Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate. Last year, during the first wave of the pandemic, many of us drastically limited our gatherings---spending the holiday alone or only with those in our immediate household. In 2021, we are still in the throes of a pandemic, but now we have more protective factors to help make safe decisions for ourselves and families. Many people are calling this Thanksgiving "Vax-giving," a reference to having most (or all) family members who are gathering on Thanksgiving be fully vaccinated (or children 5-11 years old receiving at least 1 shot). Hosting a “Vax-giving” can help protect children and adults in your family who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine or cannot receive the vaccine due to medical or religious reasons. It can also help reduce anxiety for some. An added layer of protection families can utilize is at-home COVID-19 tests. These tests can be done hours before guests gather and can … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2021
Starfish blog: Cranberry-infused tale of care & community
“Maybe I should take a few bottles over to Grand River Brewery?” This was the question Steve Holda posed to his fiancée Tina Ryan in late spring of 2021. After almost 30 years of brewing beer in the kitchen of his home, Steve had honed his craft. But this latest experiment resulted in the best beer he’d ever made---a cranberry-orange pilsner. Steve shares with a chuckle, “I don’t even like cranberries!” By day, Steve puts a different form of expertise in motion as the Chief Financial Officer of Starfish Family Services. With a long history of leadership roles, landing at Starfish means Steve can also be part of the mission to strengthen families to create brighter futures for children---something he is very passionate about. Born and raised in Jackson, Michigan, Steve hoped Grand River Brewery (GRB) might be willing to hear him out on (and even taste!) his cranberry-orange pilsner. So, off he went. He was introduced to GRB’s owner, Justin Dalenberg, and master brewer Wyatt … [Read more...]
Starfish blog: Committed to mission, fully vaccinated . . . Thank You!
Today I offer my profound gratitude for Starfish employees and their commitment to become fully vaccinated---THANK YOU! I am so proud of our teams and their unwavering support for mission. This means Starfish can keep our doors open for children and families who need our services and steadfast allyship now, more than ever. (Starfish CEO Ann Kalass) The COVID-19 pandemic has uprooted our ability to connect with friends and family, often chipping away at our daily rhythm, increasing isolation, and pulling children further away from educational and health milestones. On October 1, 2021, Starfish Family Services announced a Covid vaccination mandate for our employees with a November 12 deadline to participate. Since the pandemic first arrived in Michigan, Starfish has been committed to doing everything possible to keep our employees, children & families, and communities safe. From mask-wearing, to handwashing, to social distancing, to screening tools, to increased … [Read more...]