AuSable Inclusion Center's August Newsletter

Author

Beckett Leclaire
July 28, 2025

Hi friends!
We’re deep in the midst of summer now, enjoying the sunshine and long days. As we continue to prepare for fall program startup, we have some extra special events on the calendar for August.
First of all: We’ll have a booth at Oscoda County Heritage Days at the Oscoda County Fairgrounds! (1889 Caldwell Rd, Mio, MI 48647) We’ll be in the vendor hall on both Friday and Saturday, August 8th & 9th. This is another great chance to meet some of our leaders and volunteers and learn about on-site programs. We’ll also have a box for sock donations, so if you’re heading to Heritage Days, why not drop off some socks?
SPEAKING OF SOCKS! August 16 is Back to School Basics Bash!!! Join us from 10 AM to 4 PM for free socks, haircuts, “just in case” bags, and crayons/colored pencils, while supplies last. We’re looking forward to this fun opportunity to get ready for the new school year!
This month also sees the official beginning of partner programs with the G.R.A.C.E. Center, including on-site counseling services and a Domestic Violence Offender class for female offenders. This partnership allows us to deliver much needed services to support our local community.
We’re excited for everything we’ve got cooking for fall and have been busily preparing to return to existing programs and launch new programs. Keep reading to learn more!

Looking forward to a great close to summer!

Cheers,

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

August 2025 Schedule

Back to school season is HERE!

Calendar of Events

Friday, August 1st

  • Hygiene Closet Open Hours — 12:00 PM–7:00PM [AuSable Inclusion Center]

Thursday, August 7th

  • Female Domestic Violence Offender Class — 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
    [AuSable Inclusion Center]

Friday, August 8th

  • Visit us at the Oscoda County Heritage Days Vendor Barn! — 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

    [Oscoda County Fairgrounds: 1889 Caldwell Rd, Mio, MI 48647]

  • Game Night! — 5:00PM–8:00PM [AuSable Inclusion Center]

Saturday, August 9th

  • Visit us at the Oscoda County Heritage Days Vendor Barn! — 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

    [Oscoda County Fairgrounds: 1889 Caldwell Rd, Mio, MI 48647]

Thursday, August 14th

  • Female Domestic Violence Offender Class — 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
    [AuSable Inclusion Center]

Saturday, August 16th

  • Back to School Basics Bash— 10:00AM–4:00PM [AuSable Inclusion Center]

Wednesday, August 20th

Thursday, August 21st

  • Female Domestic Violence Offender Class — 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
    [AuSable Inclusion Center]

Thursday, August 28th

  • Pop-Up Hygiene Closet — 12:00PM–2:00PM
    [New Life Lutheran Church, 25 Kirche in the Woods, Spruce, MI]

  • Female Domestic Violence Offender Class — 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
    [Ausable Inclusion Center]

🌈 Join Our Queer Book Club – Open to All LGBTQ+ Adults and Adult Allies! 📚

Are you ready to dive into captivating stories and explore powerful perspectives? Our Queer Book Club warmly invites you to a community where literature and lively discussion meet in the comfort of your own home!

✨THE DEETS✨

**Where: Online (via Zoom)

**When: First Wednesdays – Sep 3, 2025; Oct 1, 2025; Nov 5, 2025; Dec 3, 2025; Jan 7, 2026; Feb 4, 2026; Mar 4, 2026; Apr 1, 2026; May 6, 2026; Jun 4, 2026

**Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🌟 Who Can Join? 🌟

- This vibrant club welcomes all LGBTQ+ adults and adult allies who are eager to connect through the power of books!

- Please note: Participation is free, but you'll need to purchase your own copies of the books. If purchasing books is a barrier to your participation, please indicate this on your signup.

📝 How to Join 📝

- To keep our community thriving and personal, signup is required. Simply sign up when you’re ready; Join any month!

🚀 Why Join Us? 🚀

Our goal is to foster a sense of fellowship and broaden our horizons through the rich tapestry of stories told by and about the LGBTQ+ community. Each month, we'll journey through different genres, voices, and narratives that will leave you inspired, thoughtful, and connected.

Don't miss out on this fabulous opportunity to meet new friends, share your thoughts, and be part of something truly meaningful. Get cozy, grab your favorite mug, and prepare to explore new worlds, one page at a time.

Sign up today and be part of our joyous literary adventure! 

For more information and to register, please visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/ausable-queer-book-club

We can't wait to welcome you to our Queer Book Club! Happy reading! 🎉📖🏳️‍🌈

Do you want to be a good neighbor or loved one to folks in the LGBTQ+ community but struggle with all the lingo? Worried you’re going to say the wrong thing? And what the heck is up with pronouns?

We got you! Join Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him), Ministry Developer at the AuSable Inclusion Center and real-life queer, trans guy for a crash course in basic terminology and general best practices for being kind and respectful. Come ask him all your awkward questions during the extensive Q&A time!

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 1-4 PM

Place: AuSable Inclusion Center, 789 Ryno Rd (M-72) Mio, MI

No sign up required for this free educational event!

Snacks and soft drinks will be provided!

All kind hearts (or folks who want to get there) are welcome!

You’re Invited: Prayer Service of Healing

Are you seeking comfort, renewal, or a moment of peace?

Join us for a special Prayer Service of Healing—a gentle, prayerful time for reflection, hope, and restoration, open to all.

When: Sunday, September 14, 2025, 4:30 PM

Where: AuSable Inclusion Center, 789 Ryno Rd., Mio, MI

What to Expect: Scripture, prayers, an opportunity for private or shared prayers for healing, anointing, and gentle music in a welcoming, supportive setting.

Whether you are carrying a physical ailment, emotional pain, or simply wish to be present in community, all are welcome. You need not be a member of our church, or of any church, to attend.

For more information, please contact 989-346-0155.

Come as you are—may God’s healing grace meet you here.

***PLEASE SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST. https://tinyurl.com/disc-fac-training-sept-2025

The AuSable Inclusion Center is delighted to invite you to attend one of two online Group Discussion Facilitator Trainings coming up in September.

Friday, September 26th, @ 1 PM

Tuesday, September 30th, @ 10:30 AM

This training, led by Dr. Eric Carlson (he/him), Professor of History, emeritus at Gustavus Adolphus College, Adjunct Professor in the Department of History at Central Michigan University, and Co-Warden at St. John's Episcopal Church, Midland, will cover topics including how to establish an atmosphere conducive to good discussion/participation, setting ground rules for good conversation, how the facilitator should and should not participate during the discussion (i.e., what exactly the facilitator's role is).

With a new program year beginning and ever-increasing focus on the need for civil discourse, this training will equip and empower participants to become leaders in their communities.

Trainings will be offered over Zoom and last approximately 90 minutes.

***PLEASE SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST.

Confirmations of registration and the Zoom link for your session will be emailed to participants between September 23 and 24.

For more information, contact Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him) at [email protected]

Blurb: Want to develop your skills in group discussion facilitation? Join Dr. Eric Carlson (he/him) for an Online Group Discussion Facilitator Training via Zoom!

Two sessions are available:

Friday, September 26th- 1 PM

Tuesday, September 30th- 10:30 AM

Each session is about 90 minutes

Hygiene Closet Updates

The AuSable Inclusion Center has had several Pop-Up Hygiene Closets in the community. There are now six sites that we visit on a monthly rotation. Need one? Check out the list below!

Community Pop—Up Hygiene Closet

Thursday, August 28th- New Life Lutheran Church

 25 Kirche in the Woods, Spruce, MI

 12 PM-2 PM

Saturday, September 13th- Calvary Episcopal Church

 330 State St, Hillman, MI 49746

 10 AM-12 PM

Closet Open Days at the AuSable Inclusion Center:

August 1st

September 5th

  • Open from 12:00 PM—7:00 PM

  • Free to use, no questions asked!

As Back to School season is on the horizon, there is more need in the community for the Hygiene Closet than previous months. We would absolutely appreciate your support. Check out the Amazon Wishlist here!

Picture Book of the Month: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

We are resilience. 

We are hope. 

We are dreamers.

This picture book biography follows Yuyi Morales, a young woman who left behind nearly everything she owned in Mexico, but she didn't come to the United States empty-handed. Morales brought her hopes, her passion, her strength, and her stories with her when she immigrated to the United States in 1994 with her infant son. 

That’s all for now!