On Thursday, November 21, Voices for Children held a Parent Café with our friends from GISD's Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition. This gathering was a unique and profound opportunity for families to connect, share experiences, and build community support as the colder months set in. Not to mention the kids had a blast in the 'Kidtopia'!

On November 19th, over 60 attendees joined us to celebrate the Flint Community Service Hub's OPEN HOUSE. Families, service agencies, legislators, and foundation representatives from Genesee and Saginaw counties toured our facility including the three themed rooms, 'Sunroom', 'Focus Factory,' and 'Kidtopia'. Each room was carefully designed to foster connection and support for families, professionals, and children. I was very pleased to see so many faces and feel the shared enthusiasm for our mission.

On October 22nd, we hosted our highest-attended Caregiver Dinner yet—and for good reason! Held at the beautiful Damouni Orchard, families enjoyed an evening featuring delicious pizza from Cottage Inn, fresh cider, donuts, pumpkins (donated by Damouni), and a twilight hayride. The event was filled with laughter and meaningful interactions, as families and our partner organizations had a chance to connect. We look forward to sharing details about our upcoming Caregiver Dinner in Genesee County at B's Bowling Center on December 20th!

On September 22nd, we hosted another successful Caregiver Dinner at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library. It was filled with meaningful connections, mentorship, and of course—tacos! This event was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, share experiences, and build supportive networks. We are grateful for our partnership with Great Start Family Coalition, whose mission aligns closely with FACT’s goal of ensuring families have the resources they need to give their children the best start in life. We look forward to continuing our work together!

The 2024 Community-Based Child Welfare National Symposium in Detroit was an incredible experience, bringing together professionals, advocates, and community members to focus on innovative solutions in child welfare. The diverse sessions, engaging speakers, and collaborative discussions helped shine a light on the importance of community-driven care. It was inspiring to hear from leaders across the country who are dedicated to creating stronger, more supportive systems for children and families.

On August 15th, we hosted our second caregiver dinner at the Sloan Longway Planetarium in Flint. Families enjoyed pizza from Cottage Inn and shared insightful ideas for the design of our upcoming Hub. Suggestions include the importance of scent, music, and more. After the discussion, we attended the planetarium show about the Great Barrier Reef through the eyes of three marine friends. Fun was had by all, and the event was both engaging and informative!

We had an incredible turnout at FACT's 3rd Annual Community Based Care and Prevention Forum on July 17, 2024 at the Flint Farmer’s Market. Dozens of attendees from across the region came together to discuss, collaborate, and network on how we can best keep Genesee and Saginaw County families safe, thriving, and out of the child welfare system. Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mona Hanna was, as always, exceptional. The forum's panel was informative and engaging. Their passion was evident and motivated us all to make a difference.

Our first-ever caregiver dinner in June was a fantastic success! Hosted at the Flint Public Library, the event brought together families invited by our partners to sit down for a meal and comradery. All the families (including the kids) shared their thoughts about community supports. Our families' insights and feedback were invaluable as we continue to work towards strengthening our community and providing the resources our families need. 

On April 21, 2023, Child Welfare professionals from across Saginaw County, Genesee County, and even friends from Lansing joined FACT’s Symposium on CBC at Horizons Center in Saginaw. Together we heard from Thought leadership from a national perspective on how we can change the industry. Panelists from a variety of professions, yet all with personal experience shed light on how the system can affect families and workers. As always, there was plenty of open discussion and thought-provoking exercises to get people thinking. See the videos below to see how it all went!