Brian Philson, President/CEO
Good Morning!
Thank you so much for attending the Highfields’ Annual Strengthening Families breakfast this morning. I believe this is Highfields’ most inspiring 60 minutes each year.
I want to thank Cam and Louis for sharing their personal stories. Can we thank them one more time.
I am in my 20th year at Highfields I consider it a privilege each year to step onto this stage and look out and see such a great gathering of individuals knowing that you are here in support of the great work we do.
Highfields was founded in 1962 on the simple premise that everybody deserves an opportunity. An opportunity to be the best that they can be, despite the challenges and adversity that life brings to them. That simple premise continues to this day, as Highfields has grown from a small residential program serving Ingham County to a multipurpose human services agency that serves 10 counties, touching the lives of over 5,000 individuals each year with over 240 staff.
This morning, we have over 300 of us gathered to hear some incredible stores but let me first paint a visual picture of what the “challenges and adversity” looks like for children and families. In 2024,
17 % of the population experienced a substance use disorder in their immediate family
30 % of individuals experienced significant feelings of loneliness
20 % experienced a period of depression
12 % of adults have thought about suicide
15% of children in mid-Michigan are living in poverty, often worried about housing, food and basic needs
-11% of children aged 3-17 have current, diagnosed anxiety
-33% have experienced a form of emotional abuse
-9% of children have experienced some form of sexual abuse
-18% of children have experienced some form of physical abuse
I could continue to cite statistics and paint the picture of social ills and challenges that plague the children and families in our communities.
We often hear these numbers, and we hear the speaker say that these numbers represent our neighbors and the people living in our community. I am here to tell you today that let’s face reality; these numbers are us. They represent not just our neighbors, they are us. The challenges and adversity that children and families face are not discriminatory, rather they impact all of us.
I continue to choose Highfields as my place of employment, simply because I believe in our mission of supporting children and families overcoming these challenges because yes, everybody deserves an opportunity.
Today you will hear the stories of Damien and his mother Kristin; and also from Maria; and their inspirational stories will serve as an encouragement to us, on how timely interventions by caring and qualified staff can truly make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Over the years, you have probably heard me say that my goal in life is to work myself out of a job…meaning-would it not be great if we didn’t need the services of Highfields?
But the reality is that children and families are continually impacted by a variety of social ills and problems.
Each of us have family members, friends and colleagues who are struggling even now with one or more of the problems that I have highlighted.
Many of you have heard my own story of how alcoholism and addiction took my father and my brother’s lives before they turned 60.
Following those losses, I have wrestled with the demons of trauma, guilt and grief, often wondering -what if…
Yet through my personal faith in God, an amazing family and some truly supportive friends, I have found a way to bring resolution to those demons; and have found a way to move forward. Because I, like you, and like the children and families that we work with
– we all deserve an opportunity to be the best that we can be, not shackled by the past and its impact on us.
I am committed to doing everything in my power to support our staff as they help the children and families of mid-Michigan.
As supporters and ambassadors for Highfields, you can help join us. These stories can have successes, positive outcomes and happy endings.
Never Forget the Difference That You Make, because with your help we can give children and families the opportunities that they deserve.
Thank you for being with us today! I truly appreciate each and every one of you…
