May 2024

SAVE THE “NEW” BATES STREET

SOCIETY DINNER DATE

As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, it is our duty and our obligation to remain ever mindful that good stewardship is an essential part of the fundraising cycle. It covers the entire relationship between donor and organization. Likewise, we must continually celebrate and honor the importance of selfless service and volunteerism. For without either, the work and missions of noble organizations such as The Community House (TCH) would not be possible.

Normally held in February, The Community House created the Bates Street Society Dinner – at which annual Pillars of Vibrancy – Education, Health & Wellness, Culture, Philanthropy and Business are celebrated and honored. The purpose is to publicly recognize extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated selfless service and philanthropy toward others while helping to “Create More Vibrant Lives” in the community – selfless service offered and provided out of a genuine and deep desire to help and be of service to others.

Over the last nine years, 90 pillars in our community have been recognized and inducted into The Community House’s Pillars of Vibrancy.

This November our annual signature event, The Bates Street Society Dinner & Awards Ceremony, officially moves up from the winter month of February to the autumn month of November. So please save the new date. Reservations (ticketless event) are on sale now. Don’t delay, this is a sold out gathering each year.

In preparation for our exciting new seasonal and date change, The Community House Association (TCHA) and The Community House Foundation (TCHF) are busy planning some new and exciting changes to our time-honored gathering.

At this time, TCHA & TCHF are also delighted to announce its amazing November 2, 2024 newest corps of Bates Street Society Dinner Pillars of Vibrancy Nominees. They include:

Ms. Terry Barclay, Ms. Laurie Cunnington, Ms. Lisa Daniels-Goldman, Ms. Debra Ernst, Mr. Max Ernst, Ms. Shari Finsilver, Mr. Stanley Finsilver, Ms. Denise Ilitch, Ms. Anne Mervenne, Ms. Amy Nederlander and Mr. Ben Wallace.

As many of you are already aware, the Bates Street Society was established in 2015 to publicly recognize and induct members who have made significant charitable contributions to support the work and mission of The Community House in Birmingham. New member-inductees are acknowledged annually at its Bates Street Society Dinner, a semi-formal event hosted by The Community House and The Community House Foundation’s Officers and Boards of Directors.

In an effort to recognize those that have given extraordinary treasure; $25,000 or more cumulatively, or donors who make an irrevocable legacy gift of $25,000 or more to The Community House, Community House Association and Foundation leadership decided to combine and recognize key stakeholders:, major donors, foundations and corporate partners – together – with the annual Pillars of Vibrancy – at the annual Bates Street Society Dinner, under one philanthropic umbrella event.

As such, the ninth annual Bates Street Society Dinner & Awards Ceremony has been moved to Saturday, November 2, 2024. The three-course sit-down dinner is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. sharp in the Wallace Ballroom of The Community House. In addition to the extraordinary culinary creations and libations prepared and served throughout the evening by The Community House’s own award-winning culinary and hospitality teams, live entertainment and a recognition and inspirational awards ceremony will close out the evening.

To help lead this extraordinary evening of recognition, celebration and inspiration, Mr. Huel Perkins, award-winning news anchor, producer, writer, inspirational speaker, and past Bates Street Society Pillar Broadcast Journalist, and iconic American news anchor, will return in the role of master of ceremonies.

This important gathering/dinner will offer guests a wonderful opportunity to publicly show enthusiastic support for the 2024 TCH Pillars of Vibrancy inductees, and to the scores of individuals, foundations, and corporations whose contributions and kindness makes The Community House’s work and mission possible. Reservations (no tickets issued) are $250/person for general admission; $350/person for patron admission; $550/person for benefactor admission; and $3,750 for a sponsorship table of 10 guests (which includes special benefits). Corporate sponsorship opportunities and program book ad placements are welcome and available as well.

Finally, we wish to thank returning “founding” sponsors; PNC Bank and Corewell Health (Beaumont), for without these two community-oriented organizations, and their dedicated leadership and employees supporting us, this annual gathering would not be made possible. Thanks a million.

For reservations, tickets or to become a sponsor of the November 2, 2024, Bates Street Society Dinner & Awards Ceremony, please go to communityhousefoundation.org or call 248.644.5832.

PROGRAMS & ENRICHMENT

SUMMER CAMPS 2024 – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

The joys of everlasting friendships and unforgettable summer experiences start right here at The Community House. Our summer camps liven up your child’s summer break and give them an opportunity to develop their passions while having fun, building friendships and fostering independence.

We offer camps for many interests, including music, science, and art and theatre. Several of the community-favorite camps are returning this year – Mad Science Detroit, Amazing Athletes, Snapology, TumbleBunnies, and Project Runway Fashion Camp, just to name a few.

These week-long camps held on-site at The Community House are designed for children ages 5-16 and are open to both residents and non-residents. Camps begin the week of June 17 and run throughout the summer. Join us this summer for unforgettable summer camp experiences. Registration for 2024 camps is open now.

For more information or to register your child for Summer Camp 2024 at TCH, please go to communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER – SPRING & FALL

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

The Community House’s Early Childhood Center is excited to announce we have a rare, limited number of spots available for our preschool program. With the use of the nationally recognized High-Scope curriculum our amazing teachers are ready to set the foundation of your child’s academic success. Our curriculum uses a whole-child approach to learning, where the child is encouraged to create and execute their plan through hands on classroom exploration. Our program encourages independence, decision-making, and conflict resolution and students graduate from The Community House ECC ready for kindergarten with confidence and the ability to creatively problem solve.

With the end of the school year fast approaching, coupled with the graduation of our Pre-K and Junior K+ students, we are now accepting Fall 2024 openings in our award-winning, High-Scope Early Childhood Center. Registration is now open. We are accepting applications for ages 0-4. Please contact our Senior Director/Head of School, Ms. Sarah Schuster, at sschuster@communityhouse.com or call (248) 594-6411 to learn more about our program, to arrange a tour, or to secure your child’s spot.

For reservations, sponsorships or more information about booking gathering and meeting space for 2024 and beyond, please go to communityhouse.org or call 248.644.5832.

The historic Community House is a solely independent nonprofit 501 (c) 3 charitable organization. TCH is not and never has been supported by tax dollars or millages.

Until our world returns to a kinder and gentler place, “let us practice reckless optimism together.” Stay safe, be well.