Hands Across The Water, Inc.

06/03/2026

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, respected, and loved for who they are. We are committed to creating welcoming, affirming spaces where all young people can thrive and where every family is treated with compassion and respect.

Hands Across The Water welcomes LGBTQ+ young people, caregivers, and families. Together, we can build communities where every child knows they belong.

Happy Pride Month! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

🌈 🏳️‍⚧️🌈

06/02/2026

Today our team was lucky enough to gather at the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County for a brief meeting followed by a presentation on the history of the facility, a tour, and a presentation about Juneteenth geared toward supporting youth and families in embracing and understanding Black cultural traditions. It was a beautiful day to discover a wonderful community resource that most of our staff had never visited--but now that we've been once, we're sure to go back!

06/01/2026

We are looking for the right family for Jameil! Could that be you? Call us to learn more: 734-477-0135.

Early mornings at the gym, time spent outdoors, and conversations filled with jokes and laughter are all part of what keeps Jameil, who goes by J, engaged with the world around him. He enjoys staying active and is often drawn to activities that challenge him physically, whether that’s football, boxing, camping, fishing, or working out with friends. Learn more about J at https://www.mare.org/meet-children/child-profile/jameil?childid=72381.

05/30/2026

It was a beautiful morning for the Dexter Ann Arbor Run Kids Event! Many thanks to all the volunteers who turned up to help with the events at Ferry Field, as well as volunteers at packet pickup--and good luck to all tomorrow's runners! We even met one of our adoptive families at the track this morning: we love encountering our families out in the community.

05/19/2026

We're getting excited for our 3rd annual golf outing, taking place this year at Polo Fields Golf and Country Club on Monday, July 13. And we're especially excited to welcome back presenting sponsor bank--thank you so much for your support of our work supporting children and families!

We're hoping *you* can join us too: get your tickets now at https://bit.ly/HATWGolf26
⛳🏌️‍♂️🏌🏿‍♀️

05/10/2026

Anyone who stands in the shoes of a mother--for a short time, for a long time, for a lifetime--all mothering figures deserve thanks for effect they have on our lives.

First mothers, foster mothers, adoptive mothers, we celebrate you today.

05/05/2026

In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, we're starting to deliver flower baskets to foster parents both with and without current placements as a token of our appreciation. Foster parents are the people who make it possible for families to work toward reunification, who give children safe spaces to land in times of crisis, and who advocate for those same children day after day. We appreciate our foster parents so much!

If foster parenting is something you're considering, check out one of our upcoming orientation sessions at https://bit.ly/HATWmeet

05/04/2026

It's officially Run the River Month!

As the days grow longer and warmer, we're getting more excited for the weekend of fun that is May 30 and 31--but we still need your help!

There are still volunteer slots available for the kids' events the morning of Saturday, May 30, and we'd love to see them get filled with folks who support our work as a charity partner! If you're running the adult race the morning of the 31st, volunteering for the kids' events is an ideal way to foster future runners without it interfering with your own run plans. Check out what spaces need filling at https://bit.ly/HATWDXA26
and don't forget to mention us when it asks if you're volunteering on behalf of a charity.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected] for more information!

05/01/2026

May is Foster Care Awareness Month - did you know that about 10,000 Michigan children are in foster care, and that there aren't enough safe, licensed homes to support them?

If you have ever considered opening your heart and home to a young person in need of care, consider this your sign to sign up for a foster parent orientation session. https://bit.ly/HATWmeet

The goal of foster care is reunification, and the gift of time, care and attention could be the most important one you ever give to another family.

05/01/2026

Hands Across The Water is seeking new Board members!

Members help guide how the agency runs—keeping an eye on operations and finances, pitching in on strategic planning, and supporting and evaluating the Executive Director. They also advocate for issues that align with HATW’s mission and get involved in fundraising by showing up to events and tapping into their own networks.

You don’t need a professional background in child welfare, but you should genuinely care about improving the lives of children and families of all kinds. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ folks, and those with lived experience in the foster care system or adoption triad to apply.

Contact [email protected] for more information about what we are seeking, how we operate and whether this would be a fit for your talents!