Bright Moments and Big Moves: March at FACT
Dear Partners,
I am pleased to share some exciting updates from FACT this month. We have had an eventful few weeks filled with positive connections, impactful events, and a MAJOR step forward for our organization.
I am very pleased to share with you that we have signed a lease and officially have a Saginaw Community Service Hub! This new space is full of potential, and we are excited to make it a welcoming place where families and children can build meaningful connections and gain concrete supports that will help them be strong and resilient. Hang tight while we finish updating and moving into our space. It is going to be a great place, and we cannot wait to share more as we move forward. Please mark your calendars for our Saginaw Hub Open House on April 24th! Everyone is invited, and we will be sending a more formal invitation announcement soon. There is a registration Link below. The new location offers plenty of room, and we plan to use every inch of it to serve the community.
We hosted some very popular events this month. On March 18th, we hosted a 'Glow Party' Caregiver Dinner in Genesee County where families danced, did crafts, and learned about anti-bullying. Each participant had the opportunity to sign a pledge to stand against bullying, which was a powerful way to close out the evening.
On March 20th, we gathered at the YMCA of Saginaw for a calming and relaxing yoga session as part of our second Saginaw Caregiver Dinner. Molina Health Care was able to provide helpful dental health resources, and then we wrapped up the evening with a healthy meal. It was a peaceful and positive experience for all who attended.
On March 26th, we held our second Loads of Love event in Flint. Thankfully, the weather was kinder this time, and we welcomed even more families. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect and support one another in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Our Genesee Hub continues to stay busy. On February 28th, we hosted a CASA training with our friends at Voices for Children. Throughout March, we facilitated numerous family visitations and parenting times for our partners, ensuring that their families had safe and supportive spaces to connect.
Our Education Liaison is actively working to claim a dedicated space for literacy support, tutoring, and other kid-friendly activities. We are excited to see this vision come to life and provide new resources for children and families.
On March 10th we hosted our first Community Coffee Chat in Genesee County. It became clear that these gatherings are going to be an excellent way to connect with our community. We will be expanding these conversations in Saginaw at SVRC on the third Saturday of every month from 11:00 am to 2:00pm.
Finally, I want to highlight our Thursday office hours at the Genesee Hub with InvolvedDad. This is a fantastic opportunity for fathers to access support and connect with resources. Please take advantage of this valuable time with our friends from InvolvedDad.
I would like to close with an important request. I encourage you to send FACT a LETTER OF SUPPORT. These letters make a difference in helping us continue our fundraising efforts and work to keep our legislators informed about the connections we are making and the network we are building. If you have any questions or would like some examples, please email me at bridgitt@mi-fact.org.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of the FACT family. Together, we are building stronger communities and brighter futures.
Warm regards,
Bridgitt McCaughey
CEO, FACT
SAVE THE DATE!
Saginaw Hub OPEN HOUSE
We are excited to invite you to the Open House for our new Saginaw Community Resource Hub on Wednesday, April 24, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at our new location at 3605 Davenport Avenue in Saginaw, MI.
This special event is an opportunity to tour the new space, enjoy refreshments, and meet the FACT team. The Hub has been thoughtfully designed to support community organizations and the families they serve, providing a welcoming space for connection, resources, and collaboration.
Email us for with any questions! info@mi-fact.org
GLOW PARTY IN FLINT!
On March 18th, our Glow Party Caregiver Dinner lit up the night at the Elegant Way Event Center! Families enjoyed a free evening of food, music, dancing, arts & crafts, and more—all centered around building strong relationships and raising awareness about bullying prevention. Special thanks to Monica from St. Luke's N.E.W. Life Center for helping with crafts and Felicia Campbell of Great Start Collaborative for bringing activity bags and books!
Children created glowing art, wore fun tattoos, and moved to the music with their families, while caregivers accessed meaningful anti-bullying resources. Everyone shared a delicious meal of Cottage Inn Pizza, and the energy in the room was full of joy and connection. We are especially grateful to our community partners who helped make the evening such a vibrant success!
On March 19th, FACT proudly attended the 30th Annual Children’s Champion Award Breakfast, hosted by one of our key partners, Voices for Children Advocacy Center. This powerful event celebrates individuals and organizations who go above and beyond to support children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Our CEO, Bridgitt McCaughey, had the honor of presenting the Caring Adult Award to Kelli Clark of Fenton Schools, who was recognized as someone who has made a lasting impact in the lives of local youth.
The breakfast was a reminder of what can be accomplished by our community. We are always inspired by the awardees and the nominees. We are proud to support Voices for Children and to stand alongside the leaders of Genesee County in building a safer, more supportive future for our kids.
CALM & CONNECTED IN SAGINAW!
On March 20th, we hosted a restorative Calm & Connected Yoga and Caregiver Dinner at the YMCA of Saginaw. Families came together to unwind, stretch, and breathe during a gentle beginner yoga session—no experience needed! As a partner, YMCA of Saginaw provided yoga mats and comfy space for caregivers and children to relax and recharge. They also set up STEM activities to engage with kids. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a healthy meal and meaningful conversation. The evening also included valuable insight and resources to support families navigating daily life. Events like this are designed to nourish both body and mind, while creating moments of connection within the community.
Thank you to Molina Heathcare for supplying us with some Dental Health Resources that were shared with families and the YMCA gave every family in attendance a free day pass. We are grateful to all who joined us and to the YMCA for providing such a welcoming space!
On March 26th, we returned to Court St. ProClean Laundromat for another "Loads of Love" Laundry Day event, and once again, the spirit of community was strong. As the machines hummed, over 40 families from across the county gathered to wash clothes, share stories, and connect with each other. Thank you to St. Luke's N.E.W. Life Center for stopping by to visit!
We were especially glad to welcome both familiar faces and new friends. Events like these remind us that sometimes the simplest acts—clean laundry, warm conversation, and a little encouragement—can go a long way.
APRIL ENVISIONING GROUP
VIRTUAL COLLABORATIVE MEETING
After the positive response from last month, we are calling another special meeting this April where BOTH Envisioning Groups connect and sync.
We would love to have your input so please attend!
If you would like to go, email me at bridgitt@mi-fact.org to receive the calendar invite.
Tuesday - April 8th - 9 am - 10:30 am
Hosted Via Zoom, look for your updated invite
RESEARCH UPDATE
Our next project with Saginaw Valley State University School of Social Work is underway intending to learn more about the protective factors of families. Each focus group will last no more than two hours and each participant will be compensated with a $25 gift card to Walmart for their time. Results from this will further help with the coordination of our programming and ongoing initiatives in the community. We are happy to be working alongside SVSU again for our second project.
For more information about our Focus Groups please get in touch with Chad at chad@mi-fact.org.
Our new Outcomes Project is actively in the works! Stay tuned!
COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST
The Community Resource Specialist at Families and Children Together (FACT) plays a pivotal role in supporting vulnerable families by coordinating and facilitating access to community resources and services. This position serves as a primary point of contact for families referred to FACT, working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure comprehensive support and assistance. Positions in Genesee and Saginaw Counties.
Send us your Letters of Support!
CALL TO ACTION!
This is a friendly reminder to send in your Letters of Support!
We want to express our thanks to those of you who have already responded with sending in your letters of support. Your support is truly appreciated and makes a significant impact on our initiative.
If you haven't had the chance to submit your letter yet or if you encountered any issues with the information provided, please know that we are here to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at bridgitt@mi-fact.org if you need me to resend the details or if you have any questions whatsoever. Your contribution is invaluable to us, and we look forward to receiving your letters.