FACES

Shannon Lazovski

W hen Shannon Lazovski started her fashion and beauty blog Glamorous Moms 20 years ago, she had no idea it would take her on such an amazing journey that continues today.

“Glamorous Moms started as a hobby and quickly became a business within the first year.” she said. "After a few years working in the blogging world, I noticed a big hole in the Michigan fashion community. There was nobody out there creating content highlighting the who's who of Michigan fashion. That's when I started Detroit Fashion News. And then a few years later, I purchased Detroit Mommies from a friend.

“I simply took what I learned as a product specialist and applied it in the digital space,” said Lazovski. She and her husband have a son in high school and a daughter in college. “It has been such a wonderful journey; it’s been so much fun.” She still runs all three blogs today and has earned a large number of followers with her digital presence and philanthropic work. “I have such a loving and supportive audience.”

Lazovski, who ran The Lazov Agency, a boutique social media management agency, now works as a freelance digital creator, branding strategist and consultant. Shortly before the pandemic, she launched the Glamorous Moms Foundation (GMF), a nonprofit that helps women who are either rebuilding their lives or currently suffering from poverty, homelessness, human trafficking and/or domestic violence by supplying life necessities crucial to good health and survival.

GMF community outreach programs include New Mom Baskets that bring hope, love and joy to expectant mothers in vulnerable situations.

“I don’t have the power to completely change a woman’s situation, but we all have the power to brighten someone’s day,” she said. “The baskets are filled with necessities to promote good health, safety and proper hygiene. Nursing supplies and other products can be costly. Even if a mom does have the money, most put their own needs aside to make sure their family has what they need first. If they have $10 to either buy hygiene products or feed their children, they will buy the food to feed their children.”

She receives feedback from hospital workers to determine what products are needed for the baskets that help the staff bond with new moms, while making them feel loved. “We are making an impact,” she said.

Lazovski tailors the contents to various community partners and coordinates the baskets with delivery nurses and social workers. “During COVID when women in labor would test positive, their babies were immediately taken away from them for a 14day quarantine period,” she said. “There were tears and depression when it was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.”

She also facilitates weekly peer-to-peer virtual support groups called “The Mom Squad” and "Surviving Domestic Violence & Abuse." Both are free and held via Zoom. Women are invited to listen to stories, have supportive, judgement-free girltalk and receive recommendations for helpful podcasts, books and professional resources.

To help support these programs, Lazovski donates a percentage of the proceeds from her lipstick brand, Glameselle. The colors are named after strong and wonderful women she has met along her journey (first names only). “It’s about women supporting women,” she said.

The Glamorous Moms Foundation will host its third annual Glamorous Luncheon fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 20 at the Townsend Hotel. Tickets are $125 per person. Go to glamorousmomsfoundation.com.

Owed $207,000.00 –Settled for $7,352.00

Owed $374,416.00 –Settled for $19,181.00

Owed $1,039,938.00 –Settled for $85,824.00

DOLLARS– LET US HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.

My preconceptions about aging went out the window long ago. Even before I started working at Next, Birmingham’s 50+ Community Center, I would witness my own parents and in-laws embrace all that their lives offered.

My father was a polymath and perennial student, with a powerful memory and a thirst for knowledge. My father-in-law would proudly tag along to his three grandchildren’s hockey games, sometimes 10 games in a week. He never wanted to miss the fun. My mom, at 94 is still up for a good happy hour.

That was my anecdotal evidence that aging is far different today then with previous generations. Many of us have preconceived ideas about aging –but after working at Next almost nine years, studying this generation through vast amount of available research, and taking the time to understand and appreciate what makes this demographic unique, I have learned there is definitely a bright side to aging, and much to celebrate.

Next is home to more than 2,300 active adults — and continuously growing. I have the privilege of speaking with many of our members and I continue to get a better understanding of what their daily lives are like, and how Next can serve them better. The thing about Next, like many other transitional times in our lives – going to college, a new job, relocating to a new town — is the chance to reinvent yourself. Our members have had illustrious careers, made important contributions to society and raised families to be proud of. But come to Next and you will see a humbled sense of a shared background and an understanding that members come here because of the comfort and ease in being with others who are also actively enjoying their best days.

Those best days look different for different members. That is an important reason why we changed our name to Next more than eight years ago. What is “Next” is personal for each member based on their own life, no comparisons and no benchmarks on what society expects. Instead, Next inspires each member to lead an enriched life.

Our members are busy, engaged, curious and explorative. They participate in a wide variety of activities such as our Health & Wellness partnership with Henry Ford Health, lifelong learning opportunities showcasing exceptional speakers, meaningful social enrichment, art, fitness, travel and live entertainment.

The lesson I have learned is now is the time. The time to learn, to make new friends, to share interests, to challenge one’s thinking, simply put— to be involved.

Next has been a long standing fixture in the community offering a safe and welcoming place to gather for 45 years, and continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s active adults. We provide high quality programming and reliable services, but our members provide the vitality, energy and sense of belonging that makes Next the unique and wonderful place it is.

Detailed information can be found on our website, BirminghamNext.org, or stop-in. Next is located at 2121 Midvale Rd. Birmingham, (248)203-5270.

Cris Braun is Executive Director of Birmingham Next

HOPE “SPRINGS” ETERNAL

Happy 100th Birthday Community House! We can’t share it enough. A century ago – April 1923 - visionaries and founders of The Community House assembled on the corner of Maple Road and Bates Street to establish the first Community House (TCH) in Birmingham. Humbling and inspiring, dirt roads, horses, buggies, and all. What a rare gift it was/is In January 2023, briming with great pride, hope and optimism, The Community House began its Centennial Anniversary year - of celebrations, reflection, and grand moments of gratitude – a rare and almost extinct milestone.

In reflection of the last “three” years and looking forward to the promise of the next century of service at The Community House, we take comfort and joy in the timeless phrase “Hope Springs Eternal.”

This age-old proverb reminds us that it is human nature to always find a fresh cause for optimism. Alexander Pope wrote in “An Essay on Man” that even in the darkest of times - people always hope for the best - even in the face of adversity. And hope means looking towards the future with confidence. With great reason for optimism - all of us at the historic Community House look towards the future –a bright new future post-COVID, post-Delta, post-Omicron and (hopefully) post-economic periods of financial instability – looking ahead towards a new millennium with renewed optimism, confidence, and excitement.

With confidence, we have begun the process of rebuilding our historic nonprofit, charitable organization safely, fiscally, and responsibly. We have already welcomed back – post-pandemic- ten (10) new and old friends like DOJO, The Birmingham Optimist Club, The Junior League of Birmingham, FAR Therapeutic Arts & Education, The Birmingham Shopping District, Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, Communicare Michigan, Birmingham Bloomfield Arts Center, Birmingham Bloomfield Newcomer’s Club and Project2 to rediscover synergy, friendship, support and respect for one another. While the road ahead remains unpredictable, we are optimistic that we can rediscover new ways to reinvent ourselves, new ways to serve the community, new ways of meeting our stewardship responsibilities and new ways to hand-off the baton of leadership to the next generation. Happy Birthday TCH.

Speaking of serving the community, some of the favorite events returning to The Community House this spring include:

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH – RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN

Time to Pamper Mom. Reservations now open. Join us for Mother’s Day Brunch 2023 on Sunday, May 14, in the elegant Wallace Ballroom of the historic Community House. Seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 1p.m. Guests will enjoy an extravagant (best in class) Mother’s Day Feast, including Sliced Beef Tenderloin w/Lavender Butter, Chocolate Waffles w/Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup, Quiche w/Caramelized Onions, Arugula and Feta, Latkes, Scrambled Eggs, Wild Mushroom Roasted Chicken, Banana Pancakes and so much more. A complimentary pitcher of Mimosas for Mom, with fine wine, and Bloody Mary’s available for purchase for anyone wishing to deliver a special toast to mom. $75pp Adult - $30pp Children (ages 4-12 years) – Children 3 and under free. Reservations required. Hurry - seats are limited. For more information or to reserve your seat, please go to communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.

90 & BEYOND CELEBRATION

Back by popular demand. Our showstopper 90 & Beyond event, celebrating those in our community who have reached 90 years-old (and beyond.) is once again returning to the historic Community House. Our community’s 90+ year-old treasures are warmly welcomed to TCH to attend the 2023 90 & Beyond Celebration as our guests - a special tribute luncheon customized just for them - full of heartfelt memories, music and good cheer with friends and family. Tickets for those under 90 years young are available for $40pp to help join the honorees in the celebration. All guests will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by The Community House’s award-winning Corporate Executive Chef, Ryan Friedrich, and Sous Chef Robert Coran, live musical entertainment presented by Kerry Price, featuring familiar music from decades past. In addition, a photo presentation entitled, “then and now” capturing the honorees in “earlier” years and a “current” photo will be featured on screen. Each honoree will also have their photo taken by a professional photographer as a keepsake of the celebration. 90 & Beyond made possible via the generous corporate support of Chief Financial Credit Union and Aly Darin Photography. Sponsorships and advertising opportunities are still available. Tickets are available online (communityhouse.com) or by calling The Community House at 248.644.5832.

2023 Classical Brunch Series

Also back by popular demand. The Community House’s “Classical Brunch Series” is returning to TCH in partnership with our dear friends at 90.9 WRCJ. This up close and personal three-part concert series will be held on June 11, October 15, and November 19, and will feature outstanding classical music performed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and friends. A lovely brunch begins at 11:45 a.m. (each concert) followed by the performance at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are $55 per concert, $150 for the series. Audience members will enjoy printed musical notes in the program book for each concert prepared by a professional musicologist. For reservations and ticket information, please visit our website, communityhouse.com. Early reservations are encouraged.

Save The Date

The Community House Association is pleased to announce that the 2024 Bates Street Society Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the historic Community House. 2024 Pillars of Vibrancy candidates to be honored during this special evening of recognition and inspiration (to date) include Dr. Ben Schwartz, Salvador Salort-Pons, Paul Gross and Michael Bickers. 2024 committed sponsors to date include Founding Sponsors PNC Bank and Corewell Health, and Lead Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield, DeRoy & Devereaux, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Emerson-Prew, Oakland University, Metalbuilt and The Agency Hall & Hunter Realtors. 2024 Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are open and now available. For more information about the 8th Annual Bates Street Society Dinner, please contact William D. Seklar at wseklar@communityhouse.com. Save the date now.

HELP NEEDED THE COMMUNITY HOUSE “SPRING” ANNUAL FUND

The 2023 “SPRING” Annual Fund Drive is upon us. Given COVID, it is hard to overestimate how important our quarterly annual fund appeals are to the operations at the historic Community House. For the last three years (and counting) we have found ourselves, like so many charities, continuing to navigate through a perfect storm – COVID, supply chain issues, inflation, wage pressures, a faltering economy.

By making a 2023 Spring Annual Fund Drive tax-deductible gift to The Community House, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization now, your gift will ensure that we continue to navigate through these challenges so that we may remain the important educational, philanthropic and community resource that thousands of individuals have relied upon for 100 years, To make a Spring 2023 Annual Fund gift now, you can send your donation in by mail at: TCH 380 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009; give online at communityhouse.com/donate' or by calling The Community House Foundation at 248.594.6417. Hope really does spring eternal.