Member Posts
The following posts were created from our member blogs.
In participation of Arise Detroit Neighborhood Day Youth ages 8-17 can sign-up for free airplane ride @ city airport on Saturday, August 7th noon - 3PM in the parking lot of the main terminal of the Coleman A. Young International Airport. Plane rides sponsored by the Tuskegee Airmen. Event host: Friends of Detroit City Airport.
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
There are times, sometimes rarer than we'd like, when we have the privilege to witness our own or someone else’s dream come to life. I had that privilege on Friday morning in Macomb County.
It was the opening of a new client choice pantry. A client choice pantry is one that looks very much like a grocery store, and families that use these types of food pantries have the chance to chose their food, rather than receive a box that is pre-stocked with standard foods. There is little variation or customization in a typical food pantry's box, but a client choice pantry allows for family dietary and cultural variations such as families who prefer rice over potatoes. This particular location is the first client choice pantry in Macomb County. Read More »
It was the opening of a new client choice pantry. A client choice pantry is one that looks very much like a grocery store, and families that use these types of food pantries have the chance to chose their food, rather than receive a box that is pre-stocked with standard foods. There is little variation or customization in a typical food pantry's box, but a client choice pantry allows for family dietary and cultural variations such as families who prefer rice over potatoes. This particular location is the first client choice pantry in Macomb County. Read More »
United Way for Southeastern Michigan is hosting two town halls in Metro Detroit. The first town hall meeting was June 10th at the Butzel Family Center in Detroit. The second is Thursday June 17th at St. Luke AME Church in Highland Park.
These events focus on food insecurity and hunger in Southeastern Michigan. ST. Luke AME Church lies within the boundaries of Congressional District 14, which has the 11th highest rate of food insecurity in the nation and the Butzel Family Center is located in Congressional District 13, which has the 27th highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, out of 236 Congressional Districts.
The purpose of the town halls is to provide a forum for community members to share their stories with a “listening panel” about how food insecurity has affected their families and ask questions of current elected officials and local service providers. Feel free to join us!
These events focus on food insecurity and hunger in Southeastern Michigan. ST. Luke AME Church lies within the boundaries of Congressional District 14, which has the 11th highest rate of food insecurity in the nation and the Butzel Family Center is located in Congressional District 13, which has the 27th highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, out of 236 Congressional Districts.
The purpose of the town halls is to provide a forum for community members to share their stories with a “listening panel” about how food insecurity has affected their families and ask questions of current elected officials and local service providers. Feel free to join us!
My elderly mother is 84 years young and her car just died. She is very independant and she babysits my daughter which is 5 and my great nieces that are 10 months and 4years but now has no car to get around in she is on a fixed budget and cant afford to buy one. Does anyone know if you can get free used or extreamly cheap cars from someone mentioned places like mother waddles or united way but i don't know how to go about this to help my mother. Please help me or give any suggestions Thanks Rose
Last week I got some great news from an elderly client that she had gotten her utilities turned back on thanks to a simple referral from 2-1-1.
Let me back up.
Myself and my outreach partner that day, Tammy, deployed to the home of a sweet elderly woman. She owed over $5,000 on her utility bill which added up from having to pay other unexpected expenses. Her middle-aged son was battling cancer and was cut off his Medicare plan once his treatments got to be too extensive (another unfortunate situation altogether).
As you can imagine, being a senior with medical needs herself, legally blind, on a fixed income, with a son who is ill, and life continuing to go on (bills and all), it's a lot to keep up with.
When we arrived her utilities were pending shutoff. A week later DTE had turned off her lights and gas completely after giving her a grace period. I was working with her to help her get some assistance for her bill, but as most things go when working within the formal system of care, there are applications, and waiting periods. Almost nothing is immediate, especially utility assistance.
My last idea was to have her call DTE case management line to ask about applying for a Home Heating Credit. Turns out she was eligible and was able to get the bill paid down to a manageable amount. She fortunately had enough money in savings to pay the rest herself.
Last I heard from her, DTE was scheduled to come out the next day to turn her utilities back on.
So jf you or someone you know in the metro Detroit area is struggling to pay their utility bills, and is low income, you can call DTE about a Home Heating Credit. Details here:http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/billingPayment/paymentPrograms/payAssistance.html#heatingCredit
And of course, 2-1-1 is always a great resource to keep in mind as we have information to thousands of community agencies in your area.
Let me back up.
Myself and my outreach partner that day, Tammy, deployed to the home of a sweet elderly woman. She owed over $5,000 on her utility bill which added up from having to pay other unexpected expenses. Her middle-aged son was battling cancer and was cut off his Medicare plan once his treatments got to be too extensive (another unfortunate situation altogether).
As you can imagine, being a senior with medical needs herself, legally blind, on a fixed income, with a son who is ill, and life continuing to go on (bills and all), it's a lot to keep up with.
When we arrived her utilities were pending shutoff. A week later DTE had turned off her lights and gas completely after giving her a grace period. I was working with her to help her get some assistance for her bill, but as most things go when working within the formal system of care, there are applications, and waiting periods. Almost nothing is immediate, especially utility assistance.
My last idea was to have her call DTE case management line to ask about applying for a Home Heating Credit. Turns out she was eligible and was able to get the bill paid down to a manageable amount. She fortunately had enough money in savings to pay the rest herself.
Last I heard from her, DTE was scheduled to come out the next day to turn her utilities back on.
So jf you or someone you know in the metro Detroit area is struggling to pay their utility bills, and is low income, you can call DTE about a Home Heating Credit. Details here:http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/billingPayment/paymentPrograms/payAssistance.html#heatingCredit
And of course, 2-1-1 is always a great resource to keep in mind as we have information to thousands of community agencies in your area.
If you follow me on Twitter (@UnitedWayJohn) you may have noticed a shift in tweets talking about outreach to the homeless, to outreach to people with utility shutoffs.
So I'll briefly explain the shift here.
2-1-1 On the Go! was originally developed to bring the information from the 2-1-1 database out to the homeless population in Detroit. We still do that. But we now have additional staff working on homeless prevention.
That's where the utilities stuff comes in.
In partnership with DTE Energy (Detroit's main utility company), 2-1-1 On the Go! deploys to the homes of DTE's most vulnerable customers - seniors, the disabled, and families with dependent children - providing information about community resources, as well as advocacy to help them get their utilities turned back on.
With this new partnership we are working to prevent homelessness in the lives of vulnerable populations. Also noteworthy about this new project is that we serve Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, while the homeless outreach staff continues to serve just the City of Detroit.
So I'll briefly explain the shift here.
2-1-1 On the Go! was originally developed to bring the information from the 2-1-1 database out to the homeless population in Detroit. We still do that. But we now have additional staff working on homeless prevention.
That's where the utilities stuff comes in.
In partnership with DTE Energy (Detroit's main utility company), 2-1-1 On the Go! deploys to the homes of DTE's most vulnerable customers - seniors, the disabled, and families with dependent children - providing information about community resources, as well as advocacy to help them get their utilities turned back on.
With this new partnership we are working to prevent homelessness in the lives of vulnerable populations. Also noteworthy about this new project is that we serve Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, while the homeless outreach staff continues to serve just the City of Detroit.
After sacrificing my high speed DSL for dial-up (trying to save a dollar or two), I have finally been able to catch-up and update several social networks that I belong to...Facebook,Twitter,and MACULspace.
I am so thankful to have access to the Internet (even with its slow speed)...and I realized that many people would love to not only have a computer in the home, but a home to live in as well !
My prayer is that I can maintain a positive presence on all these sites...and use them for good :)
MsDean
I am so thankful to have access to the Internet (even with its slow speed)...and I realized that many people would love to not only have a computer in the home, but a home to live in as well !
My prayer is that I can maintain a positive presence on all these sites...and use them for good :)
MsDean
The other day I read an article written by homelessness advocate Joel John Roberts on Inforumusa.org. The article was about the drastic measures one homeless man went to to get people to notice him and help. Read full article.
This sparked an interesting question for me. Do people really lack compassion, or do they just not know how to help?
The tone of Roberts' article was sort of 'it's ridiculous that the homeless have to make such a scene to get people to care.'
My view is more on the side of 'people do care, they just don't know what to do about it.'
When I'm made to feel guilty for not doing something, it only leads me to do that thing just enough to make the guilt go away. Guilt would never be the reason for me being a long-term advocate for any cause.
With homelessness, I believe that when people can't walk downtown for 2 blocks without being hit up for money, it desensitizes them to the need. Most people are not aware of the root causes of homelessness, and how they can really help.
I submit that people generally possess a base line level of compassion. When they see a need that they know will result in a positive outcome with their help, more often than not they'll give - that is, if they have the knowledge and resources to do so.
Most people just don't understand homelessness and how they can positively impact the issue. They need to be taught and empowered into helping, not guilted and condemned.
I'm curious to know what you think. Do people REALLY lack compassion, or do they simply not know what to do with their compassion?
John Azoni assists with reducing homelessness in Detroit through United Way for Southeastern Michigan's 2-1-1 service. For more information, check out UWSEM.org/211, or follow @UnitedWayJohn on Twitter.
This sparked an interesting question for me. Do people really lack compassion, or do they just not know how to help?
The tone of Roberts' article was sort of 'it's ridiculous that the homeless have to make such a scene to get people to care.'
My view is more on the side of 'people do care, they just don't know what to do about it.'
When I'm made to feel guilty for not doing something, it only leads me to do that thing just enough to make the guilt go away. Guilt would never be the reason for me being a long-term advocate for any cause.
With homelessness, I believe that when people can't walk downtown for 2 blocks without being hit up for money, it desensitizes them to the need. Most people are not aware of the root causes of homelessness, and how they can really help.
I submit that people generally possess a base line level of compassion. When they see a need that they know will result in a positive outcome with their help, more often than not they'll give - that is, if they have the knowledge and resources to do so.
Most people just don't understand homelessness and how they can positively impact the issue. They need to be taught and empowered into helping, not guilted and condemned.
I'm curious to know what you think. Do people REALLY lack compassion, or do they simply not know what to do with their compassion?
John Azoni assists with reducing homelessness in Detroit through United Way for Southeastern Michigan's 2-1-1 service. For more information, check out UWSEM.org/211, or follow @UnitedWayJohn on Twitter.
We're pretty excited at United Way today. For more than two years, we have worked to build partnerships, secure alternative teacher certification, as well as funding and placements needed to bring Teach for America back to Detroit. Today, that vision became reality as Teach for America announced its return to Detroit, bringing top college graduates to teach in some of the state’s highest-need schools for the 2010-2011 school year.
We know first-hand how dedicated and talented Teach for America alumni are - we have two of them working with us right now. I've asked one of them, Katy Byrd, to share her thoughts on TFA's return.
My Teach for America Experience
Kathryn Byrd, United Way for Southeastern Michigan Campaign Associate
Growing up, I always loved school. I was blessed to go to a great school and have great teachers that helped to open my mind and put me on a path toward success. In college I began to really realize how lucky I was and how many students across the country did not receive that same quality education that I did.
The desire to provide a quality education for all children led me to join Teach for America and to step into my 10th grade English classroom as a brand new teacher. I was excited to meet my students and to begin the work of closing the achievement gap for them. I was fired up and prepared to make sure that my students would succeed. My two years in the classroom were filled with struggles and mistakes but also with successes and joy. Even through the most difficult times I never lost sight of what I was working for and that drive and passion allowed me to be successful despite the obstacles. The students that I taught in my second year are about to graduate and I am so proud to be a part of their journey and success. I’m still in touch with many of them and am so excited when I hear about their college plans and future dreams.
I am proud of the academic success that I had with my students. In my first year 62% of them passed the state writing test compared to the school average of 48% the year before. In my second year over 80% passed which was equal to the top schools in the area. While I am very proud of my students’ academic gains, I am even prouder of the impact I had on their lives. At the end of each semester I asked my students to complete a survey about my class. To this day, I am still moved by what my students wrote. Brittany, a student in my honors class during my second year, when asked the most important thing she learned in my class responded: “I learned that you must think beyond your means. The sky is the limit and you must always strive not just to pass but to do the best you can.”
These students have an impact on my life. I think about them everyday in my work at United Way. I’m glad to be part of an organization that sees how important education is and that is working to make sure kids are starting kindergarten ready to learn and are graduating high school with the tools necessary to be successful in life.
I am overjoyed that Teach for America is coming back to Detroit. I am so excited for the next bunch of corps members to experience how great Detroit is and to begin the work of ensuring that all of their students are receiving an excellent education. I want Detroit to be a leader in education reform and I think bringing Teach for America as a partner is a step in the right direction. The reality is that only 3% of Detroit’s 4th graders are meeting national math standards. Something isn’t working for our children and we should be opening our arms to partners who want to help solve this problem, especially when they are having a positive impact in other cities with similar problems. I am excited to welcome the incoming corps members and to work with them to make sure that every child in our region is obtaining and excellent education and that Detroit is a leader in education.
We know first-hand how dedicated and talented Teach for America alumni are - we have two of them working with us right now. I've asked one of them, Katy Byrd, to share her thoughts on TFA's return.
My Teach for America Experience
Kathryn Byrd, United Way for Southeastern Michigan Campaign Associate
Growing up, I always loved school. I was blessed to go to a great school and have great teachers that helped to open my mind and put me on a path toward success. In college I began to really realize how lucky I was and how many students across the country did not receive that same quality education that I did.The desire to provide a quality education for all children led me to join Teach for America and to step into my 10th grade English classroom as a brand new teacher. I was excited to meet my students and to begin the work of closing the achievement gap for them. I was fired up and prepared to make sure that my students would succeed. My two years in the classroom were filled with struggles and mistakes but also with successes and joy. Even through the most difficult times I never lost sight of what I was working for and that drive and passion allowed me to be successful despite the obstacles. The students that I taught in my second year are about to graduate and I am so proud to be a part of their journey and success. I’m still in touch with many of them and am so excited when I hear about their college plans and future dreams.
I am proud of the academic success that I had with my students. In my first year 62% of them passed the state writing test compared to the school average of 48% the year before. In my second year over 80% passed which was equal to the top schools in the area. While I am very proud of my students’ academic gains, I am even prouder of the impact I had on their lives. At the end of each semester I asked my students to complete a survey about my class. To this day, I am still moved by what my students wrote. Brittany, a student in my honors class during my second year, when asked the most important thing she learned in my class responded: “I learned that you must think beyond your means. The sky is the limit and you must always strive not just to pass but to do the best you can.”
These students have an impact on my life. I think about them everyday in my work at United Way. I’m glad to be part of an organization that sees how important education is and that is working to make sure kids are starting kindergarten ready to learn and are graduating high school with the tools necessary to be successful in life.
I am overjoyed that Teach for America is coming back to Detroit. I am so excited for the next bunch of corps members to experience how great Detroit is and to begin the work of ensuring that all of their students are receiving an excellent education. I want Detroit to be a leader in education reform and I think bringing Teach for America as a partner is a step in the right direction. The reality is that only 3% of Detroit’s 4th graders are meeting national math standards. Something isn’t working for our children and we should be opening our arms to partners who want to help solve this problem, especially when they are having a positive impact in other cities with similar problems. I am excited to welcome the incoming corps members and to work with them to make sure that every child in our region is obtaining and excellent education and that Detroit is a leader in education.
For more than two years, United Way has worked to build partnerships, secure alternative teacher certification, as well as funding and placements needed to bring Teach for America back to Detroit. Today, that vision became reality as Teach for America announced its return to Detroit, bringing top college graduates to teach in some of the state’s highest-need schools for the 2010-2011 school year.
Teach for America’s return to the region signals to the nation that Detroit is a vibrant center for real educational reform and a region that draws the best and the brightest to it, not sends them away. Since its start, facilitating the return of Teach for America has been a top priority of United Way’s Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund.
The enactment of Public Act 202 of 2009, allowing alternative paths to teacher certification, was a critical component needed for Teach For America to return to Detroit. United Way and volunteers lobbied Michigan’s legislature and worked with Governor Granholm and the bill’s sponsors and supporters for more than a year to pass the bill and pave the way for TFA’s return.
Teach For America is the national corps of top college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in under-resourced schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. Teach For America’s Detroit corps members will be part of a national incoming corps selected from an applicant pool of more than 46,000. Among these applicants were 12 percent of all Ivy League seniors and more than 1,300 individuals from across Michigan, including 7 percent of the senior class at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 3 percent of seniors at Michigan State and 20 percent of seniors at Kalamazoo College. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor was the top producer of Teach For America corps members in 2009.
“We’re excited to return to Detroit and join the innovative efforts of leaders across the city to expand educational opportunity for all children,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and chief executive officer of Teach For America. “We are inspired by the leadership of Governor Granholm, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and the Skillman Foundation, and are tremendously grateful for the support from school leaders, community groups, and local philanthropists in Detroit. This commitment will enable us to develop a strong pipeline of dedicated teachers and education leaders for the city.”
A growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that Teach For America corps members are highly effective in the classroom. An Urban Institute study published in 2008 and updated this year found that high school students taught by Teach For America teachers outperformed their peers, even those taught by fully certified teachers. The updated study is available at www.caldercenter.org/upload/TFA_final_v-March-2009.pdf.
Teach For America’s network currently includes more than 7,300 corps members in 35 regions and some 17,000 alumni across the country working from every professional sector to level the playing field for children and families in low-income communities. Detroit is home to some 215 Teach For America alumni. Nationally, about two-thirds of Teach For America alumni remain in education, where they are starting schools, serving as principals and district administrators, and winning accolades in the classroom, including 2007 teacher of the year awards in two states and the 2005 National Teacher of the Year Award.
Teach for America’s return to the region signals to the nation that Detroit is a vibrant center for real educational reform and a region that draws the best and the brightest to it, not sends them away. Since its start, facilitating the return of Teach for America has been a top priority of United Way’s Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund.
The enactment of Public Act 202 of 2009, allowing alternative paths to teacher certification, was a critical component needed for Teach For America to return to Detroit. United Way and volunteers lobbied Michigan’s legislature and worked with Governor Granholm and the bill’s sponsors and supporters for more than a year to pass the bill and pave the way for TFA’s return.
Teach For America is the national corps of top college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in under-resourced schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. Teach For America’s Detroit corps members will be part of a national incoming corps selected from an applicant pool of more than 46,000. Among these applicants were 12 percent of all Ivy League seniors and more than 1,300 individuals from across Michigan, including 7 percent of the senior class at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 3 percent of seniors at Michigan State and 20 percent of seniors at Kalamazoo College. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor was the top producer of Teach For America corps members in 2009.
“We’re excited to return to Detroit and join the innovative efforts of leaders across the city to expand educational opportunity for all children,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and chief executive officer of Teach For America. “We are inspired by the leadership of Governor Granholm, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and the Skillman Foundation, and are tremendously grateful for the support from school leaders, community groups, and local philanthropists in Detroit. This commitment will enable us to develop a strong pipeline of dedicated teachers and education leaders for the city.”
A growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that Teach For America corps members are highly effective in the classroom. An Urban Institute study published in 2008 and updated this year found that high school students taught by Teach For America teachers outperformed their peers, even those taught by fully certified teachers. The updated study is available at www.caldercenter.org/upload/TFA_final_v-March-2009.pdf.
Teach For America’s network currently includes more than 7,300 corps members in 35 regions and some 17,000 alumni across the country working from every professional sector to level the playing field for children and families in low-income communities. Detroit is home to some 215 Teach For America alumni. Nationally, about two-thirds of Teach For America alumni remain in education, where they are starting schools, serving as principals and district administrators, and winning accolades in the classroom, including 2007 teacher of the year awards in two states and the 2005 National Teacher of the Year Award.
Today I ran into a former client of 2-1-1 On the Go! - an outreach service through the 2-1-1 call center, which meets face-to-face with people in need and connects them to services that can help them.
James (name changed for privacy) came to us fresh out of prison. He was staying in a three quarter house and was trying to get re-acclimated to normal life. He didn't waste a minute looking for work. When I first met him, he was one of the most motivated and self-driven individuals I had met in this type of work. At the time, 2-1-1 On the Go! was able to help him get connected to some job placement resources and provided him a few months worth of transportation to look for work. Our assistance to him paled in comparison to his own efforts though. In no time he was back to work doing grip work for the film crews that come to Detroit to shoot movies, but I know from time to time since then he had some setbacks with work and permanent housing.
I ran into James in Campus Martius on my lunch break. He was downtown passing out fliers for a new entrepreneurial endeavor he was taking on. He excitedly told me that he had applied for a grant from Pepsi for something like $250,000 to start a dry cleaning business near Campus Martius where he plans on hiring people coming out of the prison system. He told me out of over 1 million entries, his proposal was one of the thousand that got selected. He is now in the running to win this grant, and with the help of people voting online, I'm hoping he get get hooked up with this money. He even met with Dave Bing and got his stamp of approval apparently!
I'm expecting James to stop by our offices here in the next day or so to drop off some fliers for me. He had run out by the time I ran into him. When I get more information on how to vote I will post it here.
I'm so excited to hear this news! It's so great to see that people are seeing their goals come to life who were once struggling with the basics!
John Azoni assists with reducing 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.
James (name changed for privacy) came to us fresh out of prison. He was staying in a three quarter house and was trying to get re-acclimated to normal life. He didn't waste a minute looking for work. When I first met him, he was one of the most motivated and self-driven individuals I had met in this type of work. At the time, 2-1-1 On the Go! was able to help him get connected to some job placement resources and provided him a few months worth of transportation to look for work. Our assistance to him paled in comparison to his own efforts though. In no time he was back to work doing grip work for the film crews that come to Detroit to shoot movies, but I know from time to time since then he had some setbacks with work and permanent housing.
I ran into James in Campus Martius on my lunch break. He was downtown passing out fliers for a new entrepreneurial endeavor he was taking on. He excitedly told me that he had applied for a grant from Pepsi for something like $250,000 to start a dry cleaning business near Campus Martius where he plans on hiring people coming out of the prison system. He told me out of over 1 million entries, his proposal was one of the thousand that got selected. He is now in the running to win this grant, and with the help of people voting online, I'm hoping he get get hooked up with this money. He even met with Dave Bing and got his stamp of approval apparently!
I'm expecting James to stop by our offices here in the next day or so to drop off some fliers for me. He had run out by the time I ran into him. When I get more information on how to vote I will post it here.
I'm so excited to hear this news! It's so great to see that people are seeing their goals come to life who were once struggling with the basics!
John Azoni assists with reducing 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.
We have 240,000 children under the age of five in Southeastern Michigan. Seventy thousand live in poverty. And 40,000 of those children live in one of just 8 neighborhoods. There are tremendous issues facing these families, but also tremendous opportunity. The Early Childhood Summit was the first step to making a lasting impact for these children.
Collaboration is often the first step and Denise D. summed it up perfectly. She said:
“Having the opportunity to network with policy makers, funders, and program operators who are all dedicated to early child development was very beneficial. Too often, we remain in silos. Finding common goals and missions enhances collaboration in the spirit of one mission: that children enter school ready to learn.”
Cynthia S. echoed her comments: “I really enjoyed the summit. The part I like the most was the networking and sharing of ideas.”
In addition, Brenda J. wrote: “The summit was very inspiring. To see leaders collaborate was awesome. We have to take whom we have and do what we can. I believe what I saw was a movement to help our children grow up successfully. I was glad to be in attendance and I will do what I can to spread the word to others.”
Aside from the networking opportunities, we felt it was important to hear from the real heroes – the parents and caregivers who do this work every day. I was thrilled so many of you agreed, and Nancy G. wrote, “It was the parents that touched me the most. Hearing their words sent a clear message that you are on the right page, making a difference one child at a time.”
Many of you agreed that the summit was inspiring and energized you to continue to move the work forward in your own ways.
Michelle M. wrote: “I left the summit feeling very energized and proud to be a member of the early childhood community. For the first time in my life I feel like I can make a difference in the world, or at least in the world of Michigan. I am ready to get started!”
Michael E. wrote: “The main take-away for me is how well defined the objective is regarding Early Learning Communities and how doable it is to reach the thousands of caregivers and children. The goal and the action plan are an inspiration.”
Evelyn B. wrote: “I was amazed and excited that there is more focus on Early Childhood Development and the importance of developing literacy skills early.”
Debra S. wrote: “Lots of information shared in a short period of time. The many presenters were interesting and very supportive of early childhood. We all need to do our part to follow up and make sure our voices are heard on behalf of children.”
David B. wrote: “At the nudging of a friend, I went to the summit. I did not know very much about the subject matter, but was pleasantly surprised to learn all about the topic and found the day to be extremely powerful. I met some very committed and talented people and now have contacted one elementary school principal and proposed that our synagogue would "adopt" that school and provide a committed group of mentors to help the students.”
We also got some amazing suggestions that I will continue to consider as we move forward:
Roberta C. wrote: “I am a former school nurse and was surprised to see the lack of health care professionals at this meeting. School nurses, public health nurses and community health nurses are in the community and are one of the first health care professionals to identify at risk children...Schools of nursing need to do developmental assessments on children for their pediatric training and what a great partnership that could make.”
Michelle L. wrote: “I really enjoyed hearing about all the great work we do to help children and families. The audience was great, but we have to include more businesses and community organizations to get the word out to everyone. We do wonderful things in early childhood education, so let's tell the world!”
I am inspired, encouraged and challenged by your thoughts and feedback. I truly believe we can have a contagious impact on our neighborhoods and communities to create nurturing, literacy-rich environments for children ages 0-5 in Southeastern Michigan.
Through our Early Learning Communities, the Reading Village, and Imagination Library, we will start with those 8 neighborhoods and 40,000 children I mentioned, and will add the hundreds of us now empowered and inspired to change conditions. Caregivers, parents, educators, childcare providers, and the leadership of the business and nonprofit communities can collectively create the contagious impact we desperately need.
I urge you to remain inspired and challenged to be a part of this work. I will reach out to you with news and opportunities, and for your valuable input moving forward.
Collaboration is often the first step and Denise D. summed it up perfectly. She said:
“Having the opportunity to network with policy makers, funders, and program operators who are all dedicated to early child development was very beneficial. Too often, we remain in silos. Finding common goals and missions enhances collaboration in the spirit of one mission: that children enter school ready to learn.”
Cynthia S. echoed her comments: “I really enjoyed the summit. The part I like the most was the networking and sharing of ideas.”
In addition, Brenda J. wrote: “The summit was very inspiring. To see leaders collaborate was awesome. We have to take whom we have and do what we can. I believe what I saw was a movement to help our children grow up successfully. I was glad to be in attendance and I will do what I can to spread the word to others.”
Aside from the networking opportunities, we felt it was important to hear from the real heroes – the parents and caregivers who do this work every day. I was thrilled so many of you agreed, and Nancy G. wrote, “It was the parents that touched me the most. Hearing their words sent a clear message that you are on the right page, making a difference one child at a time.”
Many of you agreed that the summit was inspiring and energized you to continue to move the work forward in your own ways.
Michelle M. wrote: “I left the summit feeling very energized and proud to be a member of the early childhood community. For the first time in my life I feel like I can make a difference in the world, or at least in the world of Michigan. I am ready to get started!”
Michael E. wrote: “The main take-away for me is how well defined the objective is regarding Early Learning Communities and how doable it is to reach the thousands of caregivers and children. The goal and the action plan are an inspiration.”
Evelyn B. wrote: “I was amazed and excited that there is more focus on Early Childhood Development and the importance of developing literacy skills early.”
Debra S. wrote: “Lots of information shared in a short period of time. The many presenters were interesting and very supportive of early childhood. We all need to do our part to follow up and make sure our voices are heard on behalf of children.”
David B. wrote: “At the nudging of a friend, I went to the summit. I did not know very much about the subject matter, but was pleasantly surprised to learn all about the topic and found the day to be extremely powerful. I met some very committed and talented people and now have contacted one elementary school principal and proposed that our synagogue would "adopt" that school and provide a committed group of mentors to help the students.”
We also got some amazing suggestions that I will continue to consider as we move forward:
Roberta C. wrote: “I am a former school nurse and was surprised to see the lack of health care professionals at this meeting. School nurses, public health nurses and community health nurses are in the community and are one of the first health care professionals to identify at risk children...Schools of nursing need to do developmental assessments on children for their pediatric training and what a great partnership that could make.”
Michelle L. wrote: “I really enjoyed hearing about all the great work we do to help children and families. The audience was great, but we have to include more businesses and community organizations to get the word out to everyone. We do wonderful things in early childhood education, so let's tell the world!”
I am inspired, encouraged and challenged by your thoughts and feedback. I truly believe we can have a contagious impact on our neighborhoods and communities to create nurturing, literacy-rich environments for children ages 0-5 in Southeastern Michigan.
Through our Early Learning Communities, the Reading Village, and Imagination Library, we will start with those 8 neighborhoods and 40,000 children I mentioned, and will add the hundreds of us now empowered and inspired to change conditions. Caregivers, parents, educators, childcare providers, and the leadership of the business and nonprofit communities can collectively create the contagious impact we desperately need.
I urge you to remain inspired and challenged to be a part of this work. I will reach out to you with news and opportunities, and for your valuable input moving forward.
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 in the newspaper today regarding several Detroit Public Schools that are slated to be closed. I read it near the beginning of my school day, fighting back tears, not for myself, but for those affected, such as colleagues with whom I have stood with, laughed with, shared lesson plans,classroom management strategies, and other events that are part of being in the teacherhood.
Before I could read the posted story twice, one of my co-workers told me to get the wrinkles out of my face and to remember the source of my strength. Instead of "grieving", fight back with faith, and focus on the fact that there are blessings yet to be experienced, even in the midst of a happening such as this.
She was right. I slowly began to turn my mind around and instead wish favor on those colleagues and the communities that they serve.
I also prayed that they would have strength for the journey...and an ability to look ahead and not look back.
You see...the "List" affects everyone.
*********************************************
Erica M Dean currently teaches at Clippert Academy, A Detroit Public School.
You can follow her on Twitter @msdean4dps
Southeast Michigan has two resources that anybody can use to help someone find available emergency shelter.
Both services keep track of all available shelter beds in the area, and the information is updated constantly throughout each day.
Shelter Hotlines:
- (313)-963-STAY (963-7829)
- (800)-A-SHELTER (274-3583)
It's best to call in the morning (between 8 and 10 a.m.) as beds fill up fast throughout the day.
TIP: with A-SHELTER, they will need to speak to the person you're advocating for directly because they will ask for personal information like his/her Social Security number. If you are not comfortable letting a stranger use your phone, you may want to try the STAY hotline first.
If beds are available, and the person needs help getting to a shelter, use common sense. Do not give the person money. That is not helpful. More on that issue in previous posts on this blog.
You may choose to purchase a bus ticket for the individual, give them a ride yourself (again, excersise common sense and extreme caution), or simply tell the person that you're not comfortable with or able to meet his/her transportation needs. Setting appropriate boundaries is never a bad thing, so don't be afraid to simply say "no" at any point.
John Azoni assists with reducing 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.
Sunday, March 6th began the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in Washington, DC. The opening breakfast and plenary housed a packed room with over 500 employees, volunteers, fellows, and execs from 45 states and a wide-ranging variety of organizations fighting tirelessly to "End Hunger by 2015."
Over the course of three days workshops and training programs provided in-depth knowledge and training on communications, advocacy strategies, research, data use, child nutrition, programs, legislative discussions, capacity building and information on SNAP, and CACFP, to name a few. Luncheons included speakers like Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who spoke to the importance of Hill visits and the work that the organizations were doing to help Americans win the war against hunger.
Carrie Leach
carrie.leach@liveunitedsem.org
Read More »
Posts by Month
Posts