The Father Fred Foundation is named for Father Edwin Frederick, a Catholic priest and 31-year chaplain at Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Center, which closed in 1989.
After the shutdown, he saw a need and began serving what he called "the people who fell between the cracks of government services," sometimes providing financial assistance out of his own pocket. He didn't like the paperwork associated with government funds and relied completely on "local money raised by local people."
In 1990, he and a small group of concerned people and volunteers formed and incorporated the Father Fred Foundation as a nonprofit.
The priest's other major goal was to treat the people he served with dignity and respect and also educate local communities about area poverty and the needs of people caught in its web.
He often told people served by the agency to "Look sharp, feel sharp, and be sharp."
His advice to volunteers was to "Listen to people who come in for help and keep listening," which is boiled down today in the Foundation's motto, "Listen, care, share."
"I hope I have so far made the community mindful that there are people that need help," he said in a 1998 videotaped interview. "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. All people are worthy. They've got life and ought to be able to enjoy life as much as anyone else. There's a lot of dignity to be given to people who have been just so unfortunate."
Body & Soul
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Father Edwin Frederick Special to the Record-Eagle/Paul LaPorte
About the Father Fred Foundation
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Mental Wellness: Preserve awe throughout life
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Body&Soul in Brief: 06/15/2013
Antique appraisals benefit Women's Fellowship; fund-raiser concert and dessert auction; and more.
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You're Needed: 06/15/2013
The Recipient Rights Advisory Committee at Munson Medical Center is looking for new members.
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Blood Drive Calendar: 06/15/2013
Where and when to donate blood in northern Michigan:
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Health Newsmakers: 06/15/2013
The Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation received a $20,000 grant from the Art & Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation and a $2,000 grant from the Rotary Good Work Committee.
Continued ... - Saturday, June 8, 2013
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Exercise after cancer
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Senior Focus: Kayaking for fun — and recreation
As the sun tops the horizon, imagine paddling along the shoreline on the quiet waters of one of the many lakes in the area, morning mist rising off the water, with the inspiration of an eagle soaring overhead or a loon diving for its food.
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Body & Soul in Brief: 06/08/2013
Church picnic; Gluten-free potluck; Tent revival. (Plus more)
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Body & Soul Newsmakers: 06/08/2013
Mancelona High School’s Ironmen Health Center received a third-place award from the School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan (SCHA-MI) for an entry for this year’s School-Based Health Center Awareness Month.
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Blood Drive Calendar: 06/08/2013
Where to donate blood in the area:
Continued ... - Saturday, June 1, 2013
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New business brings music to elders
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Adapted in TC: Patriarchs show love when needed most
As a child, I grew up hearing my paternal grandfather, Roy, described by friends and relatives as the most God-like man anyone had met.
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In the world of aging, there are three different forms of the “future”: First, there is the future we hoped and planned for; then, the future that is in fact the present; and finally, the future that follows the next year or two.
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Body & Soul Newsmakers: 06/01/2013
Blood donors reach new gallon levels; TBAISD teacher assistant wins award.
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Blood Drive Calendar: 06/01/2013
Where to donate blood in the Grand Traverse area:
Continued ... - Saturday, May 25, 2013
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Doctors save boy by 'printing' an airway tube
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Body & Soul in Brief: 05/25/2013
Rhubarb Social; Yoga weekend; Alpha class; and more.
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Health Newsmakers: 05/25/2013
Rachel L. Estabrook has been named executive director of fund development at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, where she also will serve as executive director of the West Shore Healthcare Foundation and as staff liaison for the hospital’s auxiliary.
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Area Blood Drives: 05/25/2013
Upcoming blood drives across northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Priest uses big rig to make special deliveries
Father Ray Cotter delivers more than sermons. Two weeks ago, the former truck truck driver turned priest drove a semi-tractor-trailer rig to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., to pick up 1,164 free military computers for use in Michigan Catholic schools in the dioceses of Lansing, Saginaw, Gaylord and Marquette.
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Body & Soul in Brief: 05/18/2013
Lupus meeting; cancer survivor picnic; Lyme disease support group; and more.
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Area Blood Drives: 05/18/2013
Find a blood drive in the area:
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