Cook Family Foundation

Current U of M students from Shiawassee County at the Annual Fall Pizza Party with the Cook Family Foundation.

The Cook Family Foundation is deepening its commitment to supporting Shiawassee area students gain a world-class education at the University of Michigan. We are pleased to announce a new effort in Ann Arbor to increase our scholarship recipients’ access to Resource Navigators, an existing program of peer advisors who connect students with the many support services available on campus.

With new three-year funding from the Cook Family Foundation, a dedicated staff member will guide scholarship recipients to specific help for any of their individual needs.

“The University of Michigan can feel overwhelming at times, especially for students from rural areas like Shiawassee County,” said Yvette Collard, the Foundation’s Director of Scholarships. “There are tremendous resources available to a student at the University of Michigan, but they have to reach out for assistance. Having a staff member and peer Resource Navigators as the point of contact will help our students access the resources they need.”

Yvette Collard, Director of Scholarships, with two current Shiawassee Students attending the University of Michigan

Launched in 2021, the U-M Resource Navigator program began in response to students’ needs during the pandemic and continues to support students today. Building on the success of the Resource Navigator support, our new program will use this framework to support students from Shiawassee County. A Student Life staff member will assist Shiawassee students in navigating campus and help build a network of trust for student throughout their time at Michigan.

The University of Michigan promotes the well-being of all students, and this new program helps students access on-campus resources such as getting connected to Counseling and Psychological Services, finding undergraduate research opportunities or other job opportunities, connecting to academic support resources, and joining student organizations. These represent common needs for University of Michigan students, and a Resource Navigator can guide them to these resources.

“We are so proud of the students that are admitted to the University of Michigan” said co-Executive Director Anna Owens. “Having a dedicated staff person will help our scholarship recipients find support when needed, make it through their classes, and graduate from the University of Michigan.”

Any current U-M student looking to gain the help of a Resource Navigator can make an appointment using the online form: https://campusinfo.umich.edu/resource-navigators.

Shiawassee Students at the CFF’s Annual Fall Pizza Party at the Pizza House.

Also new this year in Ann Arbor is a student-run group called “Shiawassee Scholars at the University of Michigan.” This group, initiated by current Shiawassee students on campus, has as its mission “to create an environment fostering new communities, outreach, and giving back to the community from which we came. Through events and participation in outreach, we aim to foster new communities here on campus. Through outreach and giving back, we can further support the Shiawassee Scholars and Cook Family’s mission of seeing students from Shiawassee County succeed in secondary education.” To join the group, or to learn more, visit https://maizepages.umich.edu/organization/shiawasseescholarsum.

Thanks to those who volunteered in the recent Giving Tuesday food distribution event at Baker College – including (in photo) OMS Middle School Builders’ Club students and advisor Chris Bird.

To address hunger in Shiawassee County, the Cook Family Foundation announces six grants to nonprofit organizations that provide food to those in need.  Shiawassee County has over 10,000 people who are unable to access food regularly, almost 15 percent of the population.

“Food Insecurity is not a new concern in our community, but it is a growing issue,” said Rachel Osmer, Associate Director of the Foundation. “Access to food is one of the most basic needs for survival. Overall well-being is negatively impacted when folks do not have access to food; they are at higher risk for chronic diseases, mental health issues, and larger medical bills.”

In recognition of the significant volunteer efforts made by many in our community, several staff and board members of the Foundation took part in a Giving Tuesday food distribution sponsored by the Shiawassee Family YMCA.  

“We are impressed with the number of our neighbors who are helping out, and we are proud of the number of agencies devoted to meeting this need,” said Anna Owens, board member of the Foundation and the Y.  The Foundation provided a $1,000 grant to the Greater Lansing Food Bank to support food distribution events like these. 

Unrestricted grants of $1,000 are being made to the following organizations:

1. Durand Area Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry 
2. Elsie Area Food Pantry 
3. Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee 
4. Angel’s Hands Community Outreach 
5. Perry Morrice Food Bank 
6. Shiawassee Council on Aging

These initial grants are the first step toward building a stronger local network. There is already a Food Work Group started in Shiawassee County committed to food access efforts. Shiawassee Health & Wellness, MSU Extension, Memorial Healthcare, Greater Lansing Food Bank, local food pantries, and several nonprofit organizations are working together to address food insecurity across the county.

CFF staff and board members Tom Cook, Bailey Leppert, Yvette Collard, and Anna Owens provide hands-on assistance at the Giving Tuesday food distribution event (behind the camera – Rachel Osmer).

In the last few years, food insecurity has worsened because of inflation. At the same time as prices have risen, food assistance has fallen, as special COVID programs have been discontinued. The Farm Bill authorizes the federal government’s primary food assistance effort, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The current Farm Bill expired in September of 2023 and inaction on its renewal adds uncertainty to the future of SNAP. 

“We don’t know what the future holds with regards to federal programs,” said Tom Cook, Executive Director of the Foundation, “but building a stronger local food system will help those in need in Shiawassee communities.” 

In 2025, the Foundation is committed to working together with community organizations, volunteers, churches, and public agencies that strive to reduce poverty and food insecurity with those who collect surplus food, gleaners, local growers and other providers of food. 

“Farming is a local tradition in our area, and we look forward to finding ways for local growers to supply food to help those who lack access to healthy, affordable food,” said Cook. Look for announcements in early 2025 about opportunities for farmers and local growers to provide food for distribution locally.  For more information, contact Rachel Osmer at rachel@cookfamilyfoundation.org.