OUR MISSION
The mission of Underground Railroad is to empower survivors & create a culture of safety and respect in our community.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHRISTI BIRCHMEIER—PRESIDENT Underground Railroad, Inc.
DAWN BOUCHER
TERRI
ANGELA
MARI
KATHY MORENO
A letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
This year has been another testament to the strength of our mission, our dedicated community, and the resilientindividualsweserve.We have made significant strides in our work supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, andIamproudtosharesomekey highlightsfrom2024.
One of our proudest achievements this year was the openingofourcommunity-based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam room. This new space, created in partnership with Michigan Forensic Examiners, Sexual Assault Center of Child & Family Services, and Women’sOBGYN,providesasafe and confidential environment for victims of sexual assault to receive compassionate care and forensic exams without the need to go to an emergency room.Formanysurvivors,having a dedicated, supportive space to begin their healing journey is a criticalstep,andthisnewfacility
ensures that those who experience trauma are met with thecareanddignitytheydeserve.
Recognizing the need for specialized support, we hired a seconddedicatedyouththerapist this year to assist with after-school and bedtime routines, ensuring our children receive the emotional care and stability they need from morning through night. Additionally, we launched a tutoring program aimed at academic success, providing personalized support for children to thrive in their studies. Our new Mommy & Me programhasalsobeenasuccess, fostering deeper connections between mothers and their children while offering enriching activities that promote bonding and growth. These programs represent our ongoing commitment to empowering families and helping children buildbrighterfutures.
We also celebrated a record year of sales at Underground Railroad Resale. The continued support of our community
throughdonationsandpatronage hasbeenessentialtothissuccess. The proceeds from our resale store directly benefit our free programs and services for survivors, and wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors, shoppers, and volunteers. The impact of the resale store extends far beyond just the financial support it provides it’s a tangible reflectionof howour community comes together to make a difference.
Lookingaheadto2025,weare excited to launch new initiatives that will further strengthen our ability to serve survivors. This includesmorefreshprogramming for children affected by violence, as well as the creation of new spaces that are designed with their needs in mind. In partnershipwithourregionalDV/ SA agencies, we look forward to hosting our first Survivor Art Gallery, launching during Sexual AssaultAwarenessMonthinApril 2025. With sponsorship from Women in Leadership Great
Lakes Bay, we are proud to lift survivor voices in this way, and encourage collective empathy and understanding for survivor experiences throughout our community. Additionally, we are in the process of crafting a new three-yearstrategicplanthatwill help guide our efforts and shape ourgrowthintheyearstocome. We are eager to build on our successesandcontinueproviding critical services for those who needthemmost. Thank you, again, to each and every one of you who has supported us this year. Your involvement—whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our mission—helps make our work possible. Together, we are building a community where survivors can heal, rebuild, and thrive.
Sincerely,
Christi Birchmeier, Executive Director
24/7 Helpline
24 Hour Emergency Response
Emergency Shelter
Counseling & Advocacy
Court Support
Housing Assistance
Youth Services
Safe Visitation & Exchange
K-12 Healthy Relationship Curriculum
Community Awareness, Education & Training
Mid Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force
Girls on the Run
Touchy Subjects Podcast
Our Clients Our Community Your Impact
Advocates for Change Luncheon
Empowerment Dinner & Celebration
Volunteer Opportunities
Holiday Giving Programs
Underground Railroad Resale
At the end of 2023 we opened...
the first community-based site where victims of sexual assault can receive medical forensic care following their assault. Our SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam room was built in partnership with Michigan Forensic Examiners and Sexual Assault Center, and sponsored by Women's OBGYN. It provides a safe and confidential alternative to an Emergency Room exam, where survivors can receive compassionate care while maintaining their dignity as they being to process a traumatic experience. We hope that this dedicated, supportive space will be a critical first step in their healing journey.
Lindsey Bulgrien, CEO Michigan Forensic Examiners
“Our goal is to eliminate barriers and make it easier for victims of sexual assault to receive excellent care during a very vulnerable time.”
3,485 crisis calls answered
12,441 nights of shelter
7,554 hours of individual & group counseling Our
465 PPOs filed & 2,929 court hearings attended
98 families received housing assistance
2,148 hours of free childcare
98 families used Safeplace visitation & exchange
I came to Underground Railroad’s ... shelter in 2023, started working with an Advocate, and was able to get an apartment voucher later that year. We’ve been in our home for over a year now, and I was recently able to set up some appointments with the staff therapist. I told her I wanted to do better for my son, and for me too. After all we’ve been through, I felt like we were worthy of more. She helped me make some goals and figure out the steps to reach them. Last March I completed a CNA program, passed the state boards, and got my CNA certification. Now I work full time at a nursing home and started college last Fall! I’m going to get my nursing degree!
Danielle, URR Client & Survivor
I gotta be totally honest ...
when I saw my girlfriend dapping up another guy, I felt like it was a red flag. You have to be really familiar with someone to do that, right? It shows you’re real comfortable with that person. And I don’t feel like my girl should be that way with another guy. But when I said something about it in class, everyone came at me and said I was being controlling. We had just learned about jealousy and stuff when the Underground Railroad came to our class. I was mad at first that no one was on my side, but I guess I can see what they mean. She’s allowed to have friends who are guys, and I trust her.
Jaxon, 10th grade student
Our Community
2,766 downloads of the Touchy Subjects podcast
3,139 K 12 students learned about healthy relationships
297 girls were inspired through Girls on the Run
341 community education & public awareness events
123 people attended the Mid Michigan Human Trafficking Conference
In 2024 GOTR Great Lakes Bay...
launched their new curriculum, The Confidence Suite, in collaboration with Saginaw, Bay Area, and Midland Community Foundations. The program focuses even more on empowering girls to build self-confidence and use it to positively impact our community.
Hello, Superstar! curriculum
Build the confidence to be themselves & love who they are
Encourage others to embrace who they are
Shine brightly even on cloudy days
Develop life skills like understanding & sharing emotions, handling peer pressure, & celebrating differences
Hello, Mountain Mover! curriculum
Build the confidence to believe in themselves
Take on challenges - even when it is hard
Strengthen their resilience with stick-with-it strategies
Develop life skills like choosing friends, learning from mistakes, & working together to make a difference in their community
Bella, GOTR Great Lakes Bay Participant
“The most important thing I learned at Girls on the Run is to be myself and not change for anyone!”
“Everyone is different and unique, and that’s okay!”
When I started at my new school...
I was really shy. My mom started me in Girls on the Run to help me make new friends. I started staying after school to play games and run. I learned how to talk to the other kids, and have better self esteem to make friends. I felt like I could be myself with my teammates. In Girls on the Run, I chose to fight back at everything that had been troubling me in my new school. to choose between being scared of the world and being brave towards the world.
Aliyah, Age 9
Girls on the Run Participant
$110,842 was donated to annual fundraisers
$265,451 worth of merchandise was donated to Underground Railroad Resale
$55,360 worth of resale store vouchers were redeemed by clients
196 adults & children were adopted for the holidays
639 volunteers assisted with projects
11,253 volunteer hours were donated
Underground Railroad’s mission ... to empower women and children inspires me and so many others. When I worked with Yeo & Yeo, they fostered a culture of giving back to the community through time, talent and resources. I started volunteering with the youth programs at Underground Railroad, donating kids’ activities, crafts, and educational materials. I’ve served as a table host for the luncheon, bringing others to learn about the mission. Our team at Women in Leadership GLBR supports women in many areas. As they say, “It takes a Village”! I am honored and humbled to be a part of this Village!
Jeanne Murphy Causley, 2024 Empowerment Award Honoree
Underground Railroad ‘s Empowerment Circle is named for the philosophy that drives our mission and work. The Empowerment Circle is a special group of major donors whose annual support helps empower survivors and inspire change in Saginaw County. Members receive special recognition throughout the year. The list below reflects gifts made between October 1, 2023 & September 30, 2024.
Inspiration Level
$2,000+
Abdulaziz Al-Omair
Mary Sue Barry
Julie & Peter Bender
Letitia Bolt
Warren & Anna Booms
Jeanne Causley
Mary Chris & James Church
Louis & Karen Constan
Leslie & Terry Duperon
Susan Florida
Mari McKenzie
John Teselsky
Partner Level
$1,000-$1,999
Tammy Bernier
Phyllis Garrison
Gene & Lori Pickelman
Matthew and Emily Sczepanski
David & Jody L Becker
Carol Champagne
Partner Level cont.
$1,000-$1,999
Martha & John Kaczynski
Susan & Robert Piesko
Edwin & Jill Wetmore
Jill Rodriguez
Michael & Carol Ann Collins
Thomas & Mary Damuth
Mary Metzger
Dave & Gretchen Nall
Lindsey North
Marcia Anne Pahr
Jay & Denise Peplinski
Barbara Reiffel
James Reindel
Arleen Schrank
Joyce Van-Ochten
Michael Zehnder
Scott & Dawn Zimmer
Advocate Level
$500—$999
Paul Albosta
Margaret & Gene Beitz
Advocate Level cont.
$500—$999
Jim & Cheryl Dwyer
Amy & Mike Grossi
Janice Hennessy
Linda & Howard Hollingshead
Sharon Hopper & Lee Latocki
Michele Hutchinson
Jennifer Hutchison
Eve James
Shari Kennett
Kay & Steve List
Betty Lou Marx
Carol McCellan
Dimitrios & Jamie Nisidis
The Pickelman Family
Lynn & George Puia
Elinor Saunders
Christina Schian-Aldrich
Joseph Sienko & Joan Hirschenberger
Mary & Joe Spadafore
Sheldon & Carole Spencer
Sue Sulfridge
Pat & Katharine Tessin
Carrie & Mark Thompson
$500—$999
Kathleen Thompson
Kristen & Adam Wuerfel
Ally Level
$250-$499
Kristi & Dave Bellsky
Donna Berg
Heidi Bolger
Jaime Cramer
Stephanie Domina
Helen Egleston
Greg & Christina Eisengruber
Tara Frank
Marshall Frantz
Melissa Fresorger
John Hoffman
Karen Lang Krause
Timothy & Linda Lou Kreager
Kenneth & Janet Lecureux
Danise McAnelly
Jeffrey & Tina McCulloch
Marcia Michael
Ally Level cont.
$250-$499
Bailey Mielke
Douglas & Margaret Moody
Kathy Moreno
Janet Nash
Joanna Nelson
Dave Puskar
Tom & Beth Rohde
Galileo Sarmiento
Kim Schinco
Susan Scott
Caroline Scott
Karen Silvestri
Mike Stodolak
Cindy Townley
Donation Friend in Memory of Judy Zehnder Keller
Barb Vennix
Drew & Tracy Zehnder
William & Karen Zehnder
Tom & Fran Zuzula
LEAVING A LEGACY
Through a planned gift you can create your own philanthropic vision and make a meaningful impact in our community for generations to come. Planned giving is your intention to contribute a gift to an organization during or beyond your lifetime as part of financial or estate planning. These gifts may include bequests, charitable trusts, appreciated assets, life insurance, retirement plans, or real estate. These contributions help Underground Railroad sustain survivor safety, healing, and hope for a better future.
Your lasting impact can be made through...
Gift in a Will or Trust
Remembering Underground Railroad with a bequest is an excellent legacy for you and your family
Retirement Plans
Tax-deferred retirement assets are attractive assets for charitable giving. Items include IRAs, 401k, 403b plans, pensions, etc.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Make a gift to Underground Railroad and, in exchange, receive a guaranteed lifetime income
Charitable Remainder Trust
Receive stable and secure income for a period of years based on value of trust. When the trust terminates, the remainder passes to Underground Railroad
Charitable Lead Trust
The reverse of the charitable remainder trust. The income from the trust is first paid to Underground Railroad (leading the way). After a specified number of years, the trust allows you to pass on the assets to your heirs
Life Insurance
Name Underground Railroad as the beneficiary of your policy or donate an active, paid up policy
Make a Monetary Donation
Your donations provide immediate physical needs and long term solutions for survivors in your community.
Donate Stock
When you donate stock you make an impact in your community, and avoid paying costly capital gain tax as well. .
Donate Goods
Your donations of food, clothing, cleaning supplies, personal care products, and household items help keep our shelter and housing programs running. Surplus donations stock our resale store and help fund our programs.
Let Your Business Give Back
Engage employees to volunteer, offer workplace giving opportunities, or organize a collection drive at your business.
Organize a Group
Give back through your church or civic organizations. We have many group opportunities available.
Come One Come All
One person can make a difference! We have one-time and long term opportunities to join our volunteer family.
We rely on the support of our community!
Help create safety, empowerment & change for survivors in Saginaw County
Donate Volunteer
Programs & Services
$3,675,722
Operating Expenses
$3,675,722
$3,825,840
