BALDWIN CENTER INC

feed, clothe, educate and empower the disadvantaged of Pontiac

The Baldwin Center operates a menu of programs serving our neighbors from the very youngest to the very oldest. In cooperation with other local agencies and with the help of local congregations, volunteers and a large amount of in-kind contributions, Baldwin was able to offer assistance and support through the following projects and programs in 2010:

Feed
• Baldwin Family Soup Kitchen - 65,290 meals were served in 2010 (48,501 afternoon meals).
• Homeless Breakfast and Shower Program -men and women receive food and a hot shower. 8,259 breakfasts were served in 2010 and 480 showers were taken.
• Youth Program- During the after school program (dinner and snack) and during the summer enrichment camp (breakfast, lunch and snack), children are fed. 6,932 meals were served in Baldwin's youth program in 2010.
• Holiday Food Distribution - 561 families received four weeks' worth of food including fixings for a holiday meal in a basket at Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2010.
• Food Recovery - Day old bread, baked goods and other fresh and prepared food items are collected six days a week by volunteers from area food markets, local farmers, and restaurants, for distribution at the center to local families, free of charge.
• Urban Garden- Baldwin has three gardening sites on its property; two traditional gardens and a 1,440 square foot hoophouse which provides year round gardening. Youth and other community members tend and harvest the garden. Food is used in the soup kitchen, sold at market and also brought home to the youth families.
• Focus:HOPE food distribution program - Once a month, over 150 low-income Pontiac senior citizens received a delivery of commodity food items.
• Summer Lunch- Baldwin, along with local partners, provided 1,598 summer lunches to area children.
 
Clothe
• Clothing Closet Program – 15,628 low income individuals and families visited the Clothing Closet in 2010, a 19.96% increase from 2009. They received clean clothing, sheets, blankets and small household items free of charge. Victims of fires, residents of the local domestic violence and substance abuse shelters also used the facility. 104 HAVEN clients, the local domestic violence shelter, used the clothing closet and an additional 51 residents of local substance abuse shelters used the program.
• Lighten Your Load – 389 individuals and families used the washers and dryers at the Baldwin to wash 1,604 loads of laundry in 2010.
• Hats and Gloves- Hats and gloves are distributed to all at the soup kitchen throughout the winter months. 799 sets of hats and gloves were distributed in 2010.
• Holiday Store Program – 292 low-income families (1,293 individuals) received clothing and other gift items during the Christmas holiday.
• Baby Food/Diaper Program – Donations of baby food and formula and 289 sets of diapers were passed on to clients who need temporary assistance feeding and diapering their babies. 30 newborn layettes were also distributed.
• Feminine Hygiene- 117 women were provided with feminine hygiene products.
• Back-to-School Program – 60 children received new school clothes, underwear, socks, and shoes to begin the school year; over 600 school bags filled with new school supplies were given out.

Educate
• After School Program – Open to elementary and middle school students Monday-Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., this program offers a hot meal, tutoring, and enrichment and recreation activities. Over 150 students were enrolled in the program and on average 35 children attended each day.
• Summer Enrichment Day Camp – 60 children (1st-6th grades) participated in a seven-week summer program that included morning reading and math tutoring sessions and afternoon activities such as arts & crafts, outdoor sports, and field trips to museums, the beach and other local attractions. In 2010, 21 children also spent a week at Camp Kinawind in Boyne Falls, Michigan; the older children went backpacking on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.
• Trips for Kids- 97 children were taken on mountain bike rides at area parks on 10 different Saturday trips.
• GED- Baldwin now offers free computer based GED assistance.
• ESL- Baldwin partnered with Hispanic Education and Life Skills Program to offer English as a Second Language classes three times a week. Classes also include citizenship and computer instruction.

 
Empower
• Client Needs – In cooperation with other area human service agencies we help families and individuals with rent, utility bills, and other housing needs. $119,666.33 was distributed to families in need during 2010.
• Pharmacy Assistance – Prescription coverage for low-income clients who are unable to afford necessary medications.
• Case Management- In addition to meeting emergency financial needs, Baldwin’s case manager helps individuals budget and reach out to other systems of support.
• Alcoholics Anonymous – Meetings are on-site Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Healthy Living Classes- Classes are offered every other month on topics such as stress reduction, anger management, living with diabetes and other health topics.
• Flu Shots, Health Screening- area health providers come to administer flu shots and conduct blood pressure screening. 65 flu shots were given at Baldwin. The Detroit Presbytery sponsored a one-day health fair with a variety of health services offered. 49 visitors used the service. St. Joseph Mercy provided mammograms.