Self confidence . . . the thing that allows us to step out and begin that lifelong dream.  The thing that tells us we are worthy of success.  The element that pushes the fear in our core deeper down so we actually do something that is new, different and completely unknown.  Self-confidence is the part of us that allows change, adventure and the development of goals. 

All of us stop short of what we really could accomplish because we doubt — doubt we can actually do something.  We think less of our abilities, less of our experiences, less of our education, and less of our accomplishments than others who view us.  We are blocked by our own opinion of ourselves.  It prevents us from thinking bigger and imagining greater things to try. 

Self-confidence is the key.  It is the key to moving on and not staying trapped on the treadmill.  It is the key to trying something we find challenging or different.  It is the element needed to step out of the boat and traveling beyond the confines of the structure. 

 How do we develop self-confidence?  Simply reflecting on something other than “me, myself, and I” is a start.  Focus on the other person, the goal ahead, the next step and the target rather than the path.  Enjoy the journey — even the road blocks and the dips.  Tackle the problems with enthusiasm because they make the end result that much more of an accomplishment.  The hard fought battle is more satisfying than the easy slide into success.  Self-confidence allows us to take each step with excitement rather than fear. 

We all enjoy reading a book, going to the movie, or watching the TV show because the people seem to have a much more adventurous life than our own.  The adventure happens because there is some type of conflict — a problem to deal with. Without conflict, life would be quite boring.  Conflict gives our own self confidence a much needed jolt and quite frankly, a more fulfilling life.  It pushes us to be a stronger person and brings joy when we get past that first hurdle and on toward the prize.  Self-confidence allows us to stand toe to toe with danger, the unknown, and fearful situations.  It allows us to live the book rather than just read it.  Self-confidence is a place we must consciously put our mind and body into because we want to be there.  We want to go beyond what we have right now.  So with your new found confidence, step out into the world with your head up and a prayer — it helps when taking the first big leap. 

Meet Dawn Jasper, a single mother of three who took some time out of her day to share with us her story.

Dream Pathways: Tell us a little bit about your story. 

Dawn: I'm a single mother of 3 (ages 13, 7, and 5). I spent eight and half years on active duty with the Air Force and one and a half years with the Air Force Reserve. I left active duty because my youngest child had sickle cell disease. The military wanted me to deploy even though her father was already serving in Iraq. After going a year without work I finally got a job as an admin assistant at the local hospital in my hometown.

Dream Pathways: How much did you earn?

Dawn: I started off making $8 an hour. That was considered good money because I didn't have a degree. They didn't care that I had well over 10 years work experience.

Dream Pathways: How did you manage to make a living on such a small salary?

Dawn: I did receive food stamps but I turned down any cash assistance. Bottom line I was frugal! I only bought what was needed. I utilized free entertainment in my area. I bartered with other parents. I did what I had to do to make it but I never let my kids think we were poor. We were okay as long as we were alive and healthy..

Dream Pathways:  What were your motivations at the time?

Dawn: My kids are always my motivation. I want them know that their mother is doing good but I want them to do better!

Dream Pathways: How long did you live like this?

Dawn: I stayed at that job for 11 months before leaving. I had been applying of better jobs six months prior. A potential job came up that prompted me to move to the DMV(DC, MD, VA) area. The job fell through but I ended up with an even better job two months after moving.

Dream Pathways: Were there any special people, organizations, friends, or family that helped you get through it?

Dawn: My family and friends have always been a wonderful support system. My aunt Delores allowed me to live with her for 5 months while I got myself together.

Dream Pathways: What were your biggest challenges?

Dawn: One of the biggest challenges was moving away from the majority of my family. A month after moving my oldest child's father was killed in a car accident. It was extremely hard to be there for him and dealing with the rest of my life at the same time. I felt as if there wasn't enough of me to go around.

Dream Pathways: If could give a piece of advice/encouragement to someone who may be going through similar circumstances, what would it be?

Dawn: I truly believe as women there isn't anything we can't handle. It's in our design. No matter what you are going through there is almost always something in your life you can look at and say "I did that and I did it well."

Dream Pathways: Anything else you would like to add to your story?

Dawn: Through all my ups and downs, I wouldn't change any of it. It happened for a reason and I'm a better person because of it.

Date:  October 24, 2012
Name:  Nanette Buchanan
Title: Living in the City

Riding through the cities of many states, one can tell immediately when the neighborhood changes.  The differences stand out like a sore thumb.  The businesses, shopping strip malls versus premium outlet stores, and of course headquarters of larger firms and corporations are a suburban sighting; whereas the smaller businesses often seek placement near the urban homes. Even shopping “downtown” has its differences with many stores shipping the low end items to their sister stores.  In cities such as New York, one can find anything; its tourist notoriety brings in sales and business is consistent.  Store locations further from the inner city require transportation.

The hustle and bustle of public transportation, is often a reason for not living so far out. Traveling “in” holds little choices; car-pooling, park and rides or driving in become the options. The traffic, the grid-lock frustrations can only be compared to road rage on the highways, the daily route to suburban serenity. The ambiance of the inner city changes one’s awareness.  Often one’s fears, concerns, and attitude changes when among the crowds, and the lack of likeness is obvious and moods are often expressed with gestures or facial expressions.  Courtesy is often overlooked.  Holding the door for the person to walk in, bumping as one walks by without a word or an apology, and the lack of offering a seat on the crowded bus or train are everyday experiences of living in the city.  Few say “hello” with a smile, it’s more like a murmur or a growl if any response is given.  The noises, the air, the smell……. major differences; after living in what statistics consider an urban area for more than forty years, I moved.

The first thing that I noticed were the price differences on food, clothing, and other items that most in the urban area often couldn’t afford.  Some of the necessities were overlooked to pay for those considered an absolute must.  Blessed to have a good job, my observations were merely observations.  Blessed I could afford the inner city living, but I was shocked with the differences. Rent was cheaper and more was offered for your monthly payment.  The food in the stores, cheaper and fresh, and plenty stores to choose from.  The garments at the clothing stores were as they were in the magazines.  No need to go through the racks to find an item without a flaw.  As I mentioned, transportation is a must but there is no rush.  School buses pick up the children daily and I enjoyed watching children of all cultures playing and getting along.  It had been years since I saw children playing kid games; kickball, jump rope, hop-scotch, football and my favorite, tag.  Riding through our new neighborhood, I felt comfortable that I had moved from the elements in my old neighborhood.  I thought I lived in comfort, but I found that I was held captive in what my world was growing up.  It had changed.  

The schools had grounds, attached athletic fields, and this was beginning with the pre-schools. The after school activities had the presence of families, parents, friends of the children, volunteers and coaches.  My memories of my childhood, my coaching years, and volunteering when my children were active in recreation programs were all I had to hold on to.  

I’ve tried to relate to the families who couldn’t pay for their children to be active in the after school programs.  Anger peeped in, but I wouldn’t allow it to touch me.  After all, what could they do?  What could we do?  As I continued to take a real look at my new surroundings, I quickly noticed there were no houses that were only separated by a black top driveway.  The distance varied and for some you would have to ride a minute or more to see the neighboring home.  There are many complexes, town houses, luxury apartments and most accept government assistant tenants.  My thought, “Great they do offer an opportunity for better living.”  True, if you had the desire, the transportation, and of course the finances to meet the government subsidy you had a chance to better your conditions.

Walking through my complex, of what they call apartments more like town houses, I noticed a familiar odor.  The smell of old grease, cooking oil a pungent distinct order, a familiar, but one that gave warnings filled the air.  The look changed.  Someone had bent back the bottom of the fence that enclosed the basketball court.  The opening was on the opposite side.  Trash was in the bushes, wine and beer bottles and there was no grass.  The dirt filled front showed signs of neglect; this was strange to me for I knew the landscapers worked in the complex every week. Graffiti was written across the bricked walls and stairs. The smell of old diapers chased the grease odors into the air. The front door of the apartment was wide open.  As the occupants laughed loudly from within, the woman and child on the porch laughed joining the chorus of voices.  The woman was braiding the child’s hair while the small girl tried to control the flying hair.  Next to the stairs where they sat was the open garbage overflowing with the rancid diapers at the top.

My husband and I walked pass the sight and it reminded us why we left what we thought brought us comfort.  Our old neighborhood was changing; it consisted of crime, the lack of care, and the influx of those who could care less but wanted more. I didn’t understand, I couldn’t understand. I didn’t know the size of their apartment, but I knew what amenities they were afforded.  Why wouldn’t they keep the property decent?  The hood…. was it beyond the front door or did the demolition of a neighborhood start in the home?

Being a writer my voice quickly went to the pen.  I had to write, I had to let my feelings be heard so I wrote this poem.

Now Go Ahead, Blame the White Man

I decided to venture through the city, explore what may be new
Working a nine to five each day, sightseeing ain't what I normally do.

I let my mind drift through the struggles our communities face each day,
And my thoughts touched on what we often hear our people say.

We can't get jobs the unemployment rate is at an all-time high
Health insurance, taxes, gas prices have passed the ceiling heading for the sky.

Programs are for the immigrants, damn we've been here longer than them
Let them get new businesses, buy property, give their kids scholarships. It's just a sin.

More kids on the corner selling and skipping school
Don't nobody wanna hear that shit about living by the golden rules.

I stopped in mid thought and slowly looked around,
The saying "a product of your environment" now had a different sound.

Have you ever noticed the scenery in a city change?
We don't even have to check the mailboxes, something ain't the same

The lawns uncared for, trash and rubbish between each house,
Graffiti on the siding, what is that all about?

Doors wide open, cussing and drinking on the porch, what is that smell?
A stench of old cooking grease
Some of the places look as though they carry disease.

"A product of your environment", the children romp and play
Did anyone even ask them what they learned today?

The white man don't live here, it's just us
I don't think I'm better but I'm beyond disgust.

We blame others saying they don't give,
Who do we blame when we destroy the homes where we live?

We don't take care to make the environment safe,
Our streets are taken over by the thugs, dealers, and gangs
Even though we know their parents, where they were raised
We go back 400 years to blame the white man for making us slaves

Slaves to a community that we won't take care of, not even our rented homes
Blame the landlord for the damage, the needed repairs, rent is cheaper if its slum

We don't even know our neighbor…..cause we live in the hood.
The village concept wasn't the white mans; it was what made us feel good.

We felt good about our community, the place where we lived
The families struggled together, and each had something to give

Words of advice and encouragement, a nod of recognition a friendly hello
"A product of your environment" meant your home was a place you wanted to own

When you get a moment walk through your "hood" cause you're the product it made
Now go ahead blame the white man, for creating that environment where only our people stay.



Copyright 2008

It is my hope for change, an understanding between races, between communities. Opportunities are no longer enough, there’s a need to change the attitudes, the mood; the responsibilities are our own.

Date: 11-6-2012   
Writer’s Name: S.F. Hardy
Title: Not Pure

Let’s talk about a topic that affects a small portion of the African-African community directly and the whole indirectly: multi-racial identity and how it affects the way one views him/herself. The Free Dictionary.com defines multi-racial as: “Having ancestors of several or various races.” This matter is relative to our Commander in Chief, President Obama as well as how we view ourselves in the African-American community.

For many Black Americans, it is an insult to precede the American with African. “I’m not African,” you will hear many of us claim. But those same individuals will criticize those of us who can directly point to our mixed heritage of Spanish, European, African and Indigenous ancestry. Boy are we confused and for those of us who have a bit of a clue, we are frowned upon yet and still.

Speaking from my own personal experiences as a bi-racial woman who grew up in the African-American community, I can be frank: I ain’t white enough to be accepted as such by the Caucasian community (not that I have or currently ever wanted to be) and I’m too brown to be accepted as such by the Black community, who has constantly reminded me that I’m Black but must be mixed with something because of my fair skin tone.

In the words of my late maternal grandmother who was from the South and the daughter of a sharecropper: “oh brother.”  My mother thought she would do her children a favor and save us from the horrors she experienced as a student in the Catholic School System; by giving birth to children with “light skin,” NOPE! Especially not growing up in Detroit where people are highly isolated by race and ethnicity. Various cultures dwell in the city true indeed but what is obvious is every group lives in their own enclave of the city.

So, while my mother and my experiences such as passing a paper bag test does not exactly parallel (unbelievably) my brother and my experiences, we definitely caught hell from both the Black and White communities. Like my aunt relating challenges of our childhood to being bi-racial. “You know they say bi-racial people have issues.” Yea we do and they start with people perpetuating an ignorant self-hating mentality and biased stereotypes. Society and their lack of understanding and unwillingness to try to understand or even think is “our” problem. Give me a break; none of us are of a pure race. Most of us cannot trace our ancestry to a specific tribe or clan and most of us are for some stupid reason ashamed of the African blood that flows through us. The only difference between myself, Tiger Woods, Jordan Sparks, and President Obama (since some of us like to think we are of an exclusive bloodline) is that we, “bi-racial folk,” are not so far removed from our ancestry that we can deny it and others will go out of their way to remind us of such!

Race, pure or otherwise, has and continues to be used by the puppet masters to drive wedges between people. Hopefully the ignorance will cease and more embracing of peoples mixed heritage will become more of the norm. I remain hopeful, especially when I read reports from media such as Huffington Post who reports “interracial marriage is on the rise,” according to Pew Research Center who “indicates that there has been a major jump in interracial marriage rates from 1980.”

I guess my point here is to drive home the importance of accepting people for who they are and not what is on the surface because as much as we are different we are very similar. We have to embrace ourselves and stop getting caught up in race and heritage to hurt and claim superiority over one another as we all are Gods creations. I really want people to sit and think about what is important in the grand scheme of things; and it ain’t the color of my skin! Only when you feed this type of thinking and behavior does it become a factor.

www.thefreedictionary.com/multiracial

htttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/interracial-marriage-stat_n_1280511.html

Date: November 5, 2012
Writer’s Name: Todney Harris
Title: Common Core Standards

American education in the twenty first century has been affected by poverty, low student performance, an ever changing parental structure and most importantly, federal legislation and enforcement for educators and students.  During the last fifteen years or so, technology has taken an important role in the manner in which students are learning and performance related outcomes.  Internet and social media have led to globalization within the field of education.  Through the use of hardware and software, students can not only learn differently but can remain in contact with educators once the traditional classroom hours have expired. In addition, educators can have additional means to stay in contact with parents through technology.  Software Programs have been created to track student performance that parents can monitor through the use of software programs on the internet.  In order to make use of this technology, the means through which students are learning and performing have been addressed through the creation of new Common Core standards which many states have begun to implement.  Therefore, curriculums must be completely rewritten in order to meet the requirements of the new Common Core Standards.

So, what is Common Core?  The standards were developed by David Coleman and Susan Pimentel, two lead authors of the new standards.  The standards involve all grade levels and many educators, parents, and education experts have all contributed to the creation of the standards. The purpose for the creation of the CSS is to standardize the means through which all students are learning in addition to performance related outcomes via projects and or examinations.  The primary purpose is to educate students in preparation for global competition.  Again, technology has transformed the manner in which business is conducted.  In order to be competitive, students must be given the tools necessary to compete in a global economy.  Therefore, the CSS standards give educators a standardized means of teaching with clear expectations and give the students clear expectations for learning as well.

Thus far, the state of Connecticut has adopted the new CSS standards as of July 7, 2010.  The curriculums are being written in response to the new standards.  Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Studies content areas have been revamped to meet the needs of the new CSS standards.  Technology has an important role in standard implementation.  How?  Students are given the opportunity to use digital media, software programs and the internet to apply the research based skills that are a requirement in the CSS standards.  For example, within the content area of Social Studies, as students explore and master content, they must improve their ability to locate and interpret information and their ability to share that information through reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting. Social studies information comes in a variety of formats, from text to picture to graph, from newspaper to blog to geographic information system. Some of these formats may challenge students, but they need to experience all these media to build the analytical and evaluative skills of effective citizens.

As a Social Studies educator, it is my humble opinion that the CSS standards will benefit students.  It is apparent that these new standards if given the proper support via state departments of education, can be beneficial for all parties.  I look forward to working with the students based on these new standards which will supplant the NCLB testing requirements in the near future.  Performance related outcomes based on student interest and involvement will help with motivation for learning in addition to performance related outcomes.  If students are given choices, then it is my humble opinion that student achievement will increase exponentially.

Sources:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/curriculum/socialstudies/CT_Social_Studies_Curriculum_Framework_2011.pdf

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=322592

http://www.achieve.org/achieving-common-core

http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=3253

Date: 11/5/12
Writer’s Name: Allison Martin
Title: Ways to Assist the Homeless

With the rate of homelessness increasing due to the economic downturn, assistance needed is greater than ever.  Listed below are ways you can pitch in to help out:

1. Education is essential: Prior to working with any homeless individual or family, you must have an open-mind and understand that they are normal human beings just like the rest of us.  In addition, it’s important to know that some have stories that will surprise you and sometimes, those who are extremely intelligent are homeless due to an unfortunate set of circumstances.

2. Donate Professional Services: Since a vast majority of homeless individuals do not have the wherewithal to pay for professional services, it’s never a bad idea to donate your time if you are skilled in a particular craft.  For example, there may be a member of the homeless community who was employed at some point in the prior year and needs tax preparation assistance.  In this case, an accountant, CPA, or Registered Tax Return Preparer could donate this service.

3. Host continuing education courses (and tutor young children): Just like in any population, some members may not have a high school diploma (or GED) and lack basic skills needed to secure and maintain employment.  To assist, you could host free continuing education seminars that provide GED prep resources and general employment information.  Bear in mind that many children are also homeless so it wouldn’t hurt to incorporate a tutoring program for them as well.

4. Assist homeless with securing employment: If you are well connected in your community, encourage employers to hire the homeless.  To prepare them for employment, provide educational resources that will help them excel on the job (i.e. interviewing tips, how to dress for success, conduct in the workplace, etc.).

5. Volunteer Your Time at Homeless Shelters: You never know whose life you may touch just by volunteering.  Remember that all homeless individuals have a unique story to tell and your listening ear and interactions with them may leave a lasting impression.

6. Generate a list of shelters: This list can be distributed to those individuals you see who are homeless and may not know which way to turn for help.  Some do not have access to a computer to research shelters and/or organizations that can assist them.

7. Food Banks: If you belong to a local church or community organization(s), start a food bank and set a schedule to distribute non-perishable items to the homeless.  For those who are not affiliated with any group but want to help, create a mini-food bank in your home instead.

8. Clothing closet: Either find a location where the homeless can come to retrieve clothing or donate the items to a shelter.  For many homeless people, the winter time is quite harsh due to the lack of adequate clothing to keep them warm.  Therefore, a coat drive is also a great idea.

9. Donate funds: If you do not have any items, services, or time to give, the homeless can always use money.  I am not suggesting that you hand out massive amounts of cash to pan-handlers.  Instead, find a 501(c)(3) (Not-For-Profit) organization whose values and beliefs align with yours to donate to.

10.  Prayer: For those who are Christian, you know that prayer is one of the most powerful gifts you can give anyone.  You can pray for comfort, peace, and that the needs of the homeless are met.  In Matthew 6:31-34, we are encouraged not to worry about food, drink, or clothing.  Instead, we should fix our thoughts on the kingdom of God and righteousness and these things will follow.  Use that encouraging scripture to lift the spirits of those who are distressed.

November 5, 2012
Charlotte Marshall Templeman
Black Colleges Rock!

 
Lately I’ve been hearing about some Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU’s) who have been having financial problems. With these problems comes the threat of having to close.  HBCU’s have been in existence for over 150 years. They were founded on the principles to educate African Americans who otherwise could not attend predominantly white universities to receive an education. Many prominent African American have walked the halls of HBCU’s and have received a valuable education which allowed them to compete in their chosen field. HBCU’s have been more than institutions of learning; they have also been the catalyst of many finding out who they are.

Upon graduating from high school, my college choice was Howard University, but unfortunately I did not get accepted. I was crushed but I knew that college was still an option. After some researching I decided on Grambling State University in Louisiana. I was an 18 year old girl who never traveled that far without my mother so needless to say I was terrified. I started to wonder to myself if I made the right choice in selecting a school so far. I only knew one person there but I could not depend on him to hold my hand and baby me once I arrived. I was a young woman who was embarking on the next phase in my life. Although it was scary it was also exciting. I was ready for the challenge. Once I arrived I instantly felt at home. The staff, teachers and students made me feel so welcomed that I forgot how far I was away from the nest. It was a great feeling, unlike any I had ever experienced. It was the black college experience.

Although I did not graduate from Grambling State University, I did graduate from another HBCU which was Lincoln University. Black colleges are important on so many levels. They not only provide quality education to their students but they also provide a home away from home. There are many professors who step outside of the role of teacher and step into the role of parent. They are there to help with personal problems and they take the time to listen.  For some students, attending an HBCU was their first time experiencing having an African American teacher, especially male. While attending GSU I had a professor who would talk to us about the world we were about to experience as college graduates even before she began her lesson. We were more than students to her we were like her children and it was felt.

We have to invest in our HBCU’s to ensure they will be here for other children to experience. It is important that we give back as alumni and assist in other areas where needed. HBCU’s have given so much more to its students beside an education. It has given us character, values, dreams and hopes to do better and be better. The life lessons I learned from attending an HBCU I could not have learned anywhere else. It allowed me to see that not all African American young people are drug dealers, high school drop outs, ignorant or with no desire on wanting to improve themselves. It showed me that there were just as many young people wanting to obtain a degree as myself. Because of HBCU’s there are many highly educated African Americans who make a difference in every profession there is such as science, medicine, mathematics, politics and the arts. By any means necessary we have to save our HBCU’s because black college’s rock!!!!

Date: 11/1/2012
Name: Donnell Hicks
Title: Overcoming the Odds in Life

Every day in life we have obstacles, trials, and tribulations to overcome along with mending the pieces of our broken heart back together again from the tragedies that strike our lives or even worse, our family. It is very important never to wave the white flag when flowing through the rough seas, for the reason that there’s a chance to fight for another day when life takes us by surprise only to hand us a platter filled with disaster.

There’s not a day or a moment that goes by we don’t have trouble knocking at our front door attempting to stir the peaceful human nature we as humans sometimes desperately seek beyond the indigenous of mankind. So many significant factors can play a part in the struggles of our daily lives. Take for example, Hurricane Sandy that tore apart the northeast. So many people lost their lives and left behind unspeakable damage in its aftermath. Yet, the people in the northeast are coming together, coping together, and loving one another to overcome the disaster they’ve sustained in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

The only way to deal with hardships in life such as not finding a job and not having enough money to pay bills or put food on the table, is to keep the faith, have humility, and give praise to God that he will help each and every last one of us seek the light to prosperity. Also you must show courage in the face of danger, forgiving your enemies who have done you wrong, showing love, smiling and pushing forward with your dreams despite setbacks from family and friends.

On the contrary, some people might take another route to overcome the odds of having their hearts broken. He/she will certainly wash the pain away with a bottle of booze, indulge into drugs for comfort, or worst of all commit suicide to end the agony life brings one from all angles night after night, day after day. What I’ve learned now experiencing life at 26 years old is that there is never a gateway to giving up because of setbacks. Life is filled with so many surprises good and bad; it is how you take the punches from the invisible forces - especially from family and friends who will end up forsaking you in the process. Either you get knocked down or get back up to live another day.

Life is all about having triumph over tragedy to have a testimony to tell the world regarding the hard past you’ve come out of. As human beings, we must understand life isn’t immortal. Truth is, life is mortal at the same time we write our testimonies to share to the world, to enrich the lives of those who are in the position of giving up in their lives all because of minimum to major setbacks. A drug addict can turn his/her life around to be an ex-drug addict; a gang member can turn his life around to be an ex-gang member; a deadbeat father or a deadbeat mother can turn his/her life around to become better parents; the same can go for a homosexual, a lesbian, a killer, as well as a thief. Any person can make a change to overcome the odds in their lives.

The real secret to overcoming the odds is to live one day at a time, one day in the moment.

Date:  October 30, 2012
Writers Name:  Rosey Denise White
Title:  Food is Not a Luxury

Holiday season is usually the time of year when the needs of the hungry are often highlighted but truthfully, hunger is a regular issue both here at home and abroad.   According to feedingamercia.org, approximately 6.1 million households in the U.S. received emergency food assistance in 2011.   Children were hunger victims in 78% of these households.    With so much focus on the economic and political health of the country, sometimes the plight of the hungry does not get the attention it deserves.  Many go without food to eat on a daily basis; every six seconds a child dies from hunger related issues.

In Michigan, there are several businesses and non-profit organizations dedicated to helping cure the hunger epidemic. The Michigan division of the Kids against Hunger Coalition is a mobile packaging operation that ships meals to malnourished children here at home and internationally. This mobile unit works with other volunteers, non-profit organizations, and local companies to help package and distribute food accordingly.  

To inquire about volunteer opportunities or to schedule a mobile food packaging event please see the below:

Kids Against Hunger – Michigan Coalition
8600 Northend Rd.
Oak Park, MI 48238
(248) 336-2559
http://www.kidsagainsthungercoalition.com/

Meijer’s is a major local grocery chain in Michigan, but the executives of this group also use the business to promote hunger awareness by helping the community.  Meijer’s Simply Give Program recently gave 4 million dollars to various food pantries across Michigan.   Meijer also has a Food Rescue program that distributes food straight from Meijer shelves to local food banks.    Top Meijer executive Janet Emerson is the force that drives the wheel for these programs.  She believes that “food is just a basic need… a basic right not to go to bed hungry.”     


Food Gatherers is a food rescue plan established in 1988 in Michigan.   Close to 1500 volunteers prepare and serve 100,000 meals to people in need each year.  They also provide student and job training within culinary arts.   December 5th – December 9th, Food Gatherers will host their annual “freezing for a reason” food and fund drive.   You can participate by donating cash or food donations to any Kroger located in Washtenaw County.  

If you are in need of emergency food assistance or interested in their training programs please contact:


Food Gatherers
734-761-2796
www.foodgatherers.org

The Food Bank Council of Michigan reports that 196,400 people receive emergency food assistance per week in Michigan.   If you have internet access,  pantrynet.org  provides a list of food banks throughout Michigan.  Below is also a list of food pantries, and emergency food resources that provide assistance year round in the Michigan area:

Emergency Food Resources in Michigan


Storehouse of Hope
8850 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI
Tuesday – Friday   10:00am – 4:00pm
(313) 871-4750

Lord of Harvest
21601 Schoenher
Warren, MI
Monday – Friday  10:00am – 11:30am
(586) 498-8869

Walk in the Spirit Food Pantry
11638 Whittier St.
Detroit, MI
Tuesday – Friday 10:00am – 1:00pm
(313) 371-3930

Redford Interfaith Relief
18499 Beech Daly
Redford, MI
Tuesday & Friday  10:00am – 2:00pm
[email protected]

Emergency Food Assistance
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Date:  October 29, 2012
Writers Name:  Rosey Denise White
Title:  It’s Not Just a Cliché’: Reading is Fundamental!

Reading is a community survival tool important for all of us at every stage in our lives.   Many overlook the importance of reading, and are instead comfortable using technology as the main informational source.  There is no secret why tablets, IPHONES, and the tech industry are very profitable – all provide quick, easy and popular tools for accessing information.   Who has time to read when they can get everything they need using a trendy toy?    

This is the age of technology and the television has also become a modern teacher of sorts.  We are spoiled by the visual images we see, rushing to watch so and so’s new reality TV show.  We are even obsessive in taping our favorite programs. I recall the days when “regular” television was free. Now, cable has become the new normal, causing regular T.V. to become a thing of the past. Consider all of the money we waste these days simply to be entertained versus what we invest in knowledge. Many adults haven’t visited a bookstore or read a book outside of college in years.   

But, the majority of Americans own and watch television regularly in their homes.  Something is wrong with this picture because reading impacts everything that we do.  A regular habit of reading not only provides information, but it also enhances communication skills.   Listen intently to the ideas and words used by others.    You can often tell if someone is regularly engaged in literacy, just by the tone of their conversation.  Adults who read are able to explore new concepts or ideas. These critical thinking tools help to further our individual purpose, business goals and even spiritual needs.  

Reading helps to stimulate the imagination in both adults and kids.  Through a consistent habit of reading, we are able to experience the world using creative measures.   It is especially important to cultivate the benefits of literacy to the youth early on in life.  Parents are encouraged to read to their children often, even while in the womb, to create an unbreakable parental bond.   School aged kids are likely to develop strong reading habits when they see adults around them engaged in these activities.  Reading also makes room for a child to increase vocabulary skill sets.   With a thorough understanding of words, a child is able to decipher information easier leading to a positive school experience.  

Both adults and children alike benefit from enriched skills through reading. Knowledge is indeed power!   Reading is about so much more than curling up with a good book.  Reading is essentially gathering information. Everyone should take time to read the ingredients in the foods they eat.  We all should take time to research common and unfamiliar words, to learn the true root of its meaning.   People of all backgrounds, ages and beliefs will benefit from reading warning labels, street signs, directions, and instructions.  Reading is a link to valuable information that we might otherwise overlook.   Reading is fundamental on every level.  Reading is indeed power!