Photo credit: Mark Constance, Up North Voice
From left to right: Chris Hackbarth, Regional Manager, DTE Energy; Garren Griffith, Renewable Energy Site Manager, DTE Energy; Andrea Augustine, Renewable Energy Project Manager, DTE Energy; Nicole Trevarrow, Founder, Little Calvin’s Voice; Calvin Trevarrow, Founder, Little Calvin’s Voice; Marianne Johns, City Clerk, City of Whittemore; Bob Leslie, Mayor, City of Whittemore
When Garren Griffith, one of DTE’s renewable energy site managers, overheard a conversation about installing playground equipment for children with disabilities at a park near his home, he knew he had to get involved. He introduced himself to Nicole Trevarrow, founder of Little Calvin’s Voice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the needs of nonverbal children across Iosco County.
Nicole and Calvin Trevarrow holding one of the playground communication boards they raised funds to install (photo from Plainfield Township website)
Nicole and her husband, Calvin Trevarrow, have a son who was diagnosed with nonverbal autism at the age of four. Their son, Calvin, is now six, and for the past few years their family has faced many challenges – including communication barriers at the playground. They started raising funds for the installation of communication boards at public parks throughout the region, creating opportunities for nonverbal children to communicate, connect and play alongside their peers. Support for their efforts grew, and Little Calvin’s Voice was born.
“We have such big goals, and I really hope this initiative continues to blossom the way it has,” said Nicole. “We’re not the only ones in this boat; there are so many kids out there who are looking for social interaction but come across various obstacles. We’re working to help them overcome those.”
Garren and his colleagues on DTE’s Renewable Energy team recognized Nicole and Calvin’s extraordinary commitment and wanted to support Little Calvin’s Voice in any way they could. They soon gathered enough funds to make a $17,500 donation to the organization.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to play a small role in the meaningful work being done through Little Calvin’s Voice,” said Garren. “We’re proud to support their mission to amplify the voices and needs of nonverbal children across communities in Michigan where resources for children with disabilities can be extremely limited.”
Nicole said Garren has supported Little Calvin’s Voice beyond the donation, assisting her and Calvin with networking opportunities and raising awareness for the organization.
“DTE, and Garren in particular, has been the most amazing help,” said Nicole. “It’s heartwarming to find somebody that wants and is in a position to make someone else’s life better.”