Providing resources and support, one family at a time
In short, the work of The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods is to provide free programs and resources for families.
The Family Center was founded in 2000 by Diane Strickler, a registered nurse and social worker, on the premise that knowledgeable and skilled parents foster capable, healthy, and responsible young people. It evolved out of the Grosse Pointe Youth Summit, held in 1999, when community leaders and educators met to explore ways our community could become more youth and family friendly. Diane was the organization’s executive director for eight years.
The Center is a resident partner at The War Memorial, with an office near the Business Center entrance. It has been headquartered at the nonprofit organization since 2017. Prior to that, The Family Center operated from Barnes Early Childhood Center in Grosse Pointe Woods.
“Our mission is to help build happier and healthier families,” Family Center Executive Director Jennifer Bingaman said. “We now actively host or participate in over 100 events annually. We partner with seven school systems and our reach in the community has increased.”
Through every age and stage, the Center helps people connect to programs and resources on a wide variety of topics important to families including family dynamics, parenting expertise, mental and physical wellbeing, trauma and grief, substance misuse prevention, and more.
“The partnership has been nothing but positive,” Strickler said. “The Family Center staff with Jen and MaryJo and The War Memorial staff work well together.”
Strickler adds that The War Memorial has been generous with space allowed for Family Center operations and in working together.
Events held at The War Memorial by The Family Center include community book club, community wellness series, a special needs resource fair, preschool play group, and Hollyfest, The Family Center’s fundraiser. Hollyfest this year is set for Nov. 16, while the second annual resource fair took place in February at The War Memorial and attracted some 300 people and vendors from across the state.
“This location is amazing because it is centrally located in the Pointes,” Bingaman said. “It’s a very welcoming and central meeting point. A lot of people have memories of coming to The War Memorial for different things, so it’s a special place to many people. The support we get when we host events here is unparallel.”
Within the last year, Family Center Director of Programs & Administration MaryJo Harris said the Center has coordinated with the Healthy Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods Coalition, providing substance use prevention resources to area schools.
“We get contacted all the time from families looking for help for therapists, counselors or general help with different concerns,” she said. “Knowing that we have so many resources that can help them is really good.”
To learn more about the Center, click here.