Cram School

The United Way of Taiwan has brought me to Taipei to assist them with community and organizational work. This is a relationship I have had since my work nationally and internationally with United Way of America.

At a recent visit to a High School one would be struck by the preparation of local Taiwanese students for success.

As a perspective:

• Students all through high school never have a Summer vacation-they attend Cram School every day in the Summer from 8 in the morning until 3pm.
• Often they are preparing to apply to colleges and universities in the US.
• Students during the normal school year attend classes until 5 pm

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, there is a review of how now Math camps for kids (like a Cram School) are proliferating in the US. Conversely, in a recent Taipei Times article, there is a debate on how to bridge creativity and imagination into the education of the Taiwanese children.

I am struck on how ALL of our children will be competing with kids not just across town or in another state for acceptance into college, but from across the world. As I have written before in this blog, having our children ready to learn and succeed in school is paramount. That is why United Way programs such as Success by Six, Woman's Literacy Initiative and the Virgil H. Carr Truancy Initiative are critical.

Do you think our children's education prepares them to compete with students from other countries?

The Long Tail of Philanthropy

Chris Anderson's book, The Long Tail, asserts that we are turning from a mass market back into a niche nation, defined now not by our geography but by our interests. He chronicles the economic and cultural impact of organizations such as e-Bay, iTunes, Google, Amazon, Netflix and the phenomenon of blogs.

While there is debate about the theory of the Long Tail---most notably by Lee Gomes of the Wall Street Journal---Anderson captures an idea that makes one think about how the Long Tail not only affects not only commerce, but community.

At the core of Anderson's premise is this: "Our culture and economy are increasingly shifting away from a focus on a relatively small number of mainstream products and markets at the head of the demand curve (think of a tall ski slope - the top is the head of the tail or demand curve), and moving a huge number of niches in the tail(the long running bottom of the ski slope).

While I think Anderson is onto something, it does make me wonder about the impact of the expansion of self interest, special/niche interest, and institutional interest. My belief is the trend is here to stay. Yet, I carry a strong point of view that we must strengthen our collective interests and our community interest. It is then and only then that broad progress will be made.

The fact of the mater is non profits are proliferating in America-- adding 35,000 new ones each year -now totaling over 1.9 million. The Long Tail of Philanthropy is happening as we add more niche and special interest organizations to attract the commerce of the charitable gift. I don't view this as bad, just something we all need to navigate as we strive to improve and strengthen community.

Questions that come to my mind as I read the The Long Tail: Do you believe we need to strengthen our collective interest in community? When you think of the word community, how would you describe it? How does geography play a role in today's society?

Your thoughts?

Being a Great Philanthropist

With the recent announcement of Warren Buffet's $37 Billion donation to the Gates Foundation, one might think that in order to be a great philanthropist you must have a lot of money.

The recent Peanut's cartoon show's Linus sorting out how he can help others. He has the desire to be the next Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. Linus gives us all a smile with his reflection at the end ---"I want to be a great philanthropist with someone else's money."

Philanthropist somehow got combined with the notion that it must be a truck load of money.

When you look at its definition according to the Oxford English Dictionary ---- that notion just isn't true: • noun a person who seeks to help others, especially by donating money to good causes. The word philanthropy has its roots in the word --- love.

One of the aspects of United Way that I value deeply, is its ability to let everyone be a philanthropist. No matter how big or small the gift. The immense strength of United Way is the ability to combine my philanthropic intent with yours to do more than if we had just gone it alone.

At the end of the day, I think Linus is saying "I just want to be someone who helps." And in my book, that is a philanthropist in action.

The power of access

At our recent Board of Director's meeting, Cynthia Miller shared how a group of strangers built a wheelchair ramp at her home so that her son Phillip would have access. As a working parent, Cynthia had been a long time contributor to United Way.

Cynthia asked for help through the United Way Ray West Wheelchair Memorial Ramp Project because she knew she needed to break the barrier which kept Phillip from being able to leave the house.

Today, you are likely to turn to Cynthia to find help. She works at the United Way 211 Center assisting local residents find help for the issues they face. This is in a way a chance for her to extend the United Way network of resources to others. And Cynthia does that with grace and compassion.

To watch the story of Cynthia and Phillip, just click here.

What would you do if you found $21,000?

So often when the term homeless is used, it is without a story or a face. Today's article in the Detroit News highlights the story of Charles Moore --- a homeless man that found $21,000 in the trash and returned it back to the owner. No doubt, Mr. Moore's action speaks to his character. His circumstance of being homeless, tells a story about where we are today in society.

In Southeastern Michigan we have thousands who find themselves in a similar life situation---and with the economic transition, the numbers will only grow. There are personal stories like Mr. Moore behind every individual or family who finds themselves without a place to live.

Mr. Moore went to his counselor at Neighborhood Service Organization, a United Way sponsored agency, to get help with locating the owner of the money. At NSO, he finds not only nutrition, but a resource to assist him in getting back to a stable housing and employment environment. That work is going on each and every day.

If you would like to learn how you can help others like Mr. Moore, please call United Way's 211. We can link you up with organizations who are creating pathways to success.

Philanthropy and Action

This article in the New York Times Sunday Magazine about John Wood, formerly of Microsoft and now of Room to Read, had a few interesting insights on money, philanthropy and taking action.

One, John Wood is in many ways following in Andrew Carnegie's footsteps by focusing on literacy through a library strategy.

Two, his perspective that Non Profits need to 'scale up' at a quicker pace is a counter view to many.

Three, his focus seems clear ---improve world wide literacy.

As mentioned before in this blog, the issue of literacy isn't just an issue across the ocean. Rather, it faces us here in Southeastern Michigan. To learn how you can get involved locally in this issue and many others, visit the United Way.

Diplomas Count

This week I was meeting with the United Way's Virgil H. Carr Society , under the leadership of Walter Douglas of Avis Ford and Judge Damon Keith of US Court of Appeals --6th Circuit. This team of volunteers are working to ensure we help close the truancy gap by piloting new efforts.

The research on truancy is clear and compelling. Simply, when kids stay in school --- good things happen. When they don't attend school, bad things happen.

One just has to take a look at the national map of graduation rates to see this isn't just a regional issue, but a national one. In a recent USA Today article, the graduation rates for major cities were listed ---- putting Detroit Schools dead last at a graduation rate of 21.7 % --- with the national average at nearly 70%. While there continues to be debate of how graduation rates are calculated, the end result still stands: we have work to do.

The cost of not graduating costs society billions in lost taxes and spending on social programs. For example:

• Over a lifetime, an 18-year old who does not complete high school earns about $260,000 less than an individual with a high school diploma, and contributes about $60,000 less in federal and state income taxes;
• Individuals with a high school diploma live longer, have better indicators of general health, and are less likely to use publicly financed health insurance programs than high school dropouts.
• If all those receiving assistance who are high school dropouts instead had a high school diploma, the result would be a total cost savings for federal welfare spending, food stamps and public housing of $7.9 billion to $10.8 billion a year;
• And finally, college graduates were nearly three times as likely to vote as Americans without a high school diploma.

The Virgil H. Carr Society School Attendance Initiative was developed to identify services gaps in selected areas, generate awareness of truancy as a societal issue threatening all of metro Detroit and to facilitate partnerships between area schools and public and private sector partners to address the problem. We are working with many partners, including the Skillman Foundation and Communities in Schools.

For those who are interested in getting involved, e-mail rebecca.slay@uwsem.org.

The Caring Media?

There always seems to be a general sense that the only thing media is interested in is bad news. They never want to tell the positive story. I can tell you from this window, I see a different side of media. I recognize they have a business to run, and a very competitive one at that. I also know that some news just 'sells' better than others. Hence, maybe that is why death and destruction often lead the headlines.

However, almost to a person, I find the leadership of the local media to be interested and committed to utilizing its influence for the betterment of community. And this often means the donation of time, money and people.

Just this week, Steve Wasserman, General Manager of WDIV-TV, hosted other TV, radio and print media outlets to ask for a strong commitment to getting the United Way message out in the coming months. You could hear Jeff Murri, General Manager of Fox 2 Detroit, describing that we ---the community as a whole --- must work together in order for improvement to take place. Here was an example of organizations who compete like the dickens every day coming together --- setting that aside--- for the purpose of community.

While the media is always an easy target, this week's gathering is a quiet reminder that there may be more to the story than we see

If you act enthusiastic, you'll be enthusiastic

I was standing outside of Masco Corporation, a strong community supporter, having just completed a meeting there along with one of the communities tireless champions -- Ralph Nichols. For those that don't know, Ralph runs the Ralph Nichols Group which provides Dale Carnegie Training to thousands of local residents.

As I was heading off to a key gathering regarding United Way, Ralph reminded me of the Dale Carnegie rule --- "If you act enthusiastic, you'll be enthusiastic." Simply, don't be afraid to bring forward passion that resides within.

I often get to see great passion for our community: authentic caring about the quality of life for others. Ralph is one of those individuals who works most every day to make things better and stronger for others. Whether it is with United Way, or working with local youth as described by LookUpDetroit. Ralph is a champion of others and community.

New vans bring smiles at United Way

UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS

July 21, 2006

GM Foundation hands over keys to 3 metro groups

By Lindsay Machak
Detroit Free Press Special Writer

When Michael Brennan, chief executive officer of the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, handed over the keys for three new Saturn Relay vans Thursday morning in Warren, everyone near him was smiling.

The vans were among seven donated by the General Motors Foundation to the United Way in three metro Detroit communities and elsewhere.

"We have a long-standing relationship with United Way," said Erin Kreis, a representative of GM. "They bring a lot of assistance to the communities where many of our employees live and work."

The vans were presented to Black Family Development in Detroit, which provides support and preservation services for African-American families; Oakland Family Services in Pontiac, which provides treatment, education and prevention services, and Turning Point in Mt. Clemens, which works with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

GM also donated vans to groups in Lansing; Atlanta; Janesville, Wis., and Buffalo, N.Y.

"We have never had anything like that before," said Adrienne Gasperoni, youth and family director at Turning Point. "It's wonderful. We have a summer camp going on for kids that live in shelters and we will use the van for outings so they can try to do regular summer activities."

Each van is equipped with Sit-N-Lift technology, which enables caregivers to transport people with physical disabilities.

The passenger seat of the van slides out so a person can easily sit on it. After a person is on the seat, it moves back into the van and automatically turns so the person is facing the front.

"This lift van is an opportunity to expand our services," said Sandy Morrison, vice president of Development for Oakland Family Services. "Our CEO got the first call about the donation. He was very grateful because it provides transportation."

The three organizations were chosen carefully, Brennan said.

"We partnered with GM and reviewed the organizations that they carry high interest in," Brennan said. "Transportation is important. We make sure we have the right match to the right organization."

"These donations are part of the annual contribution to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan," Kreis said.

GM also participates in other events during the year to support United Way.

"Another event is the Employee Giving Campaign," Kreis said. "It happens in the fall, when employees are asked to give money to United Way or they can choose any of their affiliates."

Golf tournament supports United Way’s 2-1-1 call center

PRESS RELEASE

July 18, 2006

Media Contact(s):
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

DEARBORN – In conjunction with the Ford Senior Players Championship, the fourth annual Virgil H. Carr Memorial United Way Classic was held yesterday at the TPC of Michigan. More than $116,500 was raised at the event to benefit United Way’s 2-1-1 call center, a comprehensive information and referral service for metro Detroit residents.

“Ford Land has been proud to partner with United Way for the past four years to host this event,” said Sean McCourt, chairman, Ford Land. “We know that when we invest in United Way, we’re investing in our community to make a difference in the lives of others.”

The golf outing honors the late Virgil H. Carr, United Way’s former president and CEO, who passed away in May 2003. His passion for the people of southeast Michigan and the need for greater access to necessary health and human services, led him to spearhead the start of 2-1-1 in metro Detroit.

United Way’s 2-1-1 call center is an easily remembered, three-digit phone number available 24 hours a day to connect people to health and human services in metro Detroit. Launched in December 2005, it utilizes a database of more than 6,000 programs and services in metro Detroit that assist residents with issues such as child care needs, after school programs, adult day care, family counseling and crisis intervention, employment training, mentoring and other volunteer opportunities. The service covers Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The call center has already received more than 46,000 calls since December 2005.

“The launch of 2-1-1 is a giant step in making health and human services easily accessible to all metro Detroiters,” said Michael J. Brennan, president & CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “We are grateful for Ford Land’s generous support over the years and the impact it has on those we serve.”

Over the past four years, this event has raised more than $456,000 to benefit United Way initiatives.

Approximately 28 foursomes participated in the sold-out tournament, which gave golfers the opportunity to play under the same conditions and pin placements as the professionals during the final round of the Ford Senior Players Championship. In addition to Ford Motor Company, other major sponsors include DaimlerChrysler, who sponsored the luncheon, Abel Construction Company, American Axle & Manufacturing, Commercial Contracting Corp., DiClemente Siegel Design, Inc., Lear Corporation, and Trammell Crow Company

United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.

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Richard E. Dauch chairs United Way’s 2006 Torch Drive

PRESS RELEASE

July 18, 2006

Media Contact(s):
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

DETROIT - Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, American Axle & Manufacturing, will serve as the general chair of United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s 58th annual Torch Drive, which will kick off Sept. 8 and conclude Nov. 15.

In this role, Dauch is responsible for leading a team of volunteers during United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. The money raised each year funds hundreds of vital programs and services that work to create lasting and measurable change in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Last year’s Torch Drive raised more than $64 million.

"Our region is experiencing an increase in demand for resources, but unfortunately with that comes a decrease in the amount of charitable giving across the board," said Michael J. Brennan, president & CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "In order for us to sustain our resources and continue to improve lives and communities in metro Detroit, we need someone strongly committed to community as our general chair. I know Dick Dauch will provide that necessary leadership."

Dauch has been involved with United Way for more than 20 years. Last year he chaired the Tocqueville committee, charged with increasing the number of individual donors who give at least $10,000 or more annually to United Way. Under his leadership, 69 new members joined the Tocqueville Society, increasing the total number of contributors at that level to 269.

Dauch is a 42-year career veteran of the automotive industry. He began his automotive career with General Motors as a college-graduate-in-training and became the youngest plant manager in Chevrolet’s history. He joined Volkswagen of America in 1976 and served as its group vice president, Manufacturing Operations. In 1980, Dauch joined the Chrysler Corporation at the request of then Chairman Lee Iacocca, and led the company’s manufacturing renaissance. He retired from Chrysler in 1992 as an officer and executive vice president, Manufacturing. Dauch and two investors purchased the axle, forging, and driveshaft assets of General Motors in 1994 to form American Axle & Manufacturing.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.

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United Way, YWCA look for new locations

UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS

July 17, 2006

By Sherrie Begin
Crain's Detroit Business

United Way for Southeastern Michigan is looking for a new downtown Detroit home with more open space to better meet its emerging role as a convener in the community.

The Young Women’s Christian Association of Metropolitan Detroit is also looking for a new downtown building — but one with less space than its current home in the former University Club building on Jefferson.

United Way’s headquarters in the former Detroit Savings Bank on Griswold is about 110,000 square feet spread among 13 floors, said President Michael Brennan.

The building was built in the early 1900s and donated to United Way by Comerica Bank in the 1980s.

The configuration of the building only allows seating for ten to 12 people per floor and doesn’t provide the open space United Way needs for public gatherings, he said.

Parking also will become a larger issue as United Way begins to host community meetings, Brennan said.

Right now, the way the building is designed, at least 25 percent of the United Way building is surplus space, meaning it is not cost-effective, said Diane Jones, director of the Nonprofit Facilities Center, a United Way program.

“We’re certainly looking to lessen the employee division by floors, maximize and open space design if possible and create stronger community convening space,” Brennan said.

A larger space would also allow United Way to provide all its 2-1-1 health and human-service call service centers from one building, Brennan said.

The nonprofit is looking for 50,000 to 60,000 square feet in Detroit’s central business district, he said.

“I’ve gone through this process a couple of times, both in (Washington) D.C. and in West Michigan,” said Brennan.

“Space matters, and it can play a role on your performance, culture of employee attraction and retention, and your cost structure.”

The Nonprofit Facilities Center also is working with the YWCA to assess its space needs. The center recently awarded the nonprofit a $16,000 planning grant, said Emma Peterson, president and CEO.

Like United Way, YWCA would like to remain downtown, she said.

At 56,000 square feet, its current location in the old University Club building on Jefferson is much too large and draining the nonprofit’s resources, Peterson said.

“With the economy the way it is, there’s an extremely high need for people who need services,” she said. “We would much rather invest in programming than to continue to invest in the high operating cost of a facility.”

Peterson said the group prefers to retain ownership of the building with the help of a partner, but has posted a “for sale or lease” sign out front.

YWCA is still auditing its 2005 numbers, Peterson said, but preliminarily it posted revenue of $2.8 million and an operating deficit of $208,000. Of that, $130,000 was depreciation related to the building and YWCA’s other assets, she said.

To counter the rising costs of operating and maintaining the 1931 building which was designed by Albert Kahn, YWCA last fall eliminated two full-time positions and laid off three other employees, increased employees’ health care co-pay and cut salaries across the board by 5 percent, Peterson said.

The moves saved $73,563 and left the organization with about 42 full-time employees and 70 part-time workers, she said.

“Obviously this wasn’t enough, so what we really have to do now is look elsewhere,” said Peterson.

Heart of Detroit is on a roll

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News

Downtown real estate bucks trend, lures those willing to take a chance

DETROIT -- A year ago, Bloomfield Township native Neil Greenberg bought a fancy loft in Birmingham, not far from a small, comfortable downtown district full of cafes, boutique stores and tidy eateries.

The 24-year-old lived there for a week before deciding to sell his loft and flee Oakland County. Too pleasant and predictable, he says.

"Birmingham will probably appeal to me 30 years from now," said the recent University of Michigan graduate. "Right now, I need a place with soul."

For Greenberg, who next month moves into a new loft on Woodward Avenue, and a growing number of suburbanites, that place is the emerging 21st-century downtown Detroit -- a place starkly different from the rest of the city, its suburbs and the region's recent past.

As it adds more upscale housing by the month, downtown is attracting the educated, the young and empty nesters to a community that looks much more diverse than the rest of Detroit. A large number of the newcomers are white, according to Realtors and others, in a city that as a whole is 80 percent black.

The new downtown is a key ingredient in the city's revival, many contend, but academics warn it takes more than a glittery core to turn around a city that's losing 10,000 people each year or to cure Metro Detroit's deep racial divide.

But for now, no one denies the heart of Detroit is on a roll.

Roughly bordered by the New Center area to the north, Detroit River to the south, East Jefferson Avenue near Belle Isle to the east and the Corktown neighborhood to the west, the core of Detroit is experiencing growth that runs counter to trends in other parts of the region.

Last year, Detroit led the area with 1,039 building permits for houses, condos and apartments, according to data compiled by the city planning agency. It was first time the city was tops in housing permits since 1982. Officials credited downtown for much of that growth.

In a lousy real estate market where housing can languish on the market for months, downtown real estate is red hot to moderate, say eight real estate agents and developers who have sold a total of more than 400 properties since 2000, many of which were new dwellings. Some of the housing, like Crosswinds Communities' Garden Lofts at Woodward Place, sells out in days, and prices keep rising. Several $1 million-plus luxury condominiums will be for sale by end of year.

Its clientele is anywhere from 40 percent to 60 percent white, say the agents and developers.

Downtown Detroit is following national trends that began emerging in the 1990s, according to academics who study U.S. demographics. Downtown populations grew nationally by 10 percent on average the last decade -- even in some cities with shrinking populations overall.

"Detroit has the same ingredients to emulate those downtowns," said Eugenie Birch, professor and director of Penn Institute for Urban Research at the University of Pennsylvania, who has authored several studies about new downtown populations. "There are museums, there's beautiful architecture, a waterfront, a sense of deep-rooted history. It all says great culture."

Friends plot Ellington move

Next month, Greenberg joins two other friends from Oakland County who are moving into The Ellington, a new loft development on Woodward Avenue. They will be able to walk to major cultural institutions, big-league sports stadiums, and the Majestic Theatre, as they enjoy a street life that can include a fair share of panhandlers.

Pleasant and predictable it's not. Vigorous and chaotic, with stark contrasts in race and class, it is.

About the same time the guys move into The Ellington, another young suburbanite, Leah Voytal, will move into a historic building a few blocks away. It has been renovated into upscale condominiums that sell as high as $300,000-plus. Many residents are either single young women or empty nesters.

Voytal grew up in Northville, a small, affluent town in Oakland County. After graduating from Michigan State University with an economics degree three years ago, Voytal started to hang out where many young people from her neck of the woods hang: Royal Oak and Ferndale.

That got tiresome fast, the 25-year-old said. "I see the same people I saw at Michigan State."

That's why she often drives 30 miles one way to downtown Detroit to enjoy the range of highbrow to lowbrow offerings: Openings at the Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit Tigers games (she's been to 15 so far this season); Corktown dives like the Lager House, where she can see Detroit garage bands like her current favorites, the Paybacks; and new martini bars like Pulse and Proof.

"A big city has so much more depth," Voytal said. "It's so much more challenging than a homogenous, predictable suburb. It's a blast."

Schism stirs resentment

It's all great news for Detroit, academics contend, but it's not the only essential ingredient needed to save Detroit.

"The health of a city depends not just on a relative small percentage who are wealthy," said Thomas Sugrue, a University of Pennsylvania historian, and author of "The Origins of Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit."

"It depends on the working class and middle-class residents of the city whose quality of life is essential to a city's health. We can't expect the kinds of development transforming Wayne State to downtown to trickle down to the rest of Detroit."

Kurt Metzger, director of research for the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, said he often hears concerns from various Detroit neighborhood activists about the rise of the new affluent downtown.

"Often times you hear: 'Here come the white suburbanites taking all the good stuff,' " Metzger said. "Everybody wants to see Detroit come back. When you have a city that has a population where 33 percent live below the poverty line; have a high unemployment rate, a lot of people say. 'Wait a second, you have all these people with needs and you are taking care of people with money?'

"You have to keep paying attention to the neighborhoods, rewarding people and businesses who stuck it out during tough times to pull off a real comeback."

Groups chisel stereotypes

Many new residents are aware they are challenging long-held stereotypes about living in the middle of Detroit

Austin Black II was born in Northwest Detroit but went to Seaholm High School in Birmingham after his family moved to Troy.

"A lot of people talked about Detroit in terms of stereotypes and there was a smaller group of people who knew that was not the reality," said Black, 26.

Enough people were in the latter group that the Cornell University graduate believed he could make a career selling real estate in downtown Detroit. He was right. He's sealed 20 deals in just more than a year ranging from $170,000 to $400,000.

He also formed a nonprofit group called City Living Detroit that promotes the urban lifestyle.

The growing lure of downtown Detroit and the return of suburbanites is a step forward, supporters say.

"Overall, it's a good sign." said Dwight Belyue, owner of Belmar Development Group, which is behind a number of high-profile downtown projects, including the upcoming @water lofts along the Detroit Riverfront.

"We need the balance," Belyue said, who is African-American. "Detroit is one of those unique cities that lost an entire segment of the population. I'm happy to help bring it back."

You can reach Louis Aguilar at (313) 222-2760 or laguilar@detnews.com.

Home Ownership and Individual Development Accounts

As I went through Tri-Centennial Village located in the wedge between I-96 and Michigan Ave -- not too terribly far from the Old Tiger Stadium ---you see a rebirth taking place despite the great odds.

Over the past few years, Habitat for Humanity has partnered with many to bring forward nearly 100 new homes for low-income individuals. As a matter of fact, this is where just last year former President Jimmy Carter came to work for a couple of days. You have homes in the area in dire need of demolition or renovation. Yet, you have a neighborhood emerging with new two, three and four bedroom homes being built to move families into a stable home. For all, this is the first opportunity to own what every American dreams of --- a home.

On the walk through, I asked how many of the homeowners used an IDA (Individual Development Account) to get themselves into the house. The response was 80%.

For those who may not know, IDAs make it possible for low-income individuals and families to purchase a first home, start a business, or pay for college or vocational training.

How does that happen?

For example, the IDA program run by United Way works with area agencies that encourage individuals to save money, manage the asset responsibly ---- and in return have the contribution matched.

To participate in the program, individuals must meet income guidelines and agree to save at least $28 per month earned from employment in a designated savings account.

Research tells us when individuals/families own homes---many aspects of life improve--- school performance, health, reduction in violence...

The IDA is one way United Way takes the dollars entrusted to it and leverage those resources to ensure a better future. If you would like to learn more about Tri-Centennial Village or the IDA program, just click on United Way for Southeastern Michigan or Habitat for Humanity

The Delray Creed

As some of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan Board members entered into the gym at the Delray Neighborhood House on the Southwest side of Detroit, there we about fifty children---most below the age of 10---sitting in a circle. The day was about to begin for each of them, which meant the "Creed" needed to be said. So together, with the staff, the children began to say:

1. I Love Myself and My Community!

2. I am beautiful Inside and Out!

3. I am Wise!

4. I can do Anything!

5. I will let my Light Shine!

6. I will always Respect Myself, Others, and my Environment!

7. I will Think before I Speak or Act!

Today I pledge to treat everyone the way I want to be treated. Not only do I say the creed daily, I pledge to live it!

As we heard them wrap up the 'Creed', it made me think what our days and/or community might be like if all adults started his/her day with that pledge.

People's Community Services -- which runs the Neighborhood House --- has created a safe, positive and much needed place for children to play/learn/grow. If one is looking for where to find such programs in the tri-county area, you can learn more by calling 211 or by going to United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

United Way's Women's Initiative -- Making a Difference

Last night a group of 10 or so women gathered in Southfield to hear a report from Dr. Ty Partridge of Wayne State University on the early results of work the group has been focused on for over two years: early childhood literacy.

When you have the reality that:

- 60% - 70% of 4th grade children in Detroit DO NOT meet the MEAP English Standards

- 35% to 40% in Macomb

- 55% to 65% in Pontiac

- 45% to 55% in Downriver Wayne County

And:

- 30% of adults in Detroit do not have minimal literacy levels

- 35% do not have high school diploma's

And:

- when research reminds us over and over that early reading skills are the BEST predictor of overall academic achievement:

You then realize that the beginning kernel of work taking place in the United Way's Woman's Initiative is critical.

This is a group of leaders who came together to encourage and celebrate women philanthropists who are leading community change. The work of increasing home visits by professionals to encourage reading was paying off.

One simple stat to me stood out. The 100 kids in the program at the start asked to be read to once a WEEK. By the end, the kids were asking to be read to once a DAY. There are some early indicators that tell these dedicated woman the path they chose is having a tangible impact on the children AND their parents.

This is just one other example of when a group of concerned citizens get focused and act upon a common purpose, more can be accomplished together than alone.

To learn more about the Women's Initiative, you can go to the United Way Web Site at www.uwsem.org/getinvolved/wi.html

United Way names Nicole McKinney director of its Wayne County division

PRESS RELEASE

July 06, 2006

Media Contact(s):
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

DETROIT - United Way for Southeastern Michigan has promoted Nicole D. McKinney to director of its Wayne County Division, from campaign manager. McKinney has more than a decade of experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, including fundraising and public relations.

In her new role, McKinney will be responsible for implementing local strategy that aligns with United Way’s mission and new business model focused on addressing underlying causes of pressing social issues. This entails working with a Local Community Committee comprised of volunteers representing out-Wayne County. She will work with the committee to help prioritize regional needs and implement local strategies to address those needs in measurable and lasting ways.

As campaign manager, McKinney was responsible for overseeing 75 accounts totaling $3.9 million in contributions. Working with volunteers, she executed workplace campaigns in law firms, schools, hospitals, unions, brokerage firms, and insurance companies. She has been with United Way for Southeastern Michigan since 2004.

Prior to coming to Detroit, McKinney was the director of Resource Development at the United Way of Greater Battle Creek, where she oversaw the organization’s annual campaign, donor relations, and worked with campaign volunteers. She also worked as the marketing manager at the Battle Creek Enquirer and as a consultant for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, assisting the organization with grant writing and program evaluation.

McKinney received her bachelor’ degree in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University, in Battle Creek, and is working toward her MBA. She is a resident of Dearborn.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.

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