Royal Oak, Michigan (October 2023) – Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit (GCMD) is honored to receive $60,000 from The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to expand programs for children and families affected by cancer in under-resourced communities of Detroit.
Celebrating 30 years of cancer support to the metro Detroit area, Gilda’s Club has expanded its reach in recent years, now providing service in Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores, Detroit, and a live virtual community. Its newest location in Detroit, Gilda’s @ Durfee, is housed in the collaborative Durfee Innovation Society and is the cornerstone for expanded child, family and teen programming.
“At Gilda’s Club, we ensure that all people impacted by cancer are provided the tools they need to face a diagnosis with confidence. A child’s cancer diagnosis can be a particularly difficult path, and this grant allows us to expand our programming to ensure all children and families are afforded equal access to the support they need, at no cost to them,” says Laura Varon Brown, CEO of Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit.
The $60,000 will support the expansion of service delivery of ongoing psychosocial services to the youngest members of the cancer community. In addition to support groups, the grant will also power school enrichment, family counseling, activities, and bereavement support.
“At Gilda’s, we unite families so they can move through their cancer journeys as a community,” says Wendi Henning, Children, Teens & Families Program Manager of Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit. “From clinical support groups to education to social events, children, teens and families gather to find common ground, share experiences, and have some fun. We’re so grateful for the support of The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and their commitment to ensuring that no child diagnosed with cancer in metro Detroit ever faces cancer alone.”
ABOUT GILDA’S CLUB METRO DETROIT – Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit provides free social and emotional support for: men, women and children living with cancer, their families, friends and caregivers. Gilda’s Club offers more than 120 activities including: support and networking groups, art, music, educational lectures, children and teen activities, workshops, and social events. Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit celebrates 30 years of providing support, community and laughter to our courageous members. For more information on Gilda’s Club or to make a donation, visit www.gildasclubdetroit.org or call 248.577.0800
ABOUT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN – The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development, and civic affairs. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $1.4 billion through more than 85,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. Visit www.cfsem.org to learn more.
