We are certainly thinking quite early about Christmas gifts this year. We are again hoping to meet our performance goal of 88 gift cards to deliver to families of children in need at The Guidance Center. These families are enrolled in an intensive homebased program which delivers bundled therapy and case-management services to babies, or young children and their parents and guardians. Treatment is needed when either member of the parent/child dyad are managing and trying to recover from issues such medical conditions, parental isolation, lack of family/social support, parent or child mental health conditions, developmental delays, intergenerational trauma and other concerns that impact the attachment relationships between parent and child. All families are low income and unable to access private health-care insurance. We are seeking a total of 88 $25 gift cards to Meijer or Wall-mart ( stores which are most accessible to our families) in order to help 44 children. Agency staff will distribute 2 cards for each child, so the parent can purchase both toys and clothing. Last year we collected more than this total and so were able to help more children in the program. 

 After Covid was over Greenfield decided to continue the gift card system for our Giving Tree because we heard how much parents felt a sense of dignity and joy with being able to choose and shop for their children. We also found it helped with making things more equitable within and among families. Cards need to be brought to the church by December 7. This will make it possible for staff to get the cards to families the week of December 8 so they can make arrangements to shop. Please help us bring Christmas smiles to our families once again this year and meet our goal of 88 cards!

Do you have an interest in helping directly address food insecurity in our community? GPC's Social Justice and Mission committees are teaming up with MiGen, a Michigan based organization that believes we all have the right to Age Out Loud and supports LGBTQ+ older adults. Their food program/MiCAFE offers a once per month delivery of non-perishable food items directly to recipients' homes. We need some delivery drivers to assist on Tuesday, December 19 and Monday, January 29 for a one time drop off. The locations are in Westland, Ecorse, Redford, and Ypsilanti. Sarah Pinch will be picking up the food boxes and distribution will happen at Greenfield the evening before delivering directly to homes. If you can help, please see Sarah or email s.pinch1225@gmail.com. More info about MiGen can be found here:  https://migenconnect.org/

STAGE Youth Ministry is offering luminaria to honor and remember loved ones this season, at the suggested cost of $5 each. The luminaria will be personalized with your loved one’s name, lit, and displayed outside your church on Christmas Eve. Please submit orders by Thursday, December 14. Order forms are available in hard copy at the churches or you can submit your order form online. You can pay for orders online with PayPal to stageyouth@gmail.com or by check, made out and mailed to STAGE Youth Ministry, 2119 Catalpa Dr. Berkley, MI 48072