Agency Highlights

Leaps and Bounds Family Services to Participate in Globally Recognized Help-Portrait Event
 
On December 8, 2012, photographers and volunteers from around the world will gather for the Fourth Annual Help-Portrait event. Leaps and Bounds Family Services (LBFS) is excited to take part in this globally recognized event this holiday season.  The Leaps and Bounds Help-Portrait event will take place at theMt. Calvary Community Center, 8129 Packard located in Warren, Michigan from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Help-Portrait is an international, non-profit event that allows area amateur and professional photographers, hair stylists, make-up artists and volunteers to give their time and talent to those individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity for a professional portrait.  The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and make them feel special.


“Many families do not have money in their budget for extras such as,” said Denise Dorsz, executive director of LBFS.  “This is a wonderful opportunity for the families that we serve to have a free professional portrait of their family.”

 

At least 50-75 families and individuals from our agency are expected to participate.  Families will pose with the photographer and receive a free 8x10 print of their selected portrait.

 

For additional information or if you are interested in volunteering your time or talent, please contact Deb Burkey at

debb@leapsnbounds.org or call 586-759-3895.
 
 
Exciting New Changes Taking Place at Leaps & Bounds beginning in September 2012
 

Thanks to all the providers and vendors that made our Quality Improvement Conference such a success. If you missed out, stay tuned for trainings to help with the QRIS system.  In the month of September, we at Leaps & Bounds will be adding some exciting new activities, so pay close attention to the calendar!

If you missed the first "Health Eating" Nutrition training, then you don't want to miss our second offering.  On September 16th, we will host a workshop with a registered dietician from the National Kidney Association.  You will learn about food portions and leave with a approved menu for your QRIS requirement.   
We are offering an Advertisement Training on September 7th and 27th.  Learn how to use the Great Start website to market your center or home.
Our Lunch & Learn series was such a hit this summer that we’re bringing it back for the fall!  On Saturday, September 22nd, we will be offering three High Scope trainings, which will take place from 9:00am-4:00pm.  This is a great way to get your hours, and a free lunch will be provided!
Our Facebook page is constantly being updated with Leaps & Bounds announcements and fun photos, so “like” us on Facebook and stay up-to-date around the clock!  
For a more convenient registration process, you can log on to www.greatstartforkids.org.  For additional instructions on how to use the Great Start website, please refer to the attached newsletter.

 

Macomb County Employees Donate Proceeds From "Casual Day"

 
Leaps and Bounds Family Services (LBFS), recently received a check for over $1500 from the generous donations of Macomb County employees.

Casual day at the County of Macomb is a monthly event, where, in exchange for a small donation, employees can ‘dress down’ for the day. All proceeds raised are presented to area non-profits selected by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.

“We are grateful to the employees of Macomb County for their very generous contribution to Leaps and Bounds,” said Denise Dorsz, executive director of LBFS, “people continue to be generous and demonstrate a willingness to support worthy causes, even when times are economically tough.”

Proceeds from the donations will be used for the continuation of our adult and youth programs.
 
 
Leaps and Bounds Partner with Lincoln High School to Implement the Kingian Nonviolence Program
 

This past summer, Kezia Curtis, Leaps and Bounds Family Services Youth Program Coordinator, participated in the International Nonviolence Summer Institute Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies (Level 1) at the University of Rhode Island. 

 
The training engaged participants from all around the world for two weeks.  All involved were submerged in Kingian Nonviolence, learning types/levels of conflict, Principle and Steps of Kingian nonviolence, 4 major Nonviolent Campaigns, Social Justice Models of Change, and reading (Pilgrimage to Nonviolence, Letter from the Birmingham Jail, Transformed Nonconformist, and Tough Mind Tender Heart.
 

Kingian Nonviolence goes beyond basic problem solving in teaching that nonviolence is a way of life.  The core principles of Kingian Nonviolence alters your way of thinking in teaching you to be courageous, to be positive/nonviolent in mind and body, keep your goals in line with the community you want to have, and to remember that justice always prevails.  When conflict does arise through Kingian nonviolence students have the skills to identify, de-escalate and solve conflict at its root.  In doing so creating a win-win solution for all parties involved.

 

The Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island was founded by Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. Ed.D to support a community that would engage in teaching, research, and service related to conflict reconciliation. They are proud to offer trainings in Kingian Nonviolence- the nonviolent principles and strategic steps for creating nonviolent social change developed from the teachings of Dr. Martine Luther King Jr. Through education and training that seeks to institutionalize and internationalize nonviolence as a process that promotes the establishment of a global beloved community.  Specifically, the center engages in activities and projects that fosters mutual understanding among people, in which nonviolent processes are used to reconcile conflicts and to build peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive communities that promote human, and economic and social justice for all.

 

This program will be facilitated by Kezia at Lincoln High School in ten week cycle with meetings held 4 mornings a week for 50 minutes each session as part of the daily school schedule. Visit our Youth Programs for additional information.