Community Giving Exceeds Express Employment Professionals
$10,000 Matching Gift Challenge for Grace Centers of Hope

Local community rallies its support for the nonprofit organization by helping to raise more than $70,000 for local homeless men, women, and children

Grace Centers of Hope (GCH) announced that thanks to the outpouring of community support, the nonprofit organization raised more than $70,000 in individual contributions as part of a matching gift challenge in May of this year. The challenge was made by Express Employment Professionals - Rochester Hills, Troy, and Clinton Twp., following its pledge to match gifts made up to $10,000. The money raised will help provide food, clothing, and shelter for the nearly 200 men, women, and children who are currently enrolled in programs at GCH.

“We are extraordinarily grateful to Express Employment Professionals for this generous fundraising challenge that generated tens of thousands of more dollars to our nonprofit organization… At a time when we’ve experienced a decline in fundraising activities and monetary donations, we are greatly pleased individuals, groups, and organizations stepped up to help make this challenge effort a tremendous success.”

CEO Pastor
Kent W. Clark

About Grace Centers of Hope

Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and spiritual emptiness. On any given night, GCH provides transitional shelter to 150-200 men, women, and children. The nonprofit organization’s comprehensive programs provide daily meals, clothing, personal hygiene, individual and group therapy, Bible study and church service, mentorship/discipleship, work therapy, and financial planning. In addition, program participants also have access to the Career and Education Center and free childcare at the Hands of Hope Childcare Center. GCH $5.7 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors, exclusive of any government assistance.

To learn more about Grace Centers of Hope or to make a donation, please visit www.gracecentersofhope.org.
Cristo Rey Scholarship 2020
Thank you Michael Cummings of Saint John’s University for your kind words about Paul and Julie LaFrance. Express Employment Professionals is happy to support Cristo Rey!
"Paul and Julie LaFrance [owners of Express Employment Professionals - Troy, Rochester Hills & Clinton Twp.] have made a generous gift of $25,000 to Saint John’s University to establish an endowed 2020 scholarship designated to the Cristo Rey network of schools.
Detroit Cristo Rey High School provides excellent college-preparatory Catholic high school education, in the Cristo Rey Model, to students from economically disadvantaged families in Detroit. The school emphasizes faith, morals and service to the community. One-hundred percent of graduates have been accepted to college.
This scholarship will help make the transformational education at Saint John’s affordable to a deserving student. Saint John’s is grateful for the generosity and commitment Paul and Julie have shown to the university and their community."
Dutton Farm's High Hope Gala
This year, Express Employment Professionals – Rochester Hills, Troy and Clinton Township was the main sponsor for the Dutton Farm Inc. High Hopes Gala.

Dutton Farm is an organization located in Rochester Hills, Michigan founded by Michele Smither (Founder) and Jenny Brown (CEO). Dutton Farms has a vision “to create a just-world where you will find dignified inclusion in our schools, workplaces, government, communities, churches and beyond.” Their mission is about “empowering and supporting adults with disabilities to live a life of purpose, inclusion, and dignity.”
“Thank you so much for your generous support at our first annual High Hopes Gala! We appreciate your belief in the work that we do! I hope you all enjoyed your night with us!” - Jenny Brown (CEO Dutton Farm)
Check out the Dutton Farm Market!
Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver (IVC) Golf Outing 2019

IVC cannot thank you enough for your consistent support of our work! Your ongoing and increasing donations have allowed us to serve so many more of our older and disabled neighbors. You have brought us more friends and supporters each year by getting your team at Express Employment Professionals involved. We are enormously grateful to you and Express for taking a lead role in our golf outing. As our Premier Sponsor, your generosity helps encourage others to be generous, too. And that allows us to provide more and more rides, chores, repairs, visits and other essential support to the struggling elderly and disabled individuals in our community who don’t have anyone else to turn to for such needs. On behalf of those we serve, THANK YOU for making such a big impact in the lives of your neighbors in need!

  Karyn Dombrowski Curro
   Executive Director
Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers
Holiday Charitable Donations

Back in December, we asked our valued clients to tell us about their favorite charities and why they support them. Express Employment promised to support FIVE of the nominated charities with a $1,000 charitable donation. After careful review by a 15 member selection committee, Express is excited to announce not Five, but SIX winners of $1,000 each. These six charities were selected from MANY qualified and deserving non-profit companies. From the bottom of our hearts…..Thank you for helping Express serve our local communities! (Nominations and images listed left to right.)

Detroit Goodfellows nominated by Champion Laboratories.
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - Hurley Medical Center nominated by Horstman Inc.
The Alabaster Gift nominated by AWCCO.
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - Beaumont Children's, Royal Oak nominated by Ferber Warehousing.
Variety Feeds Kids nominated by Shuert Technologies.
Coats for Kids nominated by Grupo Antolin Shelby
Brand it Blue Fall Clean Up
Brand it Blue! Express Employment Professionals Rochester Hills, Troy & Clinton Township took part in the leaf raking/fall cleanup project through Older Persons’ Commission. Our team of 15 tackled 3 yards!
New Day Foundation for Families Fighting Cancer

New Day Foundation is a non-profit company supporting individuals and families fighting cancer. The Founders, Gina and Michael Spehn, each lost their spouse to cancer, and years later, got married and began supporting cancer afflicted families through New Day. New Day provides support to families who suffer from “cancer related financial toxicity” which is short for…….do I pay for my cancer treatments or do I pay my mortgage, car payment, or put food on my family’s table?! These are decisions no human being should have to make. Thanks to New Day Foundation…..they don’t have to!

Express Employment was the Diamond Sponsor for the New Day’s Hope Shines Gala held on September 21^st at the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit, MI.
Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver (IVC)

IVC is a non-profit company that provides assistance to older and disabled neighbors who are struggling to stay in their homes. IVC Volunteers provide rides to doctor appointments, light housekeeping, minor home repairs, yardwork, along with friendly visits to the lonely. Over half of those receiving assistance at near or below the poverty line. They serve more than 600 residents each year. For more info go to www.ivcinfo.org

Express was the Premier Sponsor of the Annual IVC Charitable Golf Outing for the 3^rd year in a row.

Pictured – left to right: Michail Curro- IVC Board Member, Karyn Curro – Executive Director of IVC,
Paul LaFrance – Owner of Express Employment, Mark Mancinotti – IVC Board Member

Express Employment makes Giving Tuesday a memorable day for Camp Barnabas

This unique ministry provides camping experiences for individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses as well as their siblings. Paul and Julie LaFrance, co-owners of Express Employment, announced on Giving Tuesday a philanthropic gift of $25,000 to this life-changing Christian camp that redefines disability. The charitable gift will be used to support Camp Barnabas’ operations by building a Putt-Putt golf course for campers along with their missionaries who support them. More information about this great day. To learn how to get involved and help this great charity, visit their website.

Express proudly supports New Day Foundation for Families as Premier Sponsor for 2017

At Express we focus on our clients, associates and our community. As we do every year, we sponsored many great charities throughout our community. New Day Foundation for Families is one charity that we are proudly sponsoring this year. For more information on how you could get involved and support this awesome charity visit their website. This year NEW Day Foundation for Families had 3 great events! We were delighted to participate in each of them.


VGE Foundation Golf Outing July 22, 2017	Rock the Plank August 5, 2017	Hope Shines Gala September 8, 2017

Brand It Blue Day 2017
Across the country Express employees along with their families, friends, clients and associates helped the fight against hunger. In Rochester, Michigan we were fortunate to help the Rochester Area Neighborhood House Food Pantry. At Express, we are always committed to help people, especially those in our backyard.
Express supports Local Veterans at OPERATION COME H.O.M.E. Annual Car Show
Express Employment is always committed to giving back to the community through its charitable giving and community involvement. The team is committed to "serving others" in everything we do. Express continues to offer support to OPERATION COME H.O.M.E. for Veterans at the 2nd Annual Veteran Benefit Car Show. The event took place on June 17, 2017 at Woodside Bible Church in Troy, MI. All proceeds benefit housing for local US Veterans. To learn more about the organization and or provide a financial contribution, visit their website
Express Sponsors Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing for local Businesses
Working with our community is a top priority for Express Employment Professionals, so once again Express Troy is a sponsor for the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce Golf outing. As the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce is an organization dedicated to supporting its members and the local business community, we believe supporting them will help all business as we do with our services. The golf outing is one of the Chamber’s most popular events bringing all the local businesses together. The outing took place at Pine Knob Golf Course, one of top-rated courses in the state.
Express Employment Professionals Donates $50,000 to Local Nonprofit
A donation of $50,000 was recently made by Express to Operation Come H.O.M.E (Honoring Our Military for Eternity) – an organization that is supporting the needs of U.S. veterans and their families. The donation is part of The Impact Project, an initiative of the company’s philanthropic committee, designed to give back to nonprofits nominated by franchise owners. Paul LaFrance, Franchise Owner and Regional Michigan Developer, who also serves on the Board of Directors for Operation Come H.O.M.E, is matching the $25,000 donation made by Express. LaFrance nominated OCH to receive the award that was selected out of over 90 applications.

“We pride ourselves on having a culture built on giving and service at Express,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals. “With that in mind, we know how important it is to support the communities where we work, serve and live. The commitment that Paul LaFrance, our owner in Rochester Hills and Troy, has given to Operation Come H.O.ME. is a great example of that support.”

Operation Come Home is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that provides military veterans and their families with basics to survive, physical, social and psychological help to revive, and housing and employment services to thrive. Operation Come H.O.M.E.’s flagship project goal is to build a 75-unit military style housing facility in SE Michigan.

“I’m honored to be a part of a company that believes so strongly in giving back to the communities where we live,” said LaFrance. “This money is going to help so many veterans in the southeast Michigan area get the help they need to rebuild their lives with support, counseling and career training. This is my way to show my gratitude and support to the brave and courageous veterans who served our country. They are true heroes. I will always feel deeply indebted to them.”