OUR STORY

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Elms Family and Community Services (EFCS), formerly known as The Elms Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served Wayne and Macomb Counties since 2018. Founded by Kimberly Elms in honor of her late husband, EFCS was established with a simple but powerful purpose: to help individuals and families overcome barriers that hinder their success and well-being.

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Inspired by her own life experiences and the challenges faced by many families in underserved communities, Mrs. Elms recognized the importance of access to support, resources, and opportunities. Following the loss of her husband, she was driven to create a lasting legacy of service, compassion, and community impact.

 

Today, EFCS remains committed to strengthening and empowering youth, adults, seniors, and families by providing programs, resources, and support that improve quality of life and foster long-term success. What began as a vision to honor a loved one has grown into an organization dedicated to rebuilding communities and bringing the village back—one individual, one family, and one opportunity at a time.

 

OUR MISSION

Elms Family and Community Services strive to improve the quality of life for youth, adults, and families in low-income and ALICE households through equitable access to services, resources, and supportive programs.

OUR VISION

To rebuild, strengthen, and empower youth, adults, and families in underserved communities by bringing the village back through connection, support, and opportunity.​

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OUR VALUES

Provide quality services to members of the community ethically, responsibly and with the highest levels of integrity and respect; Work collaboratively with clients, community partners and team members; and

Demonstrate commitment and excellence in all aspects of what we do.

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OUR FOCUS

Economic Stability & Family Support

• Support economic stability for youth, adults, and families through access to essential resources that reduce financial strain and basic needs insecurity.

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Food Security, Health & Hygiene

• Alleviate food insecurity through food distribution initiatives and strengthen well-being through access to health and hygiene supports.

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Health & Wellness Partnerships

• Improve physical and mental health outcomes through collaborative partnerships with healthcare and behavioral health providers.

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Education, Workforce & Career Pathways

• Expand early exposure to career and college pathways that strengthen educational achievement and prepare youth for postsecondary success and workforce readiness.

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OUR SERVICES

Our services include, but are not limited to providing: ​

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• Direct services support for youth, adults, and families

• Senior support services

• Financial literacy and workforce support

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TIMELINE FOR KEY MILESTONES

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• ​​1/2018 - The birth of the Elms Foundation (later Elms Family and Community Services)

• 11/2018 - Launched Adopt-A-Family & School-year Adoption Program

• 2/2019 - Launched S.M.A.R.T Goals sessions with DPSCD Adult Education East Campus

• 3/2019 - Launched Sisters Uniting to Win (S.U.W)  Girls Mentoring Program in the City of Detroit

• 5/2020 - Launched Sealed with Love initiative to assist those in need who were home recovering from COVID- 19

• 9/2020 - Launched Skilled Building Thursdays Sessions in partnership with Up Next, LLC, in Chippewa Valley                         Schools for students in grades 3-12

• 10/2020 - EFCS's move into its new office space

• 11/2021 - Launched Family Connect Program & Mommies-R-Us Infant Support Resource Distributions 

• 11/2021 - EFCS's first Thanksgiving Giveaway

• 8/2022 - First Backpack Giveaway

• 9/2023 - Launched Career & College Readiness Program for high school students

• 9/2024 - Launched E2C2 Program for middle/high school youth

• 11/2024 - First STEM Project for students in grades 4-8

• 3/2025 - Launch food distribution program in Macomb County

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