Mental health webinar, a fundraiser, and a Town Hall event all are on the Bay City calendar

In the next few weeks, you have the opportunity to learn how to expand mental health programs in the workplace, help a local woman in need of a lung transplant, hone your parenting skills, and preserve LGBTQ+ rights in the upcoming elections.

Here is a quick look at four different events coming up:
 
  • Webinar on Fri., May 17 aims to help businesses expand their workplace mental health programs

WHAT'S HAPPENING: 

A Workplace Mental Health Webinar is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon Fri., May 17. Participants will learn how to expand workplace mental health programs.

WHY IT MATTERS:
  • Mental illness is the number one cause of disability in the United States.
  • Lost earnings due to serious mental illness top $210 billion per year.
  • Mental illness costs employers directly through healthcare and indirectly through loss of productivity, absenteeism, and disability.
  • Employers can educate and support employee mental health.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

The seminar is free, but registration is required. Register here.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Sponsors are Great Lakes Bay Regional Mental Health Partnership and J.W. Fisher, President of Fisher Contracting Company.

Perceptions
  • Town Hall on May 16 focuses on LGBTQ+ rights during the 2024 election

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

Bay City Queer the Vote Town Hall at 6 p.m. Thurs., May 16. The event is focused on LGBTQ+ civil rights and the 2024 elections.

Guest panelists include Emma Zanotti, Director of Advocacy & Civic Engagement at Equality Michigan; Jay Kaplan, LGBTQ Project at the ACLU of Michigan; and Scott Ellis, Executive Director of Great Lakes Bay Pride.

WHY IT MATTERS:

The event is Part Five of a statewide series on the state of LGBTQ+ equality, voting rights, and community safety as the nation heads into the 2024 election season.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Register here for details about the event

OTHER INFORMATION:

Sponsors include Equality Michigan, ACLU of Michigan, Stand with Trans,  Affirmations, and #HateWontWin coalition in Bay City
 
  • Dads, male caregivers, and kids are invited to a free movie on May 18

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

24:7 Dad and the CAN Council present “If,” a free movie for fathers, male caregivers, and their families. The movie will be shown on Sat., May 18 at Bay City 10 GDX, 4101 Wilder Road. Concessions will be provided.

WHY IT MATTERS:

The National Fatherhood Initiative says that increased father involvement leads to lower crime rates, lower teen pregnancy rates, improved school behavior and grades, and increased family self-sufficiency.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Each dad can register and bring up to six family members.
 
  • Bay City Players theater is the setting for a June 1 fundraiser for a local dance and gymnastics teacher
WHAT'S HAPPENING:

Again! A Fundraiser for Holly Bills takes place at 3 p.m. Sat., June 1 at the Bay City Players Theater,  1214 Columbus Ave.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Bills is a well-known dance teacher, gymnastics coach, choreographer, and business owner in Bay City. She started Bay Valley Academy in 1976, teaching dance and gymnastics for years. Bills also has helped with theater productions at Bay City Players, Central High School, and other troupes.

The Sat., June 1 show is a fundraiser to offset expenses as Bills stays at Duke University seeking treatment and awaiting a lung transplant.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Tickets are available online.



 
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Read more articles by Kathy Roberts.

Kathy Roberts, a graduate of Central Michigan University, moved to Bay City in 1987 to start a career in the newspaper industry. She was a reporter and editor at the Bay City Times for 15 years before leaving to work at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Covenant HealthCare, and Ohno Design. In 2019, she returned to her storytelling roots as the Managing Editor of Route Bay City. When she’s not editing or writing stories, you can find her reading books, knitting, or visiting the bars of Bay County. You can reach Kathy at editor@RouteBayCity.com