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From the Executive Director

Greetings:

As we round the corner on another gorgeous Michigan autumn, I find myself in a reflective mood. The fall season is a special treasure that residents of many other states don’t experience. Its joys are many. The breathtaking blaze of color provided by fall foliage plays headliner, but there is also the fun of corn mazes and hayrides or the simple pleasure of sweater weather.

Autumn also offers life lessons. It invites us to contemplate the nature of change and reminds us that we have the power to shape our own responses to it. Change is inevitable, but we get to choose whether we admire the beauty of the leaves or mourn the fact that they will soon fall.

With this thought in mind, I want to be candid with you about some changes that Children Trust Michigan has made in response to ongoing economic uncertainties at the state and federal levels. Most notably, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate five contracted staff positions due to expected funds no longer being available. This decision has not been made lightly, but it is necessary to ensure that we can maintain our commitment to a fiscally responsible, mission-first approach.

I want to personally thank each of our departing CTM family members for the contributions they have made to the well-being of Michigan children. Every young life you have impacted stands as a testament to your hard work and caring heart.

CTM does not rely on state funding for the bulk of our work — less than 5% of our yearly revenue comes from the state, and none of it is designated for programming. We depend on the generosity of businesses and individuals to sustain prevention across all 83 counties in Michigan.  To learn more, click *here [ [link removed] ]*.

Our top priority will always remain protecting children from abuse and neglect. Every dollar entrusted to us will continue to be directed to frontline prevention programming and to support the *local Prevention Partners* [ [link removed] ] who deliver these critical services.

We are actively exploring new partnerships, grant opportunities and collaborative models to sustain and grow our impact. This moment is a chance to refocus, innovate and strengthen our foundation for the future.

Thank you for being among the CTM faithful. Your support makes prevention possible and helps ensure brighter futures for Michigan children.

                                                  Best wishes,

Suzanne Greenberg

Executive Director

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Board members in Marquette

*Powerful Partnership at Presque Isle Park*

CTM’s mission to safeguard the present and secure bright futures for children extends to every corner of Michigan. Our network of more than 100 Prevention Partners continues to cover all 83 Michigan counties.

On Aug. 6, Marquette’s Presque Isle Park in the most northern reaches of the Upper Peninsula served as an idyllic setting for a profound showcase of CTM’s vision and values. A special awareness event brought together county officials, business leaders, law enforcement officers and child advocates who heard from a series of speakers regarding the impacts being made and the importance of continued support for statewide efforts to strengthen families.

CTM Executive Director Suzanne Greenberg, Board of Directors Chair Amy Tattrie Loepp and Board members Jill Bable and Kelle Ilitch all spoke — as did Monet Borione and Kevin Weir, representing Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center [ [link removed] ] (based in Marquette), and Tree House Family Resource [ [link removed] ]s (based in Houghton).

Monet was especially poignant as she expounded on the importance of proactive prevention work and the extreme gratification that comes from making a difference in the life of even one child.

Our Marquette event reminds us that prevention is local, personal and lasting. The voices shared that day made clear that strengthening families across the state is both possible and urgent.

It’s important to stay involved, whether that is by learning more about *CTM’s Prevention Partners [ [link removed] ]*, supporting local Family Resource Centers or helping turn awareness into action so every Michigan child can grow up safe and happy.

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HOPE building blocks
*A HOPE-ful Outlook*

* *As CTM looks to the future, we continue to emphasize the importance of spreading HOPE — a framework built on four essential building blocks: relationships, environment, engagement, and emotional growth. The HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experience) [ [link removed] ] framework operates on the research-supported principle that when children have a strong foundation of Positive Childhood Experiences, they’re better equipped to weather life’s challenges and bounce back from adversity*. *PCEs allow children to form strong relationships and meaningful connections, cultivate positive self-image and self-worth, experience a sense of belonging, and build skills to cope with stress in healthy ways.

Since 2024, CTM has been committed to working with the HOPE National Resource Center to become a certified HOPE-Informed Organization. This work has included offering our network of Prevention Partners the opportunity to become certified HOPE Facilitators who then conduct additional local trainings on the HOPE methodology. We have hosted a training for 30 Prevention Partners across the state, equipping them to lead the Introduction to HOPE workshop. They, in turn, spread the core principles of the HOPE framework with key partners, community members and staff.

As CTM continues its journey toward becoming a HOPE-Informed Organization, we are identifying dedicated HOPE facilitators to be trained as HOPE Champions — leaders who will help embed the HOPE framework throughout our work.







With generous grant support from the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation, CTM has partnered with the HOPE National Resource Center to launch a private HOPE Champion Training Program. This exciting initiative marks a major step forward in our commitment to becoming a HOPE-Informed Organization.

Thirteen dedicated CTM HOPE facilitators have embarked on this journey to become HOPE Champions — leaders who will help embed the HOPE framework across Michigan communities.

These Champions represent a diverse group of locally funded programs, including:


* CAN Council – Saginaw & Arenac counties
* Child Abuse Prevention & Education Council of Charlevoix, Emmet, and Antrim Counties
* Child and Family Charities – Ingham county
* Child and Family Services of Northeast Michigan – Alcona county
* Involved Dad – Genesee county
* Marquette-Alger-Schoolcraft DHHS
* Midland Child Advocacy Center
* Northern Michigan Alliance for Children – Clare & Gladwin counties
* SOS Community Services – Washtenaw county
* Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center – Grand Traverse & Kalkaska & Leelanau counties

Together, they are helping to spread the message that Positive Childhood Experiences can transform lives and build healthier futures. We look forward to continuing along this journey to spread HOPE over every inch of the state.

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*Partner Testimonial*

* *“I recently completed the HOPE Champions training, and I’m really excited to bring what I learned back to the community and my team. We are incorporating the building blocks of HOPE in our day-to-day activities and expanding that to our partners. I know I’m inspired and that my team is going to really be able to embrace this and provide new resources to our community. We’re really focusing in on the positive things and not dwelling on the negative things that we don’t really have control over. The impact of this new approach will be life-changing.”

"Kevin Heye, Midland Child Advocacy Center, Midland County"

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*Parents & Caregivers Power Up with Support from Peers*

Being a parent or caregiver is a challenge unlike any other. It’s a 24/7 job that asks a lot of your mind, your emotions, and your wallet. There is no manual on how to care for children. Parents and caregivers are most successful when they have strong support systems, including other parents who understand what they’re going through and can offer advice and understanding.

Our latest CTM blog explores how "Parent Cafés" hosted by our Prevention Partners offer places for parents and caregivers to talk to others just like them about the ups and downs of raising children. These conversations help build important strengths that protect against child abuse, such as social connections, emotional toughness, and a better understanding of parenting and child development.”. Read all about it *HERE [ [link removed] ].*

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Save the Date

*Save the Date!*

Are you ready to say “yes” and wear fancy dress for Michigan children? If so, you will want to save this date. The 24th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction is set for Tuesday, May 19, 2026!

We are reimagining the Auction to maximize its impact. A new, more intimate venue will help reduce event expenses to ensure that more dollars go directly to our partners working with families across the state. Plan to join us at the Lansing DoubleTree by Hilton. This completely renovated downtown gem also provides the perfect environment to reconnect with peers.

The Auction is the largest annual child abuse prevention fundraiser in the state, and it plays a critical role in our ability to support frontline prevention programming and critical services in your community. With none of our funding for programming supplied directly by the state, CTM relies on charitable contributions to fulfill its mission.

Each year, the powerful generosity and compassion on display fills our hearts with intense gratitude and inspires us to work even harder to secure bright futures for every child in our state.

*Auction Sponsorship Opportunities*

We have an array of sponsorship options available for the 2026 Pam Posthumus Signature Auction.

"Why Sponsor?"


* Brand Visibility: The auction is attended by the state’s top government leaders, business leaders, philanthropists and advocates. It’s an opportunity to emphasize your brand as a caring community steward in front of many influential individuals.
* Community Impact: Every dollar raised supports local prevention programs that create safer, healthier futures for Michigan children.

Follow this *link [ [link removed] ] *or call 517-241-0042 to learn more.

Together, we can make a lasting difference.






www.ChildrenTrustMichigan.org [ [link removed] ]  |  [email protected]

235 S. Grand Tower, Suite 1411  |  Lansing, MI 48933  |  (517) 241-0042








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