Photos provided by Michael Clack
Written by Jameca Patrick-Singleton
Michael Clack first encountered Mamie Kennedy when she moved to Flint to help with the Flint Water Crisis. During this chance encounter at a local grocery store, Clack learned that Kennedy and two other women had founded a domestic violence program called Dearly Beloved & Cared For, Inc. in Chandler, AZ. Kennedy learned that Clack was a teacher and inspiring politician who wanted nothing more than to increase the quality of life for Flint residents.
It was because of this love for Flint that Kennedy reached out to Clack the following year to inform him that she was switching operations of Dearly Beloved & Cared For, Inc. from Chandler to Flint and asked him to join the organization. Though Clack seriously considered taking her up on her offer, commitments prevented him from doing so. In early 2022 Kennedy reached out again, asking Clack to run the entire organization. This time he was able to accept.
As the new executive director for the agency, Clack describes Dearly Beloved & Cared For, Inc. as a comprehensive individual & family-based service provider for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse in Genesee County.
“Once we are fully operational we will address the financial, emotional and cultural barriers that the victims of violence often face when seeking help,” Clack said. “Some of our services will include 24-hour helpline, crisis intervention, assault response, emergency shelter & transitional housing, counseling, advocacy, support groups (children & adults), community education, outreach and in-service trainings. We are going to assist both men and women experiencing violence. We also plan to partner with local businesses and agencies to ensure that our clients are able to live a healthy and successful life by assisting with resume building, job placement, apprenticeships, financial literacy and helping them to secure critical documents such as a driver’s licenses, social security cards and birth certificates.”
Though Clack is the new executive director, Kennedy is still heavily involved with the agency that she helped to found and will serve as the chief operations officer. The agency, which has yet to serve its first client in Flint, is in the process of securing space and will begin outreach services as early as June 2022.
“We are going to improve the lives of so many Flint residents,” Clack said. “This agency is one way for me to give back to my community.”
