Fraud alert: Tax rebate checks

As the economic stimulus checks start going out and the IRS continues their efforts to reach individuals who may still be eligible for these payments, be aware that scam artists are actively making the rounds using the proposed rebates as bait. The most recent scams brought to IRS attention are described below.

Rebate Phone Call
At least one scheme using the word “rebate” as part of the lure has been identified. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target’s bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.

Refund e-mail
The IRS has seen several variations of a refund-related bogus e-mail which falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scamsters can then use to access the e-mail recipient’s bank or credit card account.

Audit e-mail
Using a technique calculated to get almost anyone’s attention, the e-mail notifies the recipient that his or her tax return will be audited. This is the first scam of which the IRS is aware that uses this to get the victim to respond. This e-mail is a phony. The IRS does not send unsolicited, tax-account related e-mails to taxpayers.

Changes to Tax Law e-Mail
This bogus e-mail is addressed to businesses, accountants and “Treasury” managers. It instructs them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links to publications on businesses, estate taxes, excise taxes, exempt organizations and IRAs and other retirement plans.

Paper Check Phone Call
In a current telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who is calling because the IRS sent a check to the individual being called. The caller states that because the check has not been cashed, the IRS wants to verify the individual’s bank account number. The caller may have a foreign accent.

What to Do
Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it to a mailbox the IRS has established to receive such e-mails, phishing@irs.gov, using instructions contained in an article titled How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes. Following the instructions will help the IRS track the suspicious e-mail to its origins and shut down the scam.

Those who have received a questionable telephone call that claims to come from the IRS may also use the phishing@irs.gov mailbox to notify the IRS of the scam.

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.

Click here to continue reading.

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.

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

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.

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.

United Way Receives $2 Million Grant From Bank of America Charitable Foundation to Promote Earned Income Tax Credit

United Way of America and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced a $2 million grant to support an asset building strategy to help low- and moderate-income individuals achieve financially stability. The United Way Financial Stability Partnership™, launched in 2007, was designed to provide working individuals and families in communities across the country with tools to increase their income, build savings, and develop and maintain their assets. A fundamental component of this initiative is to help people obtain free tax preparation assistance and unclaimed tax refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

>> Click here to continue reading.

Bring millions of dollars back to our region by volunteering

Effecting positive change in the life of someone around you is easier than you think. In fact, over the next couple of months you can help improve the financial outlook for hundreds of metro Detroiters by donating your time or an older computer to the United Way Earned Income Tax Credit initiative.

By participating in this program, known as the EITC Initiative, you can help low-income individuals claim up to $4,700 in tax rebates and credits. Through the end of January, United Way for Southeastern Michigan is recruiting volunteers to assist metro Detroiters with tax preparation at a number of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites throughout the region.

Click here to read more.

Getting 'banked' key to realizing stability

One of the major components of United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Agenda for Change centers on providing the tools and resources area residents need to achieve financial stability. While the projects and programs that we support and develop in this area will cover a wide range of issues and populations, our primary targets will be low- to moderate-income residents.

Our emphasis will center on those falling below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines – about $40,000 annually for a family of four. According to estimates from UWSEM researchers, there were about 1.2 million residents – better than one in four – living below the line in 2006. Many of these individuals fall into the category of “unbanked,” which means they have no relationship with a bank and are often vulnerable to opportunistic check cashing vendors and their inflated fees, along with other costly money traps. United Way is working to help these residents establish bank accounts, and to teach them how to save and manage money wisely. We also recognize the importance of taking action now.

Click here to read more.

Do you know the investing fundamentals?

According to the latest Moneytrack/IPT Investing Secrets Survey, just one-percent of American investors grasp financial basics, and only about a third know more than half. To avoid falling victim to investment scams and to develop a comprehensive financial plan, you need to educate yourself on basics of how to succeed when it comes to your personal finances.

Sign up for a free workshop at a library near you. Investor Education @ your library­­® is a first-of-its-kind, non-commercial national public education and awareness campaign designed to help individuals make informed investment decisions.

Please visit WWJ's website to learn more about these classes and to find dates scheduled in your area.

Interested in more Investor Education information? Listen to these podcasts from WWJ.

Investor Education 11/27 In this Making the Grade report, WWJ's Greg Bowman talks with Bernie Margolis about the free program 'Investor Education at Your Library.'

Investor Education 11/2 Are you worried about the latest stock market dip? WWJ Newsradio 950's Beth Fisher talks with Mark Robinson of Investing Fundamentals to put things in the proper perspective.

Investor Education - Feldman Report 9/14 Michigan families are coming together to learn how to better their financial future. WWJ and Fox 2 Business Reporter Murray Feldman explains in the Feldman Report.

Investor Education - Feldman Report 8/27 A free seminiar could help you become a better investor -- it worked for OFIS Commissioner, Linda Waters. WWJ and Fox 2 Business Reporter Murray Feldman explains in the Feldman Report.

Volunteers needed to help earn millions for the community

United Way seeks 200 volunteers to help eligible workers receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund

DETROIT– United Way for Southeastern Michigan, in partnership with the Southeast Michigan Regional Asset Building Coalition, is recruiting 200 volunteers by Jan. 31 to assist with tax preparation to help eligible low-income working families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a federal tax refund that allows eligible individuals and families to build assets by increasing savings and reducing debt.

Eligible volunteers will have the opportunity to receive free training and gain a marketable skill. The training will provide valuable information on tax issues and tax credits, and instruction on using tax software. Those who successfully complete the training will earn certification as a tax preparer. Volunteers must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• be familiar with operating a computer
• be willing to make a difference in the lives of others

Once trained and certified, participants will volunteer their time at one of the 30 free tax preparation sites in southeastern Michigan. Working individuals who received less that $12,590 in 2007 would be eligible to receive up to $428 in tax credits; families consisting of one parent and one child who earned less that $33,241 in 2007 would be eligible for a credit up to $2,853. EITC tax refunds could go as high as $4,700 based on the number of dependents in working families.

“We have an opportunity to help thousands of people gain greater financial independence,” said Michael J. Brennan, president & CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “EITC lifts more families out of poverty than any other federal aid program, providing families with increased savings, reduced debt and the ability to enroll in financial training and education programs. I encourage all companies, universities, retirees and community groups to support this volunteer effort, which will make a significant financial difference in the lives of others.”

Help working families gain financial stability. Sign up to volunteer by Jan. 31. Call United Way at 2-1-1, or go to www.uwsem.org/eitc to register.

Financial Fitness Fair scheduled for January 12

• Did you have a bank account that was mismanaged and now it is hard for you to get another one?
• Do you have questions about FORECLOSURES?
• Need answers on what to do next?
• Would you like to know how to KEEP $400 (or more) of your tax refund?

Our Financial Fitness Fair can help! Learn smart money skills that can help you move toward a brighter financial future.

• Open Bank Accounts ON THE SPOT from Banks and Credit Unions
• Meet one on one with a foreclosure counselor
• Make an appointment to get your taxes done for FREE
• Learn about foreclosure, bankruptcy, utility assistance, budgeting, and many more asset development tools

This event is free and open to the public. Participants will receive a free pass to skate at the Warren Civic Center Ice Rink

The Financial Fitness Fair is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Warren City Hall, 1 City Square, north of 12 Mile Road and east of Van Dyke Avenue.

The event is sponsored by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Macomb County Community Services Agency, Macomb County Michigan State University Extension Service, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, IRS, Accounting Aid Society, the cities of Warren and Roseville and other community organizations.

Financial Literacy and the IDA Program

Most first time homebuyer, I would venture to say, are ingnorant of the processes that are involved in buying a home. There are two areas of home buying that the United Way's Idividual Development Account develop in you. Under the umbrella of financial literacy there is personal finance literacy and then there is home buying literacy. Both are essential to you in making a home purchase.

Personal Finance
The overwhelming number of foreclosures in the Southeast Michigan is no doubt connected to this lack of undestanding of either personal finances or mortgage lending. Don't go any futher with your home buying purchase without seeking some unbiased counsel. And the IDA program has it. First, you will need to go through some objective counseling about your ability to purchase a home. You'll need to report your income, determine your credit history, and assess that amount of income you have to afford a home mortgage. The better you budget and the condition of your finances determine how quickly you can move through the program. Remember the IDA program wants you to be an educated, endowed and financially responsible home owner, so they expect you to have your finances in order. The good thing is they'll help you in that area too.

The IDA program is run by the United Way, but they leave the financial matters to experts in the field. You will meet professionals in the field of life insurance, savings, and investments. The representatives that work with you are full of advice and they will not push you into some financial situation that is harmful to you. Furthermore they are accountable to you and your United Way IDA laison Sharon Davis. Talk to her if you have any issues.

The Home Buying Process
When you finish examining your personal finances you'll learn the matters of home buying. The classes are offered through another agency,(i.e. Faith Home Buyers)and they consist of credit assessment, mortgages,tax responiblity, and or course how to find a home. Even at this level you will be exposed to professionals in the field you can choose to work with them or not. However, I found that the professionals that work with the United Way seemed to be more communicative with prospective home buyers and have a heart to help you make an educated home purchase.

These are the two parts of the IDA programs financial literacy program that will qualify you for the match grants.

IDA Program: Research that really pays off

So you're looking for assistance with your first home purchase. Well, the United Way of Southeast Michigan (UWSEM) has a program that will equip you to be an educated, endowed, and financially responsible homeowner. I am qualified to make this statement because I have gone through the Individual Development Account for first time home buyers, and I have found myself in a great home due to the blessings I received.

Research the Information

I found out about the IDA program through reading some Housing and Urban Development literature (HUD), which I received from my brother-in-law. This information is available free from the Federal Government and provides important information about the home buying process. I wanted to be prepared for my home buying purchase,and I'm sure you do too. So, I strongly suggest that you avail yourself of this information as well. Simply go to www.hud.gov and peruse the resources section they'll be glad to send you the information. Anyway, I read the material and on the last page there was a section that dealt with housing grants. The page said the I could go to www.idanetwork.org to find local programs which will give a "matching grant" to low income families interested in buying a home. (United Way offes one of the highest grant matches of 4:1.) On the site I found out about the Individual Development Account (IDA)program. It is a program operated by many agencies, and I called several of them in my area. But the United Way of Southeast Michigan was the first to really offer me a coherent and prompt response, so I went with them. Two years later I don't regret that choice.

The IDA program encourages you to save $1,000 towards your first home purchase, and requires you to take several financial literacy classes. After you do your part, they will match your savings 4:1. (The maximum amount of the grant is $4,000.) Then you can use the money to purchase you own home.

In later blogs I will deal with the financial literacy programs, challenges to procuring the matching grants, and finding other grant programs that can help you find greater assistance.

Start with education to avoid home loss

Source: The Detroit Free Press
By: Hansen Clarke
Published: August 12, 2007

We can no longer tolerate a lending environment that puts profits over the well-being of borrowers. For years, this was the easy thing to do, as low interest rates, loose underwriting standards, and a booming housing market enabled lenders to sell mortgages to just about anyone who wanted one -- regardless of their actual financial situations.

Many lenders were much more interested in making a quick buck than finding out if their customers were actually going to be able to handle future payments. Not all of them were predatory lenders, but quite a few of them were overzealous, to say the least.

Now that we're seeing the consequences of such a carefree lending environment, we must commit ourselves to fighting predatory lending and tightening things up for legitimate lenders.

This would obviously start with education programs for potential borrowers. Education should become a mandatory part of the mortgage process, from the first time a future home owner walks through the door right up to the moment that he or she signs the papers.

Even after that, having counseling services available for when times get tough could do wonders for most families. Instead of thinking that they don't have options, they could see that there are many ways to hang on to their homes. One missed payment does not automatically have to lead to mortgage foreclosure a few months down the road.

We can certainly change things for the better without having a negative impact on business. I know this, because perhaps the biggest lender of them all, Freddie Mac, has already embarked on major initiatives that will both mitigate the effects of this crisis and prevent a recurrence.

At the very outset, Freddie Mac voluntarily stepped forward to tighten its underwriting standards and strengthen its award-winning education programs on smart borrowing and predatory lending. Then, just a few weeks ago, Freddie Mac announced $20 billion in new products that will provide lenders with more choices for subprime borrowers. These fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate products will limit payment shock by offering reduced adjustable rate margins, longer fixed-rate terms, and longer reset periods.

Freddie Mac has definitely set the pace -- which makes it all the more disappointing that so many other institutions have failed to step up and make similar changes. We are going to need all hands on deck if we're going to truly change things for the better, and that includes lenders of all sizes, in every community.

It's not just in the borrowers' interest to hold on to a home. And it's not just in lenders' interest, either. It's important for all of us, as Detroiters, as Michiganians, and as Americans. We can't afford to do nothing. We can't afford to let this happen on our watch.

We're all in this together, and we'll all be better off if we fix these problems and preserve affordable housing for the next generation of home owners.

State Sen. HANSEN CLARKE, D-Detroit, represents Michigan's 1st Senate District.Write to him in care of the Free Press Editorial Page, 600 W. Fort St., Detroit 48226 or oped@freepress.com.

Free June 9 Foreclosure and Financial Assistance Fair Offers

Press Release

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

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, ANSWERS, AND HOPE TO RESIDENTS

Given the alarming rate of foreclosures in Macomb County, many families are finding themselves in need of assistance and answers from experts. In an effort to address residents’ needs, community organizations, government and human service organizations, and financial institutions will host a free foreclosure and financial assistance fair on Saturday, June 9 from 9am – 2pm at the Warren City Hall, One City Square, ¼ mile north of 12 mile, east of Van Dyke.

The event, “Keeping Your Home in Troubling Times,” is designed to provide options and essential information to those experiencing financial challenges. Guests will able to meet with foreclosure counselors from Michigan State University Extension and Lighthouse Community Development. In addition, the fair will feature family activities such as learning how to garden or cook on a budget. Guests may also attend any of 15 presentations during the morning and afternoon, including “Selling a Home When Faced with Foreclosure” and “Negotiating with Mortgage Companies.”

Information will also be available on:

Bankruptcy
Budgeting
Credit Repair
Emergency Assistance
Foreclosure
Identity Theft
Predatory Lending
Responsible Borrowing

“We’re finding that many individuals are not only facing foreclosure, but struggling to manage a number of other issues at the same time,” said Greg Sterns, Manager Financial Education Counseling, Lighthouse Community Development. “We’re hosting the fair in order to help consumers feel empowered, and realize that there are solutions and valuable resources available to them.”

Throughout Southeast Michigan, foreclosure rates have increased dramatically over the past year. Wayne County experienced a 143% increase, Oakland County – 64% increase, and Macomb County experienced a 234% increase. The State of Michigan experienced an overall increase of 141% in its foreclosure rates.

According to Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the June 9 fair is an example of the type of proactive approach that is needed to combat high foreclosure rates in Macomb County and the region overall. “This fair is part of United Way’s ongoing effort to develop a unified approach in educating the community about the root causes of financial crisis. We believe that collaboration is a key component to preventing foreclosure, and we remain committed to addressing the underlying causes of our region’s most pressing issues.”

WHAT: A Fair on Foreclosure and Financial Assistance

WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 9am – 2pm

WHERE: Warren City Hall, One City Square, ¼ Mile north of 12 Mile east of Van Dyke

For information on foreclosure assistance please call United Way’s 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-552-1183.

Donations Provided by:

C & G Newspapers • Central Macomb Credit Union • Fifth Third Bank • First State Bank • Flagstar Bank • Huntington Bank• Metro Credit Union• Metropolitan Consolidated Association of REALTORS •National City Bank • Paramount Bank • United Way for Southeastern Michigan• Warren Bank

Community Partners

City of Warren • City of Roseville •Department of Human Services • Good Shepherd Coalition • Internal Revenue Service• Leaps and Bounds Family Services• Legal Aid and Defender Association •Lighthouse Community Development • Macomb County Asset Building Coalition • Metropolitan Consolidated Association of REALTORS •Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development •Macomb County Community Services Agency• Macomb Care Connect •Macomb County Michigan State University Extension • United Way for Southeastern Michigan•

###

Keeping Your Home in Troubling Times

United Way for Southeastern Michigan along with the City of Warren, Department of Human Services, Lighthouse Community Development, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, City of Roseville, Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Macomb County Community Services Agency, Macomb County MSU Extension, and Macomb CRA Association, will host a foreclosure and financial literacy fair entitled “Keeping Your Home in Troubling Times” on Saturday, June 9th 2007 from 9:00A.M-2:00P.M at Warren City Hall, located at One City Square, Warren Michigan. The fair will be open to the public and is free to all that attend. There will be presentations on financial literacy topics, opportunities to receive individual foreclosure counseling, access to service providers, fun activities, and much more.

What: Keeping Your Home in Troubling Times
When: Saturday, June 9th 2007 , 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where: Warren City Hall, One City Square, Warren, Michigan

>> Click here to learn more. [PDF]

The Nations Of Michigan

Source: MetroMode
By: Tanya Muzumdar
Published: May 10, 2007

One of the first things any immigrant learns upon settling in the United States is: the car is king. And no city makes that clearer than Detroit.

While many of us learned to conquer the wheel in Driver's Ed class or from our parents, newcomers seek out companies like Shondhan Enterprises, Inc., a company Hamtramck city council president Shahab Ahmed owns with his wife. Ahmed, who emigrated from Bangladesh to the U.S. in 1986, saw a way to turn his own immigrant experience into an economic opportunity. "Hamtramck, an immigrant city, had no driving school until I opened one in 1998," Ahmed boasts. The couple's firm has since grown to 12 employees; it provides driving instruction, state-required road tests, and immigration legal services for thousands of customers a year in a wide swath of cities from Troy to Ann Arbor. Ahmed attributes his successes and those of other Detroit area immigrants to the ability to capitalize on the opportunities found through hard work.

Success comes to people "brave enough to make the trek into another country with a different culture, language, and set of laws," believes Dr. Karen Majewski, mayor of Hamtramck. Dr. Majewski, who is a former professor of Polish studies and the current executive director of the Polish American Historical Association, continues: "I am a scholar of ethnicity and migration myself, so I'm awed by that leap of faith it takes to get into another world."

For many new arrivals, the wide-awake city of Hamtramck is that world. Shondhan Enterprises is one of the hundreds of businesses which give Hamtramck its beat. Signs translated into languages such as Arabic and Bengali abound, enticing you to pop into ethnic restaurants, clothing stores, and some of the city's 15 bakeries. Ever heard of rasgulla or gulab jamun? Aladdin Sweets and Café sells the freshly made milk and cheese-based Bengali sweets popular with South Asian immigrants and others in the know.

Mixing It Up

"Real cities remain viable by serving their marketplace," says Erik Tungate, Hamtramck's director of community and economic development, who estimates the 2.2 square mile city contains anywhere from 500 to 700 businesses – 30 to 40% of them immigrant-owned. Since the 1980s, the Conant Street district alone, he says, has migrated from a mainly Polish influence to a veritable United Nations, where business owners represent about 30 different ethnicities.

"To be a student of Hamtramck you have to be a student of Detroit," says Tungate. "Over the past five years, it's been miraculous, like raising the dead here. In the next five years I see greater downtown Detroit – the T formed by midtown south to the Detroit River and then east and west along the riverfront – completely gentrifying. Hamtramck will become even more of a hotbed of immigration because it's a walkable, affordable enclave just outside of the greater downtown Detroit area."

According to census records, Hamtramck's population bottomed out in 1990, to 18,000. By 2000, the city scored a 25% increase in residents – to nearly 23,000, 41% of whom were foreign-born. Of those, nearly one third entered the USA after 1990. Today, the long chains of cars parked along the city's residential streets attest to the city's growth and density. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) estimates Hamtramck's population at 25,000, although Tungate says that people close to the city put the number nearer 35,000, a density of about 17,000 people per square mile.

"More immigrants are probably coming now [to Hamtramck] than at any time except for the 1910s and 1920s. It's often a surprise to people that we continue to have a sizable new immigration from Poland, the Ukraine, and other central and eastern European countries, in addition to Bangladesh and Yemen," says Dr. Majewski, who estimates that anywhere from 26 and possibly up to 40 different languages are spoken in the public schools.

Between 2000 and 2007, SEMCOG estimates the population of southeastern Michigan has grown 1.1%; compare that with a nearly 9% increase for Hamtramck over the same timeframe. Much of that trend is due to immigration, which is "our best hope at the moment for southeast Michigan and the state as a whole," says Kurt Metzger, director of research at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "When you look at real entrepreneurial neighborhood development and the impact of retail, look at southwest Detroit, Hamtramck, Dearborn, and other areas of new immigrant population. Drive up John R or Dequindre and you'll see Thai and Vietnamese restaurants, Thai video stores, and all of these different new markets opening up," he says. "Whether it's the Arab community, the Chaldeans, Latinos, Albanians, Indians, Chinese, Filipinos, you name it, they're here. Many people don't realize we already have a very diverse population here. A lot of immigrants are arriving while the area still loses its population, which is maintaining itself, really, through immigration."

And southeast Michigan is drawing a very educated new populace, in the desirable 25 to 40 age range that the area needs to attract for its workforce – particularly from Asian countries, according to Metzger, who has found that 75% or more of the Asian Indian arrivals have college degrees.

A new talent pool

Dr. K.P. Ravikrishnan, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, arrived from India in 1969 in response to the tremendous need for physicians in Detroit – brought on by Medicare and improvement in the provision of services to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. Today, an aging population and expansion of health services perpetuate the local physician shortage.

"We are still in a growth phase of both the influx of international medical graduates and also demand here. The sky is the limit as far as what you can provide in terms of prevention and optimization of medical care," says Dr. Ravikrishnan, who is also an assistant clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University medical schools. He estimates that 40% of Beaumont Hospital's medical residents are international medical school graduates. Originally residents from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines composed the majority of the international contingent. Today presents a more varied picture, as residents from the former Soviet Union, Romania, Poland, Korea, Taiwan, China, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran now call Michigan home.

In addition to hospitals, ethnic professional organizations also play an integral part in linking countries together through knowledge. Dr. Ravikrishnan, president of the 1,500 member Michigan Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (MAPI), explains: "Regulations and guidelines are constantly being changed, so the MAPI educates medical professionals on issues in the community, nationally, and India."

The best kind of investment

Immigration has raised the quality of life for countless area residents. So what has been the quantitative impact, as shown by the dollar value of the goods and services, that immigrant residents provide to Southeast Michigan each year? According to the results of the newly released "Arab American Economic Contribution Study" conducted by Wayne State University's Center for Urban Studies, in 2005 Arab American salaries and business activities contributed up to $7.7 billion to the local economy.

This is a good start, but more comprehensive information should be out there. "It would be nice if immigrants wanted to tell their stories and start a program to collect this kind of information, putting it for public consumption to really understand the impact of immigration in southeast Michigan," says Metzger, who cites some groups' reluctance to put themselves in the public eye as a possible reason for the lack of initiatives in this area.

Many, however, are invested citizens who visibly contribute to their local communities and forge ties between countries. Ahmed, who prides himself on his commitment to mingle with society, has served Hamtramck's government since 1998. Various positions included a stint as the city's multi-cultural coordinator, in an effort to make the government more accessible to the people – smoothing the way for even more business and economic investment.

Ahmed's 2003 election to Hamtramck's city council made him the first Bangladeshi-American elected to public office in the USA, extending his influence beyond city boundaries. Afterward, the U.S. State Department invited Ahmed to Italy to speak about how countries can better assimilate immigrants into new countries and cultures.

Southeast Michigan has greatly benefited from the entrepreneurial development, knowledge base, and understanding that comes from sharing with people from different lands – and it needs more. "In trying to make this region more successful, we have to not only think about keeping our young people here, but also about increasing and reaching out to our immigrant population," Metzger says. "We have a good base of population from India and China here to have those kinds of links and to better connect with those growing economies."

United Way launches Financial Stability Partnership

A cross-section of the nation’s most powerful and effective Fortune 500 businesses, non-profit organizations, federal agencies and local United Ways joined United Way of America CEO Brian Gallagher and Board Chair Rodney Slater May 7 to celebrate the launch of the United Way Financial Stability Partnership™, the new national initiative created to empower low- to moderate-income people to achieve long-term financial stability that leads to independence.

Joining Gallagher and Slater in recognizing results already achieved and an ambitious slate of goals for the partnership were Kevin Brown, acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service; Ralph Smith, senior vice president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation; Bill Couper, President of Mid-Atlantic Region, Bank of America; Stan Litow, president of the IBM International Foundation; Marc Ferguson, founder and chairman of Nets to Ladders; Mike Durkin, CEO of Mile High United Way in Denver, and Anne Wilson, CEO of United Way of the Bay Area in San Francisco.

Financial Stability Partnership Launch --
Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America
(part 1)

Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America
(part 2)

Click here to learn more.

Fewer kids being born in Wayne Co., study says, but more of them are poor

Source: The Detroit Free Press
By: Jack Kresnak, Free Press Staff Writer
Published: April 23, 2007

While the number of births in Wayne County has declined over the past few years, more of the county’s children are living in poverty, according to a study released today.

The demographic study was conducted by the Detroit-based United Way of Southeastern Michigan on behalf of Great Start, a countywide collaborative that promotes programs to help children develop from birth to age 5.

According to Kurt Metzger of the United Way, the number of children who are younger than age 6 and living in poverty rose in Detroit from almost 37% in 1999 to almost 46% in 2005. The number of children in Wayne County living in poverty rose from almost 25% to just under 30% in that period.

Metzger said that there were 40,680 births in Wayne County in 1990 and 27,422 in 2005, a decrease of about a third. Just over 11,000 of that decrease occurred in the city of Detroit.

Metzger also said that 29 of every 100 babies in Wayne County are born to mothers who did not receive adequate prenatal care, and 1 in 4 babies in the county is born to a mother without a high school diploma. Both are indicators that the children will struggle in school, Metzger said.

There was some good news: The number of children found to have lead poisoning decreased to 5.2%, though more children are being tested, Metzger said.

Great Start, a public-private collaborative funded mostly by the Kellogg Foundation, is at the beginning of a 10-year effort to improve the well-being of children in Wayne County. Similar groups exist in about 20 other Michigan counties, including Oakland. They are part of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s effort to focus on programs for very young children, a response to recent scientific research that says most of a child’s brain capacity develops in the first three to five years of life.

John Colina, president of the Southgate-based Colina Foundation, said that for every $1 spent on early childhood development, the public receives $17 in benefits that include a better-educated and higher-earning workforce and fewer children failing in school and going on to become criminals.

Virginia Burns Saleem, manager of Detroit Head Start, who represented Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at a Great Start briefing in Dearborn this morning, echoed Colina’s statement, saying, “If there’s no investment, there’s no return.”

For more information about Great Start and its efforts to get people involved in helping children, go to www.greatstartcollaborativewayne.org.

Contact JACK KRESNAK at 313-223-4544 or jkresnak@freepress.com.

[Source]

Kids living in poverty on rise, study says

Source: The Detroit Free Press
By: Jack Kresnak, Free Press Staff Writer
Published: April 24, 2007

While the number of births in Wayne County has declined, more of the county's children are living in poverty, according to a study released Monday.

Spending on programs to help children in their first years of life -- when brain development is the most rapid -- will prevent problems later, said officials with Great Start, a Wayne County collaborative.

The study was conducted for Great Start by Kurt Metzger of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, who said the percentage of children under age 6 living in poverty in Detroit grew from 37% in 1999 to almost 46% in 2005. The percentage of those children living in poverty in Wayne County outside Detroit rose from almost 25% to just below 30%.

Metzger said there were 40,680 births in 1990 and 27,422 in 2005, a 33% drop.

Of every 100 babies born in Wayne County in 2004, 29 did not have adequate prenatal care and one in four babies in the county was born to a mother without a high school diploma. Both are indicators that the children will struggle in school, Metzger said.

There was some good news: The percentage of Wayne County children tested and found to have lead poisoning dropped to 5.2% in 2005; it was 9.5% in 2001.

John Colina, president of the Southgate-based Colina Foundation and a member of Great Start, said that for every dollar spent on early childhood development, the public receives $17 in benefits that include a better-educated and higher-earning workforce and fewer children failing in school and going on to be criminals.

For more information about Great Start, including how to get involved, go to www.greatstartcollaborativewayne.org. Contact JACK KRESNAK at jkresnak@freepress.com.

[Source]

March 29 forum explores strategies to help prevent foreclosures in Macomb

Nearly 200 Leaders from Financial and Mortgage Institutions, Government, Education and Human Services Arenas scheduled to Attend

Since 2005, the number of foreclosure filings in Macomb County nearly tripled, going from 2,755 to 8,192. Due to these staggering figures, leaders from the education, financial and mortgage institutions, government and human service sectors will hold A Forum on Foreclosure to discuss strategies that will help prevent foreclosures in Macomb County, as well as help in the intervention process for those going through foreclosure.

“Home foreclosures have increased dramatically in Macomb County,” said William Crouchman, chair, Macomb County Board of Commissioners. “It’s important to realize how this disturbing trend affects the homeowner and the entire community. We must explore options that help people handle the consequences of foreclosure.”

Anne Lilla, housing coordinator, Macomb Michigan State University Extension added, “Community leaders want to know what to say to people who are in foreclosure. While our system is not perfect, information about options is available. This forum will describe possible ways that people can avoid foreclosure or manage it with the least amount of damage.”

Some of the objectives of this forum will be to:

• enhance education and financial literacy opportunities
  
• address what’s causing the high foreclosure rate and seek prevention solutions
  
• develop a unified approach among area service providers to assist Macomb County residents faced with foreclosure

“This forum supports United Way’s Agenda for Change, emphasizing opportunities to enhance financial stability, educational preparedness and basic needs, such as housing,” said Michael J. Brennan, president & CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “We must work together if we are going to make progress on critical issues, like decreasing the rate of foreclosures, in order for our region to thrive and excel.”

WHAT: A Forum on Foreclosure

WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

WHERE: Macomb Community College Center Campus, University Center
44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township

Speakers: William Crouchman, chair, Macomb County Board of Commissioners; Ron Reed, CEO, Community Central Bank; Jerome T. Moffit, chief deputy treasurer, Macomb County; Anne Lilla, housing coordinator, Macomb Michigan State University Extension; and Greg Sterns, manager, Lighthouse Community Development.

Please contact Patricia Ellis at 313-226-9484, cell, 313-410-3417; or Megan Bracket at 313-226-9409, pager, 313-840-4321 if you plan to send a reporter or a photographer, or wish to set up an interview. For information on foreclosure assistance please call United Way’s 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-552-1183.

Community partners presenting the forum include: City of Warren, Lighthouse Community Development, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, Macomb Community College, Macomb County HOME Consortium (City of Roseville, City of Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development), Macomb County MSU Extension, Macomb CRA Association and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

###

Fighting Foreclosure: Leaders pool together to form a united front

Source: C & G Newspapers
Published: March 21, 2007
By: Heidi Roman

Leaders from local communities, financial, mortgage and human service institutions are joining together in a forum to discuss strategies to deal with the rising number of foreclosures in Macomb County. A Forum on Foreclosure will be held March 29 at Macomb Community College center campus.

The number of home foreclosures in Macomb County has nearly tripled since 2005, according to county officials, which is why many different organizations have put out the call for action.

"We all know there's a problem," said I.J. Campbell, administrator of community development with the city of Roseville, one of the communities participating. "We would like, out of this conference, to become a group of people working to solve the problem, to put things in place, so homeowners will have a place to go."

This particular forum is not intended for homeowners going through foreclosure, but rather the professionals who deal with homeowners. Mortgage and financial institutions, elected officials, school districts and even ministers are invited to attend.

"We really want to work with these folks because they're all doing wonderful work, but we need an opportunity to pool our resources together on where we are and how we can improve," said Patricia Ellis, a spokesperson for the United Way, one of the forum's sponsors. "I don't doubt that out of this work there will be other opportunities coming."

The point is to offer strategies for both prevention and intervention to homeowners by enhancing education and financial literacy opportunities. Anne Lilla, the housing coordinator for Michigan State University Extension who is one of the speakers slated for the event, said that while layoffs and economic troubles are causing much of the problem, better education about home buying could help.

"Many of the cases (of foreclosure) are because people have gotten bad loans, and as a community, we need to do some things differently so that those loans aren't possible, and also educate people so they don't get these bad loans," Lilla said. She points to adjustable rate mortgages as a prime example.

"(Lenders) put people in an adjustable rate mortgage, and it's fine for a year," she said. "But then, when the rate goes up, there's absolutely no way for them to pay it." She said better education on both sides could prevent homeowners from getting into a loan they can't afford and running the risk of foreclosure.

The forum also hopes to develop a unified approach to the problem of foreclosure, address the causes and give residents a place to go when they need help. Ultimately, those involved hope to help others become financially stable, so there isn't a need for future forums like this.

The forum will be from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Macomb Community College's University Center, located at 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township. To reserve a spot, call (586) 463-3720 or e-mailforum@uwsem.org.

For those homeowners who are already facing foreclosure or housing troubles, Michigan State University Extension also offers evening classes to discuss the do's and don'ts of foreclosure. The next class will be held March 27 at the VerKuilen Building in Clinton Township, located at 21885 Dunham Road, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Later classes will be held in Roseville and Shelby Township. Call MSU Extension at (586) 469-6430 for more information.

Those interested in learning more about foreclosure or financial literacy in general can also call United Way's hotline at (800) 552-1183, 24 hours a day.

You can reach Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com

Copyright, 2007, Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Journal (MI), All Rights Reserved.

March 29 forum explores strategies to help prevent foreclosures in Macomb

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or cell, 313-410-3417
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2007

Forum seeks Leaders from Financial and Mortgage Institutions, Government, Education and Human Services Arenas to Attend

Since 2005, the number of foreclosure filings in Macomb County nearly tripled, going from 2,755 to 8,192. Due to these staggering figures, leaders from the education, financial and mortgage institutions, government and human service sectors are holding A Forum on Foreclosure to discuss strategies that will help prevent foreclosures in Macomb County, as well as help in the intervention process for those going through foreclosure.

“Home foreclosures have increased dramatically in Macomb County,” said William Crouchman, chair, Macomb County Board of Commissioners. “It’s important to realize how this disturbing trend affects the homeowner and the entire community. We must explore options that help people handle the consequences of foreclosure.”

Anne Lilla, housing coordinator, Macomb Michigan State University Extension added, “Community leaders want to know what to say to people who are in foreclosure. While our system is not perfect, information about options is available. This forum will describe possible ways that people can avoid foreclosure or manage it with the least amount of damage.”

Some of the objectives of this forum will be to:

• enhance education and financial literacy opportunities
  
• address what’s causing the high foreclosure rate and seek prevention solutions
  
• develop a unified approach among area service providers to assist Macomb County residents faced with foreclosure

“This forum supports United Way’s Agenda for Change, emphasizing opportunities to enhance financial stability, educational preparedness and basic needs, such as housing,” said Michael J. Brennan, president & CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “We must work together if we are going to make progress on critical issues, like decreasing the rate of foreclosures, in order for our region to thrive and excel.”

WHAT: A Forum on Foreclosure

WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

WHERE: Macomb Community College Center Campus, University Center
44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township

Speakers: William Crouchman, chair, Macomb County Board of Commissioners; Ron Reed, CEO, Community Central Bank; Jerome T. Moffit, chief deputy treasurer, Macomb County; Anne Lilla, housing coordinator, Macomb Michigan State University Extension; and Greg Sterns, manager, Lighthouse Community Development.

RSVP for this free forum by March 23 by emailing forum@uwsem.org or by calling 586-463-3720. For information on foreclosure assistance please call United Way’s 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-552-1183.

Community partners presenting the forum include: City of Warren, Lighthouse Community Development, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, Macomb Community College, Macomb County HOME Consortium (City of Roseville, City of Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development), Macomb County MSU Extension, Macomb CRA Association and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

###

United Way recruits 100 volunteers in 10 days

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TO HELP WORKING RESIDENTS GAIN FINANCIAL STABILITY THROUGH EITC

DETROIT – Ten days ago United Way for Southeastern Michigan reached out to this community and asked for 100 volunteers to be trained in tax preparation services to help low-income individuals and families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) federal tax refund. The organization reached out to many of its community partners and local media to help get the word out. Why? Because there are thousands of working individuals and families who are eligible to receive $412 to nearly $5,000 in tax credits but are unaware that they qualify for the refund.

Unclaimed EITC tax credits will result in lost revenue for our region and lost financial security for thousands working residents who are eligible for the tax benefit. The 100 additional volunteers will be able to prepare approximately 1,300 more free tax returns, representing approximately $1.2 million in tax credits.

“When we come together as a community we can make greater progress around issues that impact the success of our residents and our region,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “These 100 volunteers responded to our call for action. By dedicating their time, they will be gaining a valuable skill and provide a tremendous service to hundreds of families who will be a step closer to gaining financial independence.”

Volunteers will receive free training, learn information on tax issues and tax credits as well as learn how to use tax software. Those who successfully complete the training will be certified in tax preparation and volunteer at least three days at one of the 30 free tax preparation sites in southeastern Michigan to help low-income working residents file their tax return and claim the tax benefits they’re entitled to. Currently only one percent of the EITC tax returns are prepared at the free sites.

The 100 volunteers represent companies such as AT & T, Capital Financial, Comcast, Comerica Bank, DTE Energy, Flagstar Bank, Matrix Human Services, National City Bank, State Farm Insurance and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

The EITC Initiative is a partnership with the following organizations: Accounting Aid Society, Department of Human Services - Wayne County, Detroit Regional Chamber, Harmony Financial Network, Leaps and Bounds Family Services, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, Macomb County Community Service Agency, Macomb Intermediate School District, Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, The Tax Credit Initiative Coalition of Oakland and Livingston Counties, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Wayne County Asset Building Coalition and the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities call United Way at 313-226-9430, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., or go to www.uwsem.org and click “Help Your Community”.

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.

###

United Way recruits 100 volunteers in 10 days

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TO HELP WORKING RESIDENTS GAIN FINANCIAL STABILITY THROUGH EITC

DETROIT – Ten days ago United Way for Southeastern Michigan reached out to this community and asked for 100 volunteers to be trained in tax preparation services to help low-income individuals and families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) federal tax refund. The organization reached out to many of its community partners and local media to help get the word out. Why? Because there are thousands of working individuals and families who are eligible to receive $412 to nearly $5,000 in tax credits but are unaware that they qualify for the refund.

Unclaimed EITC tax credits will result in lost revenue for our region and lost financial security for thousands working residents who are eligible for the tax benefit. The 100 additional volunteers will be able to prepare approximately 1,300 more free tax returns, representing approximately $1.2 million in tax credits.

“When we come together as a community we can make greater progress around issues that impact the success of our residents and our region,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “These 100 volunteers responded to our call for action. By dedicating their time, they will be gaining a valuable skill and provide a tremendous service to hundreds of families who will be a step closer to gaining financial independence.”

Volunteers will receive free training, learn information on tax issues and tax credits as well as learn how to use tax software. Those who successfully complete the training will be certified in tax preparation and volunteer at least three days at one of the 30 free tax preparation sites in southeastern Michigan to help low-income working residents file their tax return and claim the tax benefits they’re entitled to. Currently only one percent of the EITC tax returns are prepared at the free sites.

The 100 volunteers represent companies such as AT & T, Capital Financial, Comcast, Comerica Bank, DTE Energy, Flagstar Bank, Matrix Human Services, National City Bank, State Farm Insurance and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

The EITC Initiative is a partnership with the following organizations: Accounting Aid Society, Department of Human Services - Wayne County, Detroit Regional Chamber, Harmony Financial Network, Leaps and Bounds Family Services, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, Macomb County Community Service Agency, Macomb Intermediate School District, Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, The Tax Credit Initiative Coalition of Oakland and Livingston Counties, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Wayne County Asset Building Coalition and the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities call United Way at 313-226-9430, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., or go to www.uwsem.org and click “Help Your Community”.

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 metropol