We are best known for some of the larger events we support like the Georgetown University Energy Prize or the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. But you may not know that we also put on the Farmington Memorial Day Parade, and donate over $40,000 each year to non-profit and charitable organizations that support the youth, families and seniors in our community. In our most recent year, these groups received funding from the Xemplar Foundation:
Community Partners
Browse the list below or jump directly using the quick index.
American Legion Boys State
Marya Davis
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high-school students. students become part of a simulation of the operations of local, county and state government. Participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, nearly one million young people have had the opportunity to learn first-hand how their state and local governments work. High school girls, who have completed their Junior year, spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs. Attendees learn how to participate in the functioning of their state’s government in preparation for their future as responsible adult citizens.
Founded in 2008, Another Day Resource Center is a Christ-centered nonprofit dedicated to meeting community needs through compassion, service, and faith. Guided by the words of Matthew 25:35–40, the organization provides food, clothing, prayer, and counseling to individuals and families facing hardship. Entirely volunteer-run and supported by donations from caring individuals, churches, and businesses, the center embodies its mission to share God’s love through action. Beyond daily outreach, Another Day Resource Center also hosts programs such as the Girls With Purpose retreat, helping young girls discover their gifts and faith. Cynthia and her team continue to show that small acts of kindness can reveal God’s enduring presence in every life.
The CARE House Mission is to be a leading resource in the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the protection of children through advocacy, education, intervention, research and treatment, in collaboration with the community. Their goal is to see that all children are free from abuse and neglect. 2012 marks the 35th year of service to Oakland County communities, and 89 cents of every dollar raised by CARE House goes directly to services for children and families, and there is no cost for services to the children and families they serve. The Care House motto is “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child!”
Community Action Resources Empowerment Services is a non-profit which purchased the property formerly housing the St. Alexander Food Pantry. The CARES Food Pantry and Clothing Pantry are already operating. This new charity has the ambitious goal of creating a $20 million social network support campus serving the neediest in our community. Programs will include Medical and Dental services, job training, family counseling, day care, and more. The campus will also provide a home for several other local non-profit social service and support organizations under one roof.
CARES of Farmington Hills is a community resource campus dedicated to meeting local needs through food assistance, support programs, and compassionate outreach. Ward Church in Farmington Hills is a faith-based community focused on connection, service, and belonging for all people. Together, they host an annual Thanksgiving Dinner featuring traditional dishes and international desserts to celebrate the city’s diversity. The event offers warmth, fellowship, and an open invitation for everyone to share a meal and feel part of a caring community that welcomes all.
Common Ground Sanctuary serves Oakland County adults, children and families through a variety of programs including 24-hour crisis and referral hotline; 24-hour psychiatric screening and assessment; short-term residential psychiatric facility for adults; victim assistance/advocacy; short-term shelter care, transitional living, street outreach services and outpatient counseling for runaway and homeless youth; in-home youth and family counseling; support and education groups.
Community Living Centers, Inc. (CLC) is a non-profit organization established in 1968 to provide quality residential care to adults with developmental disabilities. With 9 group homes and an independent living program, CLC’s mission is to provide an enriching environment of opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities that respects and supports each individual in achieving independence through growth in making personal choices in an atmosphere of success. It is CLC’s vision to commit to a standard of excellence in the community while maintaining the trust, confidence and support of the individuals we serve and to be “the place where everyone wants to be”.
The Dr. Paws Pet Therapy mission is to provide a network of handler/dog teams and facilities in which these teams can perform volunteer animal assisted therapy activities. Terry Seraceno and over 3 dozen pet therapy dogs and handlers can be found everyday at Botsford Hospital, and numerous other senior and rehabilitation centers in our community, visiting patients and residents. They do this on a volunteer basis. Each handler pays all of the costs for the required training and insurance, so they can provide this valuable service at no charge.
The Farmington Friends of the Library, like you, love reading and learning and sharing that love. From the book-juggling mime at the Farmington Hills location to the hearthside reading space in Downtown Farmington, their efforts are evident throughout the Library. They advocate and seek funding to strengthen the Library, promoting literacy, providing an educational environment, fostering lifelong learning and recreation, and ensuring access to information through technology.
Farmington Hills After-School Youth Centers Program
Ellen Schnackel
If you’re the parent of a middle school student between the ages of 10 – 15, the Youth Center is the perfect place for your kids to enjoy a safe, fun, and well-supervised environment after school till 5:30 PM each day. The program charges an annual fee of $50.00 for a Youth Member Photo ID card, and is open to all Farmington/Farmington Hills residents. The partnership with the Farmington Public Schools enables Youth Center Members to take a bus from their middle school to their choice of several of 5 different Youth Center locations.
The City of Farmington Hills offers a Curb-to-curb wheelchair accessible service for adults 55 and older and handicapped residents for a $2 suggested donation each way. Reservations are available up to 3 days in advance. Destinations include shopping trips to various stores, medical appointments in Farmington and Farmington Hills, and transportation to and from the Costick Center for programs. Other destinations include hospitals, nursing homes, banks, libraries, post offices, beauty salons, and pharmacies. A reduced-fare taxicab service is also available.
The Rise and Thrive Awards, formerly known as the Turn Around Awards, honor Farmington Public Schools students who have made meaningful life changes. Created in 2011, the program recognizes four students from each middle and high school and two from the district’s alternative high school. Each spring, families, educators, and civic leaders celebrate students’ academic progress, personal growth, and community impact. Supported by the Farmington Observer, Farmington Public Safety Department, Farmington Hills Police Department, and other sponsors, the event includes student recognition, music, and an inspirational speaker, celebrating resilience and self-determination as keys to success.
Farmington SAFE – Graham Smith Memorial Fund for Prevention of Suicide
Katherine Massey
“You Can Make a Difference. You Can Prevent a Tragedy.” This mantra guides the new task force, formed by Xemplar’s Ken Massey and Nancy Bates after two years of collaboration with dedicated community servants. Nationally, suicide is an epidemic, and many believe it’s not their problem. However, it’s the community’s issue. Tragically, Ken and Katherine Massey lost their son Graham to suicide in May 2011. They hope their efforts will educate the public and save lives.
Farmington Youth Assistance (FYA), a nonprofit organization, prevents juvenile delinquency, child neglect, and abuse through community involvement. Covering the Farmington School District, FYA provides various services and programs to enrich children and teens’ lives and encourage positive choices. In addition to casework, FYA offers programs like Youth Recognition, Taste of the Farms, Mentors Plus, and the state-recognized Summer Activities Center. FYA aims to strengthen youth and families by bringing the community together.
The Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation, established in 2012 by community members committed to excellence in education, fosters investment in innovative educational opportunities for Farmington Public School students. Beyond traditional school funding, the foundation supports initiatives that enhance learning through technology, scholastic achievement, the arts, and extracurricular enrichment. By partnering with local families, businesses, and educators, the foundation helps students develop the skills and creativity needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Through community generosity, FFHEF inspires, innovates, and invests in the educational growth of every Farmington Public School student.
FETCH: Farmington’s Education and Therapy Canine Helpers
Diane Bauman
FETCH is a district-wide initiative launched in 2024 to support the emotional, academic, and social well-being of Farmington Public Schools students through the companionship of therapy dogs. Each Labrador or Golden Retriever in the program is specially trained to bring comfort, reduce anxiety, and promote focus in the classroom. FETCH dogs are owned by the district and cared for by trained staff handlers who integrate them into daily school life. With community and sponsor support, FETCH aims to place a therapy dog in every school, creating a more nurturing and connected learning environment for all students
HAVEN was founded in 1975 as the first and only sexual assault counseling center in Oakland County. In 1977, HAVEN broadened its services to include domestic violence counseling. Today, all of the programs at HAVEN provide specialized, comprehensive services in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. By serving the community through a series of innovative intervention, treatment, prevention and education programs, HAVEN can help individuals and families through all stages of crisis and help work toward the goal of eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault.
All told, there are some 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. These programs provide well over one million meals to seniors who need them each day. Some programs serve meals at congregate locations like senior centers, some programs deliver meals directly to the homes of seniors whose mobility is limited. Our local program does both. Nutrition services are funded through Title III, Older Americans Act Funds, and Area Agency on Aging 1-B through the Office of Services to the Aging. The Senior Transportation program offers curb-to-curb services for handicapped adults or those 55 and older. There is a suggested donation of $2 each way, and destinations include the Senior Center, grocery stores, banks, libraries, pharmacies, nursing homes, hospitals, shopping and many more. Reservations can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Neighborhood House, a local charity supported by the Farmington community, provides help to needy families and individuals in Farmington and Farmington Hills. Affiliated with the Farmington Area Goodfellows, it assists throughout the year and during the holiday season. In the past two years, it has provided food to nearly 500 families and individuals and referred them to other local and regional resources.
Operation Common good was established in 2004 to ensure that ALL students in our schools receive the experiences that their classmates get to participate in and that they deserve. The students and families helped by OCG are working with limited resources or dealing with poverty and/or homelessness. In addition to the burden of poverty, these students are dealing with the added challenge of having classmates from much more affluent households. As our community deals with job losses and a changing economy, OCG works to ensure that ALL of our children thrive in Farmington Public Schools. Gifts from our “Kids Helping Kids” fundraisers and supporters like you enable OCG to do that work.
Since 1985, Samaritan Counseling Center has provided counseling services to people within Southeastern Michigan. Their licensed therapists offer a variety of therapeutic approaches to assist clients’ healing through exploring their inner resources and hopes. They offer a “space for faith,” knowing that spirituality is often a key to persons’ resilience. The Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan provides professional therapeutic counseling and educational services to all God’s people seeking wholeness through emotional and spiritual growth.
Sheryl Stumbaugh, a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities, is a social worker dedicated to promoting independence and inclusion. Living with cerebral palsy, she overcame challenges with determination and grace, earning multiple degrees, including a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Her former service dog, Chloe, provided vital assistance for many years. Though she’s currently without a service dog, Sheryl continues her mission to empower others through her work with the Disability Network of Eastern Michigan and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, advocating for accessibility and community inclusion.
Founded in 1963, Starfish Family Services is a community-based nonprofit organization serving thousands of vulnerable children and families annually in Metro Detroit. They believe in investing early in families to prevent problems and strengthen relationships, believing in the potential of all children and the power of healthy parent-child relationships to break poverty cycles and create positive outcomes. Starfish’s passion is early childhood development, preparing young children for school and recognizing the role of parents and caregivers in their long-term success.
The goal of the YMCA of in Farmington Hills is to build strong kids, strong families, and a strong community. The Y strengthens the foundations of community through their focus on youth development, healthy lifestyles and social responsibility. Initiatives are a vital part of their promise to deliver positive, meaningful change in our community. As part of a worldwide movement of health seekers, YMCA members share a common goal of building strong communities through active, engaged lifestyles. With a focus on providing resources for families, the YMCA community encourages members to enrich spirit, mind and body.
Youth United is a youth-led initiative empowering young people to use their voices for positive change. For more than twenty years, the program has helped youth across Wayne County build leadership skills, promote inclusion, and advocate for issues such as mental health, bullying prevention, diversity, and community safety. Through trainings and community projects, Youth United equips young advocates with the tools to lead, speak confidently, and influence decisions that shape youth services. By encouraging collaboration and courageous conversation, the program fosters a culture of advocacy, action, and understanding—helping young leaders turn awareness into impact across their schools and communities.
