The Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) of Oakland University raised more than $6,400 through donations to make Christmas truly special for the neediest refugee families served by Lutheran Social Services. CASA selected 53 kids, who were each partnered with a “Big Buddy.” Each child received a $60 gift card to Target, and their buddies helped them buy Christmas presents for everyone in their families. Afterwards, the group met at a nearby church to wrap the gifts and enjoy a holiday celebration that included a visit from Santa Claus. Each child received a gift from their wish list and a large stocking filled with goodies. The children also received a new coats and boots for the cold winter that many of them are experiencing for the first time.

When people talk about the recession and the tough job market, it’s usually the plight of unemployed adults that springs to mind. But children in those fami¬lies are the ones who may suf¬fer lifelong consequences from poverty, driven by the worst recession since the 1930s. The ill effects have been worsened by the erosion of prevention and intervention programs designed to help vulnerable families through tough times. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows Michigan slipping from 27th place to 30th when it comes to overall child well-being. Jane Zehnder-Merrell discusses this in a recent op-ed piece in the Detroit Free Press. Read it here.