February 2025 Newsletter
Sips for a Cause: How One Auction Item Created a Night of Advocacy and Awareness
What began as an auction item blossomed into an evening of community connection when Ann Arbor residents hosted a wine tasting benefiting Garrett's Space. The hosts, Carrie and Gregg Hammerman, longtime neighbors of the Halpert family, transformed their successful bid from the Go4Garrett'sSpace annual auction into an opportunity to share the organization's mission with friends.
Partnering with Wines for Humanity, an organization specializing in charitable wine tastings, the hosts welcomed twelve friends into their home to learn about Garrett’s Space and then a professional sommelier guided the group through an array of wines, creating what became a casual and educational atmosphere, according to Gregg.
"We were pleased that we were able to host something in our house with our friends that helped drive awareness of and brought more support to Garrett's Space," said Gregg. "We're happy to do it again and look forward to the next opportunity to do that."
Thank you to Alicia Krasko from Wines for Humanity for donating the auction item and to the Hammermans for supporting Garrett's Space through this fun evening and auction win!
We’re so thrilled and honored to hear of community gatherings that bring people together to support our work! To learn more about hosting similar events or supporting Garrett's Space, contact: marissa@garrettsspace.org.
And don't forget to mark your calendars for our annual fundraiser, Go4Garrett'sSpace, scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd at Washtenaw Community College, where we will have another fabulous auction!
Wellness Program Corner
Your support for Garrett’s Space is helping us pilot new wellness programming!
Last fall, Garrett's Space launched a new series of programming to respond to a crucial need among young adults: connecting with themselves, others, and the natural world through mindful movement and nature experiences.
At our first of these new gatherings, Erin, one of our Wellness Program Clinicians, guided experiential nature focused activities, including a five-senses nature walk that helped young adults develop deeper awareness of their surroundings and themselves. In a complementary movement session, Marly, our Program Development Specialist and Wellness Group Facilitator, led gentle, yoga-inspired practices that helped participants build body awareness and emotional regulation skills.
Both components weave together mindful check-ins, reflective journaling, and guided meditation, creating a safe space for authentic connection and growth. This integrated approach reflects our commitment to evidence-informed, holistic support that builds resilience and fosters belonging.
As we prepare to expand our in-person programming on our campus, these nature and movement offerings will become cornerstones of our support services. Thank you for helping us meet young adults where they are—whether that's in nature, in movement, or in community.
Special thanks to Yoga Focus Collective for donating their welcoming studio space in Ann Arbor for our movement sessions! YFC is committed to providing a supportive, welcoming and accessible space where expert instruction is offered to seasoned yoga practitioners and curious beginners alike.
To get help for you or someone else, please contact Peggy Galimberti (peggy@garrettsspace.org or 734-212-6890).
Did You Know?
As we celebrate Black History Month, we're highlighting a critical issue that impacts our community: mental health access in the Black community. Recent data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveals a stark reality: 21% of Black and African Americans experienced mental health challenges. However, just 39% received mental health services compared to non-Hispanic Whites (52%).
This gap in care access highlights the urgent need for culturally responsive mental health support.
At Garrett's Space, we believe everyone deserves access to supportive, compassionate mental health care. We know finding the right mental health support can feel overwhelming. That's why we've gathered some trusted organizations that specialize in supporting Black mental wellness. While these aren't affiliated with Garrett's Space, we believe in sharing resources that can help our community thrive.
How You Can Help
Thank you for your generous contributions to our efforts! Your support helps us offer free wellness groups and monthly in-person gatherings while we work towards realizing our vision of creating a residential space for young adults in need. We are excited to continue this journey together and are grateful for your ongoing commitment! Here’s how you can stay involved:
Volunteer: Join our dedicated team of volunteers to support events or help with tasks that keep our mission moving forward. To learn more contact sarah@garrettsspace.org.
Donate: Your generous contribution directly supports our programs, offering hope and healing to young adults facing mental health challenges. Every donation, no matter the size, makes an impact. Donate at our website.
Spread the Word: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. And share our mission with your network to help raise awareness and grow our community of support.