Michigan Citizen: Fascinating Detroiter

Ty Townsend has had a long career in the entertainment industry. As a Casting Director, he has worked on films and numerous stage productions. In addition, he has been an Artist Manager and Tour Manager. This 45 year old, Detroit native has saw one thing that was consistent in that business, the need for advertising and promotions.

One of the entertainment industry’s primary routes of promotion over the years has been merchandising. If you attend a concert, in the lobby you are likely to find stands where you can buy a T-shirt, Water Bottle or other item emblazoned with their face or logo. Known as Merchandising, these items are key in the promotion of a new artist. But, they are not just for artists, businesses, colleges, even non-profit organizations benefit from the creation of original merchandise with their name, logo and website information on it.

“By working in the entertainment industry, I realized that we were always purchasing these materials from someone else,” Townsend states, “I decided to partner with people who had the means of production and be able to provide the materials for less.” Starting his business, Next Level Promotions has been a learning process for Townsend. He began by reaching out to potential clients via email, however, he soon decided to open a showroom with the assistance of a grant from the State of Michigan due to his disability, he suffers from Herniated Disc Disease, and with a money from the United Way IDA Matching Grant program.

Townsend his happy to tout the United Way who helped him through a program that matches low-income applicants four dollars to every one dollar that they earn or raise to start a business, pay for college or buy a home. More information on the program can be obtained by calling the United Way by dialing 211 from a landline phone.

Townsend, who is the father of three, is using his unique merchandising background to help numerous companies and agencies. His business has worked with Wayne County Community College District, Comcast Cable, and recording artists, Slum Village and Dwele. He is proud of his status as a minority owned and operated business who is local and guarantees his work. He promises that he will save his clients money, offering specials to readers of The Michigan Citizen 20% off a new order when they mention this article. Next Level Promotions has a different special every month, for March, he is offering 100 T-Shirts with a one color imprint for only $300.

T-Shirts are a specialty of Next Level Promotions. He is proud to offer glitter screening, digital processing, heat transfer, metallic ink, embroidery, and more. Townsend enjoys doing family reunion shirts that are a part of bringing families together. Next Level Promotions can also create 10,000 other promotional items, ranging from ashtrays to water bottles. Customers can visit the showroom to see samples of his products. Townsend is looking to build relationships with other Detroit area business owners and collaborate for success.

As a small business owner in the City of Detroit, Townsend knows what it takes to succeed, “You have to see it, and the build it. Businesses need to create a brand identity. If you are in business, you have to advertise, in some way. Without advertising, a very bad thing happens… nothing.”

Ty Townsend
Next Level Promotions
4731 Grand River Ste. 102
Detroit, MI 48208

(800) 520-0853
www.nextlevelpromotionalproducts.com

United Way Seeks Nominations for Outstanding Volunteers by April 11

Press Release

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cara I. Belton, (313) 226-9484 or (313) 520-8454
Laura L. Rodwan, (313) 226-9484 or (313) 477-2750

Community-wide Volunteer Recognition Program to raise awareness of volunteer impact in Southeast Michigan

DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan is seeking nominations for its annual Volunteer Recognition program. The nomination process begins on March 18, and provides an opportunity for individuals to nominate either themselves or another tireless volunteer, committed to improving the community around him or her. The award ceremony will take place in May, recognizing for those who enrich our community through volunteerism.

This year, the nomination and judging process will include a video contest that allows nominees to showcase their volunteerism, and engages the entire community to select the winners by voting during National Volunteer Week, April 27- May 3 at www.uwsem.org/volunteer2008. Each volunteer must submit a two-minute video about their volunteer service and why they feel that they should be honored to win one of the eight awards. Nominations are being accepted in six categories that honor youth, young adults, and retirees as well as outstanding businesses or groups who volunteer. The event honors individuals whose volunteer efforts in the areas of the United Way’s Agenda for Change: Educational Preparedness, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs.

“Volunteer service is critical to a thriving community,” said Michael J. Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “That is why we are launching a community-wide volunteer recognition program to build awareness about the impact volunteers make in southeast Michigan. Whether you are tutoring children, or helping low-income families prepare their tax returns, it all matters. Even something as simple as driving your elderly neighbor to her weekly doctor’s appointment is an act of volunteerism, so be creative and nominate yourself or someone you know today,” he added.

To obtain nomination guidelines and tips for creating a video, please log on to www.uwsem.org/volunteer2008 or contact United Way’s George W. Romney Volunteer Center at 313-226-9430, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nominations must be received at United Way no later than 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2008.

The award categories are as follows:

• Bernie Firestone Award – Recognizes an outstanding rank and file member of a local labor union dedicated to community service in one or more of United Way’s focus areas: Education, Financial Stability, or Basic Needs. A $1,000 donation is given to a nonprofit of the winner’s choice.
• Exemplary Group Service Award – Recognizes families, couples or groups who strive to improve their community by volunteering in on or more of United Way’s focus areas. A $500 donation will be made to an agency of the winning group’s choice.
• Heart of Gold Award– This has become one of the most distinguished volunteer recognitions in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Winners are a select group of individuals whose efforts, enthusiasm, and immeasurable commitment to volunteerism in one or more of United Way’s focus areas. Awardees receive a 14 karat gold heart in tribute to their dedication. Two individuals will be recognized with the Heart of Gold award this year.
• Outstanding Youth Award – Recognizes youth ages 12-18 who demonstrate exceptional volunteerism in one of more of United Way’s three focus areas. In honor of the award, a $250 donation to a nonprofit of the winner’s choice.
• Young Adult Award of Excellence – Recognizes adults ages 19-25 who represent the highest standards of service in one or more of United Way’s three focus areas. In honor of the award, a $250 donation will be made to a nonprofit of the winner’s choice.
• Outstanding Business Award – Open to small, medium or large businesses. Those recognized by this award excel in and are committed to community involvement through volunteering in one or more of United Way’s focus areas. A $1,000 donation will be made to a nonprofit of the honoree’s choice.

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The Searchers

Posted By: Matt Clayson and Rose Giffen to MetroMode

Matt: It's as if we're constantly searching for solutions to the same old issues that have haunted us for the past 50, 100 years. Why don't we have transit? Why are we so segregated? Why is education not valued? Why is the media so negative? Why are insurance rates for city residents so high? Why can't we expand or even renovate Cobo Hall? Why can't we appreciate who we are as a region? Why can't we hold ourselves, our leaders accountable? Why are we so caught up in entitlements? Why can't we live united in the dream of a city and region of opportunity? Why can't we expect greatness?

Yet, a lot of solid solutions to these problems have been proposed over the years. And a lot of solid solutions are continuing to be proposed. So, could it be that the issue is not with solutions, but rather the execution of those solutions?

Rose: Regional solutions need regional execution. Unfortunately, we tend to isolate ourselves when the going gets tough. Rather than uniting behind executing solutions, we point fingers and hide behind our barriers and fears. This failure to implement solutions across borders is a regional liability, resulting in a lack of regional vision, lack of a regional plan and a lack of regional leadership that inspires and conveys opportunity.

Matt: To me, nothing steers young persons away from the region more than the perception that there is no opportunity here. Perception remains an important piece of attracting and retaining young talent. Branding campaigns and initiatives; incentives to live in urban areas; networking events and a vibrant nightlife – sure they help. Nonetheless, when they're not supported by effective, meaningful policy that is executed at a regional level, they're merely icing on the cake.

Rose: Well, don’t forget that lot of great solutions are happening at the grassroots, civic and not-for-profit level. From Focus Hope to ACCESS to United Way to One D to our work at the Michigan Roundtable, we're talking and innovating in ways that we never have before. We're building a foundation of collaboration that includes various perspectives and innovative ideas.

But, maybe, could it be that a central piece to overcoming the stigma that there is no opportunity in Southeast Michigan is ensuring that young talent is welcomed and engaged in finding and executing solutions to regional problems. It's essential to find avenues to get young talent invested and engaged in their communities, and much of the work around regional transformation that is occurring provides the perfect opportunity to create those on-ramps to meaningful community engagement.

Matt: That's the key – meaningful on-ramps to community engagement. Engage young talent in the policy making and policy executing process. Rather than ask "hey, young talent – where's the next cool bar where we can host a happy hour and networking event," maybe we should ask "hey, young talent – what are the amenities that will keep you in this region" and "hey, young talent, how can we co-create and co-execute policy that will enable you and your peers to grow and flourish in Detroit."

Of course, as young talent, we must take it upon ourselves to define our vision for the future, know about and understand the current regional transformation initiatives underway, learn from the successes and failures of current stakeholders and, most importantly, learn to walk that fine line between being patient and demanding results.

Dazed and Confused

Posted By: Matt Clayson and Rose Giffen to MetroMode

Matt: Well, when one titles a blog with a trite and over-used music quote, it has to be good. But, with all the good, bad and the ugly – another quote, from albeit a better movie – happening in Southeast Michigan, who can help from feeling dazed and confused about our current direction and, more importantly, our future.

Rose: Wow – that was cheesy, but pretty true. It's pretty clear – as a region, we're confused. Who should we look to as leaders, what policies are good for our future, what is the role of the city in the new economy, what is the role of the suburbs? And as a generation of new leaders, how do we become engaged and a meaningful part of any solution tackling the issues affecting our region.

Matt: So, as you see, this blog will be a little different. In an effort to spur meaningful and action oriented dialogue, Rose and I will be taking a point counter point perspective on issues and needs central to Generation X, Generation Y and Millennials; and different initiatives led by Generation X, Y and Millennials focused on addressing those issues.

Rose: Matt and I have worked together in various capacities on multiple projects. Most recently, we have been working to co-create the Leadership Next initiative with the United Way for Southeast Michigan. Though our backgrounds and experiences are different, we share a common desire for the civic, economic and social advancement of the region.

Matt: We desire a region that is confident in its future; a region that learns from and respects its past; and a region that is strategic about its growth and distribution of resources.

Rose: Matt – I think you missed something big – we want a region that is inclusive. A region that seeks solutions from many and that knows how to engage and leverage its diverse populations. I strongly believe that once you give people an opportunity to impact their community they will stay.

Matt: So, let's get down to the nitty gritty. In our next posts, we hope to talk about the following: (1) what do we believe is the problem that can be most easily addressed to attract and retain talent; (2) what Generation X, Generation Y and Millennials can do to address this problem; (3) what corporate, civic and political stakeholders can do to support Generation X, Generation Y and Millennials in addressing this problem; and (4) what is our ideal region?

More tomorrow...

One D - Post No. 3

Posted By: Kat Owsley, 3/23/2008

I gave a presentation to the Birmingham Bloomfield Task Force on Race Relations this week (by the way, they are a great group). It is the largest task force of its kind in the region and a valuable asset to the race relations component of One D. It’s a group like this that can provide best practices and a structured forum for breaking down racial stereotypes.

I was asked some tough questions by one of their members about whether One D is exclusive and whether we’re engaging others in the collaboration. These were good questions because I think this is where we get a lot of confusion as it relates to the purpose of One D.

Inherently, the public is already engaged because it was the public who was polled initially and asked for more regional collaboration and a champion for their top five issues (economic prosperity, educational preparedness, quality of life, race relations and regional transit). Those involved in One D agreed to take responsibility to report on progress being made in these areas whether it is our work or someone else’s.

And again, the public is inherently involved in that we will circle back periodically to ask "How are we doing as a region in these five areas?"

And to reinforce the point about exclusivity—One D founding organizations alone can’t possibly close the gap on these priorities even if we wanted to. In some cases we’re not the owners nor are we the experts. There are others that "do the work" –they will be the ones that push us forward in certain areas.

For example, there is a lot of great buzz out there about transit projects, asset mapping of our greenways spaces and water board collaborations just to name a few.

Brian Balasia of Digerati Solutions realized his vision this past week and by happy coincidence contributed to some of the goals of One D as well. Brian developed a concept to bring together smaller firms that are looking for talent (and thereby want to keep talent here) with students from the U of M Engineering School who are looking for an opportunity after school where they can do more than live in a "cube farm".

This was a win-win-win idea. Small companies had access to an event that leveled the playing field between big and small company. No big, glitzy Boeing exhibit booth next to a small card table with a table cloth. Brian took a more egalitarian approach so small firms wouldn’t be dwarfed by the larger firms. Students would get exposure to firms that would allow them a wider range of experience and thereby perhaps give them greater entrepreneurial preparation.

Finally, the region wins if an event like this one –that I hope will be duplicated at other universities---helps move the needle on in-migration or higher retention rates of secondary degree holders.

In a similar vein, Darlene Trudell at the Engineering Society of Detroit is doing some amazing work that not only will help us keep some of our secondary degree holders here but will prepare kids in secondary school and earlier for science and science-oriented careers by pairing up the private sector and students. Again, not founders of One D but regional groups and people that will help our progress.

So I throw the question back to the rest of you. What is your organization doing to close the gap in these areas? Are you doing work that will help the region improve in race relations? Grade level reading?

One D founders and their boards of directors were never meant to be acting as an island doing work apart from the rest of the region. One D will strive to be inclusive as a movement and incorporate others into the vision for each of the priorities.

We want to hear from you, so please contact us. What are you doing to get involved?

Millennials: The Holy Grail of Demographics

Posted By: Kat Owsley, 3/20/2008

I was sitting in a board of directors strategic planning meeting last week for the Michigan Society of Association Executives and we were talking about things we need to be aiming for as an organization, objectives, goals, etc.

I was talking about data. If our data showed definitively what we all suspect--that many of our active members are within earshot of retirement--then we probably need to be talking about how to make membership attractive to the millennials.

Millenials.

Everyone seems obsessed with them: attracting millennials to the region, keeping college students here after graduation---there’s even a new Young Professionals track at the Mackinac Policy Conference this year. I marvel about how wanted millennials must feel.

Anyhow, there are two things that strike me in particular about the millenials and the work that we are measuring and tracking with One D.

First, as it relates to our Race Relations priority, I have been obsessing about what kind of survey results we would get if we developed a race relations perception survey and divided the responses by "under 25" and "over 50".

I maintain that if you survey people from the region (an appropriate sample size spread among the region geographically and representative of our racial make-up) and ask about status of race relations, levels of interaction, integration, comfort level, etc. you would find a significant difference in the responses. It seems like younger people are more relaxed talking about race and are more apt to be interactive. And to take that one step further, if that is the case, that’s one more reason why this is a desirable group of people to attract to or keep in the region. The larger the influx of this group, the more improvements you would see in race relations in the region.

Not everyone agrees with me. In fact, one of my bosses disagrees with me. They maintain that it’s institutional. That by going through school and work in this region the divisiveness is enforced and the status quo reigns. I’m curious to hear about how others view this issue.

Second, I was talking to Kerry Doman, of After Five, the other day about how everyone is obsessing about people her age and we were talking about the Quality of Life priority.

The One D vision for quality of life centers around arts and culture, parks, greenspaces and healthcare. That seemed pretty representative to me until I spoke with Kerry. She immediately said that if she was asked what Qualify of Life meant to her, she would think of a rich and lively after five (no pun intended) scene--lots of places to go, things to do, people engaging in a lively night life.

I found this interesting. Quality of Life is pretty subjective for all of us, I guess. But if we are putting a lot of stock in the millennial population keeping our region healthy, vibrant and growing, I wonder if we need to tweak how we look at this as One D and as a region to coincide with the other goals we have on attracting and retaining this "holy grail" of demographics.

Until tomorrow!

Just what the heck is One D anyway?

Posted By: Kat Owsley, 3/19/2008

I think there’s a lot of confusion out there about One D so I’m here to set the record straight.

To be honest, we’re not too concerned that you actually know who we are or what we do. Instead we’d rather you know about the work we care about.

For instance, we’d rather you know that metro Detroit's "entrepreneurship ranking" is 29 out of 50 ...when compared with other U.S. metro areas (Source: Entrepreneurship Magazine "Hot Cities for Entrepeneuers, 2006").

We’d also rather you know that our region ranked 50th out of 50 when compared with other large metro areas in terms of job growth for 2005-2006 (Source: US Census Bureau).

Furthermore, we’d probably rather you know that according to the 2006 MEAP results, 18% of 6th graders in the tri-county region—not the city of Detroit but the region--- are not reading at their grade level.

So now that you know all this, maybe I can tell you a little more about how One D fits in and what we hope to accomplish.

One D is not an organization but a collaborative that is made up of six founding CEO’s: Doug Rothwell (Detroit Renaissance), Dick Blouse (Detroit Regional Chamber), Larry Alexander (Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau), Maud Lyon (The Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan), Shirley Stancato (New Detroit) and Michael Brennan (United Way for Southeastern Michigan).

This group came together to eliminate some of the redundancies in the work their organizations were doing individually and to address five priorities identified through extensive community surveying in southeast Michigan.

What did these survey results reveal? Well, first of all, that people want to see more regional collaboration. But they also identified five particular areas where they would like to see improvement in the region:

• regional transit
• quality of life
• economic prosperity
• educational preparedness
• race relations

And so the six founders of One D created a vision statement, objectives and supporting strategies for tackling each of these priorities.

For example, one of our objectives in Educational Preparedness is to achieve a rank in the top 10 of 20 largest metro areas with individuals with post-secondary education (our current rank is 18). Both our economic prosperity and our educational preparedness work supports this objective with strategies such as retaining college educated talent in the region through an aggressive, regional internship program or linking college graduations to entrepreneurial opportunities.

Here’s another example, we have an objective to increase the number of third graders who can read at grade level. We often hear (especially from Mike Brennan!) that by third grade you should be reading to learn not learning to read. So part of One D’s work is to raise awareness about how many kids are not reading at grade level and to continue to measure and report those statistics, to share that information with the region so we can create community will toward changing this problem. And finally, One D can help facilitate the recruitment and mobilization of volunteers to work with students on a weekly basis as reading tutors in the schools (to find out more on how to get involved click here)

The work we do every day in pursuit of those objectives is really the heart of One D. Our measure of success will not be whether the "man on the street" can identify what One D is, but rather if we can move the needle forward toward achieving those objectives.

Tomorrow I’d like to talk about other ways people can help and tell you about some of the work that others are doing outside of One D.

The Arab American News: DDP looks to the future of Detroit

2-1-1 On the Go is a United Way for Southeastern Michigan downtown homeless outreach program, started in October of 2007, due to a partnership with Strategic Staffing Solutions and the DDP. 2-1-1 On the Go employs two United Way caseworkers, who use bright yellow and white vehicles to survey Detroit for the homeless. The caseworkers conduct one-on-one interventions with individuals, assess their needs and help them gain employment and access to living facilities. 2-1-1 On the Go offers services such as voicemail, prepaid calling cards, mailboxes and state-issued photo IDs.

Click here to read more.

Detroit Free Press: All three metro Detroit counties show decline in latest Census | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

For the first time in recent memory, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties all are experiencing an exodus of residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates being released today.

All three counties had more people move away between July 2006 and June 2007 than select them as places to relocate.

Wayne lost more residents — 35,296 — than any other county in Michigan. In Oakland, a total 7,101 fewer people called it home. And in Macomb the number was 1,412 fewer.

“For the first time, all these counties are experiencing outmigration,” said Kurt Metzger, research director of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, who noted that 73 Michigan counties had a net outflow of residents."

Click here to continue reading.

Books, books and more books

Women's Initiative delivers the goods

Recently, the Women's Initiative received a generous donation of 600 new soft-covered books from the Detroit Media Partnership, comprised of The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press.

This delightful selection of books, geared for ages 7-12, included many award winners. While the focus of our Early Childhood Literacy Initiative is improving literacy among children 0-3 so that they are ready to enter school prepared to learn, the chance to help older children is appealing. Securing books for these age levels provides our initiative an opportunity to include older siblings as part of the literacy process and supply “role modeling” for their younger brothers and sisters.

Click here to continue reading.

Upcoming Leadership Next event

CEOs: Off the Record with John Rakolta Jr., CEO of Walbridge Aldinger

Join Leadership Next in March for the next installment of "CEOs: Off the Record," with John Rakolta Jr., CEO of Walbridge Aldinger.

CEOs: Off the Record provides an opportunity for LN members to have a candid conversation about the issues facing our regional community today, in a relaxed setting. The event will take place on March 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Space is limited, so RSVP to leadershipnext@uwsem.org today!

Not yet a member of Leadership Next? Don't worry! Just go to www.uwsem.org/leadershipnext to register. Signing up is easy. You only need to believe in the potential of the region and become a United Way for Southeastern Michigan donor to complete registration.

Get out there! The Case for Community Leadership

Young business professionals maintain a pretty hectic pace in order to advance their company’s business objectives while building their credentials. This hectic pace is a common, justifiable barrier to volunteering in the community. To help business professionals rationalize a time commitment to community initiatives, here is a new perspective on the value of volunteering and a tip on how to do it more efficiently.

Click here to continue reading.

Team commits to financial stability cause

The mission of Leadership Next is to engage emerging leaders to create vibrant and caring communities in the Detroit region. The group is doing this by equipping these leaders with the skills, connections and environment conducive to making a positive impact in southeast Michigan. The members of Leadership Next, a United Way for Southeastern Michigan program, believe in walking the talk.

LN took a significant step toward fulfilling its mission March 4, with the announcement of plans to implement financial stability projects to help individuals and families in the area. Educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs are the three focus areas of United Way's Agenda for Change, the organization's business plan for the next 10 years, and LN has been looking at ways to align its efforts with that work.

Click here to continue reading.

Media Monitoring tracks Agenda issues

United Way for Southeastern Michigan continues to build our investment, policy, fundraising and business models around the Agenda for Change, our plan to create lasting change across the region. The Agenda focuses on educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs, and to keep people informed about what's going on in these three issue areas we have developed Media Monitoring.

Media Monitoring is a series of three weekly e-mails that provides subscribers the latest news from local, state and national media related to our Agenda work. We invite you to subscribe to one or more of the three editions of Media Monitoring using the links below. The links also allow you to view this week's editions of Media Monitoring.

• Educational Preparedness edition (Click here to subscribe)
• Financial Stability edition (Click here to subscribe)
• Basic Needs edition (Click here to subscribe)

As always, you may opt-out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the top of each e-mail.

For additional information about Media Monitoring, please contact Brad Frost at Brad.Frost@uwsem.org, or 313.226.9284.

Increasing union numbers could benefit United Way

United Way for Southeastern Michigan and other United Ways across the country have been partnering with the men and women of organized labor practically since our inception in the 1940s. The contributions of time and money union members provide each year continue to be critical to the success of our work. Just last month, for instance, the International Union UAW committed to recruiting 1,000 volunteers from its ranks to support United Way's newly lauched Operation ABC -- a unique initiative focused on getting every child in the region to read at grade level by third grade. Union members also contribute to ongoing United Way work that takes place across southeast Michigan year 'round.

Click here to continue reading.

Video contest will honor outstanding volunteers

Volunteering can involve as little as taking a neighbor to a weekly doctor’s appointment or as much of a commitment as becoming a mentor to a troubled youth. United Way for Southeastern Michigan believes all acts of volunteerism, large and small, should be recognized and we need your help to honor those people and groups who give back through community service.

Now through April 11, United Way is accepting nominations in six award categories. To nominate someone, you must create a video that tells the audience -- in two minutes or less --why the volunteer being nominated should be honored with an award and submit a nomination form. United Way will also be involving the community in the award selection process, allowing individuals to view videos of the top three volunteers in each category and vote for who they believe should win each award.

Click here to continue reading.

ASB '08 is the start of something great

"We didn't give up spring break, we took advantage of it."

The mere mention of spring break causes most of us to conjure up images of lazy days in the sun or wild parties on far-away beaches. But for 60 young volunteers from across the United States and Canada, the break they had this year was something completely different from any they have ever experienced -- thanks to United Way's Alternative Spring Break.

ASB is a two-year-old project that brings together young people interested in spending their spring break completing community service projects, and for the first time Detroit was included among the list of cities hosting volunteers. From Feb. 23 to March 1 ASBers spent their days either working outside in single-digit weather or sweating away on maintenance projects inside, at a number of nonprofit agencies across the region. And while it doesn't sound very glamorous or much like a break, a good time was had by all. In fact, we were hard-pressed to find a single one of them who wouldn't do it all over again.

Click here to continue reading.

Citizens advocate against predatory lending

Michigan residents have spoken and our elected officials are listening. House Bill 4645, which requires clarification for people seeking refund anticipation loans, also known as rapid refunds, is moving through the state legislature and on its way to becoming law. This bill is an important step in regulating predatory lending practices that target low-income individuals and families.

State Rep. Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit) introduced the bill, and the Michigan House of Representatives approved it in February. United Way, the Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, and other partners have worked with Tobocman to spread the word and urge Michiganders to voice their support for the bill.

Click here to continue reading.

2-1-1 strengthens reach, expands coverage

United Way 2-1-1’s presence is growing across the region as more users reach out for help, and a greater number of callers are connecting to the service in different ways for different needs.

In addition to expanding our reach into communities throughout Monroe and Washtenaw counties, United Way 2-1-1 now links callers to 21,448 services and 6,610 programs across the region. The three-digit helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers assistance to callers in multiple languages. In February, 19,607 users dialed 2-1-1, an increase of 161 percent over the same month a year ago. February's volume was also 13 percent higher than in January.

Click here to continue reading.

The Michigan Journal: Reflections - ASB Detroit

"At the end of week, I realized that I'd been part of something that will have no end; something that caused a magnanimous spirit to rise within all of the participants and onlookers that hopefully remains vibrant and fervent within us in our respective communities; something that I hope we can all use to ignite the same sprit of unity and selflessness in those around us."

Click here to continue reading.

The Michigan Journal: Above and beyond: ASB Detroit - News

Volunteers paint walls, build ramps, clean building sites, change lives over spring break

This past spring break, something extraordinary happened at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Friendships were made, leaders were strengthened, buildings were mended and lives were changed.

Volunteers, some traveling from as far as California, Florida and Canada, came together to spread hope and their services to the Detroit community.

Although they were only here for a week, the impressions they made - and the ones made on them - will last for a lifetime.

Click here to continue reading.

Crain's Detroit Business: MARY KRAMER: '2-1-1' program good news for our region

Forget the debate over Washington's "economic stimulus" package. The quickest way to put money into the hands of working, low-income residents in metro Detroit is through their tax returns.

Mike Brennan, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Michigan, figures $70 million to $100 million is "left on the table" in the region by unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credits.

For a family of four earning under $40,000, it could mean a tax credit of up to $4,300.

United Way is trying to recruit tax preparers and volunteers in the region to help get the word out. But employers can help, too. If you have employees on the payroll you think might qualify, you can get more information to distribute companywide from the United Way.

Just call the "2-1-1" help line and ask for information.

You'll be introduced to one of the most successful "good news" stories in our region. 2-1-1 is the magic number for all kinds of help. Facing foreclosure? You can find out the programs that best fit your circumstances. Out of food at home? Gas or electricity being shut off? Ditto.

In its first year, it logged 100,000 calls, rising to 160,000 in 2007. United Way expects to handle 250,000 calls in 2008 and 500,000 within five years.

In three years, it's the second-largest 2-1-1 program in the country.

The 24/7 help line has 40 trained staff members, and assistance in Spanish and Arabic is always available. An online system of "prompts" with a resource data base allows staffers to identify 7,000 services in 1,200 service categories.

United Way sends data on calls to service providers monthly. More important, the program tracks where the needs are — and can identify where geographic service gaps are in the region.

The program also has been used to target outcomes. For example, when the Michigan Dental Association wanted to offer free dental services during February, 2-1-1 operators asked callers with other problems: Does your child have a dentist?

In three weeks, 900 children were signed up for the "Make a Kid Smile" program.

The talented call-center workers deserve applause, along with Sullivan and Brennan. Three businesspeople who helped make 2-1-1 a reality deserve kudos: Lear Corp.'s Jim Vandenberghe for raising the money; Joan Gehrke, the volunteer chair of the effort; and Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO Cindy Pasky for an innovative 2-1-1 "on the go" program to help people on the streets.

[Source]