Lakes Area Youth Assistance

10/22/2026

🎁 2026 HOLIDAY ADOPT-A-CHILD PROGRAM – APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! 🎁

Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) is excited to announce that applications are currently being accepted for our 2026 Holiday Adopt-a-Child Program! ❤️💚

With the generous support of our local businesses, community partners, and donors, we are grateful to help bring holiday joy to children and families in need throughout our community.

🎅 Eligibility Requirements:

Must reside within the Walled Lake Consolidated School District area.

Children must be in Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade (ages 5–18).

Families must meet established financial eligibility guidelines.

📝 HOW TO APPLY:

Applications are available under the Resources section on the left side of the LAYA website or directly through the link below:

👉 Apply Here:
https://app.informedk12.com/link_campaigns/2026-laya-holiday-adopt-a-child-application?token=NqERx68mXumSAUJe4whtAwoU

⏰ APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Friday, October 30, 2026, at 3:59 PM

❗ Important Information:

Completing an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Priority will be given to families who have not previously participated.

Families selected to participate will be notified by phone or email after the application period closes and applications have been reviewed.

❤️ Making the Holidays Brighter Together! ❤️

Lakes Area Youth Assistance extends our heartfelt appreciation to the businesses, community partners, and generous donors who make this program possible. Together, we can help ensure that children and families in need experience the joy and magic of the holiday season! ✨

10/21/2026

❤️ Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! ❤️

For the next few weeks, we’re highlighting our amazing Taste of the Lakes participating restaurants! Please remember to visit these local favorites, and when you stop in, be sure to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and our annual Taste of the Lakes event!

🍞 Today, we’re giving a big shout-out to Great Harvest Bread! ❤️

Great Harvest Bread is Taste of the Lakes’ longest-supporting participating business, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued generosity and commitment to our community! They’re a wonderful local spot to enjoy freshly baked breads, delicious treats, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

As the holidays approach, don’t forget to stop by Great Harvest Bread for their wonderful holiday bread and baked good offerings! Whether you’re looking for something special for your family, a thoughtful gift, or the perfect addition to your holiday table, Great Harvest Bread has plenty of delicious options to enjoy.

❤️ Most importantly, please join us in thanking Great Harvest Bread for supporting LAYA and Taste of the Lakes! Their longstanding generosity helps Lakes Area Youth Assistance provide support and assistance to local children and families throughout the year.

Thank you, Great Harvest Bread, for being Taste of the Lakes’ longest-supporting participating business and for helping make a difference in our community year after year! We appreciate your continued support! ❤️

https://greatharvestcommercetwp.square.site/?location=CX17XXJV4GV7C

10/19/2026

❤️ Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! ❤️

Today we’re highlighting another one of our amazing Taste of the Lakes participating restaurants! Please remember to visit these local favorites, and when you stop in, be sure to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and our annual Taste of the Lakes event!

🍽️ Today, we’re giving a big shout-out to Lulu’s of Commerce! ❤️

Lulu’s of Commerce is a wonderful local spot to enjoy delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and time with family and friends. Whether you’re stopping in for a meal, meeting up with friends, or enjoying a night out, Lulu’s is a great part of the community and a favorite destination for local diners.

❤️ Most importantly, please join us in thanking Lulu’s of Commerce for supporting LAYA and Taste of the Lakes! Their generosity helps Lakes Area Youth Assistance provide support and assistance to local children and families throughout the year.

Thank you, Lulu’s of Commerce, for being part of Taste of the Lakes and helping make a difference in our community! We appreciate your support! ❤️

https://lulusofcommerce.com

Call to place your order for fresh, homemade food!

10/15/2026

🔥 Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! 🔥

For the next few weeks, we’d like to highlight our Taste of the Lakes participating restaurants! Please remember to visit these local establishments, and when you stop in, be sure to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and the Taste of the Lakes annual event!

Today we’re giving a big shout-out to Kickstand Brewing Company! ❤️

Kickstand Brewing Company is a great local spot to enjoy delicious food, refreshing craft b**r, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping in for a meal, meeting up with friends, or enjoying one of their locally brewed favorites, Kickstand is a wonderful part of our community.

Most importantly, please join us in thanking Kickstand Brewing Company for supporting LAYA and Taste of the Lakes! Your support of our community makes a difference and helps LAYA provide assistance to local children and families throughout the year.

Thank you, Kickstand Brewing Company, for being part of Taste of the Lakes! ❤️

https://www.kickstandbrewingco.com

Kickstand Brewing Company is a microbrewery and restaurant located in Commerce Township.

10/13/2026

🔥 Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! 🔥

Today we’d like to highlight another one of our Taste of the Lakes participating restaurants! Please remember to visit these local establishments, and when you stop in, be sure to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and the Taste of the Lakes annual event!

Today we’re giving a big shout-out to CJ’s Brewing Company! ❤️

CJ’s Brewing Company is a great local spot to enjoy delicious food, refreshing craft b**r, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping in for a meal, meeting up with friends, or enjoying one of their locally brewed favorites, CJ’s is a wonderful part of our community.

Most importantly, please join us in thanking CJ’s Brewing Company for supporting LAYA and Taste of the Lakes! Your support of our community makes a difference and helps LAYA provide assistance to local children and families throughout the year.

Thank you, CJ’s Brewing Company, for being part of Taste of the Lakes! ❤️

10/08/2026

🔥 Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! 🔥

Today we’d like to highlight another one of our Taste of the Lakes participating restaurants! Please remember to visit these local establishments, and when you stop in, be sure to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and the Taste of the Lakes annual event!

Today we’re giving a big shout-out to Red Wood Grill in Waterford! ❤️

Located at 7726 Cooley Lake Road, Red Wood Grill is serving up some seriously delicious BBQ, with slow-smoked favorites including ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and kielbasa, along with plenty of homemade sides and sauces. They also offer catering for everything from family gatherings to larger events. (Redwood Grill)

Please join us in thanking Red Wood Grill for supporting LAYA and Taste of the Lakes! Your support of our community makes a difference and helps LAYA provide assistance to local children and families throughout the year.

📍 Red Wood Grill
7726 Cooley Lake Rd., Waterford
📞 248-467-1103

Thank you, Red Wood Grill, for being part of Taste of the Lakes! ❤️

10/06/2026

🔥 Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! 🔥

We’d like to highlight another one of our Taste of the Lakes participating restaurants! Please remember to visit these local establishments, and when you stop in, be sure to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and the Taste of the Lakes annual event!

Today we’re giving a big shout-out to Don Juan’s in Waterford! ❤️🌮

Looking for a great reason to make it Taco Tuesday? 🌮 Don Juan’s has you covered! Enjoy their delicious Mexican favorites and make Tuesday your new favorite day of the week.

And don’t forget about their Daily Specials and Happy Hour every day from 3pm–6pm! 🍹 It’s a great time to stop in, enjoy some food and drinks, and spend time with friends and family.

Most importantly, please join us in thanking Don Juan’s for supporting LAYA and Taste of the Lakes! Your support of our community makes a difference and helps LAYA provide assistance to local children and families throughout the year.

Thank you, Don Juan’s, for being part of Taste of the Lakes! ❤️

10/02/2026

🍽️ Taste of the Lakes Restaurant Thank You! 🍽️

Over the next few weeks, we’d like to highlight and thank the wonderful restaurants that participated in this year’s Taste of the Lakes! ❤️

We encourage you to remember these local businesses and visit them often. And while you’re there, please take a moment to thank them for supporting Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) and our annual Taste of the Lakes event. Your support of these local restaurants helps make a difference in our community!

⭐ Let’s start with Casey’s of Walled Lake! ⭐

Located on Maple Road, just east of Pontiac Trail, Casey’s offers daily specials and Happy Hour specials, along with great food and a welcoming atmosphere.

Stop in, enjoy a meal, and let them know you appreciate their support of LAYA! 🙌

👉 Check out Casey’s menu, specials, and catering information:
https://caseysofwalledlake.com

Thank you, Casey’s of Walled Lake, for supporting LAYA and helping make Taste of the Lakes such a success! ❤️

Discover Casey's of Walled Lake, the premier spot for dining and drinks in Walled Lake, Michigan, where happiness meets deliciousness!

10/01/2026

A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported our Taste of the Lakes event! ❤️

From our amazing participating restaurants, silent auction and raffle donors, local governments, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, Edgewood Country Club, our incredible setup and cleanup crews, leadership board, and—most importantly—all of you in our community, we are so grateful for your support!

You helped make our 25th Taste of the Lakes an overwhelming success! 🎉

Because of your generosity, the LAYA organization will be able to continue supporting children and families in need throughout the year.

We truly couldn’t do it without our wonderful community. Thank you for helping us make a difference! ❤️

09/29/2026

TODAY’S the day!!! Hope to see you all there! Tickets still available at the door. $30
Lakes Area Youth Assistance
TASTE OF THE LAKES 5pm-8pm
Edgewood Country Club
8399 Commerce Rd
Commerce Township, MI