Orchards Children's Services honored with major business award for ethical practices

Orchards Children’s Services, a not-for-profit, accredited child welfare agency serving southeast Michigan, has been awarded a 2021 Torch Award for ethics from the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Michigan.

Orchards, a member of the Association of Accredited Child & Family Agencies (AACFA), services approximately 8,000 clients each year, providing critical services for children and families in need. AACFA, an association with some of the largest child welfare agencies in Michigan as members, advocates for fair and adequate funding in Michigan’s child welfare system.

“At Orchards, ethics and values are the foundation of everything we do,” said Michael Williams, Orchards president and CEO. “It’s imperative to ground our work in strong ethics and values so the community we serve is strengthened through quality services for children and families. We are honored to receive this important award.”

Orchards offers a full continuum of services for Michigan’s children and families and is a fierce advocate of fair and adequate funding for Michigan’s not-for-profit, accredited child welfare agencies. Orchards provides foster care, adoption and family preservation services, as well as an array of community-based programs. Orchards prides itself on being a resource to clients and the greater community.

A Torch Award is the most prestigious award the Better Business Bureau presents to businesses that demonstrate a commitment to integrity and ethics. The Ethics award is for a business that embodies the Better Business Bureau’s mission of advancing trust and celebrating business role models.

“On behalf of AACFA, I congratulate Orchards for this well-deserved award for ethics,” said Judith Fischer, AACFA president. “Orchards represents the best of child welfare in Michigan, caring for so many children and families in need and doing so in an ethical and value-based manner. They are a leading voice in advocating for an improved child welfare system and we are truly proud they are members of AACFA.”