the Mt. Pleasant community to serve as host for all Mt. Pleasant High School baseball tournaments and games, as well as for larger regional tournaments. Teams from the local community will have access to the stadium for both practice and play. And, the field is expected to be sought after by many companies that host large tournaments in the state of Michigan. This will, in turn, bring baseball teams and spectators from many parts of Michigan to the Mt. Pleasant area.

More than 500 youth and their families will directly benefit from use of the new stadium and field annually.

Art Wave through the Great Lakes Bay Region

ArtWave is a multi-year, cross-county promotional campaign, sponsored by the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Arts & Entertainment Council, to raise awareness about arts and entertainment options throughout Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.

To demonstrate the wealth and variety of art and entertainment assets in the Great Lakes Bay Region, ArtWave encourages regional collaboration as well as the pooling of resources. Each month, ArtWave spotlights events and activities in one of the counties in our Region, promoting awareness and encouraging everyone that great arts and entertainment–from museum exhibits to sporting events–can be found right here.

A grant in support of ArtWave was recently awarded to the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance from the Barbara A. Bissot Fund, a community impact fund of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

The mission of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is to encourage, support and celebrate regional collaboration and initiatives to help improve economic vitality and quality of life in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The ArtWave campaign demonstrates that a quality place to live is a place with a thriving economy and flourishing art and entertainment opportunities.

From concerts in the park, to sidewalk art fairs, to festivals that celebrate our rich heritage and cultures, ArtWave celebrates art and entertainment opportunities right here in our region.

Students Build New Shed for Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club

The Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club strives to promote the growth of youth soccer in the Central Michigan area by providing young athletes with the opportunity to hone their skills and to help them be the best soccer players they can be, while maintaining a healthy approach to a competitive sport.

In the spring of 2016, the Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club was in need of a bigger enclosure to properly house their lawn maintenance equipment and extend the longevity of their mower. So, the organization teamed up with the Gratiot Isabella Technical Education Center (GI-TEC) to devise a solution. A much larger and aesthetically appealing building was constructed by students enrolled in the Building Trades Program and is now located next to the old shed. Students gained gain real-life building experience while supporting the Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club and ultimately the youth of our community who play the sport.

The Building Trades Program provides high school students from Isabella and Gratiot Counties a solid foundation in residential building. The construction skills and techniques taught include: framing, insulation, roofing, drywall framing and hanging, window and door installation, and finish/trim work.

In support of the Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club and the Building Trades Program, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation awarded a grant from the John R. and Constance M. Harkins Community Fund to purchase the building materials needed for the new structure.

The soccer fields are used daily by 200 plus young athletes as well as by local community members such as college students from Central Michigan University and Mid-Michigan Community College.