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There are som many people who are affected by the war, the economy, the changes, and even the weather. They need our help. So many people are in a position to help their fellow neighbors and being apart of the solution and not the problem is a way to make change. So be apart of helping and give to those who need your help.
We learned at one of the Town Halls last week that SNAP benefits are worth double the value at farmers markets at Eastern Market! Spread the word.
Many people find themselves in jobs that are not going anywhere, being phased out, or in an industry that is declining. In my case, I hit a glass ceiling with no chance of movement or growth. I saw a bleak future with little to look forward to. I started to evaluate what interested me. I had always liked volunteering and working in the public sector seemed to be a better match for me; helping people, making a difference, feeling good at the end of the day.
I learned about the No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program that offered financial support to those who were left jobless due to the economy, were in jobs that were declining or to those that needed help in low earning positions. The NWLB program was created as a strategy to transition workers into good paying jobs and occupations in high demand or in emerging industries. This program still pays participants $5000 per year for up to two years at a college, university or training facility for qualifying occupational paths.
Needless to say, I capitalized on the available funds to change my path and since I entered the NWLB program in 2007 I have earned my Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University and transitioned from the private industry as a waitress/manager of a small bar and restaurant to working in research at the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University and in Public Policy at the United Way for Southeast Michigan.
For more information about the No Worker Left Behind program visit:
www.michigan.gov/nwlb
I learned about the No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program that offered financial support to those who were left jobless due to the economy, were in jobs that were declining or to those that needed help in low earning positions. The NWLB program was created as a strategy to transition workers into good paying jobs and occupations in high demand or in emerging industries. This program still pays participants $5000 per year for up to two years at a college, university or training facility for qualifying occupational paths.
Needless to say, I capitalized on the available funds to change my path and since I entered the NWLB program in 2007 I have earned my Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University and transitioned from the private industry as a waitress/manager of a small bar and restaurant to working in research at the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University and in Public Policy at the United Way for Southeast Michigan.
For more information about the No Worker Left Behind program visit:
www.michigan.gov/nwlb
The Senate agreed to consider extending unemployment benefits this week demonstrated by a 60-34 vote. These vital benefits are a safety net for many Michigan families, particularly in Southeast Michigan where unemployment rates have been consistently rising and held first place for unemployment in the nation. In our area, in January, unemployment rates hit a bleak 15.3%. What do these benefits mean for Michiganders? Especially those in our area? It means, without them, they fall short of being able to meet their basic needs.
In the last several years, Michiganders have experienced a decline of industry, as well as the dreadful joblessness that doesn’t seem to be recovering. Unemployment insurance benefits are the lifeline that many need to be able to put food on the table and keep their families in their homes. Although the status of unemployment insurance is uncertain as of now, both of Michigan’s US Senators are working for us on this issue to help those in need!
In the last several years, Michiganders have experienced a decline of industry, as well as the dreadful joblessness that doesn’t seem to be recovering. Unemployment insurance benefits are the lifeline that many need to be able to put food on the table and keep their families in their homes. Although the status of unemployment insurance is uncertain as of now, both of Michigan’s US Senators are working for us on this issue to help those in need!
I read an article this morning that’s been passed around Twitter since it was published, about how the number of first-time homeless people are soaring in metro Detroit. Below are the main points quoted from the Detroit Free Press (full article here):
- The number of people who say they are homeless for the first time is increasing in metro Detroit, spurred by unemployment and foreclosures, experts say.
- In Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, advocates say people who are homeless for the first-time make up 20% to 40% of those seeking services, out of more than 10,000 homeless people in metro Detroit.
- Jason Weller, executive director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, said estimates for 2009 are expected to increase by at least 10%.
With all the contributing factors that define a “poor economy”, many people who until now thought their basic needs were a given, are forced to rely on the help of others to sustain themselves and their families.
“...many who previously had jobs, cars and homes -- are straining already crowded shelters, having worn out their welcome with family and friends, and are unable to come up with money for motel rooms or gas for their cars.”
No matter what kind of work you're involved in, it is important- now more than ever - for nonprofits and individuals to be capacity-builders. We need to daily consider how we can make deposits into other people’s work and lives, and help them do what they do better. We need to be willing to shift gears, take risks, and respond to the growing need in new ways.
GIVE
Build capacity through a financial gift to a family or organization you trust.
ADVOCATE
Identify one person who could use a boost and advocate for his needs within your personal and professional networks.
VOLUNTEER
While money can be a quick and necessary fix, giving of the intangibles (our time, our priorities, our strengths, our personal space) has the power to plant seeds that will bear lasting fruit in people’s lives. Consider who you are as an individual and what you bring to the table, then block out some time to give it away (seriously, put it on the calendar). If you’re not sure where to volunteer, find out who needs an extra set of hands in your area: www.volunteersolutions.org/uwsem
John Azoni assists in working on solutions to homelessness in Detroit through United Way for Southeastern Michigan's 2-1-1 service. For more information, check out http://uwsem.org/211, or follow @UnitedWayJohn on Twitter.
I just emailed Senators Stabenow and Levin asking them to improve the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which provides young children with access to nutritious meals. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation that would improve young children's access to nutritious meals in child care centers, family child care homes, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. With your help, we can gain support for the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009 (S. 2749). Please take action yourself and spread the word! For more information, check out National Women's Law Center.
Make a Difference Day was this past Saturday, October 24th, and it was awesome! I had so much fun being able to interact with the volunteers from HFCC and UMD and to see how excited they were to volunteer. I also got to check out both Greening of Detroit project sites to see how things were going, and I couldn’t believe how many people were there! I found out afterwards that 127 trees were planted on Saturday!! Great work, you guys! I know it was kind of cold out, but no one cared…everyone just wanted to make a difference!
Another shout out I need to give is to the agencies that participated for Make a Difference Day – they were PHENOMENAL! Thanks to: Accounting Aid Society, Baldwin Center, Beyond Basics, Grace Centers of Hope, Greening of Detroit, Lighthouse Path, Looking for My Sister, Oakland Livingston Human Service Association (OLSHA), Salvation Army Echo Grove Camp and Stanford House!!
Lastly, the volunteers got SO much work done at 10 different project sites. The coolest thing though is the impact of the volunteer hours that we all gave. There were 242 volunteers, and through those volunteers, 726 hours of service were generated…which gave over $14,000 back to our local communities! And what you maybe didn’t know was that it wasn’t just HFCC and UMD that had volunteers participate…it was also Schoolcraft College, Oakland University and Oakland Community College! As a fellow college student from UMD, I really want to thank all of you that participated this year! You each made a HUGE impact in our communities and I couldn’t be more proud to be a student volunteer…you guys ROCK and I hope to see you all out on MLK Day in January!
Another shout out I need to give is to the agencies that participated for Make a Difference Day – they were PHENOMENAL! Thanks to: Accounting Aid Society, Baldwin Center, Beyond Basics, Grace Centers of Hope, Greening of Detroit, Lighthouse Path, Looking for My Sister, Oakland Livingston Human Service Association (OLSHA), Salvation Army Echo Grove Camp and Stanford House!!
Lastly, the volunteers got SO much work done at 10 different project sites. The coolest thing though is the impact of the volunteer hours that we all gave. There were 242 volunteers, and through those volunteers, 726 hours of service were generated…which gave over $14,000 back to our local communities! And what you maybe didn’t know was that it wasn’t just HFCC and UMD that had volunteers participate…it was also Schoolcraft College, Oakland University and Oakland Community College! As a fellow college student from UMD, I really want to thank all of you that participated this year! You each made a HUGE impact in our communities and I couldn’t be more proud to be a student volunteer…you guys ROCK and I hope to see you all out on MLK Day in January!
Click here for part one of the Digital meet 'n' greet
Since I'll be the one taking you on this digital meet 'n' greet tour of United Way, maybe I should tell you a little about me first. My name is Ursula Adams and I'm the United Way for Southeastern Michigan webmaster. You can call me the Digital Diva.
Read More »
This story was sent to me in an email and I had to laugh when I read it. Gene Weingarten, writer for the Washington Post set out to cover a social experiment with world famous violin prodigy, Joshua Bell. What would happen if you dress down a Grammy-award-winning classical musician and have him perform in a lowly Washington DC plaza instead of a sold out opera house? Would anyone receive the gift?
"On that Friday in January, those private questions would be answered in an unusually public way. No one knew it, but the fiddler standing against a bare wall outside the Metro in an indoor arcade at the top of the escalators was one of the finest classical musicians in the world, playing some of the most elegant music ever written on one of the most valuable violins ever made. His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities -- as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html)
For just about every one of the hundreds of people who walked by that morning, Bell was just another wanderer - another part of the DC landscape. The most interesting part of the story for me was the contrast of privilege versus ordinary depending on the context.
"Three days before he appeared at the Metro station, Bell had filled the house at Boston's stately Symphony Hall, where merely pretty good seats went for $100. Two weeks later, at the Music Center at Strathmore, in North Bethesda, he would play to a standing-room-only audience so respectful of his artistry that they stifled their coughs until the silence between movements."
When you place a world famous musician in a setting you'd expect to see such an artist perform, his work becomes a privilege to behold - one worthy of dropping hundreds of dollars to witness. Take that same person and place him on a street corner, even with a $3 million violin (literally), and he is quickly lumped together with the guy playing Michael Jackson covers on a dirty saxophone. I don't think this is necessarily a bad or unheard of thing. It's the human condition. As much as we say we don't judge, we do. I've met some pretty interesting people who are currently or formerly homeless. These same people have seen more pain than I can imagine, and overcome more struggles than I could withstand. I see very talented people who can't catch a break because no employer sees them as anything more than someone they can get to push a broom around for minimum wages. Restaurants pay them less than minimum wage under the table with the notion that "they should be greatful to even be working."
The funny thing is, they could probably run circles around us in some areas, but we lump them together with a whole population of people we view as "lazy" and worthy of little more than our second-hand clothes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. If we were to just stop and listen, as only a handful of people did when Joshua Bell played for them for free, we might behold an incredible and irreplacable gift.
If you watch the video in the link to the article above, you'll notice at the end of it one point of redemption. One girl recognizes what's before her. She had seen Bell play not long before, and couldn't believe her eyes (and ears) that he was offering such an incredible gift. Bell wasn't out to receive any glory in this experiment, nor do I think he was offended when people didn't recognize him, but I bet it was interesting to play the part of the meek shaming the prideful, watching quietly as the notes he played fell on deaf ears to all but one.
"On that Friday in January, those private questions would be answered in an unusually public way. No one knew it, but the fiddler standing against a bare wall outside the Metro in an indoor arcade at the top of the escalators was one of the finest classical musicians in the world, playing some of the most elegant music ever written on one of the most valuable violins ever made. His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities -- as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html)
For just about every one of the hundreds of people who walked by that morning, Bell was just another wanderer - another part of the DC landscape. The most interesting part of the story for me was the contrast of privilege versus ordinary depending on the context.
"Three days before he appeared at the Metro station, Bell had filled the house at Boston's stately Symphony Hall, where merely pretty good seats went for $100. Two weeks later, at the Music Center at Strathmore, in North Bethesda, he would play to a standing-room-only audience so respectful of his artistry that they stifled their coughs until the silence between movements."
When you place a world famous musician in a setting you'd expect to see such an artist perform, his work becomes a privilege to behold - one worthy of dropping hundreds of dollars to witness. Take that same person and place him on a street corner, even with a $3 million violin (literally), and he is quickly lumped together with the guy playing Michael Jackson covers on a dirty saxophone. I don't think this is necessarily a bad or unheard of thing. It's the human condition. As much as we say we don't judge, we do. I've met some pretty interesting people who are currently or formerly homeless. These same people have seen more pain than I can imagine, and overcome more struggles than I could withstand. I see very talented people who can't catch a break because no employer sees them as anything more than someone they can get to push a broom around for minimum wages. Restaurants pay them less than minimum wage under the table with the notion that "they should be greatful to even be working."
The funny thing is, they could probably run circles around us in some areas, but we lump them together with a whole population of people we view as "lazy" and worthy of little more than our second-hand clothes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. If we were to just stop and listen, as only a handful of people did when Joshua Bell played for them for free, we might behold an incredible and irreplacable gift.
If you watch the video in the link to the article above, you'll notice at the end of it one point of redemption. One girl recognizes what's before her. She had seen Bell play not long before, and couldn't believe her eyes (and ears) that he was offering such an incredible gift. Bell wasn't out to receive any glory in this experiment, nor do I think he was offended when people didn't recognize him, but I bet it was interesting to play the part of the meek shaming the prideful, watching quietly as the notes he played fell on deaf ears to all but one.
In addition to this blog, I write about poverty (and the Christian faith, so fair warning) on JohnWritesStuff.wordpress.com. I re-posted my article about panhandling myths on that blog and received this comment on the post from an aquaintance I met at the Detroit Rescue Mission homeless shelter:
"I know firsthand that Detroit's homeless, at least, are mostly in a vampiric state of consciousness that makes long-term success impossible. This is not a mere mental illness. But it is also true that the only honest work available for the homeless -- flyer distribution - barely pays $6 an hour, and that intermittently. Almost, but not quite enough to rent a room for the week. So if cash money can neither be earned nor given, what hope is there?"
I thought this was great insight straight from someone who has been homeless. I responded with raising the issue of all the available space for housing in Detroit, but all the politics and selfishness that cause that space to remain abandoned while people remain unhoused. My friend had this to say about it:
"Our system is currently Darwinian - its unspoken, unchallenged assumption is that competing for profit creates innovation and is therefore a good thing. Only problem is that, under this system, anything that doesn't generate a profit is optimized out of everyone's to-do list. "Affordable" means less profit: few developers truly want that; and "sustainable," usually means less profit for some entrenched gargantuan industry. All private employers, and all their employees, have a vested interest in keeping goodies scarce - even food, housing, and health if they can get away with it - because they are merchants, or in the old language, 'commoners,' and cannot be responsible for the general welfare. The solution? Those playing the role of 'lords' - our politicians, clergy, and strong heads of families - should take the lead again, after a century of greed, and boldly do those things that transcend a profit motive."
I think my friend has a point (as well as an interesting way of making his point). Our city is such a mess of greed and facades, positioning, battles for funding and misuse of that funding... It makes me wonder if we are at all capable of doing anything for the sake of others, void of such a high level of self interest.
The flipside of my previous post on panhandling is that we are quick to call panhandlers lazy, and tell them to get a job, but slow to provide them any legal opportunities to work, as my friend mentioned above. I see time and time again people who do not want to be homeless a day longer, but can't for the life of them seem to catch a break! The barriers they face are not anything that more funding can fix, because the system receiving the funding is not working! We need people at the top to genuinely care for those at the bottom and cut themselves out of the picture.
Just some thoughts... I don't have any answers, but I welcome everyone else's thoughts in the comment section.
Since working with the homeless for several years now, I've become hardened to panhandlers. Having seen first-hand the story behind many of those who are asking for money, it's something I feel we shouldn't feel bad about saying NO to. The alternative solutions discussed in this video I feel are good.
Last Friday United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) hosted yet another successful Alternative Spring Break. Here, college students came from all over to participate in a week of service projects in Detroit in lieu of other Spring Break plans. Nick, our program leader, and I had the pleasure of presenting 2-1-1 On the Go! to the students on their last day. It was a groggy bunch, them having been up slumber partying well into the morning, but they managed to respond to our mission with excitement (thanks to a little inspiration from UWSEM's Volunteer Coordinator, Kira Putt's cheerleading demonstration, and Nick's and my impeccable sense of humor).
Nick and I, as well as few other UWSEM staff members, led the students in going out into different communities in the Greater Detroit area, to find employers interested in hiring our clients. We sent teams to Dearborn, Midtown, Ferndale, and Hamtramck to scour the local businesses (avoiding national chains, with the exception of fast food restaurants) talking to employers about the needs of our clients. The teams went out equipped with an understanding of 2-1-1 and 2-1-1 On the Go!, and how to pitch the ask to employers for full-time jobs.
They must've done something right because we ended the day with 51 employers interested in varying degrees in helping out in some way with our mission. Not all of those employers will have jobs to offer, but at least they are willing to learn about our program and keep us in their back pocket if jobs do open up. Hopefully some will take to the mission and spread the word to other employers in their networks.
Nick has organized all the contacts into one spreadsheet (a task I avoid at all costs), and we will begin following up with the employers on Monday. We hope to get some jobs out of this, but more important is the experience that the ASBers were able to gain in being a unique voice for our clients. Hopefully they learned that you don't have to be on staff with 2-1-1 On the Go! to be a vital part of our ongoing mission, and they will continue to work on reeling in employers for us as they go about their lives.
This was a fun bunch to work with, and I am privileged to have met some pretty rad folks willing to give their time and energy for the betterment of people's lives.
Nick and I, as well as few other UWSEM staff members, led the students in going out into different communities in the Greater Detroit area, to find employers interested in hiring our clients. We sent teams to Dearborn, Midtown, Ferndale, and Hamtramck to scour the local businesses (avoiding national chains, with the exception of fast food restaurants) talking to employers about the needs of our clients. The teams went out equipped with an understanding of 2-1-1 and 2-1-1 On the Go!, and how to pitch the ask to employers for full-time jobs.
They must've done something right because we ended the day with 51 employers interested in varying degrees in helping out in some way with our mission. Not all of those employers will have jobs to offer, but at least they are willing to learn about our program and keep us in their back pocket if jobs do open up. Hopefully some will take to the mission and spread the word to other employers in their networks.
Nick has organized all the contacts into one spreadsheet (a task I avoid at all costs), and we will begin following up with the employers on Monday. We hope to get some jobs out of this, but more important is the experience that the ASBers were able to gain in being a unique voice for our clients. Hopefully they learned that you don't have to be on staff with 2-1-1 On the Go! to be a vital part of our ongoing mission, and they will continue to work on reeling in employers for us as they go about their lives.
This was a fun bunch to work with, and I am privileged to have met some pretty rad folks willing to give their time and energy for the betterment of people's lives.
Our team is building a ramp through the Ray West Memorial Ramp Project for a man named Jason who is handicapped. We began to embark on this adventure yesterday and will continue on until Thursday.
This Alternative Spring Break trip in Detroit has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Yesterday we met Bill, the man in charge of the ramp building project. Bill is hands down the most inspiring man i have ever met. Bill is the type of man you could sit down with for hours and talk to about the project, he knows everything and anything you would ever need to know about ramp building and the program. He, alone, inspires me to be a better person.
We have a crew of two men who we work with as well, Mike and Rob. They were both laid off from Chrysler about two years ago and each live over 100 miles from our work site. Even with the own struggles that Mike and Rob are facing, they continue to volunteer their services and help others who need it more then they do.
My team is amazing. There are seven of us, we're all goof balls but we get the job done. We are all extremely excited for Thursday when we get to see Jason ride down the ramp for the first time. I'm sure it will be quite an emotional and inspirational experience.
That is all I've really got for now.
- KG
This Alternative Spring Break trip in Detroit has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Yesterday we met Bill, the man in charge of the ramp building project. Bill is hands down the most inspiring man i have ever met. Bill is the type of man you could sit down with for hours and talk to about the project, he knows everything and anything you would ever need to know about ramp building and the program. He, alone, inspires me to be a better person.
We have a crew of two men who we work with as well, Mike and Rob. They were both laid off from Chrysler about two years ago and each live over 100 miles from our work site. Even with the own struggles that Mike and Rob are facing, they continue to volunteer their services and help others who need it more then they do.
My team is amazing. There are seven of us, we're all goof balls but we get the job done. We are all extremely excited for Thursday when we get to see Jason ride down the ramp for the first time. I'm sure it will be quite an emotional and inspirational experience.
That is all I've really got for now.
- KG
Allow me to just lay out on the table that I am slightly addicted to the Internet and staying connected. It's how I get things done. I mean, I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't know what all my friends on Twitter were eating at the exact moment they're eating it. It's vital information. Of course, I'm kidding, though I do admit to being a victim of basing too much of my life in the virtual world. However, I do wish that we could find more ways to plug 2-1-1 On the Go! clients into that world in a way that makes sense for them. Even something as simple (dare I say primitive) as email is foreign to the majority of our clients, and it's hindering them from accessing a whole host of employers who prefer to communicate through email, for example. But we're slowly finding ways around their technological barriers, and trying to encourage them toward solutions that will help them land the job, without having to know all the ins and outs of the Internet.
So with that said, I have to say I'm probably a little behind the times when I mention how excited I am about RSS feed. I seriously just discovered this. I've always seen the little RSS icon on different websites, but never bothered to learn what it does. But seriously, this is the best invention ever! It dawned on me one day last week that we could make great use of this tool for our clients' job searches. So we went ahead and set up a Google Reader account for 2-1-1 On the Go!. It's set to gather all the latest job leads in relevant categories from Craigslist, Monster, and Indeed. It also pulls articles from blogs that discuss tips on how to write a great resume, make a good impression in an interview, and ultimately land the job you want. We wrote up some real easy instructions on how to access and use it, and have sent those instructions out to our clients who have email. The rest will receive that information when they get next month's bus pass. We will be encouraging our clients to use this tool for their job searches, and to use it often. Hopefully this will make their job searches a lot more efficient, and hopefully a little bit enjoyable.
So with that said, I have to say I'm probably a little behind the times when I mention how excited I am about RSS feed. I seriously just discovered this. I've always seen the little RSS icon on different websites, but never bothered to learn what it does. But seriously, this is the best invention ever! It dawned on me one day last week that we could make great use of this tool for our clients' job searches. So we went ahead and set up a Google Reader account for 2-1-1 On the Go!. It's set to gather all the latest job leads in relevant categories from Craigslist, Monster, and Indeed. It also pulls articles from blogs that discuss tips on how to write a great resume, make a good impression in an interview, and ultimately land the job you want. We wrote up some real easy instructions on how to access and use it, and have sent those instructions out to our clients who have email. The rest will receive that information when they get next month's bus pass. We will be encouraging our clients to use this tool for their job searches, and to use it often. Hopefully this will make their job searches a lot more efficient, and hopefully a little bit enjoyable.
2-1-1 On the Go! Mentoring
Purpose:
People facing homelessness are often lacking the necessary support that we take for granted such as family, friends, neighbors, and church community to name a few. Often the support they do have are individuals living a lifestyle they would rather steer clear of. We want to provide these individuals with positive people who can come alongside them in their efforts to get out of homelessness.
Your role:
· Build a friendship with a homeless individual who is motivated to find work and get off the street.
· Join with 2-1-1 On the Go! in our goal to get 60 people employed and 30 housed by September '09. Your main focus would be your mentee.
· Identify barriers your mentee is facing and advocate for those needs to be met by people in your network.
· Teach your mentee valuable skills that we take for granted such as basic computer skills, navigating the internet, using email, writing a resume, etc.
Time Commitment:
2-1-1 On the Go! mentors need to be able to commit to their mentee and be consistent. The minimum time commitment is 3 hours a week but you are free to commit more time to your mentee if you would like. You will meet with your mentee once a week face-to-face in a public area that you both agree on for as long as you feel comfortable or is necessary. The remainder of the time will be spent working your social network to find opportunities for your mentee and finding ways to get his or her needs met.
For more detailed information feel free to contact:
John Azoni - 2-1-1 On the Go! Homeless Outreach Associate
Work: 313-226-9203
Cell: 313-460-2714
Email: John.Azoni@LiveUnitedSEM.org
If you're interested in what else is going on at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, logon to LiveUnitedSEM.org and get plugged in.
Purpose:
People facing homelessness are often lacking the necessary support that we take for granted such as family, friends, neighbors, and church community to name a few. Often the support they do have are individuals living a lifestyle they would rather steer clear of. We want to provide these individuals with positive people who can come alongside them in their efforts to get out of homelessness.
Your role:
· Build a friendship with a homeless individual who is motivated to find work and get off the street.
· Join with 2-1-1 On the Go! in our goal to get 60 people employed and 30 housed by September '09. Your main focus would be your mentee.
· Identify barriers your mentee is facing and advocate for those needs to be met by people in your network.
· Teach your mentee valuable skills that we take for granted such as basic computer skills, navigating the internet, using email, writing a resume, etc.
Time Commitment:
2-1-1 On the Go! mentors need to be able to commit to their mentee and be consistent. The minimum time commitment is 3 hours a week but you are free to commit more time to your mentee if you would like. You will meet with your mentee once a week face-to-face in a public area that you both agree on for as long as you feel comfortable or is necessary. The remainder of the time will be spent working your social network to find opportunities for your mentee and finding ways to get his or her needs met.
For more detailed information feel free to contact:
John Azoni - 2-1-1 On the Go! Homeless Outreach Associate
Work: 313-226-9203
Cell: 313-460-2714
Email: John.Azoni@LiveUnitedSEM.org
If you're interested in what else is going on at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, logon to LiveUnitedSEM.org and get plugged in.
President Obama ahs signed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, and has forecasted what the Stimulus Package will do for Michigan.
Read More »"I have to pay for my sanity," says Erik, one of 2-1-1 On the Go!'s newest clients, as he recaps his struggles to get out of homelessness. His story strikes me as very telling of his motivation to get off the streets. He didn't need to say much to convince me of his place in our program, and honestly, I'm honored to be his advocate. Erik made some bad decisions in the past, started using drugs, and landed himself in prison with a felony conviction. Having gotten clean and been released from prison last year, and being determined not to ever go back, he has been trying to keep himself from negative influences. Up until last week he was paying for a cheap hotel room by the week.
"Don't you want to try to get into a shelter?" I asked him.
"Nah man. I've tried that. I don't want to put myself in that environment. Most of the guys in those shelters have come from being locked up, or have just gotten off of drugs. I'm trying to get away from that mindset so I don't get tempted to do something stupid."
Erik was unable to pay for his hotel room this week due to a lack of work opportunities. He was forced to move temporarily into his brother's house, which is already jam-packed with family members. He says his brother smokes weed with his friends all the time and is out on the streets doing stupid stuff that could get him in serious trouble. With the drugs and the violence that come in and out of that house all day, Erik is really hoping for an opportunity that will afford him the chance to move out before he gets sucked back into his old life.
As I sat listening to Erik talk about his frustrations with his felony keeping him from getting employed, and his struggles to afford himself a positive environment for a change, my heart broke for him. Honestly, in the work Nick, Chris (our intern), and I do day in and day out, it's easy to become desensitized to the very real struggle for many experiencing homelessness. We often forget that each person that we serve is in the midst of a whole host of problems, and carries a load of negative emotions towards those problems. They are in crisis mode on a regular basis. But I'm so moved as I talk about Erik because in so many ways, I aspire to be like him. I think about the things in my life that I try to stay away from, and fail so easily with. It doesn't take much to break my will. I wonder if I would have walked from my hotel room a dozen blocks away to my appointment with United Way, in the snow, on the coldest day of the year, as Erik did to meet with me, just because he didn't want to miss the opportunity to get some help. I wonder if I would be able to stay positive when I am taking a bus to a temporary job, and decide to walk back "home" (if you can call it that) just so I can stop by some places that might be hiring on the way. To be completely honest, if I were in Erik's shoes, I would've given up a long time ago. I don't have to pay for my sanity, because in so many ways… it was handed to me.
I will tell you one thing: I've never been more pumped to put a bus pass in a client's hands. I have no doubts that Erik will hit the ground running as he searches hard for someone to look beyond his felony and give him the opportunity to work his way out of homelessness. I admire him for his strength, and for challenging me without even knowing it. I'm so encouraged by his will to keep himself from the temptations of this world, and to keep his 21 year old son from following in his footsteps. I hope employers will see him as an asset, and that the community will embrace him and give him that positive support that he needs to succeed.
"Don't you want to try to get into a shelter?" I asked him.
"Nah man. I've tried that. I don't want to put myself in that environment. Most of the guys in those shelters have come from being locked up, or have just gotten off of drugs. I'm trying to get away from that mindset so I don't get tempted to do something stupid."
Erik was unable to pay for his hotel room this week due to a lack of work opportunities. He was forced to move temporarily into his brother's house, which is already jam-packed with family members. He says his brother smokes weed with his friends all the time and is out on the streets doing stupid stuff that could get him in serious trouble. With the drugs and the violence that come in and out of that house all day, Erik is really hoping for an opportunity that will afford him the chance to move out before he gets sucked back into his old life.
As I sat listening to Erik talk about his frustrations with his felony keeping him from getting employed, and his struggles to afford himself a positive environment for a change, my heart broke for him. Honestly, in the work Nick, Chris (our intern), and I do day in and day out, it's easy to become desensitized to the very real struggle for many experiencing homelessness. We often forget that each person that we serve is in the midst of a whole host of problems, and carries a load of negative emotions towards those problems. They are in crisis mode on a regular basis. But I'm so moved as I talk about Erik because in so many ways, I aspire to be like him. I think about the things in my life that I try to stay away from, and fail so easily with. It doesn't take much to break my will. I wonder if I would have walked from my hotel room a dozen blocks away to my appointment with United Way, in the snow, on the coldest day of the year, as Erik did to meet with me, just because he didn't want to miss the opportunity to get some help. I wonder if I would be able to stay positive when I am taking a bus to a temporary job, and decide to walk back "home" (if you can call it that) just so I can stop by some places that might be hiring on the way. To be completely honest, if I were in Erik's shoes, I would've given up a long time ago. I don't have to pay for my sanity, because in so many ways… it was handed to me.
I will tell you one thing: I've never been more pumped to put a bus pass in a client's hands. I have no doubts that Erik will hit the ground running as he searches hard for someone to look beyond his felony and give him the opportunity to work his way out of homelessness. I admire him for his strength, and for challenging me without even knowing it. I'm so encouraged by his will to keep himself from the temptations of this world, and to keep his 21 year old son from following in his footsteps. I hope employers will see him as an asset, and that the community will embrace him and give him that positive support that he needs to succeed.
What a remarkable week! Here a a ton of updates for you: Read More »
I took a random drive to Port Huron on my day off Monday, just to sort of get away and experience someplace unfamiliar to me. I was sitting in my car, parked on the edge of the water overlooking Canada, when this elderly woman walked up really close to my car and stood right in front of it taking pictures of the water. She was close enough for me to wonder if she was sitting on my front bumper. When I took notice of my internal dialog, I realized that I was somewhat uncomfortable. This woman was invading my space. There are hidden rules in America. She should know that you don't just stand near someone's car while they're sitting in it. As my sister and I used to bicker about when we were kids, there's an invisible force field. You can't see it, but you sure can't cross it either. Our society is funny like that. We're taught to "never talk to strangers" upon entering this world, and that rule seems to subconsciously stick with us as we grow up. We walk around in our own bubbles, only connecting with those who have been invited in, or have something to offer us, and often ignoring everyone else or at best making small talk about the weather.
Is it any wonder why there's such a divide between the suburbs and the city? We all have these personal space issues that prevent us from truly connecting, and keep us in our own bubbles, with our own people who we can relate to. But I hope that we can somehow change that and create a movement of people who play a more permanent role in the lives of those in need, no longer holding them at a distance. Bill Sullivan put it really well when he said in a meeting the other day, "it's becoming clear that 2-1-1 On the Go! is evolving into more than just providing services. It's becoming somewhat of a movement." I have to agree. I think we're on the right path. There's a larger problem going on that needs to be addressed, and the answer is not another program, nor is the answer more funding. We've got to change the way we view serving the homeless.
Does anyone get the feeling that we do more to maintain the problem of homelessness than to improve it? There are many groups of well-meaning individuals that come downtown to pass out sandwiches, but don't help those they're feeding problem solve and get some long-term help. They're not figuring out why they're hungry in the first place. So the chronically homeless quickly learn what days people are serving food where, and they make their rounds day after day, and never get out of the cycle. Or there are the every day passersby that will give a panhandler money, thinking it will be a blessing, not realizing that too often the only good that does, is it affords the panhandler the opportunity to keep making a living on the street. What we need is not more people to serve dinner at a soup kitchen on Christmas Eve. Detroit needs people to truly connect, and provide real support for long-term goals of those who no longer want to be homeless, and for those who are on the verge of becoming homeless. This isn't a problem that should be left up to the system to solve.
I was thinking today about what I would do if I lost my job and couldn't pay my rent. I started listing off the names of all the people who I know would take me in without a second thought, and without a time limit on how long I can stay. The list became extensive, as I realized I have many layers of support, not because I'm popular, but because I've been raised in a loving family, and have grown up in a positive environment which has allowed me to nurture a lot of positive friendships. But so many of our 2-1-1 On the Go! clients have no support system to fall back on. One bad card dealt to them could leave them back on the street, without a stable living environment to feel safe in and call home.
I, and the rest of the 2-1-1 On the Go! team believe - and I don't think this is news to anyone at United Way - that a support system, in addition to providing services, will be the thing that gets them off the street and keeps them off. So with that in mind, we are currently working on the addition of mentors to our program who will connect one-on-one with our homeless clients, hopefully grow friendships, and advocate for their mentee's needs. They will teach them valuable skills like how to set up an email account, how to write a good resume, how to search the internet, etc., and give them the personal attention that they're missing. In addition to that, we are working on making the Live United social networking site suitable for being used as a tool for connecting people with the needs of the homeless in our program, as well as with other groups in Detroit who are leading events and organizations that serve the homeless in one way or another. The site will hopefully serve as the main hub in Detroit for people wanting to connect with the need in our city. I, for one, am excited about these additions and the general direction of 2-1-1 On the Go!. It would be pretty cool to see a movement of volunteers evolve that go beyond the traditional means of serving the homeless.
I should also mention that we are tracking ahead of our employment and housing goals for 2009. So fear not, while all this thinking and developing (and blogging for that matter) is going on, things are still getting done.
Is it any wonder why there's such a divide between the suburbs and the city? We all have these personal space issues that prevent us from truly connecting, and keep us in our own bubbles, with our own people who we can relate to. But I hope that we can somehow change that and create a movement of people who play a more permanent role in the lives of those in need, no longer holding them at a distance. Bill Sullivan put it really well when he said in a meeting the other day, "it's becoming clear that 2-1-1 On the Go! is evolving into more than just providing services. It's becoming somewhat of a movement." I have to agree. I think we're on the right path. There's a larger problem going on that needs to be addressed, and the answer is not another program, nor is the answer more funding. We've got to change the way we view serving the homeless.
Does anyone get the feeling that we do more to maintain the problem of homelessness than to improve it? There are many groups of well-meaning individuals that come downtown to pass out sandwiches, but don't help those they're feeding problem solve and get some long-term help. They're not figuring out why they're hungry in the first place. So the chronically homeless quickly learn what days people are serving food where, and they make their rounds day after day, and never get out of the cycle. Or there are the every day passersby that will give a panhandler money, thinking it will be a blessing, not realizing that too often the only good that does, is it affords the panhandler the opportunity to keep making a living on the street. What we need is not more people to serve dinner at a soup kitchen on Christmas Eve. Detroit needs people to truly connect, and provide real support for long-term goals of those who no longer want to be homeless, and for those who are on the verge of becoming homeless. This isn't a problem that should be left up to the system to solve.
I was thinking today about what I would do if I lost my job and couldn't pay my rent. I started listing off the names of all the people who I know would take me in without a second thought, and without a time limit on how long I can stay. The list became extensive, as I realized I have many layers of support, not because I'm popular, but because I've been raised in a loving family, and have grown up in a positive environment which has allowed me to nurture a lot of positive friendships. But so many of our 2-1-1 On the Go! clients have no support system to fall back on. One bad card dealt to them could leave them back on the street, without a stable living environment to feel safe in and call home.
I, and the rest of the 2-1-1 On the Go! team believe - and I don't think this is news to anyone at United Way - that a support system, in addition to providing services, will be the thing that gets them off the street and keeps them off. So with that in mind, we are currently working on the addition of mentors to our program who will connect one-on-one with our homeless clients, hopefully grow friendships, and advocate for their mentee's needs. They will teach them valuable skills like how to set up an email account, how to write a good resume, how to search the internet, etc., and give them the personal attention that they're missing. In addition to that, we are working on making the Live United social networking site suitable for being used as a tool for connecting people with the needs of the homeless in our program, as well as with other groups in Detroit who are leading events and organizations that serve the homeless in one way or another. The site will hopefully serve as the main hub in Detroit for people wanting to connect with the need in our city. I, for one, am excited about these additions and the general direction of 2-1-1 On the Go!. It would be pretty cool to see a movement of volunteers evolve that go beyond the traditional means of serving the homeless.
I should also mention that we are tracking ahead of our employment and housing goals for 2009. So fear not, while all this thinking and developing (and blogging for that matter) is going on, things are still getting done.
There are a few great things happening for 2-1-1 On the Go! clients these days. We're still pushing for restaurant jobs, and we've made a few new friends at different establishments in the city - one of which turned into a full-time job for one of our clients, and the potential for more. In addition, we've added a new community partner, Saint Aloysius Church. They run a coffee shop called The Canticle Café. It's run by volunteers, many of whom are homeless, and on top of that, they serve you for free. They've agreed to take on a steady two or three 2-1-1 OTG! clients at a time to train in duties such as barista, bussing, janitorial, and possibly some light administrative work. This will serve not only as an opportunity for our clients to gain experience in different kinds of work, but also as an opportunity for St. Al's to monitor them for us to determine their reliability so we can feel fully confident about referring them to employers. Last but not least, we've been meeting with the people over at Goodwill and they are on board for opening the door wider for 2-1-1 OTG! clients to have access to their resources, training, and best of all, jobs.
In regards to Detroit restaurants, Nick and I are pretty excited about Angelina's Italian Bistro. Having just recently opened, it's already gaining a reputation for having great Italian food at a reasonable price. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is welcoming, and though it is kind of fancy, it's still very accessible. I've eaten there twice now, and the thing I've noticed both times is that the staff is very friendly, and the owner, Tom Augusta can usually be found near the door, waiting to welcome customers as they come in, and to say goodbye as they leave. I love that - leaders of any kind that are willing to get their hands dirty in the nitty gritty work of their establishments. When Nick and I approached Tom about our program, he told us about how he had already hired a couple of homeless guys and was willing to take on more as positions opened up. The next day, we got a call from Tom offering us a full-time dishwashing and maintenance job for one of our clients. Corey, and Nuganda, a couple of 2-1-1 On the Go! clients went in for an interview, and though there was only room for one of them, Tom assured Nuganda that when another position opened up, he would call him. So we're excited about that.
As for the Canticle Café, Nick and I really stand behind their vision. When we met with St. Al's outreach director, Mike Carsten, he explained to us the concept of the Canticle Café being an effort to bridge the gap between the social classes. He wanted the average businessman on his way to his corporate job to be able to get his coffee from the homeless person trying to get her life back together. There doesn't always need to be this sense of charity in the air. People are just people, whether you're the Mayor of the city or the person sleeping on the street. We love that drive to level the field, and are happy to be working with St. Al's in giving them 2-1-1 OTG! clients to work at the café on a volunteer basis, and learn valuable skills that will then translate into a job for them.
Finally, as many of you know, Goodwill runs the Clean Downtown program; those green and white trucks you see driving around the city whose crew members keep the downtown area looking good. Last year they hired several of our clients to work full-time, which was great. This year they have committed to employing significantly more 2-1-1 OTG! clients as well as working to make sure those people find opportunities to move from Clean Downtown - which is transitional employment - into something more permanent. We're also discussing how we can work together on more on the delivery of services around removing barriers our clients are facing.
So those are some things happening lately. If you get a chance, grab lunch at Angelina's off Broadway in Grand Circus Park, and while you're at it, stop by the Canticle Café off Washington behind Capitol Park and ask how you can help support them. I know they are in need of help purchasing food to keep their business going as well as donations of all kinds. As always, we're looking for more connections to downtown restaurants or other jobs. If you have any, or know people who have connections, let us know.
In regards to Detroit restaurants, Nick and I are pretty excited about Angelina's Italian Bistro. Having just recently opened, it's already gaining a reputation for having great Italian food at a reasonable price. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is welcoming, and though it is kind of fancy, it's still very accessible. I've eaten there twice now, and the thing I've noticed both times is that the staff is very friendly, and the owner, Tom Augusta can usually be found near the door, waiting to welcome customers as they come in, and to say goodbye as they leave. I love that - leaders of any kind that are willing to get their hands dirty in the nitty gritty work of their establishments. When Nick and I approached Tom about our program, he told us about how he had already hired a couple of homeless guys and was willing to take on more as positions opened up. The next day, we got a call from Tom offering us a full-time dishwashing and maintenance job for one of our clients. Corey, and Nuganda, a couple of 2-1-1 On the Go! clients went in for an interview, and though there was only room for one of them, Tom assured Nuganda that when another position opened up, he would call him. So we're excited about that.
As for the Canticle Café, Nick and I really stand behind their vision. When we met with St. Al's outreach director, Mike Carsten, he explained to us the concept of the Canticle Café being an effort to bridge the gap between the social classes. He wanted the average businessman on his way to his corporate job to be able to get his coffee from the homeless person trying to get her life back together. There doesn't always need to be this sense of charity in the air. People are just people, whether you're the Mayor of the city or the person sleeping on the street. We love that drive to level the field, and are happy to be working with St. Al's in giving them 2-1-1 OTG! clients to work at the café on a volunteer basis, and learn valuable skills that will then translate into a job for them.
Finally, as many of you know, Goodwill runs the Clean Downtown program; those green and white trucks you see driving around the city whose crew members keep the downtown area looking good. Last year they hired several of our clients to work full-time, which was great. This year they have committed to employing significantly more 2-1-1 OTG! clients as well as working to make sure those people find opportunities to move from Clean Downtown - which is transitional employment - into something more permanent. We're also discussing how we can work together on more on the delivery of services around removing barriers our clients are facing.
So those are some things happening lately. If you get a chance, grab lunch at Angelina's off Broadway in Grand Circus Park, and while you're at it, stop by the Canticle Café off Washington behind Capitol Park and ask how you can help support them. I know they are in need of help purchasing food to keep their business going as well as donations of all kinds. As always, we're looking for more connections to downtown restaurants or other jobs. If you have any, or know people who have connections, let us know.
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