MARQUETTE –The four pillars of Lent are Prayer, Fast and Almsgiving. A local group of teens aka the St. Michael Church Teen Group took almsgiving to a special level this Lent by coordinating a service project for their peers in need of extra support while they enter into treatment for mental health challenges that include, addiction and other issues. Beginning in February, they used in person presentations, letters posted on Facebook and posters that asked for donations to make Welcome Kits for those teens age 13-17 who enter the Great Lakes Recovery Adolescent Resident Treatment home in Negaunee.

They recently completed the project and thirty eight kits were assembled. Each kit included a reusable tote bag, a pillow, blanket, socks, and a toothbrush. Other items collected for the Center’s use that were also donated were pillows, washcloths, towels, pillowcases, toothpaste, and water bottles. The Teen Group’s goal for this project was that upon entering treatment, these items will be given to the teens to help them transition into the treatment center. Their hope is that these kits will give those in need a sense of home and something to call their own.

See the letter that the teen group wrote to St. Michael’s Parishioners below.

Dear Parishioners,

The Great Lakes Recovery Adolescent Resident Treatment home in Negaunee is a place where kids our age go to get help with addiction treatment and other mental health issues. The teens that they treat are between the ages of 13-17.

When they enter treatment, they have no personal or comfort items with them. In the act of almsgiving, during Lent, we are hoping to collect items to make what we call “Welcome Kits.” These will be given to them, so they have something of their own.

We are seeking donations to create 70 kits. Please help us, help our peers in recovery. Items can be dropped off in The Gathering Space.

Items needed are:

New pillows and pillowcases,

Small-size fleece blankets

New water bottles,

Fuzzy socks,

Towels

and Body wash

With Love,

Maija, Caydence, Lucas, Emery, Bella, Sierra, Stella, Luke, Dominic, Anthony, and Julia,