THANK YOU FOR A GREAT 2024 HOLIDAY SEASON!

While the Holiday season is now over, we hope you can carry hope with you in the year to come. Thank you for attending our events and thank you for supporting us with prayer and finances. We are so appreciative for a great community! Please stay connected to us by clicking "About" in the Menu Bar, and then "Calendar". May God bless you richly in 2025!

Sincerely,

Pastor Anthony Miller

Hope For The Holidays

A first of its kind partnership between Forever Friendship Drop-In and Hope Church of Iron Mountain, ensuring no one has to be alone over the Holidays.

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

Spearheaded by Executive Director Talitha Dahlquist and Lead Pastor Anthony Miller, the new partnership will ensure that community members struggling with mental health diagnoses. Further, we are creating community awareness of suicide, alcohol and substance misuse, and relapse prevention through a safe, non-stigmatizing environment for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year's. By uniting together, Hope Church and Forever Friendship Drop-In can not only reach more people, but truly save more lives. These Holiday events are sober environments and will include full meals, crafts, games, as well as Faith support and a Certified PEER Support Specialist available as requested. Each holiday event will be free of charge and anyone who is struggling can attend.

The Upper Peninsula makes up roughly three percent of Michigan’s total population, but two of it's counties have the highest suicide rate in Michigan, Iron and Ontonagon. That's not all- the suicide rate across the UP and the eight most northern counties in Lower Michigan is double the state average overall.

Pastor Miller shared his excitement about the effort, saying, "Talitha is a phenomenal leader and we are so blessed by the opportunity to partner together with her team at Forever Friendship. I admire the work she does, and it feels like a natural fit to join together in this effort." Director Dahlquist shared her perspective in stating, "We are thrilled to unite with Hope Church in expanding our reach and effectiveness. At Forever Friendship Drop-In, we are serving on the frontlines of the war against suicide. These Holiday celebrations will make a real impact in saving lives across the UP."

CONTINUED HOPE AND SUPPORTS

Our strategy of providing Hope for years to come is fulfilled by more than just these Holiday Celebrations. Attendees during these events will be provided with permanent connections to Forever Friendship and Hope Church as applicable. Additionally, external referrals to other organizations will be available such as DICSA, TRICO, Great Lakes Recovery, Salvation Army, and community Faith events.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

Forever Friendship Drop-In and Hope Church appreciate your support in reaching our community members that are most in need. You can donate directly to this partnership by going to hopeimt.org/donate and choosing "Hope For The Holidays" on the dropdown giving menu. You can also mail a check to: Hope Church, P.O. Box 647, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 with the memo, "Hope For The Holidays". For other ways to participate, please contact Director Dahlquist at 906-200-1473 or Pastor Miller at 906-285-4712.

ABOUT FOREVER FRIENDSHIP DROP-IN

Forever Friendship Drop-In is a free community service non-profit that provides wrap around PEER support, a safe environment, and critical resources to adults who are struggling with mental health, substance misuse, or suicide prevention. Forever Friendship Drop-In is staffed by peers-- individuals who have lived experience with mental health conditions and/or substance use recovery. Unlike traditional therapy and medication treatment, our Drop-in focuses on non-clinical services, meaning we provide emotional and social support instead. Common services include: community inclusion, support groups, workshops, and social activities. One of the defining features of our Drop-in is that we are designed to be low-barrier and easily accessible. This makes us an attractive option for people who may not have access to, or have not had success with, traditional mental health services due to financial, transportation, or other barriers.

ABOUT HOPE CHURCH OF IRON MOUNTAIN

The mission of Hope Church is to love God as we passionately walk with Him; to have unconditional positive regard for all people; and to unite the two. Hope Church is a Spirit-Filled Pentecostal church focused on giving back to our community through tangible benefit - through care, compassion, and love for the people that fill our community. We focus on pointing people towards Jesus both in experience and in the Word, instead of pointing them towards checklists and tradition. At Hope, we offer a consistent, cohesive experience featuring carefully planned music, followed by a message delivered by a safe and prepared communicator. We comprehensively background check our ministers and leaders and maintain a high level of expectations when it comes to integrity - on and off the microphone. Our mindset centered on connecting folks to Jesus and each to other, meeting needs in our community, and being committed to "Safe Church" defines our identity. We invite you to explore any of our recorded services (or stop by to see in person) to see Hope's values and approach for yourself. Visit hopeimt.org/about to learn more.

SPECIFIC EVENT INFORMATION: