Newsletter

January 2025

 

Happy New Year! The beginning of the year is a time for reflecting on the past and planning for the year ahead. When I look back on what we’ve accomplished together in 2024, there is a lot to be proud of. 

 

Affirmations is the largest it has ever been. We serve 50,000 people annually, and our reach goes beyond metro Detroit. With programs such as telehealth therapy and the virtual youth leadership and job readiness program, we can serve folks anywhere in Michigan. 

 

We accomplished some lofty goals in 2024. We continued to focus on expanding our Health and Human Services department including adding several full-time and part-time therapists, expanding our therapy intern program, and offering new programming like group therapy and a series of queer finance workshops.

 

We continued to develop our youth programming by creating a youth advisory council, refining our drop-in program, and offering free art programming.

 

Our groups continued to grow as well. We added a queer billiards group, a fantasy book club, and a fiber arts group.

 

We expanded our leadership team with the hiring of Deputy Executive Director, Tracy Hall. Tracy is the former executive director at OutFront Kalamazoo and we are thrilled to have them at Affirmations.

 

Finally, we undertook strategic planning to create an ambitious three-year roadmap that will guide us in accomplishing even more! 

 

We are kicking off our strategic plan by focusing 2025 to be a year of program sustainability and targeted growth.

 

Our continued investment in our health and human services work includes expanding our individual and group therapy program, renovating the lower level of the building to accommodate more therapy suites, and continuing to expand the department to meet the needs of the community in the areas of resource navigation and basic needs. 

 

Our youth leadership and job readiness program is rebranding as our Lavender Leadership Academy and adding a young adult cohort for ages 18 – 24. We will continue our art programming with the Queer Utopia Creativity and Expression Lab. This opportunity is designed to empower youth ages 10 – 13 by building self-esteem, fostering connections, and using self-expression as a tool for coping and resilience. 

 

We are adding a new support and discussion group, BOLD (Black, Open, Loving, Defiant), a space created for Black LGBTQIA+ community members by Black LGBTQIA+ community members. 

 

Finally, we will continue to advocate for and support our community during these uncertain political times. In February we will host our second Community Drop-In space, which is a peer-to-peer support and discussion space to chat, process, and be in community.

 

Thank you to all of you who showed up to support Affirmations in 2024. We have seen an increase in volunteers, donors, and program participation. During difficult times, it’s reassuring to know that we continue to lift each other up.

 

With gratitude,

Cheryl Czach

Executive Director

Affirmations’ 2024 Annual Report

Newsletter

October 2024

 

Happy Fall! As a Libra, I may be biased, but I’m overjoyed to be entering the best season of the year. Nothing can compete with sweater weather, Michigan fall colors, Halloween, cider mills, and a birthday to reflect on the past and look forward to what’s next.

Fall is also a season of reflection at Affirmations. We celebrated the center’s 35th anniversary, our 2025 budget is underway, and our advocacy work to protect our community’s rights is more important than ever. 

 

Our annual gala was a fantastic party and a resounding success– from which some of us are still recovering. The show of support has only made us more ambitious and excited about planning for 2025. If you couldn’t make it to Studio 35, consider making a gift in honor of our 35th anniversary today by clicking here (link).  Part of the joy shared amongst attendees was being able to honor those who have made significant contributions to Affirmations in the past year. This year’s awardees include:

 

David Duncan and Phoebe: Karen Dorgan Volunteer of The Year Award. 

The Ringwald Theatre: The Jan Stevenson Award. 

Antonio David Garcia: The Antonio David Garcia Community Hero Award. 

Faye Schuett & Linda Burnett: The Charles Moyer Philanthropy Award. 

Congresswoman Haley Stevens: The Lorna Utley Outstanding Ally Award 

 

 

While we celebrate our wins, we are also maintaining focus on the work that keeps our community protected and flourishing. Tuesday, November 5th is election day. It is vital to show up and out for our LGBTQ+ community. Free internet and computer usage at our cyber café, located on the main floor of our building, makes registering to vote accessible and easy. In Michigan, we have seen what happens when our community and its allies unify at the polls. Since November 2022, we have secured protections from discrimination in housing, employment, health insurance, schools, and public accommodations; We banned the practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ young people; We have Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ Commission that advises the governor and the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on policy matters impacting Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community. These are just a few of the pro-LGBTQ+ policy successes that resulted from working together and using our voice.  

 

It’s time to come together and make our voices heard. Do you have a voting plan? I have mine! If not, I invite you to visit Affirmations to register to vote or visit https://www.vote.org/state/michigan/ to make a voting plan today.

 

Affirmations will be celebrating Election Day on November 5th by offering treats in our cafe for all the community throughout the day. Show off your “I Voted” sticker, grab a goodie, and celebrate your right to have your voice heard!

 

I hope to see you there!

 

Cheryl Czach

Executive Director