Fall 2023 Grants Announced

Christian Financial Outreach & Impact Foundation awards $17,300 to area nonprofits

Sterling Heights, Mich., (Dec. 22, 2023) – Christian Financial’s Outreach & Impact Foundation closed the year out on a high note, distributing $17,300 to seven worthy recipients across St. Clair, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

Grant recipients included:

• Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit – $5,000 to stock their food pantry.
• The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation – $3,300 to grant wishes for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
• Clinton River Watershed Council – $2,500 towards programs that protect the Clinton River watershed and Lake St. Clair, ensuring healthier waterways for citizens in our communities
• Haven Homes of Detroit – $2,500 towards housing, training and education for women and girls leaving human trafficking.
• Immaculate Conception School PTC – $2,000 for school education around mental health and suicide prevention in our young. 
• Detroit Public Library Foundation – $1,000 towards educational programs for youth.
• Detroit Friendship House – $1,000 towards educational programs and food assistance.

“The holidays can be a stressful time for families, and many may seek additional services this time of year,” said Christine Quitter, director of business development and community outreach at Christian Financial. “We’re proud to be doing our part to help these nonprofits serve more people in need.”

Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit’s mission is to be a safe neighborhood gathering spot and a resource for their Detroit community. Deo Gratias offers several services to guests, including social services, a café, an art program, community garden, food pantry and tutoring for adults and children.

“The increased cost of food means that many of our guests need additional help to get them through the end of the month,” said John Kanitra, food pantry manager at Deo Gratias. “The donation from the Christian Financial Outreach & Impact Foundation will cover a quarter of our annual food pantry budget, so this will help us continue to serve our neighbors in need.”

The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation exists to enrich the lives of Michigan children suffering from life-threatening medical conditions by buying gifts and bringing joy and hope to their lives. Children and young adults suffering from a life-threatening illness from across the state of Michigan can apply to receive a wish from the organization.

“We receive wish requests from many children throughout the year, and today we get to say yes to one more family thanks to Christian Financial’s Outreach & Impact Foundation,” said Paula Kast, executive director of The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation. “This time of year can be difficult for children struggling with life-threatening illnesses. Receiving a wish can certainly brighten the season for these children.”

The Clinton River Watershed Council works to protect, enhance, and celebrate the Clinton River, its watershed, and Lake St. Clair. The CRWC works to educate the community, monitor the health of the watershed, and protect local natural resources through various local programs. The CRWC knows that clean water is our greatest resource, and it should be protected for the public health and future generations.

Haven Homes of Detroit was founded in 2021 to be a safe home and community for women leaving human trafficking. Haven Homes purchases and renovates homes to provide housing for women up to two years rent-free in a safe, secure community setting.

Immaculate Conception Parent Teacher Committee exists to enrich the lives of students and staff at Immaculate Conception School in Ira Twp.

For more than 80 years, the Detroit Public Library Foundation has been dedicated to the preservation and provision of educational resources and freedom of access that dares to make space for the dreamers of Detroit. Their mission is to empower individuals and communities through the promotion of literacy, educational resources, and opportunities.

Detroit Friendship House is a faith-based non-profit that strengthens families by offering help with basic human needs, such as food and clothing. Friendship House also aids in gaining the tools necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

To date, the Christian Financial Credit Union Outreach & Impact Foundation has awarded $80,500 to area nonprofits. The Foundation’s mission is to support families of all kinds in the communities that the credit union serves, through stable housing, improved quality of life, financial well-being, and empowerment of the next generation. The Foundation’s mission will be accomplished through grants to non-profits that support the foundation’s four philanthropic pillars – stable housing, quality of life, financial well-being and empowering the next generation. The Foundation actively seeks nonprofit organizations aligned with these priorities.

About the Christian Financial Credit Union Outreach & Impact Foundation

The Christian Financial Credit Union Outreach & Impact Foundation exists to support families of all kinds in the communities we serve, through stable housing, improved quality of life, financial well-being, and empowerment of the next generation. The mission will be accomplished through charitable contributions to organizations that support our four strategic initiatives. The Foundation is focused on the communities served by Christian Financial Credit Union, including Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and St. Clair counties. To learn more about the Christian Financial Credit Union Outreach & Impact Foundation, or to apply for a grant, visit christianfinancialcu.org/foundation.

About Christian Financial Credit Union

Christian Financial Credit Union began more than 70 years ago as St. Jude Parish credit union in Detroit and has since grown to serve 60,000 members with more than $828 million in assets. Today, membership at Christian Financial is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb or St. Clair counties. Christian Financial offers high-quality, high-value products and services to promote convenience, trust, and personal service for members. The credit union offers comprehensive financial services beyond typical retail consumer services through ownership of a mortgage company and a commercial loan company. In September 2019, the credit union built its new headquarters in Sterling Heights, Michigan to accommodate its rapid growth in serving residents of metro Detroit. For more information, visit christianfinancialcu.com.

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