AuSable Inclusion Center March Newsletter

March is one of those months of transition. Spring is on it’s way (I did hear a chickadee singing for a sweetie outside the AuSable Inclusion Center this week!) but it’s definitely not quite here yet! Here at the Center, we’re continuing to offer our ongoing weekly and monthly programs to serve folks who are marginalized based on gender, sexuality, and/or socioeconomic status up north. Check out our upcoming opportunities to connect!

We had our first Hygiene Closet Open Access in February and it was a resounding success! We got pretty well cleaned out (ha ha) and sent out a request on social media for a restock…and y’all really showed up for us. THANK YOU. We can’t make any of this important work without the tangible support you offer. We had two different churches fill the trunk of my car this month with donations for the Hygiene Closet… huge thanks to New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church in Spruce, MI and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids! Thanks to these donations and all the donations delivered to us from our wishlist (linked below!) we have FULL SHELVES in time for tomorrow’s Open Access!

In the midst of everything, no matter how hard the wind blows, whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny, or somewhere in between, we all do better when we take care of one another. If you need care, we got you. If you want to offer care, we’re delighted to help you find a way to do so. We’re all in this together.

Cheers,

Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him)
Ministry Developer, AuSable Inclusion Center

Did you know we’re working on making a community resource document?

Sometimes, Google is helpful. Sometimes, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Or worse, looking for a single thing of hay in a needlestack. Why not create our own resource document that is tailored to our community? You can view the in-progress document here: Resources in AuSable

If you have something to add, email Jessica Stotler at [email protected]. She’ll be happy to take a look at your local resource! :)

March Programming is in full swing—we hope you’ll join us at one of our events this month!

What’s with the T?

What does the “T” in LGBTQ+ stand for? Let’s talk about it! We will meet digitally on Tuesday, March 11th. Come with questions or send them in advance.

Register here!

Food is the best way to build community–join us for dinner in Mio on Sundays!

Most Sunday, the Mio location of AuSable Inclusion Center hosts a family-style potluck. Feel free to bring a dish, or, if in a hurry, just bring yourself! We will come together for a friendly and delicious meal as a community. The hygiene closet and library are both open during these times, either for volunteers or members who want to use them. The Center is also open an hour after for those who would like to participate in the Evening Prayer, use the library, shop or stock the hygiene closet, and/or use the Center Wi-Fi.

Community Dinners in March : the 9th, 16th, & 30th from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

Community Open Hour will follow.

Game Night in Mio–all are welcome!

On Friday, February 14th, the Center hosted our first game night. We had so much fun together, we decided to host another Game Night to keep the fun going. Feel free to bring a game or borrow a game from the Center.

Game Night is Friday, March 21st from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM.

Let’s all go to camp!

Did you ever want to go to an LGBTQ+ friendly summer camp as a kid? Here’s your chance to go AND bring your family! August 22nd to the 25th is Lavender Lake Days at Camp Chickagami.

Camp Chickagami also offers youth-only camp experiences and adults-only retreats that are fully LGBTQ+ inclusive and welcoming, but this is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ folks and their families to gather together.

For more information (including registration!) about Lavender Lake Days and other opportunities for Family and Individual Camp at Camp Chickagami, click here.

Volunteer Opportunities at the AuSable Inclusion Center:

Community Garden Prep - we want to start planting ASAP, but we need to spruce up the Mio location yard and make a plan before anything can grow. Are you interested in gardening? The Community Garden Club might be for you!

Building Steward - the Center needs consistent monthly help with cleaning. It would be a huge help if some would consider donating their time to help make things tidy.

Wall-Hanging - one or two people are needed to hang art and flags on the Center walls

Flyer Distribution - Know any places that could hang our flyers? We’d love to spread the word!

Hygiene Closet Open Hours Host - Open Hours for the Hygiene Closet are on Fridays from 12 PM to 7 PM. 3 PM to 5 PM are the busiest times. One extra supportive person can go a long way!

Finally…We get by with a little help from YOU:
We have two main wish-lists if you want to order tangible items for us…
Click Here to view our General Wish List.
Click Here to view our Hygiene Closet Wish List.
Donate once (or even better: be a monthly contributor!) by clicking HERE.