Building Families First Community Organization

I always knew I wanted to volunteer, I just didn't know where to start or who I should volunteer with. BFFCO is an Organization set apart from the rest, they are not setting the client up to fail, they assist them in managing their own live to succeed. If your looking to volunteer I would suggest reaching out tho this Organization.

I have applied for service through BFFCO and have had a great experience, I wish they had more funding more throughout the year so more people can experience this Organizations services.

My name is James Humphrey I was homeless for over 2 years after coming from Mississippi. I met with Tonia at Building Families First CO and she was very pleasant and helpful. I have been in my apartment now for 8 months and I give all of my gratitude to Tonia and her team.

I never thought I would buy my own home until I met the staff at Building Families First Community Organization. I recently moved here from GA and wanted to purchase a home, I came across a home on Fenmore Street in Detroit and loved it (despite the angry renters). Within 3 weeks I was moving in, Tonia even bought me some flowers to plant and worked with me 3 weeks after I moved to.

The kids from KRONK say "thank you" to Building Families First CO for providing them with backpacks filled with supplies.

I met Tonya one of the Ceo's of this organization, she helped my family out tremendously with our tax issue. I appreciate her and her Organization very much for stepping in and helping our family stay in our home. She stayed on top of it and we're finally seeing some results. I thank God for this lady and I'm willing to help others as well.

I have seen first hand the outpouring of care and giving back to the community by this Organization. What sets this Organization apart from the rest are their programs, they get people engaged in helping themselves along with teaching them life learning skills to become productive citizens. They are a growing nonprofit Organization that empowers families into economic self-sufficiency.

BFFCO is committed to helping our communities. They continuously strive for new ways to impact lives. There is no request too small or large that BFFCO doesn't at least TRY to fulfill. I am honored to be a volunteer at this organization.

I have donated school supplies for the last three years and I see where my money goes....I love it!

I am blessed to have Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. in my area, not only is it convenient because it is so much closer than Michigan Works. I started WTFSS's program not long after they opened their new location in Belleville. WTFSS has given me the inspiration that things will get better, by providing me with any resource that is available. I have 4 children and their mother is MIA, without a job It is so hard to provide for them. WTFSS has allowed me to visit their clothing closet which was awesome to be able to get my kids some decent clothes and shoes. WTFSS taught me how to use a computer and create a proper resume. I am now employed and I cannot thank WTFSS enough. Without WTFSS, I don't know what I would have done. So I want to give Kudos to Tonia & Deanna for running such a great program.

Ways to Family Self-Suffciency is a great program for low-income individuals like myself. I have visited WTFSS's Belleville location several times. The girls in the office are so helpful as far as teaching those of us that are not computer literate how to create a great resume and job search. The most important thing about WTFSS is that they are so personable, they don't treat you like a number and you can clearly see their passion for helping others. WTFSS also has awesome case management, the staff their actually calls me on a monthly basis to do a follow-up so they know the status or progression I have made, it's nice to know that WTFSS cares so much about their clients. I don't know where I would be without WTFSS's program. I just want to thank the staff for all they have assisted me with. Thank you so much.

Tonia Cramier and WTFSS have a huge heart. They have walked in the same shoes as their client's have and are proof that they know what they talk about!

Every year our crew at Target help WTFSS distribute gently used winter apparel to homeless veterans and their families. This organization goes where ever they are needed and that is why our team chose them to assist, they go beyond the call of duty!

I love the crew at Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, they have helped me in more ways than I can say thank you!

Deanna Curlee and the entire staff at Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency are helpful, they seem to know so much about the communities they serve. If they can not help you they know who can. I have been a client since 2009 and I am getting ready to graduate off the FSS program and buy my first house thanks to them.

Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. is a bright shining star that sheds relentless positive light into the dark and gloomy outlook of Ex-offenders! Its mission of “...empowering people to "break the cycle of poverty" with a clear vision in the success of our participants through self-sufficiency...” allows their committed professionals to incorporate programs and services outside of their realm to bring hope and employment self-sufficiency to their participants. One professional, Ms. Tonia Cramier, contacted the State of Michigan Fidelity Bonding Coordinator. She researched and inquired about the Fidelity Bonding Program (FBP) of Michigan, which led to an invitation for me to conduct a FBP presentation and a Question & Answer session. The FBP bonds employers who hire high-risk job seekers who have a troubled background such as ex-offenders. Tonia explained that Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. assists ex-offenders to interview with employers in order to obtain a job. The interview process is one of the most critical stages for ex-offenders because it will determine if they succeed or fails to rejoin society as productive tax-paying workers. Tonia wanted to offer a resource that would alleviate employers’ concerns about hiring and employing high-risk job seekers, eliminate a barrier to employment and help break the cycle of poverty. The more ex-offenders who are successfully employed, the less chance they will return to prison; therefore, the recidivism rate declines and society is safer. The organization truly has made an active commitment to empowering people in order to break the cycle of poverty. Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. provided me with an outstanding facility for the FBP presentation to an audience of ex-offenders. I am extremely pleased that Tonia took the initiative to contact me so that I was able to provide free FBP informational materials and to conduct the free FBP presentation including the Question & Answer session. This action demonstrates that the organization utilizes funds frugally because the free FBP presentation equated to no additional costs to Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. I am also grateful to the organization for providing the wonderful facility where one can actually experience the tremendous effort that is made to help transform ex-offenders into successes. Please endorse Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. to shine even brighter as it continues to "break the cycle of poverty."

I donate tho this organization every year, they are accountable, dedicated and very humble when it comes to the donations they receive.

I came to this non profit in 2010 with no where to go and no family, I was lost and abused by my boyfriend. They worked with me till I was in my own place and safe, to this day I can not thank them enough!

I volunteer for WTFSS every Christmas. WTFSS and 7 bands work their butts off to make sure 12 families have what they need for Christmas. They go the extra mile everyday to help those they serve become self-sufficient.

I have personally witnessed the mission of Ways to Family-Self Sufficiency (WTFSS) alive and working within our community. The mission of WTFSS is empowering people to become self-sufficient, this is accomplished through the various programs and wrap around support services they provide which remove barriers to success. Their programs are highly monitored and adjusted to keep up with the job market to assure successful employment. WTFSS participants are determined to become self-sufficient and help get themselves off government assistance and WTFSS offers such successful programs. It has touched my heart to have witnessed the many success stories and those currently in process. This is an organization that cares very much for the individual with a passion to see the success of their participants. I would highly recommend those who are in need to enroll in the WTFSS program. Everyone deserves a way out of poverty and Ways to Family Sufficiency provides a way to a successful living.

This nonprofit helps individual get off all forms of government assistance by enabling them to be self-sufficient. This breaks the cycle of poverty within that family. Teaching the children to work hard at school to become self-sufficient when they grow up. The client works with WTFSS for a period of four years, they further their education, clean their credit, them become employed in a career, when they graduate they get an escrow account that was started for them at the beginning of employment. They use the escrow funds to buy a house, start a small business or further their education. It increases economic development and asset building in the community.

This is a wonderful small local organization whose founder has a passion to help people help themselves and cares very much for the underserved in our community. The organization is making a positive impact on people's lives in our community through clothing drives and various fundraisers. They provide quality human services and training programs to help the unemployed become self sufficient. From my own personal experience, I can say the nice thing about this organization is since they are local you can see and feel the impact you can make on someone’s life, and it is a truly gratifying humbling feeling. When you donate to the large non profits your just a number and never see or feel the people you give to. You too can experience the same feelings I did by volunteering your skills, donate funds or become a sponsor, either way your life will be change in a positive way and you will feel good. If you feel the need to help other I recommend you contact WTFSS, you will be greeted with friendliness and begin feeling the love of helping others help themselves the moment to you contact them.

I have had experienced many Human Service organizations that say they can help. In these past months I have looked for help and called many organization and still waiting on a call back, someone gave me the number to Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc and I must say not only did I get a prompt call back, I also got a couple calls back till my problem was resolved, how can anyone say that is not caring?

I donated a computer to this organization to help them in their efforts in equpping their center. I love that they are focusing on empowering people..not just helping them succeed, but helping them help themselves to succeed. I can't wait to see what other great things this organization has in store for the future.

I've known this organization and the founder for many years and I'm very impressed with it, its nice to see someone is out there caring about the less fortunate and doing something about it. The organization has run many benefits and has earned funding for the womens homeless shelter among, helping earn for the kids without a christmas. The benefits they have thrown has benefited the community and so many around the greater detroit area and in these hard times we need all the help we can get. ***** Sincerley Tracey

I work in Corporate setting, we have donated many items to this organization and we have seen lives change as a positive result of the Program management of this team, I wish them nothing but the best in their endeavors.

Tonia and Abundant life christian center is doing great things in the community and I am happy to see them in our community.

Tonia is a farce. Do not get involved with her. The people she sends you to or has you call have NO idea who she is or her so called program. She is only out for herself trying to get paid. The program has NO money to help anyone. She is incompetent on doing anything for herself. She has no funding and is gonna have a hard time getting any when she does those she needs wrong. Stay away from Tonia Craimer! She is a very ugly person, using those she claims to wanna help. Personnal experience here people. All this individual needs is your prayers!!

I have to thank Tonia Cramier Executive Director of "Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, she is an angel from god in my eyes. I got the information for her website from 2-1-1. I called her and she had all the resources I needed to be what I want to be.....I have recently passed my GED, I am debating on what career is good for me but I do have all the information that I need thanks to Tonia, I love that I can call her whenever I need a helping hand or another resource. This organization is by far the up and coming next to FIA and work first..........Thank you so much Ways to Family Self Sufficiency............