{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F5f85d359-7a14-4694-b692-ffb3559f2136","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"St. Alexander Still Cares","description":"When St. Alexander Parish in Farmington Hills closed in 2014, a former parishioner resolved to carry on its legacy of service.\r\n\n\nShow notes: \r\n\n(0:01) Todd Lipa describes growing up at St. Alexander Parish in Farmington Hills. It\u2019s where his large family was baptized, and where his mother was buried in 1968. The parish, led by Fr. Jim Wright, was also a lifeline when the Lipa family fell on hard times, providing food, clothing and a caring support system.\r\n\n\n(2:01) When St. Alexander closed in 2014, Lipa realized he was in a perfect position to carry on the parish\u2019s legacy of service. As director of Farmington and Farmington Hills\u2019 Youth and Family Services, Lipa was well-acquainted with the needs of the community.\r\n\n\n(4:22) Despite its reputation as an affluent community, Lipa says poverty does exist in the Farmington Hills area. Together with Mayor Ken Massey and former Mayor Jerry Ellis, Lipa set out creating a new nonprofit, CARES \u2014 an acronym that stands for Community Action Resources Empowerment Services.\r\n\n\n(5:21) On July 1, 2017, the 501(c)3 purchased the former St. Alexander church for its headquarters, and began expanding its services to include groceries, hygiene and household items in a supermarket-style service center, complete with community support services such as AA and outreach coordinators to help guests secure health care, transportation and other needs. Lipa describes the incredible support CARES has received from the community, including local business owners who have donated services.\r\n\n\n(8:36) Recalling his own experience growing up in need, Lipa talks about the satisfaction he receives seeing how CARES restores the dignity of those in poverty.\r\n\n\n(10:16) Lillian, a CARES client and an immigrant from Nigeria, talks about the help she\u2019s received from CARES. In a new country without any support system, Lillian says the nonprofits volunteers \u201ctook us in like family. Taiwan, a single mother of two, discovered cares when she moved with her children to Farmington Hills. She describes her experience with gratitude. \u201cI really, really love CARES,\u201d she says.\r\n\n\n(13:45) CARES volunteers Carol and Michelle say Fr. Wright would be proud of how the nonprofit has carried on the mission of St. Alexander in caring for the community.\r\n\n\n(14:20) Lipa talks about his vision to expand CARES by partnering with neighborhood health care providers, as well as renovating seven acres of land into a baseball diamond \u201cthat anyone, no matter your ability, can play on.\u201d Lipa marvels at how far CARES has come in just five short years, and expresses hope that like St. Alexander Parish, it can continue to be a beacon of Christ\u2019s love for all those in need.\r\n\n\nReporting by Gabriella Patti; narration and script by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn\r\n\n\nThis episode is brought to you by the PIME Missionaries - Catholic priests and brothers, evangelizing in 19 countries around the world and celebrating 75 years of service in Detroit. Visit pimeusa.org to learn more.\r\n\n\nListen to \u2018Detroit Stories\u2019 on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Fireside. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.\r\n","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/1a4487a7-7855-4c6f-a925-e5619a961823/cover.jpg"}