2026 Class Project
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Each year, a group of professionals from across the region come together to learn, grow, and give back to the community they serve through the Leadership Saginaw County program. A requirement of the program is to identify and implement a legacy project - one that reflects their passion and gives back to the community.
After visiting Emmaus House as part of the People Helping People Day, the decision was clear. The Leadership Saginaw Class of 2026 chose to dedicate their efforts to making meaningful improvements at Emmaus House of Saginaw.
After visiting Emmaus House as part of the People Helping People Day, the decision was clear. The Leadership Saginaw Class of 2026 chose to dedicate their efforts to making meaningful improvements at Emmaus House of Saginaw.
About Emmaus House
Emmaus House has been serving women in our community since 1987, providing a safe, family-like Christian home for women returning from jail, prison, or rehabilitation. With 13 houses and the capacity to serve 50 women at a time, Emmaus House has helped more than 1,200 women rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
During our visit, our class had the opportunity to tour the property and experience firsthand the warmth and sense of family that defines this organization. We walked away feeling the hope and determination that fills the place - and a deep desire to give something back to the women who call it home.
During our visit, our class had the opportunity to tour the property and experience firsthand the warmth and sense of family that defines this organization. We walked away feeling the hope and determination that fills the place - and a deep desire to give something back to the women who call it home.
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One of the highlights of our visit was the Morrow Center, a free on-site store open to the public where community members can shop at no cost, with 15 minutes to browse and take what they need. It is a beautiful example of Emmaus House's commitment to serving not just their residents, but the broader Saginaw community. We noticed the building and surrounding spaces had some needs that, with the right support, could make a real difference in how welcoming and functional the space feels.
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After meeting with Emmaus House leadership to discuss where we could make the most meaningful impact, our class chose to focus on several improvements scheduled for May 2026: organizing and refreshing the Morrow Center inside and out, adding flowers and a mural to the exterior, installing new signage, cleaning up the backyard and patio area, and making key repairs including a new front door and gutters on one of the houses.
How can you help?
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The projected cost for these improvements is $30,000. The class is doing the legwork, but the renovations can't be completed without help from our community.
Cash and in-kind donations are being accepted through May 1, 2026. Items most desired include:
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Gifts of money should be made payable to Saginaw County Chamber Foundation
and mailed or dropped off at:
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Lisa Dobbins
515 N. Washington Ave., 3rd Floor
Saginaw, MI 48607
*The Saginaw County Chamber Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and donations to The Saginaw Chamber Foundation are qualifying contributions under IRS Sec. 170.
and mailed or dropped off at:
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Lisa Dobbins
515 N. Washington Ave., 3rd Floor
Saginaw, MI 48607
*The Saginaw County Chamber Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and donations to The Saginaw Chamber Foundation are qualifying contributions under IRS Sec. 170.
For more information on the project, please contact:
Vanessa Daleki at 989-755-1111 or email [email protected]
Or any member of the Leadership Saginaw County Class of 2026 (listed below)
Vanessa Daleki at 989-755-1111 or email [email protected]
Or any member of the Leadership Saginaw County Class of 2026 (listed below)
Leadership Saginaw Class of 2026
Kwame Akowuah - Tri-City Business Services
Bryce Anderson - TRI-CAP
Corbin Berent - Hemlock Semiconductor Operations LLC
Vanessa Daleki - Simoni Systems Inc.
Shelby Davis - Morley Companies, Inc.
Sara Dobis - Independent Bank
Amanda Dudek - Isabella Bank - Bay Rd.
Ashley Dudek - Mannor Group
Jeff Ehrlich - Dow Credit Union
Katherine Ellison - Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
Jennifer Grigg - Saginaw ISD
Nicole Hanson - Community Volunteer
Melissa Hayes - Saginaw Defenders Office
Julie Johnson - CMU Medical Education Partners
Jesse Kapff - Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
Sam Kostrzewa - Rehmann
Ashley Kubacki - 1st State Bank
Chad Lackowski - Saginaw Valley State University
Melissa Leivo - Hierographx
Jay Lewis - Amigo Mobility International, Inc.
Carly Lillard - Freelance Writer
Kelly Martin - Bavarian Inn Lodge
Alesha Martin-Lane - Kakes The Great Popcorn Co.
Amy Pitts - Gohm Insurance Restoration Inc.
Myles Sakshaug - Spicer Group, Inc.
Ali Smith - The ROCK Center for Youth Development
Eric Smith - Nexteer Automotive
Grace Smith - Saginaw Future Inc.
Kristen Squires - Dow Event Center
Ron Stanley - St. Charles Community Schools
Michael Weinert - Garber Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Kristen Wuerfel - Tri-Star Trust
Kwame Akowuah - Tri-City Business Services
Bryce Anderson - TRI-CAP
Corbin Berent - Hemlock Semiconductor Operations LLC
Vanessa Daleki - Simoni Systems Inc.
Shelby Davis - Morley Companies, Inc.
Sara Dobis - Independent Bank
Amanda Dudek - Isabella Bank - Bay Rd.
Ashley Dudek - Mannor Group
Jeff Ehrlich - Dow Credit Union
Katherine Ellison - Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
Jennifer Grigg - Saginaw ISD
Nicole Hanson - Community Volunteer
Melissa Hayes - Saginaw Defenders Office
Julie Johnson - CMU Medical Education Partners
Jesse Kapff - Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
Sam Kostrzewa - Rehmann
Ashley Kubacki - 1st State Bank
Chad Lackowski - Saginaw Valley State University
Melissa Leivo - Hierographx
Jay Lewis - Amigo Mobility International, Inc.
Carly Lillard - Freelance Writer
Kelly Martin - Bavarian Inn Lodge
Alesha Martin-Lane - Kakes The Great Popcorn Co.
Amy Pitts - Gohm Insurance Restoration Inc.
Myles Sakshaug - Spicer Group, Inc.
Ali Smith - The ROCK Center for Youth Development
Eric Smith - Nexteer Automotive
Grace Smith - Saginaw Future Inc.
Kristen Squires - Dow Event Center
Ron Stanley - St. Charles Community Schools
Michael Weinert - Garber Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Kristen Wuerfel - Tri-Star Trust
Thank you to our Chairman's Circle Sponsors
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SILVER LEVEL
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