Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods: Events

Bakers: show us who has the best cookie recipes! Get your recipes postmarked by March 1st! Details >
Lego Masters: you wowed us last year! Let's do it again! Coming soon! Photos from last year >
Support our local restaurants AND The Family Center! Dining for Dollars is coming to The Hill March 6; to Salvatore Scallopini March 12; and Rojo Mexican Bistro March 19 and 26! Download event flier PDF >
Spring is just around the corner and time again for ChariTea Bear's Tea Party! Coming in May! Photos from last year >
Discounts!

More info...
Let's order a card right now!
Kroger Shoppers:
it's easy to earn money for The Family Center.
January 24, 2012: special screening information

News and Events

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Visit our Calendar for a list of all upcoming dates and times for presentations and events. See the Photo Galleries from many of our events and presentations. We list Community Events of interest to families too. If you have a community event listing to add, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We also maintain an archive of Media Releases.

Scroll down for The Family Center's fundraising events:

ChariTea Bear's Tea Party
Cupcake Challenge
The Family Center Circle of Friends 3rd Annual Hayride
Holly Fest

ChariTea Bear's Tea Party

ChariTea Bear drawing

We are so beary excited for everyone's participation in ChariTea Bear's 3rd Annual Tea Party!

A full house of nearly 100 adults and children enjoyed the event on Sunday May 15, 2011 at the Farms Pier Park Community Center on Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms from 2:00 - 4:00pm.

See photos from the 2011 ChariTea Bear's Tea Party...

Children & adults enjoyed a dress up Tea Party with 'tea' refreshments.
Activities included: games, storytelling, stuffing & dressing a 15"animal & outfit of choice.
Each family was asked to bring 1 small new teddy bear to donate. Each donated "comfort bear" will be distributed to children in a nonprofit program.

Presented by The Family Center's Circle of Friends

Party Fee $25 per child (which includes a new 15" plush animal, costume & t-shirt)
$20 per adult

Download the event flier...

Practicing Tea Time!

Left: Cindy Banaszewski, ChariTea Bear Co-Chair with son Michael and Friends
Front to Back from Right: Sarafina Melhem, Lizzie Franklin, Sophia Puzzouli with Lisa Domas, Circle of Friends Chair for The Family Center.

More about last year's (May 2010) ChariTea Bear's Tea Party in the Grosse Pointe Connection...

Cupcake Challenge

The Family Center Circle of Friends Cupcake Challenge is a CELEBRATE 10!! community event celebrating The Family Center's tenth year of service. Presented by The Family Center, The Grosse Pointe Hunt Club and The Grosse Pointe News.

About the 2011 2nd annual Cupcake Challenge:

See the winning cupcake recipes!
Click here for all the recipes.

See photos of the event!
Click here for photo gallery.

Participants shared their original cupcake recipe along with a favorite family or friends celebration story!

10 finalists were selected to bake their recipes for the judging day event.
Prizes were awarded to the top 3 finalists.

CUPCAKE CHALLENGE Finalists Judging Day Event

March 13, 2011, 1:30 - 3:30pm
GROSSE POINTE HUNT CLUB
655 Cook Road, Grosse Pointe Woods

Over 100 guests welcomed our Top 10 Cupcake Challenge Finalists
Grosse Pointe News "Kids Cupcake Coloring Contest" Winners
Pony rides & activities for children!

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Questions 313.432.3832

Get entry forms at Village Toy on Kercheval, Grosse Pointe
or download the flier for entry form...

More about the inaugural 2010 Family Center Circle of Friends Cupcake Challenge! See the full story at the Grosse Pointe News...

The Family Center Circle of Friends 3rd Annual Hayride

Tompkins Community Center, Grosse Pointe Park
Friday, October 14th, 2011
7 - 11 pm

wagon $25 per person at the door; $20 advance purchase by October 7.
Adults 21+ Only

Join our Family Center circle of friends to benefit The Family Center with the 3rd Annual Hayride and celebrate our service to community families and professionals.
Horse drawn hay wagon provided by: McKenney Horse Ranch

Download the flyer for the 2011 hayride where you'll enjoy Food & Refreshments, music and more. (Beer and wine will be served, so Adults 21+ only please.)
Entertainment provided courtesy of the Barley Boys Jug Band.

RSVP: The Family Center at 313.432.3232 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

9th Annual Holly Fest

The Grosse Pointe Club
Thursday, December 8, 2011
6 - 11 pm

logo

HOLLY FEST is a small but unique annual holiday benefit that was created to help support The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods. Our 9th annual HOLLY FEST benefit will be held on Thursday, December 8 at the beautifully decorated 'Little Club' (The Grosse Pointe Club).

The benefit committee is actively seeking support at the Title, Signature, Benefactor, Partner, Sponsor, and Supporter levels for the 2011 event. If you would like to sponsor the event and be listed in the event program, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The event offers time for socializing while bidding on silent auction items. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. A silent auction will run from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a live auction from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Here's a peek at some of our 2011 auction items!

Lovely Get-Away Vacations at Homes in Northern Michigan, Colorado and Italy!
Tickets to Red Wings Game with a famous Zamboni Ride
Private Guided Tour for eight at King's Book Store
Tickets for "Wicked" the Play & Gift Certificate for ROAST-Detroit
Sole Sisters Party & Shopping
Ladies Blue Lagoon Mikimoto Pearl & Diamond Drop Earrings
Famous 3 Men & a Pig BBQ for 35 guests
Festive Trees, Wreaths, Gifts and More!

General admission tickets are $85. Friends of HOLLY FEST tickets are $180 each and include prominent listing in the benefit program. Sponsor level is $500 and includes 2 tickets and prominent listing in the program.

Buy tickets online:

2011 Holly Fest Co-chairs: Lois Warden and Beth Moran

Honorary chairs for the 2011 event are Rick and Cat Ruffner of Grose Pointe Park.

Download a corporate sponsorship form and suppport HOLLY FEST...

Download an auction item donation form and suppport HOLLY FEST...

Download 2011 HOLLY FEST invitation to read all about the event...

Download 2011 HOLLY FEST response card to order tickets by mail...

Download 2011 HOLLY FEST sponsor listing...

Download 2010 HOLLY FEST event program...

Additional Information

Practicing Self Care: Tools to Enrich the Busy Lives of Women at Home and Work
Thursday, 09 February 2012 19:00

Christina Pitts will take us on a journey to discover practices that will enhance relationships at home, work, in every circumstance of life.

COOKIE Bakers Challenge
Thursday, 01 March 2012 23:55

ENTER YOUR COOKIE RECIPE TODAY!! Your original COOKIE recipe could be 1 of 10 finalists selected to bake their recipes for the judging day event. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 winners. **Entries must be postmarked by Thursday, MARCH 1, 2012** More >

Dining for Dollars at The Hill
Tuesday, 06 March 2012 11:00

Help support The Family Center by dining at The Hill Seafood & Chop House on March 6.

SLEEP STRUGGLES with Infants and Toddlers
Wednesday, 07 March 2012 18:30

Resolutions for sleep struggles from infants through the preschool years. Making the change from bedtime battles to healthy sleep habits in children.

Dining for Dollars at Salvatore Scallopini
Monday, 12 March 2012 11:00

Help support The Family Center by dining at Salvatore Scallopini on March 12.

HEALTHY LUNCHES: 'Eat This, Not That'
Wednesday, 14 March 2012 18:30

Enjoy healthy cooking demonstrations, samples and inspiration on healthier ways to follow a recipe, alternatives and substitutions, the benefits of berries and snacking healthy. A Beaumont nutritionist will answer questions and provide nutritional information and recipes

Dining for Dollars at Rojo Mexican Bistro
Monday, 19 March 2012 11:00

Help support The Family Center by dining at Rojo Mexican Bistro on March 19 and March 26.

BLUER THAN BLUE - Is it the Baby Blues or Something More?
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 18:30

Understanding when the baby blues could be something more. As many as two out of 10 women struggle with postpartum adjustment issues in the first year after they give birth. Discussion and education about perinatal mood disorders.

COUPLE'S QUEST for COMMUNICATION SUCCESS
Wednesday, 28 March 2012 18:30

The art of healthy communication with your partner: When couples engage in effective communication with each other, they build stronger marriages and happier families.

Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Discussion Group
Saturday, 03 December 2011 10:00

Feeling confused or overwhelmed? Join us for a discussion group for families touched by autism Center for Autism. At Henry Ford Cottage Hospital on Kercheval. More >>

Preschool Playtime (Ages 3-6)
Monday, 09 January 2012 13:00

Preschool Playtime provides young children with the opportunity to play with peers in a structured and recreational setting. At Judson Center Grosse Pointe: Offering support to children and adults living with developmental disabilities and the families who love them. More >

Family Group
Monday, 09 January 2012 19:00

This program is for adult family members who are concerned about a youth (24 years of age or younger) who is struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicidality. Meets monthly at Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) 44001 Garfield Clinton Township. More >>

Cooking Club (Ages 7-12)
Tuesday, 10 January 2012 17:00

Each week Cooking Club members will prepare a snack/meal together while practicing skills to increase their social confidence, peer interactions, and understanding of social rules. At Judson Center Grosse Pointe: Offering support to children and adults living with developmental disabilities and the families who love them. More >

Parenting Teenagers
Monday, 16 January 2012 18:30

Encourage your teenager to be healthy, confident and cooperative. Avoid power struggles. Build a strong, lifelong relationship with your teenager. Mondays at Koepsell Education Center. More info >>

COMMUNICATION: CREATING AN IMPACT
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 19:00

Imagine having tools and strategies that work for you and transform your life. These ten weeks focus on the main building blocks of strategies and communication.

Celebrate Sibs
Wednesday, 25 January 2012 16:30

These sibling workshops acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in between. At Judson Center Grosse Pointe: Offering support to children and adults living with developmental disabilities and the families who love them. More >

Parenting Workshop
Wednesday, 25 January 2012 18:30

Help your child grow to be a responsible adult. Build a strong, lifelong relationship with your child. Raise a loving and lovable child. Wednesdays at McKinley Elementary, Warren. More info >>

Talk-n-Tour
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 08:30

Detroit Waldorf School tours second Wednesday of every month. At Detroit Waldorf School. More >

Lights! Camera! TakeAction!
Wednesday, 15 February 2012 18:00

Grab your girlfriends and head out for a movie and appetizers, while getting valuable information to help keep you healthy. February 15 and March 21 at GP War Memorial. More >

Note: Play Central will not have a morning session on February 29, 2012. The afternoon session will continue as scheduled.

Play Central sessions begin November 2, 2011 and continue through April 26, 2012: Wednesday and Thursday, mornings and afternoons at Barnes Early Childhood Center on Morningside in Grosse Pointe woods.

Back by popular demand! Play Central Plus! Provides structured play group, circle time and various activities led by Barnes preschool teachers.

More info...
The Family Center serves as the community's centralized hub that links families and professionals with resources that promote growth. Our mission is to promote a deeper understanding of the role of parents and others in supporting our youth to become competent, caring and responsible community members.

News and Events

Cupcake Challenge

The Family Center Circle of Friends 3rd Annual Hayride

9th Annual Holly Fest

Additional Information

Polls

What would you do if you thought your teen was depressed? (Poll by Mary Beth Garvey, LMSW)