November 2025

In challenging times, it is easy to reflect on how things used to be and focus on the resources we lack. For many of us in the nonprofit sector, those times are now. Budgets have tightened, federal grants are in question, resources are stretched thin, and we face difficult choices. Yet one truth remains: nonprofits are the heart of our community.

Here in Oakland County, nonprofits large and small provide vital services that touch nearly every household. They inspire us through arts and culture, provide essential health and human services, offer critical mental health resources, and create opportunities for people to learn and thrive. When one strand of this nonprofit fabric weakens, the entire weave is at risk.

In 1923, Ruth Shain had one simple but profound desire: to help others in need. From the very beginning, she envisioned a nonprofit that would serve the Birmingham area including surrounding communities. For more than a century, The Community House has lived out that vision not only through its own programs, but by supporting countless other nonprofits in our region. For much of our history, we were known as “a hub for charitable endeavors,” a role we are committed to reclaiming today as we continue to reimagine how we can broaden and deepen our impact.

We are proud to stand alongside and support fellow nonprofits like FAR Therapeutic Arts & Recreation, Cranbrook Schools Horizons Upward Bound Summer Program, Birmingham Area Youth Assistance, The Friendship Circle, Women of Tomorrow, Project 2, and United Community Family Services. These partnerships remind us that when nonprofits work together, we move closer to Ruth Shain’s vision of a community built on care, belonging, and service.

At The Community House, we see the difference that collaboration can make. By offering our resources, we aim to strengthen this network and help ensure local nonprofits are positioned to thrive. A vibrant community is one where people feel cared for, inspired, and empowered, and we are committed to being a partner in making that vision a reality.

When neighbors choose to volunteer, donate, or attend a program or performance, they help sustain the nonprofits that make our community such a remarkable place to live. In doing so, we all can ensure these organizations remain strong for the next generation.

Together, we can continue to evolve to address the realities and challenges of the modern era and ensure that our community remains a place of opportunity, care, and connection for all.

Alison Gaudreau is President of The Community House in Birmingham