Community Spotlight

We'd like to introduce Briar, a winner of the 2019 Community Action Award, and his mom, Patricia (not pictured)!

Briar, with the support of his mom Patricia, helps to support the Clare County Food pantry in an unusual but extremely helpful way: he raises chickens to provide eggs to the pantry! Briar, who is twelve, is responsible for feeding and watering the chickens, cleaning the coop, and washing and packaging eggs. This is no small task as Briar brings 20 dozen eggs with him each time he stops by the pantry.

Briar and Patricia began dedicating time to raise chickens to donate eggs to the pantry because they are especially passionate about helping veterans and families with children. They began bringing eggs to the pantry about a year ago. This provides a resource that the pantry would not be able to purchase on its own, and the pantry customers are always excited to receive fresh eggs.
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Thank you, Briar, for all you do to provide this fresh, nutritious resource to the pantry and the people of our community.

Sarah was in the emergency shelter rapid rehousing program, but it would expire in three months. In that time she would need to find a job that would pay enough so she could cover her bills and rent. Sarah worked with one of our Outreach staff to make a plan and a budget and continued looking for a job that would allow her to get by.

While she was in the program, she was asking about budgeting and the best ways to plan ahead to avoid any unforeseen setbacks to make sure she would succeed.
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By the time Sarah exited the program, she had made a budget and was able to find a job that would allow her to pay all of her bills and rent and still have funds left over each month.
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Great job, Sarah! We're so impressed with your determination and discipline!

Our first spotlight is the Buttlemans, Beckie and Josh.

After 12 years of trying to conceive their own child, Beckie and Josh Buttleman thought they might never become parents.

Then in October 2016 their world changed when they were asked to become Foster Parents to Josh's nephew, Jordan. Over eleven months, while working with Early Head Start and a host of state agencies, the Buttlemans went from a household of two to a family of five as they also began fostering Josh’s niece, Charlotte, and gave birth to a daughter in the same week! On October 25, 2018 the adoption of their niece and nephew, Jordan and Charlotte, was official and now they have their forever family! They recently purchased the home they were renting and have also purchased two vehicles to ensure they have reliable transportation for work and appointments.

Throughout these events, Beckie and Josh worked extensively with their Early Head Start Home Visitor, several caseworkers from different departments of DHHS in multiple counties, Adoption Option, the Maternal Infant Health Program, WIC, and Early On. At one time they were working with 15 different people to help ensure the health and safety of their three children!

Because of their desire to work hard and do better for themselves and their children, they are confident when asking for the resources they need to ensure their family grows into a healthy and happy future together.
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We're so proud of your family and all that you've accomplished!