Thrive supports recently housed or employed individuals in addressing the unique challenges of trauma from recent experiences of houselessness and unemployment. The program centers the goals of participants in processing, healing, and advocating for their needs. Thrive includes a weekly support circle that will continue through August. Participants can also access up to 12 individual counseling sessions and crisis support provided by FedUp’s MSW intern team. 

This month we say goodbye to a valued member of our FedUp team, our Administrative Director, Erin. Erin is moving on to Trinity Health to continue community care and use her advanced degree in emergency management. She is looking forward to continuing her involvement with FedUp through volunteering, attending LiftUp services, and participating in community events. Erin, you will be greatly missed in our office, but we are so happy for your next adventure. Thank you for everything you have done to help grow FedUp.

This winter we have been blessed to know Chris Turner of Turner Construction & Restoration. Chris has been crucial in helping us maintain our shower trailer, Peach, which we’ve been using every Monday-Thursday this winter sheltering season! Now that the weather is quickly turning to spring, Chris has also spent a couple of weekends helping us to get our food truck, Daisy, into tip-top shape as we prepare for our weekly meal services back out on the truck. Pastor Anna and Chris connected through the Ann Arbor West chapter of Business Networking International (BNI), where Pastor Anna is the current president through September 2024. Chris is a general contractor who has immense knowledge in his field, and we are so appreciative of the partnership we have with him. His hard work keeping our equipment in quality working condition helps us serve our community with dignity. Thanks a bunch, Chris!

“I am volunteering with FedUp because a year ago I was experiencing homelessness. I was blessed to stumble upon their food truck for a free meal. The inspiration and worth I have found for myself through the values of FedUp is profound. Through that, it is shaping me into the person I want to become and for that I will forever be grateful.” - G

G, we want to let you know how important you are to us. Thank you for being an amazing guest turned volunteer. We appreciate you and our community does, too!

Mini Chef Camp is returning for Summer 2024! We welcome all kids ages 4 and up. Campers will learn new cooking and baking skills as well as nutrition, food safety, and the cultural significance of different foods. Mini Chef Camp aims to promote teamwork, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for cooking and healthy eating. We will be partnering with a local organization to host this day camp and hope that this will become a sustainable fundraiser to support our ever-growing organization and continue our impact. More information to follow in the coming weeks!

Our March schedule for volunteer slots has been posted! We have shower truck volunteer slots Mondays-Thursdays, kitchen volunteer slots on Wednesday mornings, and LiftUp slots every Sunday morning. We are so excited for you to sign-up for any day or time in March. We will see you there!

It’s Women’s History Month, so naturally we’d like to shout out all the badass women who make FedUp so awesome! Keep rockin’!

As always, we greatly appreciate your donations. Whether it be a financial contribution, in-kind donations, or donating your time, you can help us continue to serve our community!