The Family Center: Diverse Programs, Curated Resources, Compassionate Support

When parents, grandparents and caregivers need information and support to solve problems or better understand something happening within their family, they could spend hours searching the internet — with results that may not be reliable or trustworthy, and certainly not customized to their specific needs.

Fortunately, The Family Center exists to help. With a vision to be “the first source for building connected, resilient families who thrive at every stage,” The Family Center links people to programs and resources that are important to them. This includes resources to help families improve and maintain family relationships and parenting skills — plus important mental health-related topics, including mental well-being, trauma and grief and substance misuse prevention.

The Family Center has seven school system partnerships, the support of more than 90 community partners and more than 100 programs and events available to 62,000 residents in Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods communities, with attendance topping 9,000. And, programs are free to attend and often hosted in community organizations that are convenient and welcoming.

“Our mission is to help build happier, healthier families. While we primarily serve the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods, because we are not a physical center, our reach is far greater. Our resources are available for anyone, anywhere, 24/7,” says Executive Director Jennifer Bingaman. “We continuously seek to understand and support the diverse and emerging needs of our community by proactive empowerment, excellence in programming, building family skills and resilience, and promoting physical and mental health.”

When individual families need specific services, The Family Center can connect them to their Association of Professionals — a group of carefully selected providers, nonprofit organizations, local businesses and other supports.

Curated, trustworthy information from experts

The Family Center recently launched a new, enhanced website that provides curated information that families can trust. With expertise in the areas of crisis and emergency, special needs, recovery, family dynamics, housing and food support and other community resources, the website offers well-rounded and comprehensive information. An extensive “ask the experts” link offers additional advice from experts in the mental, physical and even legal fields.

“We believe that being curious and learning — about topics that are important to your family — are acts of love and hope,” explains Bingaman. “And, we support families of all kinds: biological or chosen, child-centered or adult-focused.”

Collaborations provide focused support and raise awareness

The Family Center also leads the Healthy Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods Coalition, a collaborative effort between youth, parents, businesses, the media, schools, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, religious and fraternal organizations, civic and volunteer groups, health care professionals and state and local agencies. The Coalition is focused on improving mental well-being in the community and to understanding and reducing substance misuse.

The Coalition and The Family Center also partner with local school districts and Kevin’s Song, a charitable organization dedicated to empowering communities to prevent suicide and offer healing to survivors, to coordinate an annual suicide prevention walk and mental health fair. In 2024, the 8th annual event will be held on May 11.

As coordinator of the Special Needs Resource Alliance, The Family Center gathers nonprofits, school systems and service providers to support individuals and families with special needs in southeast Michigan. Goals for the Alliance include raising awareness and developing social and educational opportunities for individuals and families. The Alliance’s second annual Special Needs Resource Fair was held in February 2024.

Highlights and impacts

The Family Center also works with seven local school systems to provide 30 in-school programs to promote healthy coping skills and substance use prevention, plus a variety of custom topics for parents, families, students and teachers.

Preschool Playtime provides weekly social and learning opportunities for toddlers and families to combat isolation and pandemic-related developmental delays.

In response to the shooting on the campus of Michigan State University, The Family Center mobilized a crisis response by coordinating community grief centers staffed by local therapists. The Family Center also worked with CNS Healthcare to establish a hotline for those affected, as well as counseling resources to the Grosse Pointe Public School System and Grosse Pointe News.

The Family Center has hosted two wellness-focused book clubs with a panel of local therapists to discuss two selected titles.

And, since taking over leadership of the Coalition, The Family Center has:

Learn more about all the resources and initiatives of the Family Center. Visit their new website at FamilyCenterHelps.org.

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