Meet your 2024 Circle of Friends Co-Chairs!

We sat down with our friends and event Co-Chairs Wendi, Tracy, and Meredith, to discuss Circle of Friends, our Keynote Speaker Margaret Hoelzer, and the impact that CARE House has on the community. Read below for their insights!

Why is Circle of Friends a good way to be introduced

to CARE House’s mission?

Wendi Farner: The Circle of Friends events serve as a fantastic platform to introduce and promote the mission of CARE House, which I sincerely believe lacks the exposure it deserves. I’ve lived in Oakland County my entire life, among approximately 2.4 million others, including 237,000 children. Shockingly, statistics show that 1 out of every 10 children in this county experiences abuse before reaching the age of 18. In light of the tremendous impact CARE House has in our community, I strongly feel that the organization is often understated and needs to gain more recognition and support to continue their valuable work here in Oakland County.

Tracy Nystrom: The Circle of Friends event was actually my introduction to CARE House. I was lucky enough to attend Theresa Flores’ speech in 2019 (author of The Slave Across the Street). Theresa shared her tragic, heart-rending story from our backyard, our own “safe” town, when she was used as a sex slave for two years. Although initially unbelievable, Theresa brought home that child abuse is not something that happens to “other people” but that it is real and everywhere. CARE House does inspirational work to help such children throughout Oakland County.

Meredith Carrel: The Circle of Friends event is a great way to be introduced to the CARE House mission. The keynote speaker, Margaret Hoelzer, will engage guests on the importance of child advocacy centers by telling her own story of survival. In addition, the luncheon format is a comfortable way to talk with others and CARE House leadership about the various efforts and goals of the organization.

What do you expect this year’s event will accomplish?

WF: I hope this year’s Circle of Friends event successfully raises funds to support therapy for children and families. Additionally, it would be wonderful if the event enables the CARE House to hire more personnel and acquire any necessary supplies that they may be lacking.

TN: I know that my Co-Chairs and I have included newcomers to Circle of Friends this year, and that we are helping to spread the word about CARE House, and hopefully provide additional funding for the vital programs CARE House provides. I’m confident that the message guests receive will be impactful and ensure that the Circle of Friends Luncheon becomes an annual event for them, as is the case with many CARE House supporters.

MC: Events like Circle of Friends are essential to raising the necessary funds to maintain the crucial interventions, therapies, education and other programming that the CARE House provides. In addition, this year’s Circle of Friends event includes many guests who are new to the organization and who are eager to learn about the mission. This is exciting, as it will lead to a larger community of support!

What are you looking forward to hearing Margaret Hoelzer discuss?

WF: I am eagerly anticipating Margaret Hoelzer’s speech, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such an accomplished athlete and inspiring woman speak at our event this year.

TN: I think Margaret will be an exceptional speaker, and her inspiring story will stay with our guests long after the lunch is over. You can read about someone’s tragedies, their fight to overcome them, even moving on to successful lives, but to hear it live, from that person’s perspective, is always so much more powerful.

MC: The highlight of the Circle of Friends event for me will be hearing Margaret Hoelzer’s story. It is always inspiring to hear any Olympic athlete share their story. However, Ms. Hoelzer’s bravest moment was when she revealed to the world, after competing in two Olympic Games, that she was a survivor of sexual abuse as a child. I am most looking forward to hearing, in her words, how coming forward and continuing to spread awareness has affected her own recovery and life.