When Lindsay Huppertz’s daughter, Kyleigh, was born a month premature in 2019, she was sent to Hurley Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to get a little extra help with her start in life. During the few days she spent watching over her newborn at the unit, Huppertz thought about finding a way to show her appreciation for what Hurley’s doctors and nurses do for all the infants who need their support and care after their arrival. “I was thinking about what I could do and I noticed that the babies there were covered in blankets, especially those kept under the lights in incubators,” she says. “I decided that giving blankets would be a good way to help and give back.”
A nonprofit health and human service organization, the United Way of Genesee County is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Founded in 2017 by Pastor Derrick Watkins of Jachin Baptist Church in Flint, Active Boys In Christ (ABC) is a mentoring program that works directly with children and families. The mission of the charitable organization is to “empower the Flint community youth and families through skilled trades, culinary and life-skills that will promote and celebrate lifelong learning for the success of youth and families.”
A group of like-minded Christians, the Flint Mission Network operates with the goal of enacting systemic change within the community. Their mission: “Proclaiming the Gospel, empowering neighbors, and lifting one another up.” And according to Assistant Director Rachel Siemen, this is accomplished by offering compassionate care, skill-developing programs and Gospel-centered teaching. The Network is comprised of two missions: Franklin Avenue Mission, York Mission and partner ministries Mercy House and the Luke Clinic.
For Sandra Jones, CEO of R. L. Jones Community Outreach Center, it all starts with being a good neighbor and caring for the community. “I remember a time when neighbors helped each other,” she says. “At R. L. Jones, we work hard to meet the needs of those who need help and we are strong advocates for the city and its people.”
Cheryl Golidy has a knack for identifying the needs of her community and helping the underserved. As a nurse and caregiver, her goals are always met with compassion, understanding and the drive to support those in need. So, when she attended a conference and training session on human trafficking in Detroit, the next step for her to take in life was revealed. “I had to learn more. I had so many questions,” she states. “I spoke to the head of the organization who gave the presentation and asked for more information. They invited me to take part in their outreach program, learn how to identify those being trafficked and how to help them. I was with the program for six or seven months.” After her training, Golidy returned to Flint with a mission. “Human trafficking is a problem and a big problem in Flint,” she explains. “I’ve seen all kinds of things during training and as I ride down streets in Flint, I can spot the problem quickly.”
Founded over three decades ago, The Disability Network (TDN) has been providing a voice for the disabled community in Greater Flint and around the country. “TDN is a grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of the disabled,” says TDN CEO, Luke Zelley. The organization was started by Mike Zelley, Luke’s father, after he attended a meeting of the Genesee County Handicapped Alliance in 1992. Of the 60 people in the room, only two (including himself) identified as disabled. He thought that the disabled community should have more robust representation in the county and quickly started TDN to fulfill that goal. Since that time, TDN helps an average of 10,000 people each year through local programming and has helped over 100,000 throughout the nation via government policy changes for which they fought and advocated.
Who doesn’t look forward to opening specially wrapped boxes from friends and loved ones during the holiday season? Those boxes become even more meaningful when they’re received by members of the military serving their country in every part of the world, especially the most remote and dangerous areas.
In Genesee County and the surrounding area, there are many groups of dedicated people who selflessly give thousands of hours of their time rescuing and protecting unwanted and abandoned animals. Linda Garland-Molpus, founder of Purrsuit of Happyness cat rescue, is one such person. “I’ve been doing rescue for a long time,” she shares. In June 2019, she started her own nonprofit organization out of her Flint Township home, with the mission of “making a difference in the lives of the kitties in our community and beyond.”
Tami Kromer and her husband, David, have provided foster care for 40 children in their lifetime and their 40th, a teenager, still lives with them along with their two adopted children. The caring couple adopted three of the children they fostered. Tami is now the founder and director of Clara’s Hope, which was created in 2015 under the umbrella of the Freedom Center Church until it became an independent nonprofit in September 2020.
Starting April 26, contestants vied for the chance to be slimed with the authentic slime from the Nickelodeon hit show Double Dare. Whoever raised the most dollars for the Whaley Children’s Center would claim the prize. The contestants were: Angela Boyce, Amber Taylor, Sheriff Chris Swanson, Clay Church, Daniel Crannie, Fred Zerka, Matt Franklin, McKenzie Miller, Mari and Keilani Copeny, Shannon Easter White, Scott Sassack, and Terry Pickard. The winner who raised the most was Fred Zerka with a total of $8,132. Over the course of ten days, $23,087 was raised to help the children living at the Whaley Children’s Center. On Thursday, May 6, Fred Zerka was dunked in slime. Congratulations Fred!
Genesee County Habitat for Humanity (Genesee Habitat), is proud to announce a Home Dedication on May 14 at 3:30pm at 2392 Denise Drive in Clio. Genesee Habitat was formed with the idea that everyone deserves a decent place to live and builds six-eight new homes in Genesee County per year.
