Farmington Press | Published August 24, 2023
CARES awarded $10,000
FARMINGTON HILLS — According to a press release, Bergstrom Insurance Agency officially awarded a $10,000 donation to CARES of Farmington Hills, which is a nonprofit dedicated to offering comprehensive support services for individuals and their families in underserved areas in need of everyday necessities due to insufficient financial resources or family instability.
The $10,000 award will be used for CARES to directly purchase food to continue feeding over 600 families per month, the release states.
“Throughout 2023, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select up to 37 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award donating up to $370,000 to the nonprofits they support,” the release states. “Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application and photos demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit.”
Local resident receives award
FARMINGTON HILLS — Farmington Hills resident Estrella “Star” Crawford, Bank of America’s senior vice president and market executive for Detroit, was among three “exceptional” Latinas who were presented with an Adelitas Award at the Mana de Metro Detroit’s annual Brindis Luncheon at the Lincoln Park Manor July 13, according to a press release.
The Adelitas Award recognizes “extraordinary women who go beyond daily responsibilities to promote and support the Latino community and who give of themselves through volunteerism, self-sacrifice and activism,” the release states.
In addition to Crawford, the award was presented to Vanessa Reynolds, who is an admissions counselor at Wayne State University, and Gabriela Santiago Romero, who is a council member for the city of Detroit.
They were each recognized “for their hard work and commitment to improving the lives of Latinx residents in metro Detroit,” the release states.
Crawford joined Bank of America in 2004.
“Her leadership roles include serving on the Bank’s Michigan Employee Resource Groups,” the release states. “She is active in the community, including mentoring students at the Wayne State University Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies and serving on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit organization SER Metro.”
Judson Center receives designation as approved autism evaluation center
METRO DETROIT — The Judson Center, which is a nonprofit human services agency with locations in Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Warren, Flint and Ann Arbor, has received the go-ahead from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network to open an approved autism evaluation center in Flint, according to a press release.
The center, which began servicing families in June, is a vital addition to the agency’s comprehensive Autism Connections services, the release states.
Families covered through BCBSM or BCN must have their child assessed at an approved autism evaluation center to confirm a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Then, if the recommended treatment plan includes applied behavior analysis, the therapy will qualify for coverage from the Blues, according to the release.
Currently, there are 23 AAEC sites in Michigan.
“It is quite an honor to be among the organizations to receive this very important designation,” Judson Center President and CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster stated via the release. “We are proud to have met all of the criteria to become an approved autism evaluation center. Judson Center has provided autism services in Michigan since 2005, and now we are pleased to offer a much-needed autism assessment option for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Care Network families across the state.”
To learn more, visit judsoncenter.org.