January 18th, 2010 by admin
Can a child, who is in trouble, abused or neglected and a ward of the court, depend on you to help Girlstown? Girlstown is a full service child and family care agency with foster care, residential treatment, and supervised independent living which was started over 50 years ago by GFWC MI (General Federation of Women’s Clubs Michigan).
November 6, 2010 will be our 25th Annual Auction to help raise the moneys that enables us to help these children and families. We could use your support.
October 20th, 2009 by admin
Thank you plaque for the 50th Gala that hangs in the agency’s office building.
Program Achievement wall for the girls that have successfully completed treatment at our residential Loch Rio.
August 4th, 2009 by admin
Girlstown has had challenges since convention as our Executive Director resign. We were able to hire Millie Wooten-Barnes, our former director as interim, until at which time we have a new Director in place. We have created a search committee, interviewed candidates and selected our finalist, who we will offer a contract and hopefully will be on the job prior to September 1st. Come and meet the new Director at the Auction on Nov. 7 at the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids.
We have many exciting things to report — our home is at capacity, two of our SIL are going to a MSU program for introduction to College, the girls are enjoying the gift from Rochester Juniors of a new flat screen and wii, the girls have earned money for Cedar Point with a car wash and are finishing up the landscape work around their home as a summer project.
At the GFWC International Convention this year, some of the Board members of Girlstown had a very unique opportunity. We were able to learn more about the Missouri Federation’s Girls Town. The director of that facility was one of the Convention Speakers and gave a presentation on their facility and campus. We were able to network with the Missouri clubwomen who serve on the board and our president was able to meet and talk with the Missouri Girls Town board president.
They were established in 1953 assisting girls from the ages of 8-21. Their campus is located on a 22 acre site in Kingdom, Missouri. They can serve 56 clients on their campus.
It was a great opportunity for Girlstown to network with like agency for many years to come. This shows us can become the statewide Girlstown our founders dreamed of when they started Girlstown fifty one years ago. We need to save our nickels and bring them to District Convention for the betterment of our projects in Michigan and to help Girlstown continue the dream of our founders, your fellow clubwomen.
Let’s get out there and make dreams a reality for Girlstown
August 4th, 2009 by admin
Get your hammers, screw drivers and nails ready for the Girlstown Auction, November 7th in Grand Rapids at the Crowne Plaza. Make your “Tool Boxes” of chocolates, goodies for dinners, gift cards, or anything else you can think of to put in a tool box. It could be a tool box for sewing, a tool box for a picnic, a tool box for just about anything. Think outside the “tool box” and be creative.
Bring your creations to the district meeting and we will get them to the auction. Remember to fill out a donor form found on the web site, girlstownauction.com
Come one, come all. Make sure you have your dinner tickets and enjoy the auction with friends and family. There is a special rate of $84/night for you at the hotel. Remember to be a Booster, Advertise in the Program and make that tool box or add to the auction item, live or silent. Need info go to auction web site.
See you there!!!
April 28th, 2009 by admin
We are excited to once again be accepted to receive matching funds for our Summer Voices Program from the Skillman Foundation and the Detroit Free Press. Last year we made our goal of $8,945.00 through the generous contributions of the Michigan Federation of Women’s Clubs, Girlstown Foundation Board of Directors members, agency staff and others within the caring community.
We ask that you be a contributor to our Summer Voices Program this year. With your donation we will be able to offer our residential clients a summer activity program that will include cultural and recreational experiences including health and fitness, expressive dance, pottery and ceramics, creative writing and outdoor sports and activities.
Our program last year was a huge success. Our girls gained exposure to activities and events that were new and refreshing; several girls developed hidden talents and learned new things. This summer we will continue to build on those successes.
All donations should be made payable to “Children First” and sent to the P.O. Box number on the form, that can be downloaded here. Please mail your donations on or after May 1, 2009 to qualify for matching funds. Also, included is an example of how to make your checks payable and identifiable so that Girlstown is credited with your donation. Many summer camps are competing for matching funds, so the earlier you make your donation ensures that the children of Girlstown will once again enjoy a fun-filled summer of cultural and recreational activities.
On behalf of the girls in our program, we thank you for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Julia M. Swartout, MA, LPC
Executive Director
February 21st, 2009 by Mary Sensabaugh
Plans for GIRLSTOWN AUCTION ‘09 are underway. We are working on some exciting twists to give this event a fresh face. Your help will be the crucial component that puts us over the top!
We’re thinking ‘tools’ this year — tools for secure/nurturing home, developing the brain and /or talents, R & R, having fun etc. Unleash your imagination and see where it takes you. We will accept anything that you determine has ‘bidder appeal’.
We’re planning an ongoing listing online (girlstownauction.com) of auction items, so will appreciate receipt of your donor forms as soon as you have secured an item, or decided on a plan. We do urge you to consider the probable selling value, so you do not invest much more than we can convince the buyers to pay. Your donations will be accepted at any GFWC MI event, Girlstown Board meeting, or by arrangement with the committee.
Early receipt of booster forms and ad orders facilitate printing the program. Timely ticket sales keep the chairs from nervous breakdowns. This may all be done on line via credit card or by regular mail as before.
As you know, funding is the key to keep the ‘quality’ in our child care that assures successful results. Please help us continue giving kids the tools to achieve their potential.
