AuSable Inclusion Center's May Newsletter

Remember when I said, “The winds of March are giving way to April, and we’re starting to get a good bit more sunshine up north!” last newsletter? Well…that was a bit of an ill-timed statement. I hope everyone is doing well, recovering well, and continues to have power after the 2025 April Ice Storm. In the meantime, we’re moving forward. In our last dispatch, I told you all about the “Pop Up” Hygiene Closets we were now offering. We continue to offer them and are working to schedule more in the coming weeks and months. If your church, community space, or business would like to host a pop-up hygiene closet, please reach out! Practically speaking, all we need to set up is a dry, accessible space for around 3 hours, along with some communications signal boosting. Volunteers to help load and unload are helpful, but not always necessary.

In other news, our Advisory Board has held its annual meeting and put together both a budget and a programming plan through the end of 2026! There will be some changes in the coming months as we work to implement that plan, but we’re excited about the ways we continue to grow into our mission and ministry in our neck of the woods. We look forward to continuing to gather on a reduced schedule during the summer before kicking off a fresh program year in September.

During May, I’ll be visiting several churches around the state to guest preach and share about the work we do at the AuSable Inclusion Center. If your church would like me to come guest preach and share, or lead a training, I’m happy to do so and typically schedule out at least a month or two in advance. This is a great opportunity for us to mutually support one another at a time when building deeper community bonds is so important.

Remember: we have opportunities every day to offer care and connection to those around us. Even those small, practical acts of service and kindness can change the world. Read on to learn about how we’re offering care and connection and ways that you can join in.

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

Community Garden Club

Did you know gardening can help reduce stress? We have a large area of land that is perfect for setting up a community garden and warm weather on the horizon! We would love to know if you’d be interested in joining our Community Garden Club. We are currently trying to work out specifics.

Upcoming Community Open Hour/Hygiene Closet Days

The Hygiene Closet is open to everyone. If you are in need of diapers, shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, etc., don’t hesitate! We are a community center, so if you’re in need, we’re here to help! 

Visit us:

Hygiene Closet — May 5th, June 6th [12:00 PM - 7:00 PM]

Community Open Hours — May 4th, May 11th, & May 18th [6:00 PM - 7:00 PM]

LGBT+ Support Groups

We’re here and we’re queer! Visit with us digitally (sign up here) on May 20th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM or in-person in Mio on May 21st from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Make friends, discuss issues, make plans—let’s meet!

Grayling Game Nights at the Devereaux Memorial Library

This weekly game-night is hosted by patrons of the Crawford County Library. There is a Facebook group called Crawford County Game Nights with updates run by Kristian Lupo.