The Caravan Youth Center, a Michigan non-profit charitable corporation, 501 (c)(3) under the federal tax code. Following, is a brief description of each of the charities benefiting from the Caravan Circus.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LANSING
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lansing began in 1964 as the Boys Club of Lansing. Local businessmen established an activity center to keep at-risk youth off the streets. Affiliation with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America brought national program ideas, professional staff training, and a philosophy of youth development. For 40 years this community agency has continued to serve children ages 6-18, who lack adequate resources and role models to succeed in school and/or mission has broadened from recreation and socialization to include education and a broad range of life skills. In 1988 a $1,300,000 Capital Campaign built the current 25,000 sq. ft. facility at 4315 Pleasant Grove Road on the south side of Lansing. The location was chosen because of its high density of neighborhood youth and the need for a community building in south Lansing. In 1990, the building opened and programs began serving over 800 children annually. The Boys & Girls Club incorporates five core programs into its daily activities: character & leadership development, education & career development, health & life skills, arts & music, and sports & recreation. Since the opening of the Pleasant Grove Road facility in June 1990, over 12,000 children have been served. Over 3,000 volunteers have contributed almost 40,000 hours of expertise and more than 60 community organizations have collaborated with the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing!
Contact Information:
Telephone: 517-394-0455Fax: 517-394-5092
Address: 4315 Pleasant Grove Road, Lansing, MI 48910
Email: bgclsandra@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://www.bgclansing.org
CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES, CAPITAL AREA
Since 1911, Child & Family Services, Capital Area has worked to improve the lives of mid-Michigan Residents by providing a comprehensive array of quality services. Founded as the Ingham County Branch of the Children's Aid Society, the original mission of Child & Family Services was "to secure for every child the same love and the same opportunities that we would have our children receive should they be left orphaned or friendless." Efforts focused on services to unwed mothers, adoption, and the recruitment and supervision of foster homes for neglected children.
Today the mission of Child & Family Services, Capital Area dedicates us to fostering personal growth through positive change for individuals and families.
We offer services directed at keeping families intact and a belief that the strength of communities lies in the health, happiness, and self-sufficiency of its families. Our goal is to help individuals and families build, strengthen, and repair their personal and family lives by providing an array of comprehensive and affordable services:
- Protecting children from physical and sexual abuse, and mental or emotional harm by providing temporary foster care.
- Helping to reunite families where children have been removed.
- Creating new families through adoption when reunification is not possible.
- Providing counseling services to families, couples, children, and adults.
- Providing substance abuse treatment and prevention services to individuals and families.
- Counseling expectant mothers to increase the likelihood of healthy births.
For more information call: (517) 699-1600 or (800) 301-7566
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES
Since 1975 one organization in mid-Michigan has focused on preventing child abuse and neglect. Prevention is the key word. Child Abuse Prevention Services, CAPS, works to reach children and families before violence or pain enters young lives. First incorporated as the Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, then as Child Abuse Prevention Services, CAPS continues to be the only organization in Ingham County dedicated solely to providing support services to single parents and families.
Our goals are to strengthen the family, educate the community and give parents the tools they need to nurture children successfully.
Our Family Growth Center Sites offer services covering: Respite Child Care, Parent Support Groups and Parenting Education Classes.
CAPS is an organization strengthened by volunteers who want to help break the cycle of child abuse and neglect. We need caregivers for children ages six months to five years. We need parent aides who will make a one year commitment to help a family. We need speakers who can reach out and educate our community about preventing child abuse. CAPS provides all training for these volunteer services. If you want to assist by volunteering your time and service or if you want to make a financial contribution to CAPS please call 517-484-8444.
MYSTIC LAKE YMCA CAMP
The YMCA of Lansing serves today's families through relevant, cutting edge programs and services. We strengthen existing families and build human support networks for those who are alone. We are the area's leading provider of camp programs, child care and family activities. Services are available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, thanks to the generous support of our donors to the Invest-in-Youth Campaign.
The YMCA movement began in London, England, in l844, to address the social conditions of the time. The YMCA offered young men positive alternatives to street activities. The Lansing Y opened just 33 years later, in 1877. In 1879, women were admitted as active members.
Specific to Mystic Lake Camp, we have been a tradition in camping since 1926. Accredited by the American Camping Association, the Camp is nestled on 600 acres located 15 miles west of Clare on US 10.
Facilities include:
| Riding Stables | 40' Climbing Wall | High Ropes Course |
| Challenge Course | Technical Tree Climbing | Environmental Studies Center |
| Archery Range | Two Lakes, bogs | Waterfront |
| Athletic Field | Basketball Courts | Craft Shop |
About 1,200 Campers including Teen Leadership programs. Over 4,100 school children participated in Environmental Education through Outdoor Education programs. 1,290 YMCA and other participants utilized the Camp for retreats, conferences, etc. 260 disadvantaged, disabled and foster children received financial assistance as a result of Mystic Lake Camp's Open Arms Campaign.
The YMCA collaborates with Michigan Schools, Caravan Youth Center, Central Michigan University, and the Michigan Dyslexia Institute.
YMCA CAMP PA-WA-PI
Since 1877, the YMCA of Lansing's primary purpose has never changed. It has been the principal center of this community for programs that:
- Instill a strong sense of positive values
- Enhance and Promote healthy lifestyles
- Strengthen family life
- Develop character and leadership skills
In 1953, with the help of the Parkwood YMCA Service Club, 22 acres along the Red Cedar River in Williamston were purchased for the establishment of a YMCA Day Camp known as Camp Pa-Wa-Pi, to serve the Lansing community. In 1990, 30 adjacent acres were donated to expand the camp's programs and offerings.
Camp Pa-Wa-Pi served just over 1300 children last summer, 25% of whom received financial assistance as a direct result of the YMCA's annual Open Arms campaign.
YMCA Pa-Wa-Pi Day Camp offers weekly theme sessions for children ages 5-12. Canoeing, hiking, archery, arts and crafts, and games are a part of the camp experience. Every day ends with a refreshing swim at the Parkwood YMCA pool.
Camp Pa-Wa-Pi is available for group rentals during the spring, summer, and fall months. Ideal for Family Reunions, Corporate Outings, Civic Organizations, and School and Scout Groups.
Camp Pa-Wa-Pi is part of the Parkwood YMCA's mission to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities!
TOMORROWS CHILD/MICHIGAN SIDS
Where Hope Shines In
Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Community Health, has been making a difference in the lives of babies for over twenty years. This non-profit organization is dedicated to advancing community efforts to prevent infant deaths, to provide education that promotes infant well-being, and to support families affected by the death of an infant. It is alarming to know that Michigan's infant mortality rate ranks 39th of 50 states- in other words, babies in 38 states have a better chance of surviving their first year of life!
Tomorrow's Child serves as the central reporting agency for all infant deaths in Michigan and is the state's designated resource for the "Back to Sleep" and "Infant Safe Sleep" public health campaigns. In 2002, the Back to Sleep brochure was selected and recommended by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for national use.
Formerly called Michigan SIDS Alliance, the organization changed its name two years ago to "Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS" to better reflect an expanded mission and responsibilities. After years of research and data collection, much more emphasis is now placed on educating parents and caretakers about risk reduction strategies to protect babies from suffocation. They include always placing baby on its back to sleep, and never co-sleeping with a baby. In addition Tomorrow's Child has greatly expanded its programs of grief support services to families that have lost an infants. Continued research into the causes of SIDS and other infant deaths is also supported by Tomorrow's Child, as we try to improve Michigan's dismal infant mortality statistics.
Contact Information:
Email: info@tomorrowschildmi.orgPhone: 517-485-7437 or toll free at 1-800-331-7437
Address: Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS, 824 North Capitol, Lansing, MI 48906
Website: http://tomorrowschildmi.org
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
The Ronald McDonald House near Sparrow Hospital in Lansing was the 206th to open worldwide. It provides a home-away-from-home for up to eight families whose seriously ill children are being treated at a nearby hospital or clinic.
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974 through the efforts of Fred Hill, who at the time was a Philadelphia Eagles football player. His daughter was treated for leukemia at a local children’s hospital and Hill was determined to make a home available to help families faced with similar situations.
Each Ronald McDonald House is located near a major medical facility and is owned, operated and governed by a local non-profit board of community representatives. The average family stay is nine days and since 1974 over 1.5 million family members have been helped. Families using the Houses are asked to donate between $5 to $20 per day but a family is never turned away for inability to pay. For more information call (517) 485-9303
LEARNING CENTERS FOR DYSLEXIC CHILDREN
In the years that the Children's Learning Centers have been actively engaged in helping children overcome the obstacles of dyslexia, thousands of dyslexic children have received free one-on one multisensory reading and written language tutoring and hundreds of school teachers and other individuals interested in becoming certified tutors have received training at no cost. Additionally, The Children's Learning Centers continue to support clinical research programs that focus on dyslexia.
There are currently 52 Children's Learning Centers in fifteen states.
Contact Information:
Center for Dyslexic Children233 East Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3270
Phone: 616-776-6840
turorone@sbcglobal.net
Bay City Learning Center
614 Center Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708
Phone: 989-894-2770
sjlane@charterinternet.com