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Jennifer Wrayno – Regional Director, Children’s Services Agency of MDHHS

Jennifer Wrayno says that she knew she wanted to go into child welfare as a teenager. Her mother grew up in foster care. And throughout her life, her mom stayed connected with her foster parents. Jennifer grew up knowing them as “uncles”…
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News from the Spaulding for Children Board of Directors

Spaulding's Board of Directors held their 1st Quarter Meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Here are some highlights from the meeting.Bradley DeVries, Managing Principal from Yeo & Yeo, Certified Public Accountants, reported that our…
Black history month 2024

February is Black History Month

Our friends at Detroit PAL have this weekly series History Speaks for students in grades 7-12. The 5-week session runs through Black History Month. Every Thursday from 5-7 p.m., the group will dive into the lives and contributions of prominent…
Morgan Breon

Morgan Breon Harnessing the Transformative Power of Art

Ms. Morgan Breon has a passion for fostering healing and support for Black youth and young adults. She has been a volunteer and mentor with Spaulding for Children since 2012 when she joined Spaulding as an intern. Morgan was asked to develop…
Addie Williams

A Leader of Vision Addie D. Williams

Addie D. Williams, JD, MSW, started with Spaulding for Children in 1996 and served as president and CEO from 2000 to 2017. She put in place many of the systems that today distinguish Spaulding nationally. She built a team of excellence; unlocked…
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Spaulding Board Members in the Community

Spaulding Board Chair Kristi Plain participated in a Speed Mentoring session in November sponsored by the Midnight Golf Program. The invitation was extended by Spaulding Board Member and Treasurer Willie L. Smith, who has worked for…
Veda D. Thompkins

In Memory of an Amazing Woman, Mother and Advocate

It is with heavy hearts we report the passing of Ms. Veda Thompkins. A passionate advocate for families in child welfare and a former foster parent with Spaulding for Children, Ms. Thompkins died December 4, 2023. She was 70 years of age. Those…
Melissa Jenovai, President and CEO, Spaulding for Children

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Taking a moment to pause and reflect back on the past year is an opportunity to acknowledge how grateful and fortunate I am to be part of Spaulding for Children.There was a point this past October where I was at an event that I first attended…
Graduation for MPLD Class of '23

Graduation for MPLD Class of ’23

Spaulding recently led the graduation ceremony for the largest Minority Professional Leadership Development (MPLD) cohort to date. There were 19 fellows from across the country that graduated from MPLD in December.These fellows spent a year…
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A Special Thank You to Maestro Dwight Evans

In 2009, Spaulding for Children board member Donearl Johnson asked Maestro Dwight Evans to come sing and play live music, vocals and keyboards (piano, harp, organ) for our Holiday Party. Mr. Evans agreed and he put on a truly special show…