As partner of Faith Communities Coalition on Foster care for children, we learn about how the actions of congregations in Southeastern Michigan are making positive differences in the lives of children and youth in foster care.
Many of these inspiring events are happening throughout our state. It's good to learn, know about experiences, best practices and build network when possible.
List of Events:
Mark May 19, 2015 for the statewide Faith Based Summit on Foster Care held in Lansing. Registrations are necessary to attend. Faith based leaders can make theirs through Trina Richardson and Stephanie McCann as stated on the attached Save the date flyer (please click here to view). Don't miss registering soon-it's been growing annually past 200 attenders!
Here are the upcoming FCC meetings coming up throughout the state. For more information, contact our regional leaders listed here as well as on our FCC Regions Listing (please click here to view). You can also check out the latest updates on our website at www.faithcommunitiescoalition.org.
Thursday, March 5, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Market FCC, Sacred Heart Church Activities Building, 3451 Rivard St., Detroit, 48213. Contact: Annette Howard, aphoward12@aol.com Presentations: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: Rebecca Minardi, MPH, Community Organizer, Kids-TALK, The Guidance Center, 734-785-7705 x7187, minardi@iamtgc.net; Working with the Foster Care Review Board: Brenda Baker Mbacke, Program Representative, baker-mbackeB@courts.mi.gov ; and, A Congregation in Action: Tangy Washington of Grace Community Church, Detroit, who transformed her experiences as an aged-out foster youth to form a successful outreach ministry; tangnadine1@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 12, 2015, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Ingham County FCC, Location TBD, Contact: Dan Nowiski, 989-506-1843 or dnowiski@cofchrist.org
Thursday, March 19, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Mid-Oakland FCC at First Presbyterian Church, 1669 West. Maple Rd. Birmingham, 48009. Contact: Kate Thoresen, kthoresen7@gmail.com. Meet Susan Hull, Director of Children's Services of Oakland DHS.She will share highlights of the latest progress and challenges regarding the care for our children in the child welfare system, not only for the 788 in Oakland County, but also in the Tri-County area in which there are a total of 3907 children in care (Stats from 1/6/15 DHS fact sheet). Hear about ways that congregations are working collaborating with our agencies on behalf of our kids in care.
Thursday, March 19, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Northern Michigan FCC, First Presbyterian Church of Gaylord, 513 Charles Brink Road, Gaylord, 49735. Contact: Rev. Kate Huddelson, 989-732-7447 or pastor.gaylordfpc@frontier.com Foster parents meet with child care provided along with this FCC regional gathering.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Macomb County FCC, Renewal Church 11174 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren, 48088. Contact: Susan Foster, lily503@yahoo.com Presentation by foster parent support group leader. Karyn Liverman.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 6:30 p.m. Eastern Wayne FCC, 6:30pm St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 20475 Sunningdale Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Host: Pat Dyble, patdyble@wowway.com
Thursday, April 9, 2015, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Ingham County FCC, Location TBD, Contact: Dan Nowiski, 989-506-1843 or dnowiski@cofchrist.org
Thursday, April 16, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Northern Michigan FCC, First Presbyterian Church of Gaylord, 513 Charles Brink Road, Gaylord, 49735. Contact: Rev. Kate Huddelson, 989-732-7447 or pastor.gaylordfpc@frontier.com. Foster parents meet with child care provided along with this FCC regional gathering.