United Way Invites Community to Vote for Outstanding Volunteers Online

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

DETROIT –What better way to kick off National Volunteer Week, April 27- May 3, then to cast your vote for an outstanding volunteer or group? On Monday, April 28, United Way is inviting everyone to log on to the Internet and help select the winners of the 2008 annual Volunteer Recognition program. To vote, simply log into www.uwsem.org/volunteer2008.

This is the first time that United Way presented the nomination and voting process online. Voters now have the opportunity to view brief two-minute videos, submitted by the nominees to showcase their volunteerism in six categories that honor youth, young adults, and retirees as well as outstanding businesses or groups who volunteer.

United Way’s 2008 Volunteer Recognition program is designed to honor individuals who volunteered in the areas of the organization’s Agenda for Change: Educational Preparedness, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs.

“Volunteer service is so critical to a thriving community, and yet often the many men and women who give their time and commitment become unsung heroes,” said Michael Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “For over 40 years, United Way has worked to bring recognition to those who uplift the community through their care and concern. It is tradition that we are proud to continue.”

The nomination process began on March 18, and provides an opportunity for individuals to nominate either themselves or another tireless volunteer. The award ceremony will take place in May, recognizing those who enrich the community through volunteerism.

Bank of America donates books

Bank of America donated three very large cases of books to assist the United Way Women's Initiative in its efforts to promote early childhood literacy.

The April donation benefits Healthy Start, Healthy Families, Lighthouse PATH and Catholic Social Services. Gail Duncan, WI steering committee member, made the delivery. In March, the WI 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, and Duncan made that delivery as well.

"For me personally, the greatest part of this project is being able to say, 'keep up the good work,' each time I drop off books at an agency and prepare to leave, empty handed," said Duncan.

Reflecting on WI's progress

By Jennifer Shroeger

I would like to voice my heartfelt appreciation to United Way for Southeastern Michigan for organizing the Women’s Initiative. This creative group has focused on improving early childhood literacy and is doing vital work in the lives of women, children, and families across Southeastern Michigan.

Our Harvest Soiree was a wonderful time of sharing. Leslie Murphy, a member of the Women’s Initiative steering committee and the UWSEM Board, hosted the event and graciously welcomed the group into her home in order to facilitate discussion on the importance of this work. As we all sat in a circle, each member took turns relating their own personal story and many of us spoke of the help we received in the course of our own lives. Through the laughter and tears we shared, we came together in consensus that determined people can achieve anything.

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Immigration stems population loss

According to Managing Migration: The Global Challenge, the latest population bulletin issued by the Population Reference Bureau, the number of international migrants is at an all-time high.

There were 191 million migrants in 2005, which means that 3 percent of the world’s people left their country of birth or citizenship for a year or more. The number of international migrants in industrialized countries more than doubled between 1985 and 2005, from almost 55 million to 120 million.

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Town Halls designed for Leadership Givers

United Way is offering Leadership Givers an opportunity to have their voices heard while getting answers to important questions about our current and future work through a series of Town Hall meetings.

The sessions kick off May 8, when United Way for Southeastern Michigan President and CEO Michael Brennan and CFO Cathy Adcock welcome members to 1212 Griswold and field questions about the organization's plans for the community. Visitors will have an opportunity to tour our 2-1-1 call center prior to meeting with Brennan and Adcock. The event runs from 9-11:30 a.m.

Each Town Hall will offer Leadership Givers an opportunity to get to know an aspect of UWSEM a bit better while having their voice heard by a member of United Way leadership. If you are interested in joining us for the May Town Hall simply e-mail tiffany.chaney@uwsem.org.

Want to become a Leadership Giver? Go to www.uwsem.org/give/leadership.html, or contact Tiffany Chaney at 313-226-9239 for more infomation.

National Volunteer Week is April 27 - May 3

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in their community. It’s about showing the nation how to meet challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community, in which everyone works together. During National Volunteer Week individuals and communities can be at the center of social change as they discover their power to make a difference.

President Richard Nixon signed an executive order in 1974 establishing National Volunteer Week as an annual celebration of volunteerism. Every year since that time, each U.S. president, along with many governors, mayors and other elected officials, has signed a proclamation promoting the week.

National Volunteer Week is our time to not only recognize and celebrate volunteers, but also to encourage more of them to share ideas, practices and stories, and to shape a movement that re-imagines the notion of citizenship for the 21st century.

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Your week to get 'Money Smart'

A lot of things come along with money -- influence, security and strings, among others -- but instructions aren't one of them. Regardless of how much money you have, learning how to save, spend and borrow it a little more wisely is something everyone benefits from. That is precisely the premise behind Money Smart Week.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan is once again teaming up with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit branch and more than 125 financial institutions, nonprofits, schools, libraries and other organizations to host the fifth annual Money Smart Week Michigan, April 20-26.

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CCR helps nonprofits cut costs while boosting efficiency

At a time when more metro Detroit nonprofits are looking for ways to serve more with less, United Way’s Community Capital Resources program is helping them build operating capacity and efficiency.

CCR, formerly the Nonprofit Facilities Center, was launched in 2002 to assist nonprofits with the planning and financing of facility projects, with a goal of enabling organizations to maximize the resources they can make available for programmatic instead of operational costs. From these core services, the program has blossomed into a full-service resource provider to organizations across the region, helping them plan and manage facility projects to support their missions over the long-term.

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Protect your American Dream

Educational seminars for homeowners

You worked hard to buy your house and now it has become your home. In these uncertain economic times you want to be sure to keep your home. The experts from GreenPath Debt Solutions will show you strategies you can use to manage your money to protect your American dream. You’ll learn how to take control of your money by setting goals and creating a realistic budget that will allow you to keep abreast of your mortgage payments.

You’ll also learn from Cornerstone Community Financial about credit and debt issues and steps you can take to protect your house from mortgage delinquency and foreclosure. And, if you are struggling to make your house payments or behind on payments, there are specific options available to help you keep your home.

You will not be required to share personal financial information at these seminars. At the conclusion of the seminar you will have the opportunity to discuss your individual situation with mortgage and money management professionals.

Seminar dates and times are as follows:

May 22nd at 6 p.m.
Oakland County Credit Union
1375 N. Oakland Blvd., Waterford
This seminar is hosted by T& C Federal Credit Union, GreenPath Debt Solutions, Oakland County Housing Counseling and United Way for Southeast Michigan

June 11th at 6:30 p.m.
Auburn Hills Community Center
1827 N. Squirrel Rd., Auburn Hills
This seminar is hosted by Cornerstone Community Financial, GreenPath Debt Solutions, Oakland County Housing Counseling, United Way for Southeast Michigan and the City of Auburn Hills.

Both seminars are free and open to all community members. Please call Stephanie at 248-370-9440 to reserve your spot to ensure we have room for you. Walk-ins are welcome if the seminar is not filled.

We've got your back

I was just downstairs talking with a woman who was referred to 2-1-1 On the Go! by a case manager at COTS. She is a 60 year old woman from Detroit who tried to make a go of it in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last year, only to end up homeless from lack of available work. She returned to Detroit in March and was almost instantly homeless. She has been back in town for only three weeks, but already had many stories to tell me about walking from Highland Park to Hart Plaza and back in a day, just to get help. To give her story a bit more credibility, it should be noted that she walked here from COTS this morning to meet with me at 9:00 AM in 40 degrees, wind and rain. She didn't need to walk here (because we would've come to her), but the case manager didn't know that, so off she went on her 60 year old legs to take another chance on getting some help.

We talked for about half an hour, during which time she eventually teared-up and said this, "I've been waiting so long just to hear those words... for someone to say, 'We know you're trying, and we've got your back.'"

This is the kind of experience that lets me know I'm blessed to be doing this work. I just wanted to share this encouragement with you all: that the seemingly mundane, tedious tasks we sometimes must do to create and maintain a program do have meaningful, personal impact on real people. I'm glad to be a part of this team.

Nicholas Monterosso
2-1-1 on the Go

United Way Extends Nomination Deadline for Volunteer Program

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 has extended the nomination deadline for its annual Volunteer Recognition program to Friday, April 18 at 11:59 p.m. The annual program 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.

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.

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.

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 Campaign, 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.

Detroit Free Press: Private groups push Detroit ahead | Freep.com

"That so outpaces anything else," said Michael Brennan, president of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "We're always going to have other things that will add to the pain in the region, but I think the economic contraction by far is the single largest driver causing the region to work, behave and move in a different fashion."

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One D Responds to Dropout Issue

One D, a collaboration of six major civic organizations in metro Detroit led by Edsel B. Ford II to transform the region, responded to yesterday's story on the dropout issue and its effect on Detroit. The America's Promise Alliance release of a study that found that half of the students served by public school systems in the nation's largest cities receive diplomas. Seventeen of the nation's 50 largest cities had high school graduation rates lower than 50%, with the lowest graduation rates reported in Detroit, Indianapolis and Cleveland.

While there are continuing discussions on how the drop out rates are calculated and what may be a more accurate process, any method demonstrates that the number of dropouts in urban settings across the country is too high. One D has dedicated its support to improving this condition.

The dropout rate is not a new problem for the region or the nation. The partners of One D are committed to finding innovative ways to solve the problem. One D will convene partners and resources in a different way to create change as evidenced by a Dropout Prevention Summit being held on April 24-25, 2008 in conjunction with America's Promise and the Skillman Foundation at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield.

"Unless we work together to stem the tide of the current high school dropout rate in our region, our community will suffer devastating long-term effects," said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "Individual and community levels of academic attainment are one of the single most critical predictors of personal health, life expectancy, potential earnings, crime rates and civic participation. Unless more people complete school prepared to succeed in the workforce, southeast Michigan will be unable to compete in the global economy."

One D's "Dropout Prevent Summit" is being funded by America's Promise, the Skillman Foundation and the United Way to raise awareness of this epidemic locally, to showcase cities and organizations that have successfully turned around their worst performing schools, and to equip school and community leaders with the vision and tools to begin the design of their own school turnaround efforts.

"The good news is that high-performing, high-poverty high schools have emerged across the nation," said Shirley Stancato, President of New Detroit. "It has also been shown that there are conditions which must be in place for high schools to flourish for kids who confront the myriad of challenges of poverty on a daily basis. The purpose of One D's Dropout Prevention Summit is to learn from the people and schools who have successfully changed those conditions, and to make plans to accomplish the same in our region," she added.

The Dropout Prevention Summit, April 24-25, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. Keynote speakers include:

• Connie Calloway, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools
• David Hecker, President of the American Federation of Teachers, Michigan Chapter
  
• Michael Flanagan, State Superintendent of Schools
  

For more information on the partners of the One D collaborative and the Dropout Prevention Summit, visit http://www.oned.org/ .

Crain's Detroit Business: Ilitch Charities for Children changes name, announces grants

By Sherri Begin

Ilitch Charities for Children Tuesday announced $50,000 in economic-development grants.

The charitable arm of companies owned by Michael and Marian Ilitch has also changed its name to Ilitch Charities to reflect its scope beyond programs that improve the lives of children in the areas of health, education and recreation.

Broadening the organization’s mission to include a focus on economic development “will allow us to address not only shorter-term needs, but support longer-term efforts that will result in increased jobs and an improved economy, which we believe attacks many social issues at the root,” said Christopher Ilitch, chairman of the charitable division, in a release.

“This approach, we believe, has the potential to cure problems, versus temporarily fixing them.”

At a Tuesday morning press conference, Ilitch announced grants of $25,000 each to Detroit Renaissance Foundation and to United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

The grant to Detroit Renaissance will support establishment of the Creative Economy Investment Fund, which will provide capital to entrepreneurs and small to midsize companies to help them establish and expand creative businesses.

The funding to United Way will support the 2-1-1 health and human services hotline.

Ilitch also announced Ilitch Charities’ inaugural golf outing scheduled for Aug. 25 and said the organization is seeking funding proposals from potential beneficiaries of the event.

The event, which will include participation from the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, will benefit up to three local, nonprofit organizations with a total of up to $300,000, Ilitch Charities said.

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