CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN INC
"Nothing is ever too much to do for a child"
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The counties we serve have a large population of children at below poverty level. Many children are going to school in the winter without the proper clothing and we assist in this area; usually a school teacher alerts our organization through our community outreach coordinator. We have also found that many of the children are not equipped to enter school with the necessary supplies or clothing; the families cannot afford to buy them when they are struggling to feed their children. Also, these same children have not been exposed to early education support, therefore they are entering school at a disadvantage on day one; our volunteers are engaged in literacy support in the elementary schools and we also provide age appropriate books for children, sometimes these are the first books in the home. Our volunteer chapter is committed to "challenging poverty one child at a time."
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Head Start Backpack Project
The Head Start Program addresses the challenge of offering free early education for children from low income families. CCSNM has partnered with this agency to provide a backpack for each student that includes school supplies, a toiletry kit (boy/girl), a change of clothing (pant, shirt, underwear and socks) and educational materials for the parent on child development and parenting. Additionally, each backpack includes a handmade fleece blanket made by our volunteers for "quite time" during the school day. These backpacks give the 3 and 4- year olds and their parents a fresh start to begin their first exposure to a formalized learning environment. We hear stories about the comfort and security children feel when receiving all these items.
Layette Project
CSSNM signature philanthropic effort is the Layette Project. Recognizing the difficulties for low-income families, the layette Project addresses several facets of life challenges by providing items for their newborn infants during the mother's pre/post-natal care through the Health Department of NW Michigan. Included in each layette is a new diaper bag, hand knit items, clothing, an infant sleep sack, hooded towel and washcloths, finger toothbrush, infant nail clippers, board book, burp cloths, a baby thermometer, receiving blankets, newborn cap, onesies, socks and a variety of baby card educational pamphlets. The mother's that receive the CCSNM layettes have no extravagant baby showers that many of us have attended. Many would not have new baby items without our assistance. In 2023, a Halo ®Newborn Swaddle Sleep will be added as the safe sleep statewide initiative.
Back to School Clothing
The first day of school friends reunite after a long summer break. Unfortunately, many children in our area can not share in this excitement due to financial hardships. Recognizing this need, CCSNM has been instrumental in providing back to school new clothing and shoes. Overall, the "Back to School Project" helps build self-esteem and confidence.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our chapter's goals are to provide school and winter clothing for children in need as well as basic school supplies for children entering the Head Start program in our community. Although we have had volunteer members tutoring in the elementary schools for many years, we are currently ramping up a dedicated literacy program, called Read to Me. During the holiday season we also provide children with clothing, food and gifts. These families have been identified and screened by our local agencies to be sure we are serving children who would not otherwise receive assistance. This season five high school aged children were homeless and our volunteers jumped in to provide them with a Christmas.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
It's all about fundraising for us. We are an all volunteer, no paid staff organization relying on generous donors, grants, and our annual fundraising event every July. Without the funds or our volunteers we would be hindered in reaching our goals
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have strong support in our volunteer membership as well as very strong support in our community; they truly understand what we are trying to achieve and help us with our goals by supporting us financially or with inkind throughout the year.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2019 we disbursed $166,856 by serving 4,501 children, allocating our funds across our many projects.
376 backpacks were distributed through the Head Start programs accounting for 9% of our budget
450 infant layettes where distributed through various agencies and hospitals for a total of 14% of our budget
483 children where clothed through our Shower of Love project, for 28% of our budget
214 were fed and received gifts through our Christmas project, for 11% of budget
2,978 children received help through the Diaper Pantry, Foster Care Kits, Camp Scholarships and literacy initiatives, this represents the largest portion of out budget, 38%
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN INC
Board of directorsas of 01/24/2024
Kim Jones
Deb K Nachtrab
Hellene Glasser
Dianne Creamer
Trudy Day
Debbie Dicken
Julie Bernstein
Karen Smith
Sandra Kraai
Ann Fertuck
Kathleen Davis
Anne Kroha
Kathleen Schroeder
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data