By Brian Philson — Highfields has a remarkable history.  Our story began in 1962 with a simple but powerful belief: People can change when they are given the right opportunities, appropriate support, and positive relationships.

We began as a residential camp serving boys in Ingham County and have grown into a multifaceted human services organization serving children, youth, and families throughout mid-Michigan.

Our founders understood something that remains at the heart of our work today: A person’s circumstances do not have to determine their future.

Over the decades, Highfields has expanded its programs and services to respond to the changing needs of our communities. We’ve grown beyond our residential beginnings to provide counseling, family support, prevention services, and educational opportunities.

But while our programs have evolved, our purpose has remained remarkably consistent. Our mission is to provide opportunities to children, youth, and families to become more responsible for their own lives and to strengthen their relationships with others. It takes dedicated staff. It takes committed community partners. It takes people who are willing to step forward, invest their resources, and believe that every child and every family deserves an opportunity to succeed. And today, we’re proud to serve approximately 4,000 individuals each year.

Think about that for a moment. Four thousand individuals. Four thousand opportunities to make a difference. Four thousand opportunities to help a child find hope, a parent develop new skills, a family find stability, or a young person discover a future they may not have thought possible.

THE NEED AND THE OPPORTUNITY

We know that children and families in our communities are facing tremendous challenges. Some children are navigating trauma, anxiety, behavioral health challenges, or instability at home. Some parents are struggling with addiction, financial hardship, relationship difficulties, or the overwhelming responsibilities of raising children without adequate support. Some young people have experienced more adversity in their childhood than many of us will experience in a lifetime.

And here’s something I want us to remember: Behind every statistic is a person. Behind every family in crisis is a story. Behind every child who is struggling is a young person with potential, gifts, hopes, and dreams.

At Highfields, we believe those stories don’t have to end with adversity. We believe families can heal. We believe young people can make different choices. We believe parents can develop the skills and confidence to create safe, healthy homes. But belief alone isn’t enough.  It takes people, programs, resources, and relationships to turn that belief into reality.

THE HIGHFIELDS DIFFERENCE – CHOSEN FAMILY

One of the things I’m most proud of at Highfields is the commitment of our staff.

Every day, our employees walk alongside children and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. They show up when situations are complicated. They remain committed when progress is slow. They celebrate the small victories that often become the foundation for life-changing transformation.  They define a concept I call CHOSEN FAMILY.  These are people in all our lives that show up, even when they are not required to, yet simply to choose to do so, because it is the right thing, and they help us achieve a positive and successful outcome.  I can imagine that each and every one of us, has “Chosen Family” in our own lives.  I am guessing that each one of us, has someone that “showed up: when we were at rock bottom, and feeling some great despair.  That is what our Highfields’ team does, we show up, and we help children and families achieve success.

Success can look different for everyone. Sometimes that success looks like a young person graduating from high school. Sometimes it looks like a parent overcoming addiction and safely reunifying with their children.

A very recent example is when one of our staff received a crisis phone call from a client, who was suicidal, had a gun and was in a public park right here in Lansing.  Our staff, listened, counseled, notified local law enforcement and that client was able to safely be rescued and receive the help he needed, with no harm to self or others.  Our staff showed up.

These moments may not make headlines, but they change lives. And when we change lives, we strengthen families. When we strengthen families, we strengthen communities.

That my friends, is the Highfields difference.  Chosen Family

And I want to emphasize that none of this happens in isolation. This happens because of supporters like you, and I want to thank you in advance for the support that you will give today.   

Together we can collectively make a difference.  Thank you for attending today, thank you for being a Highfields’ partner.

Together, let’s continue changing lives and strengthening communities.