Letter to the community
The Community House Revitalization
Getting Back to Delivering On Our Mission
The Community House, a 101-year-old human services nonprofit and treasure in the community, was originally co-founded by Ruth Shain in 1923, not just as a gathering place, but importantly to gather with the purpose of giving back to those less fortunate and in need. During the depression The Community House worked diligently to raise money to distribute food and blankets to community members, place people in jobs, stage blood drives for hospitals and conduct classes for children.
Over time The Community House grew to become the heart of the community. Thirteen years ago in order to stay relevant, The Community House initiated a successful strategic “makeover” led by turnaround specialist Camille Jayne, who became the new president/CEO (2011-2014.) The team’s work resonated with the community, successfully raised much-needed monies to launch a number of new outreach programs that expanded on Ruth Shain’s mission, increased revenues, net profits and investment savings setting a path for continued sustainability.
However, over recent years The Community House lost its focus of delivering on its underlying reason for raising money: to give back. Outreach programs that helped others for the most part fell away. Fewer affordable educational and enrichment classes were offered. The community noticed, and while we truly appreciate current donors, overall donor support significantly declined. Over the past months we received valuable input from many concerned people in the community. The message: the money that The Community House raises needs to support viable outreach programs that help people.
A New Chapter: Revitalizing The Community House
The Board realized major changes were needed to revitalize The Community House in order to sustain it and deliver on the mission. We examined executive management, fund raising, outreach programs that tangibly help others, and expense management. This led to significant changes in executive leadership, resulting in me immediately taking on the role of Acting President & CEO and eliminating the COO position. Shortly after making this decision we reached out to Camille Jayne to help us turn the page. Camille graciously agreed to step in short term, pro bono, to help guide the revitalization effort as we search for a talented professional to fill the President & CEO position. Below are some thoughts from Camille:
“I, like others, was disheartened that The Community House had veered off its nonprofit vision of being the community nucleus that helps others in need, and how that affected its financial health. I believe The Community House mission we put forth years ago is even more relevant today: “To impact lives through exceptional educational, cultural and social experiences which provide the means to fund programs that help others.” In this world of working remotely and social media, people have a great desire to gather to network professionally, mingle socially and to learn. And people very much want to be part of giving back to good causes. The Community House can once again become a nucleus for that.
As everyone works diligently to revitalize and sustain The Community House, the focus must be to raise money that “helps others in need and improves people’s lives.” All of this while being guided by its core values: Community, Connect, Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Accountability and Inclusion.
I am excited that The Community House will return to fulfilling an important aspect of its “TCH” mission to Teach, Connect and Help by playing a more significant role as a “Charity Helping Charities.” As a start, going forward a percentage of proceeds raised from each of our events will go to help other, local nonprofits do their good work (please see the “Lectures, Events and Outreach Programs” column on page 59).
The Community House will continue the popular Student Art Town scholarship program; and bring back many former outreach programs such as 21st Century Leaders, a nine-month program for 8th graders from schools in Oakland and Wayne counties - now more critical learning than ever to prepare leaders for high school; the “Get and Give a Basket” event which raises money to provide nutritious food bags to low-income families in partnership with United Community Family Services in Troy; and support Detroit teenagers in partnership with Cranbrook’s Horizons Upward Bound summer session. We are also looking at strategies and stages to offer discounted meeting space to more nonprofit partners who do important work in the community.
A critical part of growth will be to expand the number of affordable adult and youth enrichment classes that interest people. Long-standing and important fundraising events such as “Our Town” and “Birmingham House Tour” will continue as community mainstays. Our goal is to bring back the June “90 and Beyond” luncheon celebrating people 90+ years “young” with a percentage of proceeds going to a nonprofit who works with seniors in need.
Chef Ryan and the Banquet Center will maintain its stellar cuisine and ambiance for personal celebrations and corporate events; and the Early Childhood Center will continue to deliver the nationally recognized HighScope approach to active learning.
To “jump start” getting back on track will not be easy and will take significant and collective help from many. More engaged board oversight and support, continued employee and volunteer dedicated best efforts, and most important, strong community participation are key to the revitalization of this treasured organization. Increasing donations through the Annual Fund Drive and corporate sponsorships of the new outreach programs and events will fuel their success. Help us get the word out that when people come to enjoy The Community House they will have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping support our outreach programs and our Charity Helping Charities efforts.
We Welcome and Appreciate Input
If you have suggestions for adult or youth classes; social events or educational programs that interest you/your companies, or local charities that touch your hearts and minds which could benefit from our partnership, please email us at: input@communityhouse.com.
Many thanks to the amazing employees, volunteers and all of you who care about The Community House and the desire to help it once again extend its good work out into the community.” Sincerely yours, Camille
The Community House team asks our current and cherished donors to keep giving; valued business partners to keep sponsoring events and programs that support their corporate philanthropic missions; and first time and former donors to consider giving to The Community House’s revitalization (communityhouse.com.) The Community House is not part of the city of Birmingham and receives no millage or government funding.
Community Gathering Invitation from TCH Board of Directors
Please join us at The Community House on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. for discussion and exchange of ideas. Complimentary appetizers and beverages generously donated by TCH Board of Directors. For every person who attends, $20 will be donated by Camille Jayne to support the new outreach programs. RSVP by January 20th at: communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.
We look forward to having you join us.
Thank you,
Brad Wolf, Board Chair and Acting President & CEO
