Bound Together: 29 years of creating community

In 1994,  Bound Together was founded by members of Pontiac’s All Saints Episcopal Church, as a small, after school tutoring program at the then-Crofoot Elementary School. In 1995, the program transitioned to All Saints as the program site, opening services to children and families throughout the city of Pontiac and adding an evening meal through the efforts of the deacon and All Saints volunteers. Our snacks and suppers are currently provided through Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and sponsored by Michigan Department of Education and OLHSA.

Bound Together became a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation in 1999, reaching out to include others from the community as board members and as tutors. As the needs of the community have evolved our services have as well, with the addition in recent years of opt-in enrichment opportunities as well as visiting enrichment programs.

Through the commitment of tutors, the generosity of individual donors and the charitable grant contributions that help make our program successful, Bound Together is committed to the children of Pontiac and to creating and educating a caring community.

The Rev. Deacon Barbara Albers: The founding vision

The Rev. Deacon Barbara Albers assisted in founding Bound Together during her time at All Saints Episcopal Church. Deacon Barbara passed away on August 18, 2023. She was born on October 24, 1943 in Salinas KS to the late George and Christine Ransom.

Barbara had a deep love for her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Arlo Albers, her sister Mary Ransom, her sons Thomas Fry and Richard Fry. Along with her daughter in law Donna Fry. She cherished her 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Barbara was preceded in death by her late husband Dennis F. Fry of Pontiac.

Barbara found solace and community in her faith. She was an active member of the Episcopal church, where she served as a Deacon for 24 years. We are deeply grateful to Deacon Barbara for the seeds of community and educational impact that her work planted in Pontiac.