Stories from the Midland Area Community Foundation

Families Against Narcotics receives $11,200 funding from The Big Give

February 4th, 2020

The Big Give decided at its final 2019 funding meeting to financially support the mission of the Great Lakes Bay Region chapter of Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a grassroots community organization that provides resources and assistance to families with loved ones struggling with a substance use disorder or addiction.

The Big Give is comprised of over 100 men who meet three times a year, donating $100 at each meeting. The fund is held at the Midland Area Community Foundation, who provides support to the giving circle. During each meeting the group evaluates several requests from local area nonprofits who seek funding, then votes on where their collective gift will be designated.

“This is a project that has the ability to impact so many individuals in our region,” said John Wilson, former Chairman of The Big Give. “We’re proud to support Families Against Narcotics, a group that truly makes a difference through its initiatives.”

A primary initiative of Families Against Narcotics is the Hope Not Handcuffs program, which allows individuals to walk into a police department or designated program facility to ask for assistance finding treatment. Volunteers are trained to arrive and assist the individual with finding a treatment location and if necessary, arrange for transportation. After the program was launched by eight law enforcement agencies in July 2018 (including Midland Police Department), local colleges hopped on board and the program collectively assisted 49 individuals in finding treatment in the first seven months of operation.

Founded in 2017, Families Against Narcotics strives to reduce stigma, provide support and educate the community about substance use disorders through its monthly FAN Forums. FAN Forums are open to the public and are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00pm at Delta College’s main campus. To learn more about Families Against Narcotics, visit www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org/greatlakes.

To date, over $240,000 has been donated to Midland County nonprofits through The Big Give. The Big Give is always welcoming new members to increase their ability to support nonprofits in need. Their next meeting is at 5:30pm on February 19, 2020 at Midland Country Club. For details on how to become a member, visit midlandfoundation.org/the-big-give.