A Northern Michigan nonprofit is speaking out after they say tens of thousands of dollars was stolen.
Now, they’re asking the community to help them keep critical programs going.
Club Cadillac serves people battling mental illness in Wexford and Missaukee counties.
Amy Kotulski, director of Club Cadillac said about $50,000 was stolen from three accounts that the board of directors holds, allowing them to raise extra money to support the non-day to day activities at Club Cadillac.
Although their operational budget is funded through Medicaid dollars from Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, this will have a big impact on what they can do this holiday season.
“It was very, very shocking, pretty devastating to our membership. We worked really, really hard to fundraise that money; to get those grants,” said Kotulski.
Kotulski said this is crushing for the organization. The money in those accounts come mainly from fundraising and grants. She said she worries for their future.
“Some of the opportunities that they’ve had in the past aren’t there right now until we’re able to fundraise, to replenish some of that money, to get so that we can take advantage of some future opportunities,” said Kotulski.
She said they use those funds for everything from housing needs, to sending members to conferences and trainings, to care packages for members for the holidays, and much more.
Kotulski said until they can replenish the funds, they are looking for monetary donations and donated items so they can make sure those holiday care packages still arrive.
“We’re looking for socks, [which] are always our number one most requested item, but any warm weather things socks, hats, gloves, scarves and then toiletries, hygiene items, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, things like that,” said Kotulski.
Board President Kristen Kenny said this isn’t just a setback for the holiday support for members, but they had real plans to tackle the housing crisis.
She said they had been working on starting a housing development.
“This was our seed money. This was the money that we were going to use to start this housing development.
Kenny said people with mental health issues struggle with housing insecurity.
“It’s a huge issue, especially for people with mental illness because of stigma. They’re in subpar housing. They’re living in group homes when they don’t belong in group homes,” said Kenny.
She said this is a blow to everything they’ve been working for.
“That was a lofty goal in the first place. And now, you know, it’s a major setback. It’s gone, it’s all gone. And we worked really hard,” said Kenny.
She said it feels like a betrayal to find out the money was stolen.
The Wexford County Prosecutor’s office is looking at the case and haven’t yet said if they will file charges.
“I feel not only extremely angry, but I feel betrayed, extremely betrayed. I want the full extent of the law. This is just unacceptable,” said Kenny.