Gesher Human Services, one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit which provides programming, services and job opportunities for local people living with disabilities, has a new driving simulator.
Metro Detroit caregivers who look after loved ones living with dementia can experience a special day off on Sunday, April 6, to enjoy a day of massage, yoga, food, music and more. The free event is being offered by the Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program, which will be hosting caregivers at Soul Café (5586 Drake Road, West Bloomfield).
Respite care with trained professionals will be provided for loved ones at the Brown Center in West Bloomfield (6720 W. Maple Road) from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This care will include special programming, including music and games. Snacks and lunch will also be provided, ensuring caregivers have peace of mind that day. The Brown Center is a joint initiative of Gesher Human Services and Jewish Senior Life.
Gesher Human Services is making a difference through the Clubhouse for the Common Good (CCG)—a unique space where individuals with mental health challenges can find purpose, support and a sense of belonging.
The Clubhouse operates on an evidence-based model developed by Clubhouse International, focusing on a work-ordered day that encourages collaboration between members and staff. Whether preparing meals, organizing events, or handling administrative duties, everyone plays a vital role in keeping the Clubhouse running. This structure not only builds essential skills but also fosters deep connections and personal growth.
Yenta Girl (aka Samantha Foon) recently took a closer look at the Clubhouse in her latest video.
Gesher Human Services, one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, will be offering local families the chance to get a free credit score check accompanied by a free 30-minute consultation with a financial coach on Mar. 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event, during National Credit Education Month, is being held in the wake of WalletHub’s annual ranking of US cities’ credit scores, released on Mar. 6, which finds that the City of Detroit comes at the bottom of the list at no. 182 with its residents having an average credit score of 566. Grand Rapids residents were at no. 94 with an average credit score of 627.
Gesher Human Services is inviting proposals for the purchase of janitorial supplies for its various sites located throughout the Metro Detroit Area. The contract will renew annually, with the option to extend up to five years. Interested parties can review the RFP and response form by clicking the links below. All Proposals due by March 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Click here for more information and instructions on how to respond.
Click here to download the Janitorial Supplies Worksheet.
Thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Byron and Dorothy Gerson Innovation Fund, individuals with disabilities can take a driving assessment through STISIM Drive, a driving simulator that helps determine an individual’s potential driving capabilities.
The simulator is located at Gesher Human Services in Southfield.
“We help individuals with some form of a documented disability find employment, and over the years, one thing that we continue to see is that transportation remains one of the biggest barriers to the people that we serve,” said Rene Dell, vice president of vocational rehabilitation at Gesher Human Services.
Dell explained that the driving simulator provides a driving assessment in a “safe, no-risk” environment where individuals can see where their skills are at.
Being able to drive a car is something many of us take for granted. For some, it can be a struggle. However, now there is a new tool that can safely test a person’s ability to get behind the wheel.
“It all started when I was 5 months old, my parents saw my eye was twitching,” said Juliana Marrocco.
When Juliana Marrocco, of New Baltimore, was just a baby, doctors discovered a tumor in her eye. It took 7 and a half years, but through chemotherapy, radiation, and steroids, Juliana went into remission. However, she does have lasting side effects.
Gesher Human Services is seeking proposals to lease 10,000-14,000 s/f of office space in Detroit, MI to commence at an agreed upon date. This lease will renew annually with the option to extend for 5 years. Additional consideration will be given to locations that are not close to an existing Detroit at Work Career Center.
Click here for more information and instructions on how to respond.
Raise your hand if you’re looking to switch careers. You’re not alone. A survey by FlexJobs in 2023 found that 42% of professionals were thinking about quitting their jobs, with poor work-life balance and low or unfair pay being among the top reasons for their decision.
Not knowing what to do instead is also the reason many have not made the move. To help those facing the dilemma, Gesher Human Services has launched a new program for Michiganders looking to change careers for whatever reason. Next Move Coaching will offer six online sessions, on March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. The program is designed to guide participants through self-reflection, career assessments and actionable steps, while helping them discover their behavioral style which could influence their career choices as well as identify transferable skills.