Strengthening the communities where our employees live and raise their families is the goal of HSC’s employee-led Community and Regional Empowerment (CARE) grant program. Nonprofit organizations in Saginaw, Midland and Bay counties can apply three times each year to receive CARE grant funding that amplifies the impact of their activities in the community and aligns with HSC’s mission to create thriving, resilient communities across the Great Lakes Bay Region.
In the 2024 Second Round, HSC CARE grants were awarded to ten different organizations to support their work in park and recreation improvements, STEM education for young people and other critical areas.
“HSC is thrilled to once again provide vital resources to organizations across the region who are making a positive difference in people’s lives,” said Raquel Perez, HSC Diversity & Community Liaison. “These 10 grantees strive every day to strengthen the communities where they operate and we’re proud to play a part in the success of each recipient’s work.”
The following nonprofit organizations received HSC CARE grants in the 2024 Second Round:
A safe space to play & create
With support from its HSC CARE grant, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region will launch six new computer labs featuring cutting-edge technology. The labs are being created with the success of young people in mind and will put an emphasis on fostering life skills such as computer literacy, teamwork, and sportsmanship, while targeting teens interested in gaming, STEAM disciplines, and learning more about editing software and other computer applications. HSC is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs and their work to invest in our future leaders and create an enriching environment for teens and young people in the Saginaw, Bay City, Essexville and Pinconning areas.
Engaging parents to prevent child abuse
The Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Saginaw (CAN Council) is dedicated to creating and fostering safe environments for children and parents where they have opportunities to engage with and learn from their peers. After a successful pilot program, CAN Council will use its HSC CARE grant to fund and launch “Parent Cafés,” a program that focuses on evidence-informed, peer-led discussion and education about parenting. Similar programs in other communities have been overwhelmingly successful by giving parents the space to comfortably talk about their parenting victories and struggles, and to find solutions from other parents in a close, intimate environment. The program provides parents from Saginaw and Bay County communities a way to connect with other parents and learn about topics that include positive discipline, child development, communication skills and self-care.
Shopping carts for the Bridge Food Center
With support from its HSC CARE grant, Elevate Community Ministries’ Bridge Food Center has continued working on their incredible growth, allowing even more individuals and families to put high quality, affordable food on their tables. Previous improvements have included better lighting throughout the building and more visual emergency lighting and exit signs. Elevate has seen an increase in customers to the Center and wants to enable further growth with the addition of new shopping carts and baskets for customer use, which will ensure that each member of Bridge’s growing customer base has consistent access to quality shopping carts and baskets upon arrival to the Center. Interested in volunteering with Bridge Food Center? Reach out at this link.
FACT: Supporting families in need
Families & Children Together will use its HSC CARE grant to support the FACT Community Based Care (CBC) initiative, which provides resource management for families to fill in the gaps and provide support where child welfare agencies may not be able to. This initiative was initially developed to prevent potential calls to Child Protective Services and now has expanded with HSC grant dollars to host caregiver dinners, which bring together families in need with the programs and groups that can support them. Previous community events have hosted over 50 people, so the opportunity to continue expanding to include more members in need is a huge benefit to the FACT CBC initiative. Participants are recommended for the program by local organizations and volunteers are welcome. Visit the FACT website to learn more.
New technology for student robotics in Freeland
The Freeland Robotics Club brings STEM awareness to students and community while providing young people with opportunities to have fun and participate in FIRST Robotics competitions. The Club will use its HSC CARE grant to acquire an industrial-grade CNC waterjet machine capable of cutting steel and other materials used in the construction of competition robots. With a shortage of skilled workers in today’s workforce, HSC believes that exposing students to new technologies can ignite a passion for manufacturing they did not know they had. Through hands-on experience with programming and operating CNC tools, students will learn critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, which are essential for modern manufacturing.
Township park improvements get a boost
Smaller communities often struggle to provide their residents with quality amenities like parks and trails that enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation and accommodate family gatherings and other events. With support from an HSC CARE grant, Greendale Township will make several major improvements to the community’s primary park, located adjacent to the township hall, by constructing a 24’ X 40’ pavilion, an 8’ X 8’ rustic outhouse, and a walking path that circles the rear of the township’s property, some of which meanders through the woods. HSC will be excited to see Greendale Township residents enjoying the new park amenities.
Improving accessibility to the arts
Studio 23 (The Arts Center) in downtown Bay City will use its HSC CARE grant to make the visual arts relevant and accessible to all in the Great Lakes Bay Region. According to Executive Director Megan Koch, the grant dollars will be used to address an ongoing accessibility project launching next year. The studio’s wheelchair lift is outdated and inaccessible and will be replaced so anyone who uses it can have a sense of independence when visiting. Anyone interested in contributing to the project or volunteering with the studio is welcome to visit the Studio 23 website to learn more.
New trainers to strengthen suicide prevention
Not having someone to talk to can add to the challenges of those who struggle with mental illness. With support from an HSC CARE grant, the Suicide Resource & Response Network will deliver suicide prevention workshops throughout Saginaw County. The workshops aim to build suicide intervention skills that teach people of all ages to recognize when there is a concern for suicide, ask the question of suicide and connect the individual to people who can decrease their pain. Program founder Barb Smith, whose family struggled in silence after the loss of her brother, expressed her gratitude for the grant funds: “Thanks to HSC for caring for your community and allowing us to build a safety net around mental health and suicide.”
Inspiring the next generation through STEM education
An HSC CARE grant awarded to Saginaw Valley State University will support the STEM@SVSU Innovators Hub, strengthening access to STEM education, career readiness and leadership training for middle and high school students. STEM@SVSU has received HSC CARE grant funding in the past, and this ongoing funding allows the program to continue engaging with 84 middle and high school students in leadership and STEM activities, including the Leadership Training Institute and cabinet meetings. HSC believes that investing in the next generation of talented young people will strengthen our region and our state.
Enhancing recreation opportunities for urban youth
The Urban Racquet Sports Foundation will use its HSC CARE grant to enhance the offerings of the pro shop at its Garber Courts facility in Saginaw. The mission of the Foundation is to use tennis and pickleball as a tool to mentor youth in structured after-school and summer programs. HSC grant funds will support the addition of a pegboard system and other improvements in the pro shop that will keep equipment better organized. These improvements will not only benefit the players and visitors to the facility, but also create a more vibrant community space that fosters connections and enhances well-being.