 Author to deliver presentation at Family Of God event Family of God Community Church of Newaygo is excited to have Cynthia Hughes share her recently published book, GG Forgot My Name on Thursday, May 19th at 6:45 pm. There will be a light supper served prior to the presentation at 6:00pm. Cynthia Hughes’ book is about how Alzheimer’s Disease affects families. She will discuss “The Top 10 Hints”-Adjusting to Alzheimer’s.” Cynthia will talk about different examples from her family’s experiences as the Alzheimer’s progressed, and the love and kindness that was shown to her mother that provided the foundation for her book. Here are some thoughts Cynthia sent on adjusting to Alzheimer’s. “As a Health Educator, I thought I knew a lot about Alzheimer’s Disease. Yet when my mom started experiencing many of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s I previously had taught others about, did I realize that I really needed hints. I needed hints on how to adjust to having someone you love, develop Alzheimer’s. “It was after many days of feeling frustrated from not knowing how to “fix” the changes mom was experiencing and trying many, many ways to make days easier-for both of us, did I discover what seemed to help on most days. Many of these findings, which I honestly believe helped us have better days, are included in my Top 10 Hints-Adjusting to Alzheimer’s. “ Cheryl Schneider from the Commission on Aging or Community Health will also be available to join in this discussion and answer questions. If this sounds interesting and you would like to learn about adjusting to a loved one experiencing Alzheimer’s, please join us. You do not need a reservation, and we welcome everyone, but if you would like to respond that you are interested in attending send an email to fogcc@fogcc.com. 
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  Newaygo County 4-H is pleased to announce it is the recipient of three grants from the Gerber Foundation for youth programming. Grant funds awarded to Newaygo County 4-H will provide needed archery equipment for a youth archery program, transportation for youth to 4-H Exploration Days on the campus of MSU, and for a new community outreach program, Discover 4-H! Discover You! Since 1902, 4-H has been reaching out to young people across America to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills as they work in partnership with adult mentors. In 4-H, we are committed to helping young people, ages 5 – 19 years of age, develop skills that will help them succeed and reach their full potential. 4-H has deep traditional roots within agriculture, however, 4-H today also encompasses many learning opportunities designed to fit the needs of youth at different ages. Through a variety of projects—from food and forestry to rockets and sewing—4-H gives children and teens opportunities to learn life skills, to practice them, and become confident in their ability to use them in the future. There are hands-on, learn-by-doing, opportunities for everyone! In addition to community 4-H clubs, within Newaygo County, there are also a vast number of opportunities for youth to become engaged in 4-H through in-school programs, after-school programs and clubs, 4-H’s partnership with local libraries, and 4-H outreach opportunities such as educational workshops, and trips such as 4-H Winterfest, 4-H Capitol Experience, and 4-H Exploration Days. The Gerber Foundation supports a variety of youth programming within a 4-county area that includes Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. The Foundation has a long history of community support, including support to youth programs (for youth aged 0-18 years), education, and health and human services. To learn more about Newaygo County 4-H, contact Laurie Platte Breza, 4-H Program Coordinator at platteb1@msu.edu.  NC Mental Health celebrates its 50th
By Carol Mills, Executive Director, NCMH Newaygo County Mental Health was formed by the County of Newaygo in 1972 - this year, we celebrate 50 years of serving the mental health needs of Newaygo County. In so many ways, it was a different world 50 years ago. Richard Nixon was President, although it was also the year that 5 White House operatives were arrested for their role in the Watergate Scandal. Gas was 36 cents a gallon. The US would be in Vietnam for another year before beginning withdrawal of troops. In 1970, there were 11,134 people living in State Institutions in Michigan. As a result of Michigan enacting the Mental Health Code, by 1975, this number had been reduced to 4,925. Today, there are only 772 state psychiatric beds. In 1997 the State of Michigan closed all but 5 of its State Facilities. Three of these facilities serve adults, one serves children, and one is the Center For Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti that takes are of individuals who are involved with the court system often for charges in which the defendant pleads either Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) or Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST). Newaygo CMH started in a house located on Wilcox in White Cloud, near the current offices. They constructed the current office in 1979, with a major expansion of this space in 2008. CMH in Newaygo County serves people of all ages and disabilities. From Children to Adults, both with mental illnesses and intellectual/developmental disabilities, Newaygo CMH works to meet both their clinical needs, as well as housing for people needing foster care. Newaygo County Mental Health is governed by a Board of Directors that is appointed by the Board of Commissioners to 3 year terms. We are locally accountable to this community that we serve. Newaygo CMH serves approximately 2,500 Newaygo county residents per year. Today, there are no County residents living in a State-run facility. People who are unable to live on their own without assistance often live in a foster care home in the community. Newaygo CMH provides jobs to the community by hiring caregivers. We believe that people have a choice on where they live, and what they do. We strive to provide choice and self-direction in helping everyone lead meaningful lives. Over the years, we have served many people in this community. We appreciate the public’s trust in our cause, and work to reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorder. Over the next few months, we will share our personal stories and history with Newaygo County. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate our 50th year of serving the greater Newaygo County community.  GFCU staff at Newaygo Elementary FREMONT, Mich. Gerber Federal Credit Union staff recently read the book Count on Pablo by Barbara deRubertis to local 2nd grade classrooms. Pablo is excited about helping his grandmother sell vegetables at the farmer's market. But no one stops to buy any. Pablo's solution is clever—and delicious! With engaging stories that connect math to kids’ everyday lives, each book in the Teachers’ Choice Award–winning Math Matters series focuses on a single concept and reinforces math vocabulary and skills.Bonus activities in the back of each book feature math and reading comprehension questions, and even more free activities online add to the fun! Following the book read, staff discussed good money management and presented every student, their teacher and their school library with a copy of the book. Gerber Federal Credit Union donated a total of 675 books to the following school districts: Big Jackson, Fremont, Fremont Christian, Grant Christian, Grant, Hesperia, Holton, Newaygo and White Cloud. Find out more about Gerber FCU’s youth programs at www.gerberfcu.com/youth.  Spectrum Health adds free suicide prevention training to address mental health, wellbeing
Fremont, Mich., May 2, 2022 – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial has added a free suicide prevention training that is open to all community members. A training in Twin Lake in June has been added to four sessions scheduled in Newaygo and Muskegon counties. Spectrum Health’s certified trainers will lead the free “Question, Persuade, Refer,” training. QPR training is designed to increase the ability to identify people with suicidal thoughts or behaviors and intervene to save a life. The QPR training will teach participants how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope and get help to save a life.
Spectrum Health has held two sessions, one each in Fremont and Newaygo, in March and April, respectively. “Spectrum Health’s ‘Question, Persuade, Refer’ training is designed to empower anyone, anywhere, to have the tools and knowledge that can help spot individuals in trouble and engage them in ways that can potentially save lives,” said Jena Zeerip, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial community education manager. “We encourage everyone in the community to sign up for this free training, especially as mental health and wellbeing continue to be concern in our communities, schools and workplaces. Spectrum Health’s ‘Question, Persuade, Refer’ training can make a real difference by engaging with compassion, raising awareness and offering hope.” To register: 231.924.3073 or communityhealth@spectrumhealth.org |
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