United Way for Southeastern Michigan

DTE Energy employees keep giving, despite economy

Despite tough economic times, DTE Energy employees and retirees dug deep into their pockets in 2008 to contribute $1.95 million to the United Way and other nonprofit organizations. The DTE Energy Foundation matched those donations with an additional $1.06 million, for a total of more than $3 million.

"In times like these, the work of nonprofit organizations is critical, and it's more important than ever to support their efforts," said Anthony F. Earley, Jr., DTE Energy chairman and chief executive officer. "It says so much about our employees that even in a struggling economy, their generosity and concern for others in unwavering."

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Labels: Give, InTheNews

Do you believe?

Do you believe that ALL children can achieve 80% mastery of state standards? Or all children except [fill in blank with segment of student population].

Sometimes, I wonder who really believes that ALL children can achieve academic excellence?

To me, a region that believes all its students can succeed would not allow for 30 high schools in a three county region to graduate fewer than 60% of their students. But in Southeastern Michigan, that is our reality.

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Labels: Educational_Preparedness, Julie_Updyke

On pink slips and buyouts

I remember like it was yesterday the day my Dad came home in the summer of '81. He called us four kids into the living room to tell us that Ford had laid him off--but we were going to be OK. I didn't hear anything after the "but." I remember going up to my room and vowing that I would turn my paper route and lawn mowing money into groceries to provide for our family. It turned out my dad was right. He got a job teaching that fall at University of Detroit High again, and our family was fine. But the pain I felt that day, and the responsibility I assumed that day, would stay with me for a long time.

Twenty-four years later, on June 26, 2005, I lost my own job unexpectedly. I called my wife from the office and told her the news. Read More >>

Labels: Employee Voices, Financial Stability, Michael_Tenbusch

Leveraging the informal network

Twice a year, I return to my hometown, near the Black Hills of South Dakota to see my mom. It allows some time to take stock of my personal and professional life. Last year, I wrote four blogs around the topic of "Weaving a Community" in greater Detroit. This year I am intrigued about the concept of progress and generational change.

Join me in visiting Chadron, a community of 5,000. Its history intersects with Buffalo Bill, Crazy Horse and Custer. The sky continues forever and a starry night in any season is the eighth wonder of the world. My world consisted of a loving and supportive family combined with many friends. My folks were first generation Arab-Americans in a sea of German-Americans. [Continue reading]

Labels: nonprofit_innovations, Rick_David

Off one path, onto another

When Pontiac native Nathaniel Abraham entered a guilty plea recently to felony drug possession charges I wondered, what if? What if he had gotten the help he needed early in his life, would he have ended up on another path. Click here to continue reading.

Labels: Educational_Preparedness, Employee Voices, Rodd_Monts

Stuck in TWWADI

What we face in Michigan is a dilemma faced by all 49 other states. Schools that have increasing numbers of kids in poverty have decreasing numbers in student achievement. But some schools are beating those odds, and the question is, how can we bring schools like them to scale? Click here to continue reading.

Labels: Educational_Preparedness, Employee Voices, Michael_Tenbusch

Where we are

I would like to provide an update on Operation ABC, an early education initiative United Way launched in January. There are now 43 schools in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties participating in the program! And that's not the only good news: Operation ABC is evolving to better serve the needs of schools and their students. Click here to continue reading.

Labels: Educational_Preparedness, Employee Voices, Tommy_Scott

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Thursday, December 18, 2008

DTE Energy employees keep giving, despite economy

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Do you believe?

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

On pink slips and buyouts

Monday, December 08, 2008

Leveraging the informal network

Friday, December 05, 2008

Off one path, onto another

Stuck in TWWADI

Where we are