Hi Friends,
Summer is heating up, and with that, we’re slowing down a little bit. We’re taking a break from some of our ongoing programs to give ourselves a chance to get some preparatory work done for new programs launching in the fall and winter.

What do we have cooking (other than hot dogs for fourth of July? See below!) you may ask…
Online Queer Book Club
Halloween Film Festival
Halloween Party
Friendsgiving
Festive Film Fest
and a whole bunch more!

Don’t worry, we still have plenty of opportunities to gather and to serve the community! Through the summer, we will continue to offer Hygiene Closet Open Access and Game Nights, along with one-off events like our Back to School Basics Bash in August. We’ll also be at Oscoda County Heritage Days August 8th and 9th!

A big thing we’re really excited about is that we’re beginning to partner with the G.R.A.C.E. Center in Grayling to offer mental health and counseling programs on-site! You can learn more about that later in this newsletter. This collaboration arose from months of conversation with our community members about where gaps in service were and how we may be able to address them with the relationships and capacities we currently have. These community partnerships are one way that we are building community resilience while also being good stewards of our resources and staff.

As we live into our mission in this place and this time, we remember that we cannot do any of the work we’re doing without the prayers, support, and encouragement from our network of neighbors near and far. Thank you, and we hope you have a wonderful, safe summer!

Cheers,

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

Events Calendar

July 2025 Schedule

We would love to see you!

Tuesday, July 1st- Happy Ordination Anniversary to Deacon Beck!

Friday, July 4th

• 12:00 PM — 7:00 PM: Hygiene Closet Open Hours & Community Cookout
  @ AuSable Inclusion Center, 789 Ryno Rd., Mio, MI

Saturday, July 5th- Ashura begins at sundown

Thursday, July 10th

• 2:00 PM — 5:00 PM: Pop-Up Hygiene Closet
  @ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 727 S 2nd Ave, Alpena, MI 49707

Monday, July 14th- International Nonbinary People’s Day!  

Friday, July 18th

• 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM: Game Night!
  @ AuSable Inclusion Center, 789 Ryno Rd., Mio, MI

Sunday, July 20th

• 12:00 PM — 12:30 PM:  A Litany From the Margins Livestream Find it here! 

Join us during our Hygiene Closet Open Access on July 4th from 12 PM to 7 PM for free hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks, and a chance to meet some of our leaders and check out our space!

The term “nonbinary” [or non-binary, enby, genderqueer] is an identity that means someone does not identify exclusively within the binary of a man or a woman. 

Nonbinary people may or may not use gendered pronouns and may identify as both a man and a woman or beyond the idea of man/woman entirely. Nonbinary is an umbrella term that emcompasses many different identities, oftentimes looking different across cultures. For instance, here is an encyclopedia entry from the Britannica that showcases different nonbinary gender orientations from around the world!

Looking to learn more about International Nonbinary People's Day? Check out this post from the Human Rights Campaign.

It may seem like Summer Break just started, but Back to School is right around the corner, which means it’ll soon be time to get that back-to-school haircut, buy new clothes, and grab what your family needs to be clean and healthy! 

Come on out to the AuSable Inclusion Center on Saturday, August 16th from 10 AM to 4 PM to get the basics of what you’ll need for the new school year!

-Free Haircuts (Thanks to Scott Primavera at Atlanta Family Hair Salon and Melissa Pickard at Smoke and Mirrors Hair Salon in Grayling!)

-”Just in case” personal care kits

-Hygiene Closet Open Access

-Free socks (one multi-pack per size per child)

-Free crayons and colored pencils

NO Sign-up required!

NO Qualifications needed!

Come get what you need!

Want to donate supplies for the Back to School Basics Bash? You can order directly from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/QV130FOZP3JD

Make sure you select the address assigned to the wishlist so supplies get where they need to go!

The AuSable Inclusion Center is now collaborating with the G.R.A.C.E. Center to offer licensed counseling services to support individuals on their mental health journeys. Services are available Thursdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Available Counseling Services:

• Child/Family Counseling: Strengthen family bonds and address behavioral or emotional issues in a safe and nurturing environment.

• Relationship Counseling: Improve communication, resolve conflicts, and enhance your connection with your partner.

• Anger Management: Learn effective strategies to manage anger and build healthier responses to stress.

• General Issue Counseling: Receive personalized support for anxiety, depression, stress, and other life challenges.

Insurance Plans Accepted:

• McLaren Medicaid

• Priority Health Medicaid

• Priority Health HMO or PPO

Additionally Available (Not Covered by Insurance):

Substance Abuse Evaluations: Assess your needs and explore the best treatment options for recovery.

Counseling services provided by Kristen Waslawski, LPC

Take the first step toward healing and growth today. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the G.R.A.C.E. Center: 989-348-2544

If you are a female domestic violence offender, we invite you to participate in the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, designed as a supportive and empowering opportunity for women seeking to foster positive change. This program is mandated by the court, but it is more than a requirement—it is a chance to learn, grow, and build healthier relationships.

Program Details:

• Start Date: Classes begin August 7th, but participants can join at any time in the program

• Time: Thursdays, 5 PM to 6 PM

• Location: AuSable Inclusion Center, 789 Ryno Rd., Mio, MI

• Duration: 26 weeks to complete the program

• Facilitator: Kristen Waslawski, LPC

What You Can Expect:

• A welcoming and confidential environment to explore new perspectives.

• Engaging sessions focused on understanding the dynamics of domestic violence.

• Practical strategies for cultivating non-violent communication and conflict resolution.

• Support from trained professionals dedicated to your journey toward personal growth and accountability.

Next Steps:

Reach out to the G.R.A.C.E. Center to register: 989-348-2544

We are here to support you every step of the way and look forward to welcoming you into this enriching community.

Picture Book of the Month: My Lost Freedom by George Takei

February 19, 1942. George Takei is four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States. [American History, Picture Book, Narrative Nonfiction] Check out the Common Sense Media Review for Parents here!

Community Event Spotlights Upcoming:

Saturday, July 12th / 6:00 PM: Night of One Acts — Dinner Theatre @ AAV Community Theatre Performing Arts Center / 122 Michigan Avenue, Grayling, MI

July 19th — 26th: 2025 AuSable River Festival

Last Chance! Don’t forget to sign up for Lavender Lake Days. 

The AuSable Inclusion Center is always looking for more volunteers. Feel free to reach out to get involved or fill out this interest form.

That’s it for now!