July 2024

“It’s not how much we give but how much

love we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa

As a 101-year-old non-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, we’re primarily relying on volunteers and donations to fund our cause, and one of the biggest challenges we face is prompting people to step up, either with their time or money.  To help boost donations and inspire more people to take part in our organization - and other organizations we also help every single day - I am kicking-off a series to showcase and highlight other important, noble organizations “making a difference” in our community - that the Community House also helps and supports, financial and otherwise, helping them every single day. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Albert Einstein

This month my team had the pleasure to sit down with Pamela Ayres, the current President of FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation (FAR). FAR is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1951 to assist individuals with disabilities of any age and any diagnosis using creative arts therapy. In 2023 alone, FAR proudly served 1,576 individuals from ages 3 to 75 across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties. Like The Community House, FAR is also a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Along with 20 other non-profit or charitable partner organizations, The Community House serves as a welcoming “base” for the FAR Social Connections group which brings together individuals 16 and over with a wide range of disabilities to go out into the community and learn social skills. Beyond education, the group encourages friendships and relationships that may not be possible otherwise. We still remember the look on their faces as they came to The Community House for the first time in 2022. They were so excited to explore and gather, and we were so honored to host them. Now, we get a monthly visit from the Social Connection group and are committed to growing our partnership with them in the future.

In our conversation with Pamela, one thing that stood out to us most about FAR is that you never age out of their programming. Many of the individuals supported by FAR create friendships and relationships that last a lifetime with each other and the exceptional staff at FAR.

FAR also proudly puts on many summer camps that are now open for registration. With camps for all ages and abilities, we encourage you to take a look at their offerings. Their musical theater camp “Sing Out” sounded particularly exciting. For ages 13+, it’s a fantastic opportunity for creative expression as well as some good old-fashioned fun!

FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation is an incredible organization that The Community House is proud to partner with. They also have many volunteer, employment and philanthropic opportunities available. To learn more about FAR, please contact our dear friend and partner, Ms. Pamela Ayres, President at 248.646.3347 or visit their website at far-therapy.org.

Congratulations FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation, Ms. Pamela Ayres and FAR’s incredibly compassionate, selfless and dedicated team, You make The Community House a better place. You make us all better.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet... Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.” Marvine J. Ashton

THE 9TH ANNUAL BATES STREET SOCIETY DINNER - SAVE THE “NEW” DATE

As a 501 c 3 nonprofit charitable organization, it is our duty and our obligation to remain ever mindful that good stewardship is an essential part of the fundraising cycle. It covers the entire relationship between donor and organization. Likewise, we must continually celebrate and honor the importance of selfless service and volunteerism. For without either, the work and missions of noble organizations such as The Community House (TCH) would not be possible.

Normally held in February, The Community House created the Bates Street Society Dinner - at which annual Pillars of Vibrancy; Education, Health & Wellness, Culture, Philanthropy and Business are celebrated and honored. The purpose is to publicly recognize extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated selfless service and philanthropy toward others while helping to “Create More Vibrant Lives” in the community - selfless service offered and provided out of a genuine and deep desire to help and be of service to others.

Over the last nine years, 90 pillars in our community have been recognized and inducted into The Community House’s Pillars of Vibrancy.

This November our annual signature event; The Bates Street Society Dinner & Awards Ceremony officially moves up from the winter month of February to the autumn month of November. So please save the new date, Reservations (ticketless event) are on sale now. Don’t delay, this is a sold out gathering each year.

At this time, TCHA & TCHF is also delighted to announce its AMAZING November 2, 2024 newest corps of Bates Street Society Dinner Pillars of Vibrancy Nominees. They include: Ms. Terry Barclay; Ms. Laurie Cunnington; Ms. Lisa Daniels-Goldman; Ms. Debra Ernst; Mr. Max Ernst; Ms. Shari Finsilver; Mr. Stanley Finsilver; Ms. Lisa Daniels-Goldman; Ms. Denise Ilitch; Ms. Anne Mervenne; Ms. Amy Nederlander; and Mr. Ben Wallace.

As many of you are already aware, the Bates Street Society was established in 2015 to publicly recognize and induct members who have made significant charitable contributions to support the work and mission of The Community House in Birmingham. New member-inductees are acknowledged annually at its Bates Street Society Dinner, a semi-formal event hosted by The Community House and The Community House Foundation’s Officers and Boards of Directors.

In an effort to recognize those that have given extraordinary treasure; $25,000 or more cumulatively, or donors who make an irrevocable legacy gift of $25,000 or more to The Community House, Community House Association and Foundation Leadership decided to combine and recognize key stakeholders; major donors, foundations and corporate partners - together - with the annual Pillars of Vibrancy - at the annual Bates Street Society Dinner, under one philanthropic umbrella event.

As such, the ninth annual Bates Street Society Dinner & Awards Ceremony has been moved to Saturday, November 2, 2024. The three-course sit-down dinner is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. sharp in the Wallace Ballroom of The Community House. In addition to the extraordinary culinary creations and libations prepared and served throughout the evening by The Community House’s own award-winning culinary and hospitality teams, live entertainment and a recognition and inspirational awards ceremony will close out the evening.

To help lead this extraordinary evening of recognition, celebration and inspiration, Mr. Huel Perkins, award-winning news anchor, producer, writer, inspirational speaker, and past Bates Street Society Pillar Broadcast Journalist, and iconic American news anchor, will return in the role of master of ceremonies.

This important gathering/dinner will offer guests a wonderful opportunity to publicly show enthusiastic support for the 2024 TCH Pillars of Vibrancy inductees, and to the scores of individuals, foundations, and corporations whose contributions and kindness makes The Community House’s work and mission possible. Reservations (no tickets issued!) are $250pp for general admission, $350pp for patron admission, $550pp for benefactor admission and $3750 for a sponsorship table of 10 guests (which includes special benefits). Corporate sponsorship opportunities and program book ad placements are welcome and available as well.

Finally, we wish to thank returning “founding” sponsors; PNC Bank and Corewell Health (Beaumont) – for without these two community-oriented organizations, and their dedicated leadership and employees supporting us, this annual gathering would not be made possible. Thanks a million.

For reservations, sponsorships or more information about booking gathering and meeting space for 2024 and beyond - please go to communityhouse.org or call 248.644.5832.

The historic Community House (TCH) is a solely independent nonprofit 501 c 3 charitable organization. TCH is not and never has been supported by tax dollars or millages.

William D. Seklar is Officer, President & CEO of The Community House Association and Board Chair, President & CEO of The Community House Foundation in Birmingham.