Read the latest story from the Foundation about our statement in support of local nonprofits: Nonprofit Support Statement.
Nonprofit Partner Spotlights
The Laingsburg Clothes and the Connection
This week’s Foundation Nonprofit Partner Spotlight is The Laingsburg Clothesline and the Connection. They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the City of Laingsburg. The Clothesline began in 2006 after Lisa noticed the need for clothing in her first grade classroom where she began teaching in 2000. Her husband, Tom, and Lisa bought two dilapidated buildings as they envisioned helping to create a vibrant and resilient community in Laingsburg. They do this through the Clothesline where volunteers serve the folks who shop there to purchase high quality, gently used clothing at low prices or free for folks referred to us. The Clothesline is intentional with the items it accepts and wants its customers to feel valued and important when they are shopping there. Any excess clothing items we don’t need are brought to several Owosso agencies which give the clothes out for free.
The Connection, which opened in 2024, is an education center connected to the Clothesline. They provide FREE educational support in an inclusive and accessible environment. The Connection is a hub in Laingsburg for students to not only get educational support, but also build community, have a snack, and feel valued. The Connection has tutors from the local middle school who help the elementary students. This has created a sense of community, and it also builds the self esteem of the middle schoolers providing the tutoring. The connections that are being fostered through the Connection is what it’s all about – the students have a real community and feel connected to those around them.The building is also for community use when tutoring is not in session.
The Clothesline began in 2006 as a vision of Lisa and Tom Jelenek. It has grown to continue to meet the needs of the Laingsburg community. They are a mostly volunteer organization with 1 part-time staff, who facilitates the free tutoring at The Connection. They have fundraising events year round to support their mission and are hosting a golf outing at the Pine Hills Golf Course on July 12 and would welcome some golf teams to join them. Check out their website to learn more about getting involved or how to support them: Laingsburgclotheslineconnection.org.
The Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
This week’s Foundation Nonprofit Partner Spotlight shines on the Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts—a true gem in the Shiawassee community. Located in the heart of downtown Owosso, Michigan, the Lebowsky Center presents four musicals and two plays each season, along with an array of concerts and special events.
The theater’s roots date back to the 1950s, and since then, more than 350 productions have graced its stage. Deeply cherished by the community—and by the Cook Family Foundation—the Lebowsky Center is a resilient institution. After a devastating fire in 2007, the community rallied to bring it back to life, reaffirming just how vital it is to the cultural fabric of the region.
The Center is run by a small but incredibly talented team of three staff members (two full-time and one part-time) and guided by a dedicated board of 16. Together, they ensure each production is lovingly crafted, events are well-coordinated, and every patron is warmly welcomed at the box office.
As a valued nonprofit partner, the Lebowsky Center actively engages with our broader nonprofit network and is always an enthusiastic collaborator. This summer, Executive Director Amy Jo Brown played a key role in organizing free community concerts at the amphitheater—a testament to the Center’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and outreach.
Take a moment to explore the Lebowsky Center’s rich history and discover how you can support their mission at www.lebowskycenter.com.
The SafeCenter
This week’s spotlight is The SafeCenter. SafeCenter began in 1983, and became a nonprofit in 1984 based on the need for helping victims of intimate partner violence. SafeCenter has two locations, Owosso and St. Johns, and serves all gender identities who have experienced intimate partner domestic violence and any form of sexual assault. SafeCenter’s mission is to empower, advocate, educate, and prevent.
This mission may sound simple, but it is a huge task. SafeCenter is the only domestic and sexual violence shelter and local resource in the county. SafeCenter is staffed by 13 employees and has a board of directors with 7 people. They are funded by a combination of federal, state, and local sources. And they are currently navigating funding applications for Transitional Supportive Housing and the need for additional funding for facilities and infrastructure.
The SafeCenter Shelter is a phenomenal place for folks in emergency situations to access; shelter is a bit of a misnomer – it is a house and it feels like a home. Folks who stay there truly have a feeling of being in a homey environment. Learn more about the SafeCenter and what they do by visiting their website: https://thesafecenter.org/ and following their Facebook page: The SafeCenter.
Shiawassee Family YMCA
This week’s spotlight is the Shiawassee Family YMCA! The YMCA has been in our community since the late 1800’s, and is one of our longest nonprofit partners at the Foundation. The purpose of the Y is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Our vision is to connect and engage people to enhance lives and build community collaboration. The Shiawassee Family YMCA is one of the region’s most valued assets in building youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Ultimately the YMCA is a major support hub for the folks of Shiawassee County – providing a safe space with accessible resources.
The YMCA is staffed by 38 employees and has a board of directors with 17 people. They are funded by grants, donations, and membership and program fees. And they are currently working on their large renovation/expansion to include childcare and a fully renovated fitness center in Phase 1. Phase 2 will expand the current YMCA into a bigger facility with an additional gymnasium and community spaces. You can support Phase 1 efforts by donating to their Capital Campaign today! The Shiawassee Family YMCA Capital Campaign will help transform the YMCA so that critical community needs will be met. The biggest thing to know about the Shiawassee YMCA is that they are committed to a healthy community. The YMCA provides safe, reliable resources in one space. The YMCA is a place where all are welcome and everyone can get connected.
Learn more about the YMCA at their website: https://www.shiawasseeymca.org/.
The Arc of Mid-Michigan
Our first spotlight is The Arc of Mid-Michigan. The Arc of Mid-Michigan is a nonprofit partner with the Cook Family Foundation, and has been in Shiawassee County since 1956. Their purpose is to provide a better quality of life for folks with developmental disabilities, and to help the neurotypical population embrace and accept developmentally different folks. The Arc of Mid-Michigan strives to be a voice for their clients in many spaces, including school advocacy, legislative work, and the larger community. Ultimately The Arc of Mid-Michigan is helping their clients to live and thrive in our community.
The Arc of Mid-Michigan has a small staff, but they get things done! They are 85% public funded from governmental programs and grants. One of their biggest local donor revenues is their BINGO events. Historically they have often had a candidate in the Mr. Owosso campaign fundraising for them, but they don’t have a candidate for the 2025 campaign. They are always looking for new champions to take on this task annually.
The biggest thing to know about The Arc is that they are truly providing a safe and non-judgemental space in our community for folks with developmental disabilities that wouldn’t exist otherwise. The Arc of Mid-Michigan is a space where their clients can just be themselves and can authentically exist. Take some time to learn more about what they do at The Arc of Mid-Michigan by visiting their website: https://www.arcmidmichigan.org/.