
Adoption & Foster Care
Adoption & Foster Care

The mission of Kadima is to provide comprehensive residential, therapeutic, and social services to people with mental health needs as they move forward in their lives. Inspired by Jewish values, Kadima also provides outreach/education to the broader community to ensure mental health outcomes for all.

The mission of Kadima is to provide comprehensive residential, therapeutic, and social services to people with mental health needs as they move forward in their lives. Inspired by Jewish values, Kadima also provides outreach/education to the broader community to ensure mental health outcomes for all.

Population Served:
LGBTQ+ Community
Geographic Area:
Southeast Michigan, Metro Detroit, Michigan
Services:
COVID-19 Services
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Food Relief + HIV Testing Appointments
In collaboration with the Matrix Health Services, Unified, FCA Foundation, the Flagstar Foundation, Aunt Na’s Kitchen, and Lighthouse Through Oakland County, the Center will be distributing FREE Food Boxes with optional toiletries weekly to those who might need them.
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Youth Programs
All youth programs are free of charge, open to anyone regardless of identity or residency, and are offered for youth ranging from 12-22 years old.
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Carl Rippberger Youth Drop-In Center
A safe space for youth ages 13-18 to engage their peers in networking, fun, and learning. The Youth Drop-In is open Fridays and Saturdays from 4-9 pm and is staffed by adult allies (volunteers). The Drop-In Center is equipped with an Xbox One, board games, foosball, Netflix, Disney+, and much more.
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Youth Leadership and Development Program
A 16-week, curriculum-based program that molds LGBTQ+ Youth, ages 13-22, into leaders by providing them with career development skills and advocacy tools. Topics include resume writing, interview skills, race and racism, mental health, self-care, safer sex, risk reduction, and much more.
Due to COVID-19, the upcoming Fall cohort will be virtual.
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Pride Prom
An inclusive dance party complete with music, snacks, and fun themes for Youth ages 13-20 to attend. Attire is always come dressed for the theme or come as you are. Prom takes place on the same day as Ferndale Pride.
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Youth Lock-In
An overnight experience for youth ages 12-18 to have the Center all to themselves. The Youth Lock-In features music, activities, games, crafts, and plenty of food to make it through an all-night party! This event takes place annually in the winter.
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Summer Theatre Intensive
A two-week program during which youth will learn acting and improv skills from Reg Flowers, professional theatre actor, and instructor, through interactive scenarios, all while crafting their own scripting for a performance on stage in front of an audience at the end of the intensive.
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The Reading Rainbow
An LGBTQ+, social justice-focused book club hosted by Affirmations and the Ferndale Area District Library for young adults. The book club meets on the fourth Friday of each month, and books are available through the Library or Affirmations.
Support and Discussion Groups
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Affirmations’ Support & Discussion Groups are FREE for anyone who’d like to access them virtually or at the Center. The groups are intended to provide guests connection, support, and community around a particular issue or identity.
SEE FULL LIST OF SUPPORT GROUPS
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Center for Inclusion Training
Is your organization truly an inclusive workplace? Affirmations can help train your Staff on everything LGBTQ+ 101 with the Center for Inclusion Training! We’ve trained everyone from Medical Students, Sexual Assault Advocates, Corporate Executives, and First Responders.
Advocacy
Effective advocacy enables individuals and organizations to shape public debate on important issues. It also ensures that we have a voice in the policies that impact our daily lives.
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Combat Racial Violence
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Get Out the Vote
Heath and Wellness
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Affirmations’ Counseling Services
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Crisis Services
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Affirming Clinics and Doctors
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Sexual Health Services
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Transgender and Non-binary Health and Resource Services
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In-Kind and Wish List:
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During COVID, we would want folks to donate toiletries that we hand out during our Wednesday and Friday Food distribution program (the only on-site services we offer during COVID).
Those donations can be dropped off by making an appointment with
John Douglas at jdouglas@GoAffirmations.org – we normally take other types of in-kind when we are open and can adjust that section when we do in fact reopen to the public.
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Volunteer Opportunities:
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Food Distribution Program (On-Site)
Contact John Douglas at jdouglas@GoAffirmations.org and also use some
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Miscellaneous projects like fund development and hosting of groups.
Contact Kyle Taylor for these requests at ktaylor@goaffirmations.org
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Employment Opportunities:
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Community Events:
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Contact Information:
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John Joanette for more information at jjoanette@goaffirmations.org
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Pointing you in the right direction for community engagement.

Population Served:
Adults who are living with severe and persistent mental illness
Geographic Area:
Southeast Michigan, focuses on Southern Oakland County
Services:
Comprehensive Residential Support: Kadima provides a continuum of residential services to adults living in 24 Kadima-operated properties that range from 24-hour awake staff care to independent living with supports. Services include…
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housing in safe, clean, well-maintained homes, condos, and apartments;
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transportation to work, appointments, and activities/events (last year 248,724 miles logged);
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psychosocial rehabilitative therapy, both individual and group;
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education/vocational support; and
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social integration and enrichment and volunteer activities.
Community Living Services (CLS):
The CLS program provides services to adults living in their own homes or other residential settings (such as a senior living facility) that can benefit from supports. Last year, Kadima CLS workers provided an average of 40 hours of service each week to individuals, providing the same continuum of service as people in Kadima-operated residences including support with daily living, transportation, individual, and group therapy, and enrichment programming.
Counseling Services and Groups:
Kadima provides individual therapy led by master’s level social workers. All adults who are part of the Residential and CLS programs have an active, individualized treatment plan. Kadima also offers a wide spectrum of groups that include dance, yoga, art, and book club. A support group for those who have a loved one with a mental health challenge is offered monthly.
Integrated Care Program:
The Integrated Care Program provides screening for co-morbid illnesses, medical care coordination, and medical advocacy for individuals served by Kadima. The program is coordinated by Kadima’s full-time nurse. Health and wellness education for people served, families, and staff is also part of the program.
Enrichment Programs:
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The Lois and Milton Y. Zussman Activity Center provides a welcoming community for people served where they can benefit from social and cultural activities, vocational support, volunteer engagement, culinary experiences, and a community atmosphere with peers. Last year, the individuals served by Kadima provided more than 2,100 hours of volunteer services to local organizations.
Creative Expressions:
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The Creative Expressions Program provides creative enrichment activities for Kadima clients, both as programming in-house, as well as in the community. This includes the visual and performing arts, photography, writing, poetry, jewelry/crafts, and culinary arts.
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In-Kind and Wish List:
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Not at this time.
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Volunteer Opportunities:
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Creative Expressions Volunteers: Lead an art (visual, music, culinary or literary arts) class or activity virtually during the winter months.
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Zussman Activity Center Volunteers: Share your talent through a virtual one-time or ongoing activity for the people we serve through the winter months.
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Also looking for new members to join various event committees, including Lois Zussman Kadima Golf Classic, Creative Expressions Frame of Mind Event, Tyler Howard Mini Golf Outing/Virtual Trivia Night
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Employment Opportunities:
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Not at this time.
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Community Events:
Not at this time.
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Contact Information:
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Ali Huber for more information at allisonh@kadimacenter.org
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