CRC evolving in response to community needs
One way the CRC has found support in the past year is from personal donations. Last summer, retiring Klager teacher Kathy O’Mara asked well wishers to drop off boxes of cereal at her drive-through retirement celebration. Nearly 200 boxes were collected, boosting the CRC food pantry’s selection of “kids choice” cereals! (Photo courtesy of CRC Facebook site).
March has traditionally been the month of the Community Resource Center (CRC)’s annual meeting. Last year, due to the onset of COVID-19 in mid-March 2020, the meeting was postponed until September. Although held via zoom to make it accessible to the entire community, no one other than board members joined in.
“It will be held on Zoom again this year, and we want people to know about it ahead of time and plan to join us,” said CRC Director Laura Seyfried. “This year’s meeting will be held at 6 pm on March 17 and we would like to have people from all four townships and the village to participate.”
To receive an invitation to the zoom meeting, call (734-428-7722) or email (info@manchestercrc.org) the CRC office.
The meeting will probably take little more than half an hour, Seyfried says, so no need to postpone your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! The meeting will include a short presentation of the 2020 Year in Review by the CRC staff. There will also be a presentation of frequently asked questions and an opportunity for participants to ask their own questions about the CRC and its services. “We will also do a virtual tour of the office and food pantry,” she added.
One of the most significant aspects of 2020 at the Community Resource Center is that they weren’t able to do any of their usual fund-raising events, although they were able to stay open as an “essential business” during the pandemic. Fortunately, community donations and specialized grants have helped keep the doors open, but the knowledge that they don’t have that fund-raising cushion weighs heavily on the board.
“Another thing we missed was doing the volunteer recognition piece,” Seyfried said, “and we already know that St. Joe’s in Chelsea is not hosting any events in 2021, so we really want to make an effort to do the volunteer recognition this year to keep that community connection. We would love some input from participants at the annual meeting to help us come up with ideas for that recognition.
“It may look very different than before,” she adds. “It may not be the banquet we have had in the past, but it’s so important to recognize those who have stepped up and done great things — both during COVID and those who continue to do good things in the community as time goes on.”
Seyfried is proud of the way that the CRC adapted its operation for safety and to accommodate new and unique needs in the community during the pandemic.
Siobhan Gorman, President of the CRC Board for the past three years, echoed that sentiment: “Since COVID struck, the role of the CRC has not changed, but it has perhaps shifted to adapt to the times,” she said. “Laura and Leslie did not miss a beat in establishing safe, orderly practices to keep staff and clients safe. Food distribution has been maintained and clients adapted to our new methods of distribution.
“Knowing that there are many in the community who have needs, Laura has done increased advertising to let people know what is available. They work very hard to reach all age groups.”
Some of the ways that the CRC has reached a much wider range of the community, was through partnering with the county — the Health Department and Sheriff’s Office in particular, as well as with St. Joe’s in Chelsea. They’ve received PPE and set up flu shot clinics and pop up COVID testing sites with the Health Department, and distributed cleaning supplies in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office. With St. Joe’s, they have of course partnered on bringing vaccine clinics to the western area of the county as well as a semi-permanent COVID testing site in Chelsea. Seyfried says that if there is ever an opportunity to do COVID vaccines in the Manchester community, “we want to help with that, too!” Already, they have helped more than 60 Manchester residents get their vaccine with a very quick turnaround. “People have been very thankful — and surprised!” Seyfried said.
Gorman added, “Since COVID, there has also been more need for Mental Health services. We are fortunate to have people available to help through a partnership with St. Joe’s. This, I believe, will continue to be a growing need through 2021 and beyond. Many families report increased stress in children due to school restrictions and family financial needs. Children and many older adults are reporting stress from isolation.”
Seyfried said that things have changed a lot since she arrived on the scene almost 10 years ago. “When I think back to what it was when I first walked in the door and got 30 minutes of training, it’s a very different place than it used to be,” she laughs. “A lot of that is because we have been able to partner with many other organizations, the school district, non-profits, and businesses … all of them have been supportive of our efforts, plus so many individuals. I feel like one of our roles in the community is as an advocate for those who don’t have the means to do it on their own, and I’m finding out that if there’s any way for us to do something, we can figure out how to make it happen.”
Gorman said, “As a 35+ year Nurse/Nurse Practitioner, I have long been interested in the role of the CRC in our community. It is first and foremost a food bank but it does so much more to help with the well being of our community members. It provides links to mental health assistance, helps individuals enroll in insurance and work programs, and more.
“I see the role of CRC evolving thru this pandemic. We need more partnerships to get the work done to support our wonderful community. Laura represents us well with 5HT, Washtenaw County groups, and many more agencies to bring in money, grants, support services — the WAVE bus, tax preparation support, WIC appointments … Manchester should be proud of how well we are represented in our county. I can’t say enough about the CRC staff and how they make it happen.
“It always amazes me how many questions the staff can answer for people to assist them in so many ways. Laura, Leslie, and the volunteers are incredible fonts of knowledge which is so key during these times.”
New board member, Kim Blumenstein, became interested in the CRC through reading about it in the Mirror. “I was fascinated with the vast reach the CRC has,” she said when asked why she decided to get involved with the CRC Board. “When I was starting David’s Coat Room, I realized the best place to ask about how to start my mission was Laura Seyfried.”
She sees the CRC’s most important role as community support. “I’ve seen people receive help with taxes, food, bill assistance, and referrals to other essential services. The CRC reflects the heart of the Manchester community.” She also is pleased with the evolution of the organization in response to COVID-19 needs. “I’ve been impressed with how they have already pivoted with COVID-19, with the food cart right outside their center. (Editor’s note: with the loss of virtual Wednesdays, the surplus food cart is no longer able to be outside. For food assistance, call 734-428-7722). They have made it their mission to make supply runs easier for seniors, by calling in their orders to be ready for easy pick up. I think continuing to find new ways to reach out are key to post COVID-19.”
Blumenstein says she looks forward to learning from other board members and the staff about their experiences with the CRC. “After living many places, including overseas, I finally am home in Manchester. I love this town and want to help as much as I can.”
More than 32 years ago, the CRC was formed in response to the closure of a large community manufacturing facility that employed hundreds of Manchester residents. Today, whether it’s scheduling vaccine appointments, applying for unemployment or other benefits, tax preparation help, getting computer access to those without good cell or wifi reception, food for families or for seniors, or a multitude of other needs, the Manchester Community Resource Center is still here for the community. And a core of staff, volunteers, and committed board members will make sure it continues for many more years to come.
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