February 2026 Newsletter
February is the month we start to notice it—the sun lingers a little longer; the evenings stretch just a bit. Winter isn't over, but something is shifting.
This month, we're excited to share new organizational values shaped by our community, resources for Black mental wellness, and a "save the date" for an evening of live music to benefit Garrett's Space.
Our Values, In Our Words
We've adopted a new set of organizational values to guide how we show up for our community each day.
It was important to us that this process reflected the voices of all our stakeholders, especially our participants. Through focus groups and surveys, we asked board members, staff, and program participants questions like, "What three words come to mind when you think of Garrett's Space?"
From there, we identified common themes and shaped them into principles that are clear, accessible, and meaningful.
These values aren't just words on a page: they're commitments we make to each other and to the young adults we serve.
We're grateful to everyone who helped bring them to life.
Save the date: Concert4aCause, April 9, 2026
Join us on Wednesday, April 9th at 7pm for an evening of live classical music in support of Garrett's Space.
Classical saxophone and collaborative piano students from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance—from the studios of Professors Timothy McAllister and Ana Maria Otamendi—will perform at Northside Community Church (929 Barton Drive, Ann Arbor).
More details coming soon — we hope to see you there!
Participant Survey Results 2024-2025
We regularly survey our participants to make sure we're delivering on our promises and using data to adapt our programming if needed.
As we continue to look back on 2025, we are grateful for the support you've given, which enables us to keep showing up for young people in need at every turn:
Thank you for supporting this important work!
Did you know?
This month was Black History Month, and we're highlighting a critical issue that impacts our community: mental health access in the Black community.
According to SAMHSA’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Black adults with mental health conditions are less likely to receive treatment than white or multiracial adults.
This gap in care access highlights the urgent need for culturally responsive mental health support.
At Garrett's Space, we believe everyone deserves access to supportive, compassionate mental health care. We know finding the right mental health support can feel overwhelming. That's why we've gathered some trusted organizations that specialize in supporting Black mental wellness. While these aren't affiliated with Garrett's Space, we believe in sharing resources that can help our community thrive.
How You Can Help
Thank you for your generous contributions to our efforts! Your support makes our free wellness groups and gatherings possible while we build toward the vision for our residential center. Here's how you can stay involved:
Volunteer: Join our team supporting events and mission-critical tasks. Sign up for our volunteer email list.
Donate: Every contribution directly supports programs offering hope and healing to young adults. Donate at our website or join the Cardinal Circle for monthly giving.
Spread the Word: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and share our mission to grow our community of support.
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE AT RISK, PLEASE REACH OUT AND LET THEM KNOW YOU CARE AND CHECK OUR CRISIS RESOURCES.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, CALL OR TEXT 988 TO REACH THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE.