Founded in 1989, Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale has a mission to “provide a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance, and where they can learn, grow, socialize and feel safe.” Affirmations does this in many ways, which will be explored here. 

Affirmations offers a wide range of free support and discussion groups that are accessible to individuals aged 18 and above. These groups can be attended both in-person and virtually, and cover topics such as coming out, addiction recovery, LGBTQ+ parenting, and survivor peer support. In-person groups are also available and include options like game night, grief support, and harm reduction. Some groups are specifically designed for certain communities, such as people of color, seniors, and the transgender and non-binary community. For more information on these support groups, including schedules and topics, visit Affirmations. For those under 18, Affirmations also has the We Are The Voices Discussion Group, for those ages 13-19, which Affirmations explains as “a safe space to have fun, socialize, vent, gain resources and support.” This is hosted virtually every Friday from 4 pm- 5 pm, and gives “LGBTQ+ youth of color a voice!”

Affirmations offers behavioral health programs for individuals, couples, relationships, and families, and can work with clients of all ages. This mental health therapy covers a variety of important issues such as healthy relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity, self-esteem, and more. Affirmations explains that their LGBTQ+-affirming therapy is “rooted in intersectional, anti-oppressive values.” Affirmations has a low-cost private pay rate with the option to reduce fees, and they accept a wide range of insurance. 

On the 3rd Thursday of every month, Affirmations holds a Zoom with live presentations on how to change one’s legal name and gender marker on identification documents in Michigan. There is also a recorded version available on their website if you cannot make the Zoom. Affirmations makes this process a bit easier and more surmountable. 

First, Affirmations offers many youth programs. They have the Carl Rippberger Youth Drop-In Center and Discord Channel, which has foosball, an Xbox, board games, streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, and more. Affirmations created this as a “safe space for youth ages 13-18 to engage their peers in networking, fun, and learning.” Affirmations also paired up with The Ferndale Area District Library to host The Reading Rainbow, which is for students in grades 4-8. The Reading Rainbow is a book club hosted once a month, with a social hour and book discussion. Even more, Affirmations has a youth leadership and development program, which is sponsored by FCA foundation, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and the Walters Family Foundation. In this 16-week program, those ages 12-22 are provided with career development skills and advocacy tools such as resume writing, interview skills, and topics like race and racism, mental health, and more are explored. According to Affirmations, this program “molds LGBTQ+ Youth…into leaders.” If youth ages 15-18 take this course, they can then have an internship at the organization. 

Affirmations is also involved in healthcare services, which includes HIV/STI testing, as well as administering COVID-19 vaccines for both first-time and booster doses.

Further, Affirmations provides grant-funded assistance for immediate food needs by offering food orders of up to $75 per order on Instacart. To place an order, contact [email protected] or 248-398-7105.

Affirmation also can train staff on LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the workplace with their Inclusion Training. They note that they have trained, “Medical Students, Sexual Assault Advocates, Corporate Executives, and First Responders.”

Affirmations is an amazing center for the LGBTQ+ community. It offers so many need-based resources and services, and is open to all. Affirmations is located at 290 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220. They can be contacted at (248)-398-7105!