Community Family Life Centers

Addressing Educational Disparities. Community Family Life Centers offer a comprehensive set of services and programs aimed at addressing educational disparities among African Americans and other BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Here's a step-by-step description of what participants will experience, along with how each service/program will address poverty, racism, and trauma: (1) Educational Support Services * Academic Tutoring and Mentoring: Qualified tutors and mentors provide personalized support to students, focusing on core subjects like mathematics, science, and reading. * Homework Assistance: After-school programs are established to provide a conducive environment for completing homework assignments with access to resources and assistance from staff. (2) Enrichment Programs: * STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiatives: Hands-on STEM activities and workshops are organized . * Arts and Cultural Programs: Creative arts workshops, including music, piano, guitar, dance, and are offered to promote self-expression. (3) Mental Health and Trauma Support: * Counseling Services: Licensed counselors and therapists are available to provide individual and group counseling sessions to address trauma, stress, and mental health challenges faced by participants. * Trauma-Informed Practices: Staff members are trained in trauma-informed care techniques to create a supportive and safe environment for participants who may have experienced racial trauma or other forms of adversity. (4)Family and Community Engagement: *Parent Workshops: Workshops are organized to educate parents on how to support their children's academic success, and advocate for their needs. Addressing Poverty, Racism, and Trauma: *Poverty: By providing academic support, and enrichment programs with the aim to empower BIPOC students with the skills and opportunities necessary to break the cycle of poverty through education and career advancement. *Racism: The educational programs help address systemic racism by providing support and resources to BIPOC families in the community *Trauma: Through trauma-informed practices, counseling services, and supportive programming, CFLC creates a safe and nurturing environment where participants can heal from past traumas and build resilience in the face of adversity.

Skills Building, Earn & Learn: Empowers youth program participants by offering them a transformative opportunity to cultivate self-sufficiency and responsibility. Through a comprehensive series of essential life and job skills training-including informed decision-making, conflict resolution, leadership, and teamwork-participants gain valuable insights applicable in various settings. This program not only provides a platform for learning but also offers youth the chance to earn income throughout the year by actively engaging in meaningful work experiences. Empower U, a collaboration with the University of Michigan Medicine, is a specialized program for girls aged 11 and above. Beyond conventional approaches, our initiative provides valuable knowledge and skills in a safe, nurturing environment, fostering personal growth. The program includes a curated curriculum covering topics such as leadership, health education, and life skills. Our dedicated team, in partnership with experts from the University of Michigan Medicine, ensures personalized support for each participant. The Boys Mentorship Program is a transformative initiative designed for youth aged 11 and above. This program offers a supportive and enriching environment where young boys can develop essential life skills, foster positive relationships, and explore personal growth. Through tailored mentorship and engaging activities, participants will embark on a journey of empowerment, building confidence and unlocking their full potential.

HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM The mental health program serviced between 20-35 individuals and family systems, including children, parents, and independent adults without children, within the surrounding Ypsilanti areas. Services that were provided were individual therapy, group therapy, support groups, wraparound services, and crisis interventions. Other proposed therapeutic interventions were not implemented, due to a lack of funding. The mental health service provider utilized the PHQ-9 assessment tool, to assess for depressive symptoms with adult clients. The DASS 21 to assess further for depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in adults, in place of the PSI, due to a delay in access to the assessment kit and training of the measurement tool. Additionally, the UCLA was utilized to assess for trauma symptoms in children/youth. Community Family Life Centers (CFLC)offered a mother and grandmother support group, weekly, on Thursday evenings. Some of the topics covered were psychoeducation on PTSD and symptoms, physiological responses in the body, good and bad stress, organizational and familial stress and the adverse impact on the parent child relationship. The CFLC also offered group support to a group of mentored youth at the CFLC's Youth Enrichment Program. Some of the topics covered were PTSD and symptoms, community violence and trauma, enhancing future safety, conflict resolution and coping skills. The mental health consultant created an evaluative tool, using a 5-point Likert scale, for treatment satisfaction. Community Family Life Centers' consultant researched current therapy/mental health support options in the area and put together a resource to share with the community. Community Family Life Centers hosted a community town hall meeting to discuss current options, service gaps, and needs for mental health in 48197 and 48198 zip codes. The Healthcare Awareness Outreach and the Health and Nutrition Project provided individuals and their families with healthcare resources and education. The program focused on healthcare problems that affect specific groups of people who reside in low-income and underprivileged communities. This program supported racial equity by providing free healthcare resources and education to communities that are in most need; for instance, the African American community. Hypertension, diabetes and high-cholesterol are just a few healthcare problems that were discussed for African Americans. The Healthcare Awareness Outreach Program and the Health Nutrition Project provided 7 healthcare fairs to bring awareness to these particular health disparities. Classes were held for low-income individuals with, or at risk for hypertension, diabetes, and/or overweight. 45 individuals participated in these classes. Created surveys and data sheets for all seven sessions. Blood pressure and glucose readings and oxygen checks were collected. Participants learned how to read food labels, how to prepare healthy meals, and how unhealthy foods affects overall health. Participants was given information on how to make healthy food choices when eating out in restaurants. Participants learned how they could do physical activities within their own home settings; how to exercise the mind for mental health.