Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation receives Childcare Champion Award for efforts to address ‘childcare desert’

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation has received a Childcare Champion Award for its Community Leadership Committee efforts to address the childcare desert in Isabella County. The award was presented by the Early Childhood Investment Corp. in collaboration with the Regional Childcare Planners of Michigan. 

A community qualifies as a childcare desert if it has only one available childcare opening for every three children who need a spot. In contrast, Isabella County has just one infant childcare spot for every six infants needing care.

The Foundation’s Community Leadership Committee monitors current and emerging issues affecting the quality of life of Isabella County residents. It helps the Board of Trustees and its committees understand the implications of such challenges and the resulting needs and opportunities. After learning of the childcare desert in Isabella County, committee members made childcare availability and quality a priority. 

“We wanted to focus on one area we knew would make an impact,” Committee Chair Erin Ludwig said. “Addressing the childcare desert will help local families and address the educational and economic development goals of our community. If you can find a place for your child to go to daycare, you can go to work.”

At the Foundation’s annual breakfast, Kati Mora, vice president of Middle Michigan Development Corp., said childcare shortages cause an estimated statewide economic loss of $2.88 billion annually. Additionally, it’s reported 1 in 4 people have turned down a job or left a job because of childcare limitations.

Factors that lead to a childcare shortage include startup barriers for in-home centers, delays at the state level, employee shortages and strict licensing requirements. Michigan has higher square footage requirements and lower child/adult ratios for childcare centers than other states. 

The anticipated opening of Hope Childcare Center in Mt. Pleasant's First United Methodist Church will be a significant step forward. Hope Center recently received two Community Foundation grants totaling $20,200 to support construction and start-up costs. The center is awaiting its fire inspection from the state’s only childcare fire inspector. 

Community Leadership Committee members also have:

• Engaged with Middle Michigan Development Corp. on in-depth research

• Attended an MMDC roundtable with area companies to discuss their potential roles 

• Studied the Marquette Community Foundation’s program for supporting childcare centers

• Communicated with Rep. Jerry Neyer on recommendations for state-level action, including increased state staffing for fire inspections, revising licensing requirements and expanding incentives for in-home centers. 

You can help, too, through these ideas from the Community Leadership Committee: 

• Share Michigan’s MI Bridges program with families in need of childcare payment assistance. 

• Ask politicians to bring Michigan licensing requirements in line with other states. 

• If you know of someone considering opening a daycare facility or in-home childcare center, connect them with the Community Foundation to learn about available resources. 

• Encourage employers to consider programs that support employees with children.

Community Foundation awards nearly $145,000 in grants

Nearly two dozen grants of up to $18,000 each were awarded in late October by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees. The grants distribute nearly $145,000 to local nonprofits and governmental units.

The grants will support the provision of childcare, food, shelter, mental health services, clothing and books across Isabella County. They also will provide services, for example, to families whose children are receiving medical treatment or have been diagnosed with autism. 

“Through its grants, the Community Foundation works to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come,” CEO and Chief Operating Officer Liz Conway said. 

Twice a year, the Foundation accepts applications for grants that are funded by the investment earnings on more than 330 endowments created by generous local donors, their friends and families. Applications are assessed by the Community Foundation’s Grants Review Committee and then voted on by the trustees.

“These grants point to the tremendous impact created by about 2,000 donors each year who make contributions to support residents and advance communities across the county,” Conway said. “Our donors have incredible compassion for others and vision for what’s possible.”

This fall’s grants are:

Hope Childcare Center has received two grants totaling $20,200 from the Community Impact Fund, Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Unrestricted Fund, Fabiano Family Fund, Hersee Family Fund and Kay Smith Family Fund. Hope Childcare Center will be housed in the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant and seeks to address unmet need for childcare in Isabella County, which is classified as a childcare desert. The grants will support construction costs for bringing the south entrance into compliance with fire safety regulations and help cover start-up costs, such as staff CPR training, state-mandated background checks, craft supplies and cleaning and disinfection supplies. 

Friends of the Broadway has been awarded $18,000 from the W.E. Martin Fund and Community Impact Fund to provide air conditioning and house lights upgrades. These upgrades will enhance energy efficiency and audience and performer experience.

Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan has received $13,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund, Isabella County Health Improvement Fund, Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund and Community Impact Fund to cover the costs of mental health parent/guardian consultations while a child receives services. This includes therapy supplies, administrative costs for support services and counselor salaries. 

St. John’s Episcopal Church has been granted $12,000 from the Community Impact Fund, Weisenburger Family Fund and William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund. The grant will cover costs associated with short-term emergency housing for Isabella County residents who are ineligible for local group shelters because of mental health, physical needs, "red tape" restrictions and/or minor legal infractions. 

Isabella Community Soup Kitchen has been granted $10,000 from the John and Sue Bradac Family Emergency Fund, Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, Jerry M. and Marilyn A. Morey Community Fund and Community Impact Fund. These funds will support the purchase of a new delivery vehicle.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan has been awarded $10,000 from the Community Impact Fund for its Family Support Program. The money will cover guest expenses for Isabella County families, including food, shuttle services, cleaning supplies and security. Additionally, funds will be used toward the staffing required to run the program. 

Community Mental Health for Central Michigan has been granted $8,627 from the Kaufmann/Sauter Family Fund and Kellogg Youth Fund to support Isabella County suicide prevention training for students and staff.  Question, Persuade and Refer training is an industry-leading approach to suicide prevention. Once youth intervention specialists become certified QPR instructors, they are able to train students ages 14 and older, school staff, mentors, coaches, parents and others who support youth. 

Sleepy Dog Books Foundation has received $8,000 from the Robert and Geraldine Krapohl Literacy Fund and Connor J. Puhlman Memorial Fund for Youth to install book vending machines in two Mt. Pleasant schools. The Book Vending Machine Program puts books in the homes of young learners across our community. The program ensures young readers develop a passion for reading, gain foundational skills for learning and find success across developmental needs, regardless of age, gender or socio-economic status.

Isabella County Restoration House has received two grants totaling $6,600 from the Community Impact Fund and Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund to support building functionality and homeless outreach services. This includes installation of fiber optics for internet services, a new phone system, treatment for bed bugs, and supplies for the Street Outreach Program. 

West Midland Family Center has been granted $6,000 from the Mt. Pleasant Oil Industry Food Pantry Fund to support its Food and Clothing Depot. The Depot sits on M-20, two miles east of the county line, and is an asset to many Isabella County residents. The Depot provides free services to those in need, and this grant will help cover the operational costs of providing healthy food for Isabella County residents who seek assistance. 

Clothing INC has been awarded $5,000 from the Summit Petroleum Fund, Community Impact Fund, Fisher Companies Community Impact Fund, G. Charles and Janice L. Hubscher Fund, Joanne Golden Family Community Impact Fund, John Neyer Family Fund, Ranck Family Fund, Rapaport Family Fund and Ruth S. and Gerard R. Felter and Florence F. Battenfeld Family Fund. These funds will provide towels and washcloths to community members in need. 

Mid-Michigan Industries has received $4,946 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide supplies and equipment that will enhance the Connections Autism Services previously provided by Community Mental Health of Central Michigan. 

Isabella County Commission on Aging has received $4,000 from the Isabella County Health Improvement Fund to provide personal emergency response systems for county seniors. The portable electronic devices have a button seniors can use to call for help in emergencies. Many seniors living on a fixed budget are unable to afford these safety devices.

Christmas Outreach of Isabella County has been granted $3,500 from the Mt. Pleasant Oil Industry Food Pantry Fund to support its Christmas breakfast baskets. The baskets will be available to each family that registers, with each receiving a canned ham, muffin mix, pancake mix and syrup to enjoy on Christmas morning.

The Care Store has been awarded $2,500 from the David B. and Susan K. Keilitz Family Fund, Barbara L. and George W. Dunn Family Fund, Tim and Mary Ann O'Neil Community Impact Fund and W. Sidney Smith and Judith French Smith Family Fund to provide kitchen items, including toasters, coffee pots, blenders, mixers, pots and pans, to individuals and families in need.

Isabella County Child Advocacy Center has been awarded $2,500 from the Jerry M. and Marilyn A. Morey Community Fund, Kimber and Judy DeWitt Family Fund, Myler Family Community Impact Fund and Steve and Sue Pung Family Fund for an Infant Health Trio Simulator for its child abuse and neglect programs. The simulator will help educate the community about the severe risks associated with drug and alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome. 

Mt. Pleasant Pride Center has been awarded $2,400 from the Community Impact Fund to support the creation of safe spaces in Isabella County. The grant will cover operational costs, a desktop computer for volunteers, creation of educational pamphlets and development of a hygiene program. 

Art Reach of Mid Michigan has been awarded $2,000 from the Rise Family Fund to support the Wellspring Literary Series, bringing the Mt. Pleasant community together for free poetry readings and musical performances. 

Village of Shepherd has received $1,859 from the Rise Family Fund to complete the merry-go-round project at Shepherd Park.

Community Compassion Network has received $1,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to support the Infant Pantry Stock the Shelves Program by providing specialty baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, food and other care products.

Life Choices of Central Michigan has been awarded $850 from the Rollie Denison Leadership Institute Leadership Enhancement Fund to support President and CEO Kate Connors in participating in the Rollie Denison Leadership Institute capstone course through the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Oct. 30 Look Who’s Talking speaker aims to change thinking on bodies, diets, eating

A conversation with disordered eating expert Samantha Hahn

Dr. Samantha Hahn

Sam Hahn describes herself as a fiery redhead who grew up in a rural town near Lansing. Her intensity is focused on disordered eating, the largely unaddressed issue of habits such as skipping meals, abusing laxatives, binge eating and self-induced vomiting. 

“Disordered eating is so normalized in our culture that few realize it’s a problem. And in rural communities, it exists at double the rate,” Hahn said. “The question is how we dismantle it.”

Hahn, Ph.D., MPH, RD, will be the keynote speaker during the Oct. 30 Look Who’s Talking Luncheon organized by the Women’s Initiative Committee of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

A faculty member in Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine and lecturer in the CMU Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hahn has received multiple research grants and is a leader in international eating disorder organizations. Here’s at look her passion for addressing disordered eating and what to expect from her speech:

Hahn’s career goal

“Prevention is what makes me tick, rather than treatment. Let’s not get to the point of needing treatment,” said Hahn, who lost an aunt to complications of a lifelong eating disorder.

What she’ll discuss in her keynote address

“I’ll hate on diet culture the entire time — all the issues and assumptions about body, weight and eating,” she said. “Our diet culture touches on every aspect of life. I’ll challenge world views, then help the audience see a new paradigm and consider what’s more effective.”

Hands-on work in our community

“I’m invested in this community. I see the need,” said Hahn, who has studies underway in Isabella, Mecosta and Clare County high schools. She also partners with Mt. Pleasant’s Center of Hope Counseling, which serves individuals struggling with eating disorders and body image issues.

Does the diet culture affect only youth?

The impact of diet culture can follow individuals throughout their lives, Hahn said, with disordered eating spiking during the teen years and again during menopause.

“I talk about intuitive eating, which is complex, but involves rejecting a diet mentality and coming to peace with food, with your body and with movement that’s enjoyable,” she said.

Look Who’s Talking is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Soaring Eagle Conference Center. Tickets are $50. Visit https://shorturl.at/AhFDl or contact the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation at 989-773-7322 or info@mpacf.org.

Foundation seeks communications team member

Do you love the idea of telling stories about generous community members and local initiatives that improve lives? The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation seeks a self-starting team member with strong writing skills, creativity and an eagerness to learn.

Employment Opportunity: Communication and Donor Stewardship Officer/full-time

This position involves planning and implementing the communications and public relations efforts of the Community Foundation. It also includes planning and developing communications and outreach efforts to donors.

This team member assures the MPACF story is clear and accurate, and ultimately compels target audiences to give back to the community. The individual works closely with the CEO/COO, Program Officer and Community Relations and Development committees.

Qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field and at least 1 year of communications experience. Fundraising and/or donor stewardship experience is a plus.

Wage range: $35,000-$40,000, plus paid time off, health care and retirement benefit options, professional development.

Interested? Please email Interim CEO/COO Bob Wheeler at bwheeler@mpacf.org with “Communication and Donor Stewardship Officer” in the subject line. Include 1) resume, 2) cover letter addressing relevant experience and why you are interested in this position, and 3) two recent samples of your storytelling. No hard copy submissions, please. MPACF is an equal opportunity employer.