AuSable Inclusion Center's April Newsletter

Hi Friends!

The winds of March are giving way to April, and we’re starting to get a good bit more sunshine up north! As we round the corner on another month, programs both online and on-site continue at the AuSable Inclusion Center. Thanks to the generosity of our neighbors up the road and downstate, we’ve been delighted to accept hundreds of donations to our Hygiene Closet. As word spreads about who we are and what we do, we’re welcoming more guests to our programs and developing more relationships with our community.

In March, our Advisory Board met to redevelop our mission and vision as we live into what we believe we’re called to do at this place and time. If you’ve been on our website lately, you may have noticed this change. In case you haven’t, here’s the update:
Vision
To provide education, advocacy, and support to people that are marginalized based on gender, sexuality, and/or socio-economic status through social, emotional, material, and spiritual help.
Mission
A world in which all God’s children experience love, respect, and dignity.

If you were familiar with our original mission and vision statements that were developed by our discernment committee, these changes are fairly minimal conceptually. Practically speaking, our mission and ministry haven’t changed. We remain committed to caring for folks in our neck of the woods and around the world. This language update just gives us better tools for articulating what we’re about. Our Advisory Board is composed of folks with connections to the communities and populations we serve. We don’t just serve the community. We are the community.

COMING UP IN THIS NEWSLETTER…
-April Event and Program Calendar
-Update About The Kolke Reading Room’s New Library System
-Featured Programs at AuSable and In The Community
-A Cool Grant Opportunity for LGBTQ+ Teens
-Featured Businesses: LGBTQ+ Friendly Salons in the Area
-Volunteer Opportunities
-Resource Document
-ICYMI: Transgender Day of Visibility Video

As always, we appreciate all our generous supporters who offer their time, treasure, and energy to help us help our community. If you would like to financially support our work, donating via this link is the most efficient way to do so.

If you would like to send supplies for the Hygiene Closet, contact the Office at 989-346-0155 or Ship Items Directly from our Amazon Wishlist. Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, All-Purpose Cleaner, and High Absorbency Maxi Pads have been flying off our shelves faster than we can get them stocked. Please consider donating these items especially. Thank you!

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

APRIL EVENT AND PROGRAM CALENDAR

A Library for the AuSable Inclusion Center?

That’s right! The AuSable Inclusion Center notoriously has the Kolke Reading Room, but we are working on putting together library software. This would make it so users could search the library from home, browse the collection, check out books, and be able to find things, all in one place! We’re still working on some details, more to come soon!

Event: LGBTQ+ 101 for Friends, Families, and Neighbors
Location: AuSable Inclusion Center, 789 Ryno Rd., Mio, MI
Date: Friday, April 25th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Many folks have LGBTQ+ people in their lives that they love and want to support, but they're worried that they're going to “say the wrong thing.” This workshop is designed to help participants better understand the ins and outs of the LGBTQ+ community and tangible ways to show respect and support.

***Featured Community Event: Storytimes with Suzanne at the Devereaux Memorial Library

Join the Crawford County Library staff for a fun family storytime, every week!

When: Wednesdays at 11 AM
Location: 201 Plum St, Grayling, MI 49738

Our March Game Night was so awesome we decided to do more!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! for Game Nights in April and May!

We're hoping to develop a summer reading program with options for all ages… expect more information in our May newsletter!

Do you know a teen with some great ideas?

It Gets Better, a campaign funded by Aerie, American Eagle, MAC, Tumblr, and Humble Bundle, is looking to offer grant money [up to $10,000] to any teen with a dream that can be turned into a plan to make their community a better place for LGBTQ+ people. They are offering several grants, so feel free to share!

Find more information here!

Need an LGBTQ+ Friendly Haircut?

In Atlanta: Atlanta Family Hair Care

Scott Primavera is always friendly and open to new clients! And Sam the Salon Cat is happy to show you his tricks (or just get attention) while you’re there! Call 989-785-4127 to schedule an appointment!

In Grayling: Smoke & Mirrors

Melissa at Smoke & Mirrors Hair Studio has made a public statement that they are LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive to all humans. If you need a safe place to get a haircut, they’re happy to have you. Call 989-290-5128 to schedule an appointment.

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 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! We especially appreciate allies who are willing to pound some pavement on our behalf!

• 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!

Did you know we’re working on making a community resource document that is tailored to our community? You can view the in-progress document here: Resources in Au Sable

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

That’s all for now! Take Care!