Improving Health Where We Live, Work, and Learn

TCHP is working to improve access to vital community supports like food, transportation, housing, health services, and education—key Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) that impact overall well-being. Through mini-grant projects, the CARE Connect Task Force, and our no-wrong-door approach, we’re helping individuals connect to services and support across the Thumb.

Our Initiatives

CARE Connect Task Force Awards $25,000 to Local Organizations
Grants support grassroots efforts across Michigan’s Thumb region, addressing food insecurity, housing, recovery, and community well-being.

Mini-Grant Projects

The CARE (Communities and Residents Empowered) Connect Taskforce was formed to ensure that the voice of people with lived experience and grassroots organizations was used to improve SDOH support.

CARE Connect Task Force

Join the Task Force

ThumbCares.org is a regional resource hub connecting individuals and families in Michigan’s Thumb to local support for food, housing, transportation, health services, and more.

Thumbcares.org

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Whether you can help in person or want to give from home, your support helps fuel food pantries, shelters, youth programs, crisis response teams, and more. Grassroots organizations run rely on volunteers and donations.

Volunteer or Donate

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Join us for upcoming Bridges Out of Poverty trainings and Poverty Simulations—interactive sessions designed to deepen understanding of poverty and inspire meaningful, community-driven change.

Trainings & Simulations for Poverty Awareness

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2025 Mini Projects Impact

CARE Connect Task Force Awards over $25,000 to local organizations. These projects will empower grassroots organizations to continue their valuable work in communities across Michigan’s Thumb region. The funds support local initiatives that address critical needs, from food insecurity to homelessness prevention, recovery support, and community well-being. Below are the receipents:

Bad Axe Retirees

Supporting community engagement and service among retirees.

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People of Impact

Veteran's housing support.

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Huron County Homeless Solutions

Emergency housing support.

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WAYGFT

Recovery housing improvements.

Michigan House of Hope

Transportation support for the homeless.

Huron County Recovery and Prevention Coalition

Transportation support.

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Port Hope Amvets Post 115

Personal care items and capacity building.

Family Promise of Tuscola County

Homelessness support.

Emersion Life Center

Housing improvements.

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Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Food Pantry

Hygiene products.

Pigeon Ecumenical Food Pantry

Food and hygiene products

Millington Ministerial Alliance

Senior education

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Huron County Baby Pantry

Food and baby supplies.

Mamas Mission

Food support.

St. Paul Lutheran Church Caro

Housing support.

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Cros-Lex Project Blessing

Food support.

Good Samaritan Pantry

Transportation support.

Sanilac Food Pantry

Molina Healthcare of Michigan is providing $2,500 to support the Food Pantry in addressing food and housing insecurities.

Make a Donation

See the full list of past mini-grant recipients below.

2023 Mini Project Recipients

Country Christian Church
First Congregational Church of Christ
Habitat for Humanity
Immaculate Conception
Lapeer Interfaith Community Association
Love in the Name of Christ of Greater Lapeer – Pantry equipment and supplies
Good Samaritan Churches of Tuscola County & Hispanic Services Center – Utilities & food
HDC Thumb Area Adult Crisis Center – Pantry & personal items
Michigan House of Hope – Flooring
Sanilac Area Violence Elimination Council & St. Paul Lutheran Church – Training & educational materials
Sanilac Child Abuse Prevention Council – Shelving
Sanilac County Great Start Collaborative – Outreach materials & meeting space enhancements
Sanilac County Prevention Network – Project Connect
The Refuge Homeless Shelter of Lapeer – Accessibility improvements & flooring

Give Back This Winter: Support Local Grassroots Organizations This Giving Tuesday

This Giving Tuesday —Tuesday, December 2nd—the most meaningful gift you can give may not come in a box at all. Instead, it can be shared through your time, compassion, or generosity. Across Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties , grassroots organizations are working tirelessly to feed families, support youth, assist survivors, and strengthen the wellbeing of our communities. Their impact relies on volunteers and community support, especially during the winter months wh

Thousands of lives touched. Barriers removed. Communities strengthened.

The Thumb Community Health Partnership (TCHP) is celebrating the powerful results of its CARE Connect Task Force’s Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Mini Project initiative. With $24,984 in mini grants awarded to 17 local non-profit organizations , the lives of residents across Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties are stronger and healthier. Reaching Thousands of Residents Through these projects, 3,340 residents were directly supported : 1,250 in Huron County

ThumbCares Coffee Hour

Country View Cafe, Snover, Michigan - On Friday, August 15, ThumbCares, in collaboration with 211, hosted a special Coffee Hour. This private gathering gave Thumb Legislators the opportunity to connect directly with community leaders and learn about current projects. The showcase highlighted local initiatives designed to strengthen the Thumb region and foster collaboration. Events like this help build stronger partnerships and ensure the voices of local communities are heard.

Improving Health Where We Live, Work, and Learn

Our Initiatives