“When we refresh others in giving, we refresh ourselves.” This is the motto of the Donations With Love Foundation (DWLF), a non-profit founded in 2015. “We are a diverse organization and we help everyone,” says Founder and CEO Darcele Cole-Robinson, PhD, LLMSW-C, a graduate of Flint Northern High School and University of Michigan-Flint. DWLF is part of the Genesee County Prevention Coalition, which creates partnerships to address substance use and mental health disorders impacting Genesee County youth and adults.
On behalf of Donations With Love, Dr. Darcele Cole-Robinson and her husband Kenneth Robinson were proud to receive the Community Champion recognition from both the State of Michigan and the City of Flint.
According to Cole-Robinson, DWLF was established initially to serve young people ages 11-19. “Our vision was to use new and creative ideas to give members of our local community a platform to discover new ways of thinking and to solve problems without resorting to drugs, violence and possibly suicide,” Cole-Robinson informs. DWLF provides food, clothing and resources for families and educates students and adults about the safe use of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, as well as substance abuse, suicide prevention, human trafficking, crisis intervention and training in the use of NARCAN® for opioid overdose.
DWLF works with dozens of churches, colleges, schools, youth organizations and families who have the desire to make a difference in the lives of someone they may never meet. “We have over 15 curricula that we cover during workshops and summer camps,” Cole-Robinson reports. “We work with all schools, after-school programs, churches and youth organizations.”
According to the founder, DWLF provides empowerment and literacy programs that educate the community on the effects of suicide, crisis and drug addiction prevention. “Our organizational strategy uses a combination of videos and training workshops for K-12 and adults,” Cole-Robinson says. “Our goal is to help all who we encounter learn how to be in touch with their emotions and to engage in positive expression that will help create a better state of mind for them every day.”
The organization’s creative activities include integrated primary prevention efforts utilizing suicide prevention professionals, education and policies on firearm management, providing the media with information about adolescent suicide, more efficient identification and treatment of at-risk youth including those exposed to suicidal behavior, as well as crisis intervention and treatment for those who attempt suicide.
DWLF offers many youth programs such as creative writing, in which the participants create a journal. The creative writing curriculum helps maintain brain health, Cole-Robinson notes. Students can also learn about how substances affect their health. “We try to keep them engaged and motivated to learn with many hands-on activities that improve their understanding and comprehension.”
Cole-Robinson has authored a series of four children’s books about grief and loss. One entitled Kaygan’s Adventures is about a little girl whose dog passed away. “The kids can share memories and this helps them to overcome any grief they may be going through.” She is currently working on a children’s book about medication safety.
Throughout the year, Donations With Love hosts several community giveaways. In November, “Hoodies 4 the Homeless” (H.U.G.S.) provides bags of “hugs” – a hooded sweatshirt, undergarments, gloves, socks and some personal care items. DWLF also holds a Christmas donation drive at local schools. “We collaborate with the schools so we know what items we can provide for the kids,” Cole-Robinson explains. A summer giveaway, “If Shoes Could Talk” provides kids with shoes and bookbags. This year, it will take place on August 17 at Greater Heights Academy in Mt. Morris Township.
DWLF has expanded its mission to include programs for senior adults and veterans. The organization provides information to seniors about the safe use of medications and about over-medicating. “We go to area senior centers to educate the residents,” Cole-Robinson points out. They collaborate with the Genesee County Prevention Coalition who provides medication boxes that have combination locks to store them safely, as there are many seniors who are raising grandchildren, she adds. The educational program for veterans is similar to the senior program that provides education about safe use of medications.
Dr. Cole-Robinson is very passionate about the work of DWLF. “Every person we serve has a unique set of needs,” she states. “We help everyone.”
