Battle Creek Opens New Alano Club for Those in Recovery from Alcoholism or Addiction

"The (Battle Creek) Alano Club will hold a grand opening event from 1 to 4 p.m. (Sunday) at the Community Recovery Center, 1125 W. Territorial Rd. There will also be a Recovery Night featuring music, dancing, speakers, games and more beginning at 7 p.m."

Alano Clubs host 12-Step meetings and other activities for those involved in AA or NA or similar groups.

www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100129/NEWS01/301290014/1002/NEWS01/New-Alano-building-opens-tomorrow

Point-in-time survey to count homeless in Kalamazoo

From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

The count, also held at several other locations frequented by the homeless, was a kind of mini-census during which participants filled out a survey that asked them how they lost their housing, whether they have a child or a disability and how long they’ve been homeless, among other demographic information.

On Wednesday night, law enforcement officers around the county were to do an observational count and area hospitals were to do a count of the homeless in their emergency rooms.

The effort is sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corp., a nonprofit that coordinates the county’s affordable housing partnerships. Michelle Schneider, LISC assistant program officer, said the count is important because it provides assistance agencies with demographic and other information that enables them to better help the homeless population.

“We’ve got to keep in mind, though, that this is just a snapshot,” she said. “There almost certainly are more homeless people in the county than what the numbers will say.”

Preliminary numbers won’t be out until the end of February, she said. The count in January 2009 found 985 homeless people in Kalamazoo County.

A report released last year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requires a point-in-time count to be conducted every two years, showed the Kalamazoo County’s homeless population increased by 40 percent, to 862 people, from January 2007 to January 2008.

Schneider said Wednesday that she couldn’t speculate on whether the numbers collected by LISC will be higher than last January, but did say a rash of evictions and foreclosures in 2009 likely forced many people onto the streets.

The 2010 Census will provide a much more accurate count of the county’s homeless population, she said.

Read the full article:

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/01/survey_seeks_to_count_homeless.html

Suburban poverty on the rise

For many of us, the notion of poverty still conjures up images of those struggling in downtrodden inner city neighborhoods or rural families living in geographic isolation, unable to access adequate support services - But a new report from the Brookings Institution turns the image of white picket fence suburbia on its head.

From the Spotlight on Poverty website:

According to the 2008 Census Bureau data, 17.7 percent of metropolitan residents and 15.1 percent of rural Americans live in poverty.

But the Brookings research, authored by senior Brookings fellow and former Spotlight contributor Elizabeth Kneebone, shows that to fully address poverty in America, we need to broaden both our perceptions and public policy objectives beyond the more traditional focus on urban and rural poverty.

Lawmakers must understand the shifting local geography of poverty to effectively provide services and social programs. Officials and providers have to ensure that critical programs and job training services are accessible to struggling suburban families. Understanding the reality of suburban life for low-income families is an important step in reducing poverty and providing help to those that need it most.

See the article at:

http://www.spotlightonpoverty.org/OutOfTheSpotlight.aspx?id=a27186ba-fa73-4769-bdc6-4c7817767482

Muslim group is 'positive presence' in East Side neighborhood

As a Big Brother Volunteer, I have been fortunate to build a relationship with a young boy who lives in the Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood. He is a practicing Muslim who regularly participates in the community events at the Bilal Islamic Center. I can attest to the positive impact and mentoring they have already provided to him.

The Kalamazoo Gazette highlights the work of the Bilal Islamic center on the Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood. For a community that has limited activities and organizations available, the Bilal Center is making positive contributions and building relationships in throughout the neighborhood.

Some excerpts from the article:

The real purpose for that mosque was to be a vehicle for community development,” said Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, 30, a Bilal member and Western Michigan University staff member in charge of an upcoming Kalamazoo exhibit on race. “The reason that it’s on the East Side is because we see that that is an area that needs a lot of development, and we’re hoping to use the mosque in a way that will lead to the upliftment of that area.”

In December, the mosque purchased its first rental property, which members plan to subdivide into housing for four families.

Patricia Taylor, executive director of the Eastside Neighborhood Association, said members of the Bilal Islamic Center introduced themselves to her soon after her arrival at the neighborhood association about four and a half years ago.

“I don’t really think of their religious affiliation as much as I do their focus and determination for a peaceful neighborhood in general,” Taylor said. “It doesn’t matter what one’s race or religious affiliation, their goal is to have a good neighborhood, a good viable neighborhood, and part of their impact, actually, is their willingness to come into an area that is totally depressed.”

---

What they do

The Bilal Islamic Center hopes to improve Kalamazoo’s East Side by buying and refurbishing more housing to rent to stable families. It also aims to rid the area of drug sales and other crimes by participating in the Neighborhood Watch group.

“We tried to pick a target, a place where it was bad,” said Mateen, owner of the Little Fish Dock restaurant, at 1726 E. Main St., diagonally across the street from the mosque. “We feel that we can make a difference over here.”

Since 2006, mosque members also have been getting to know the community by inviting residents to their New Africa Nights on Wednesdays. The nights are part community potluck and part religious studies. One recent Wednesday night, about 10 men and women gathered at the Little Fish Dock to discuss needed roof work for the new rental housing, management of the new property and other concerns. They later broke for a dinner of chicken soup, spaghetti and white rice with curry and turmeric.

One visitor that night was the Rev. John W. McNaughton, a former pastor of Stockbridge Avenue United Methodist Church and current chaplain for the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Battle Creek.

“They’re very community-minded,” McNaughton said of the mosque members. “What’s good for the community they’re interested in.”

Read the full article here:

http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/01/muslim_group_is_positive_prese.html

Michigan: Falling Behind in Pre-School Funding

The Center for Michigan issued two articles this month on the benefits of pre-school funding. According to one of the articles:

"Rob Grunewald, associate economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, has produced noted early-childhood research. He said that longitudinal studies show that early childhood programs targeting at-risk and low-income children demonstrate a variety of long term benefits. They include better school performance, higher high school and college graduation rates, less crime and higher earnings that lead to more tax revenue for the state... And it's important to note that most of the benefits accrue to the general public, rather than the recipients of the services," he added."

The full article can be found at:

www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/special-report-mi-falling-behind-other-states-in-early-childhood-funding/

Thrift Store in Dowagiac Helps Women's Transitional Home

"Apostolic Lighthouse Church, M-62 West, (on) Jan. 13 opened Hope’s Door Thrift Store ... in downtown Dowagiac to fund a transitional home for women looking to rebuild shattered lives...

... Proceeds from the thrift shop are earmarked to fund a transitional home for community women attempting to put their derailed lives back on track, such as those who may be going through a bad divorce, exiting an abusive relationship, coming out of drug or alcohol rehabilitation or making the transition back into society from incarceration."

For the full story, see the Dowagiac Daily News:

www.dowagiacnews.com/2010/01/21/pennies-made-sense-but-so-does-retail-for-church-which-opens-transition-house/

Hurting Kalamazoo neighborhoods could see flurry of development

From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

A $14.2 million remake of Kalamazoo neighborhoods hit hardest by blight and foreclosures will begin this fall with a flurry of purchases, demolitions, rehabilitations and even some new construction over the next three years.

The Kalamazoo City Commission accepted $14.2 million Tuesday in federal neighborhood stabilization stimulus money, plus an additional $1.4 million to administer the program.

About a third of the federal grant to Kalamazoo is earmarked for redevelopment of vacant and/or blighted areas and new construction in the Edison neighborhood’s long-awaited Marketplace plat could be a large share of that.

Read the full article:

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/01/city_accepts_14_million_in_sti.html

MLK March Video of Kalamazoo

The Western Herald's video coverage of the MLK march in Kalamazoo, MI which took place on Monday, January 18th 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gp7pEJQ_eE

Edison project's student-run greenhouse grows fresh produce for local restaurant

A partnership between a school and a local business lets elementary students gain knowledge and skills into growing local produce for a restaurant in Kalamazoo.

From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

Edison Environmental Science Academy students are turning fresh produce into profits after forging a business partnership with Kalamazoo’s Food Dance Cafe.

Since December, Edison’s garden club has supplied the local restaurant with fresh arugula, parsley, dill and basil, all planted and tended by students through the magnet school’s environmental economics curriculum, said Matthew Johnson, Edison teacher and garden club advisor.

Food Dance Cafe owner Julie Stanley — herself a former elementary school teacher — said the students’ business venture not only offers products at competitive prices but supports the restaurant’s longstanding mission to work with local providers.

“They’ve kind of stuck their neck out for us,” Johnson said of Food Dance’s involvement. “They told us, ‘As much as you can grow, that’s probably what we’ll use.’ I think they’re very excited about this as well.”

Food Dance executive chef Robb Hammond and purchasing manager Elle Dirlam have worked closely with the garden club to guide students in meeting the restaurant’s product needs, Stanley said.

Though Edison can’t singlehandedly supply the restaurant’s sizable demands, the goods they are providing have been “great,” Stanley said.

Edison’s environmental curriculum emphasizes sustainable business practices that protect and preserve the environment, and the garden club itself reinforces life science lessons taught in classrooms, as well as math, measurement and other skills, Johnson said.

About 35 second- and third-graders currently participate by devoting lunch recess periods to taking care of hydroponically grown plants in the school’s greenhouse. They also manage invoicing and other business duties, Johnson said.

Read the full Article:

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/01/edison_projects_student-run_gr.html

St, Joseph County Discusses Prisoner Re-entry Program

"A panel discussion on how to create a safe community through collaboration was held by Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative Tuesday at Glen Oaks Community College."

Prosecuting Attorney "McDonough stressed this initiative has nothing to do with early release of prisoners. “These are people who are doing 2, 3 or 4 years in prison and are going to return to the community,” said McDonough. “Without some program in place, St. Joseph County will continue to have problems. In our state it costs $32,000 a year to house a single inmate.”"

The full article can be found in the Sturgis Journal:

www.sturgisjournal.com/news/x1063251296/County-initiative-aims-to-help-parolees

Are Michigan residents willing to sacrafice to rebuild the state?

A recent survey showed a majority of the 314 Michigan residents said they would support an increase of sales tax to balance the budget and cut business taxes to create jobs. Yes - 314 is not exactly a statistically significant survey, but it does show that more residents are willing to balance the budget through taxes than previously thought.

Some interesting results:

Raise the income tax?
• 44 percent yes
Cut the income tax?
• 20 percent yes
Neither?
• 33 percent

Enact a graduated income tax?
• 61 percent yes
• 26 percent no
• 13 percent no opinion

Cut business taxes?
• 67 percent yes
Raise business taxes?
• 14 percent yes
Neither?
• 16 percent

Raise beer and wine taxes?
• 69 percent yes
Lower beer and wine taxes?
• 8 percent yes
Neither?
• 22 percent

Spend more on aid for public K-12 schools?
• 69 percent yes
• 16 percent no
• 14 percent neither

Spend more on medical care for the poor?
• 64 percent yes
• 15 percent no
• 20 percent neither

Of importance personally or for society:
• Keeping Michigan's economy competitive, 90 percent
• Promoting economic growth, 89 percent
• Caring for the poor, 82 percent
• Retiring comfortably, 79 percent
• Economic freedom, 66 percent
• Preserving traditional industries, 41 percent
• Earning as much money as possible, 57 percent

Read the full article here

In order to balance our budget effectively for long term progress, it will take a restructuring of the tax system. Does this mean raising some taxes? Likely yes. But it also means adjusting HOW we tax so that it still allows for fair business competition and economic development.

Cutting the support services of the lowest earners in the budget is not an effective way of balancing our budget. We will simply have to make up the cost in very inefficient ways, whether it be through providing more sheltering, food supplies or emergency room aid - ALL of which are taxed back to our local communities.

When you stabilize people, provide them with assets and give them opportunity to thrive, you lessen the costs of their dependency on society to support them. This is why it is so important that we protect the support services that already exist.

Investing in Michigan's Future: Encouraging Employment for the Disadvantaged

At a Tuesday, January 12, 2010 State Board of Education meeting in Lansing, several economists presented their ideas as to how to revise or rework the state's taxation and budget systems. Economists from W.E. Upjohn Institute, Michigan State University, and the Mackinac Center presented their proposals.

Timothy Bartik from the W.E. Upjohn Institute of Southwest Michigan proposed what he labeled "research-based investments to revive Michigan's economy." Some examples of his studies includes the notion that $41 million in adult jobs training would return $107 million in "investment return" to the state. $49 million invested in K-12, but especially early elementary summer school, would return $406 million in long term investment return for the state. An investment of $300 million to create high quality, universal pre-school for all Michigan's 4-year-olds would return an investment of $834 million.

Mr. Bartik also researched a program in Minnesota called the Minnesota Emergency Employment Development (MEED) program. The MEED program is a program to encourage employment for the disadvantaged. According to Mr. Bartik's study, $263 million invested in a Michigan's MEED program may return $1.491 Billion in investment return for the State of Michigan.

In a July 2009 article in the W.E. Upjohn "Employment Research" report, Mr. Bartik states:

"Even after the U.S. economy recovers, there are likely to be considerable long-term employment problems for the disadvantaged."

The article, only a page long, can be found at:

www.upjohninstitute.org/publications/newsletter/tjb2_709.pdf

KIDS COUNT coverage in Southwest Michigan

Kalamazoo Coverage:

Kalamazoo Gazette:

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/01/report_kalamazoo_child_poverty.html

WMUK:

http://www.wmuk.org/news/?select_article=1&pkeyNewsItemID=95806

Western Herald:

http://www.westernherald.com/news/inpovershed-children-highlighted-by-local-groups/

St. Joseph County Coverage:

http://www.rivercountryjournal.com/?p=22190

Battle Creek Shelters aim to get homeless inside

Shelters in Battle Creek have struggled to get some of the homeless inside this winter as temperatures stay below freezing level. From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

Jurnis Allen, a shift leader at the Haven, said it was people sleeping under bridges and out in the cold he's most concerned about. He said it can be hard to get some in the homeless community to come in out of the elements

.Allen said the Haven was working with the Battle Creek Police Department to clear out the usual gathering spot under the overpass and get them to try the shelter.

"From my understanding, it's mostly that they don't want to deal with our rules, or they're comfortable where they are," he said. "They have their territory that they'll be concerned about and they don't want to leave the area, because somebody might steal their stuff."

"We find it saddening, but we can't make them come in," he said.

While most shelters have opportunities for overnight stay, many shelters still have limitations on the duration of time or the hours of the day of which it is available. The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission it allows its residents to stay warm in main entry during the winter months. The is not the case at the Haven in Battle Creek:

Rogers said this was his first northern winter after bouts of homelessness in Texas and Florida. He was using the Haven's wet shelter intended for people who need a place to sleep but don't want to participate in the rest of the organization's programs.

Those residents have to leave the building in the morning and can come back at night.

"For me to keep warm, I had to go on over the Share Center, or I go to the Transportation Center until the library opens at 9 a.m.," he said. "Then I sit at the library pretty much all day long to stay out of the cold weather."

Keeping people warm is a high priority for the staff of both the Haven and the Share Center during the harsh Michigan winter.

"We have not had anybody (with frostbite), but last year, we had a few," the Share Center's Donna Hawes said. "One gentleman almost lost his feet."

Read the Full article:

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100111/NEWS01/1110310/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Shelters-try-to-get-homeless-to-come-inside

KIDS COUNT Press Conference aims to shine light on the local impact of poverty on children

On Monday, January 11th at 11am, the Poverty Reduction Initiative will host its annual Press Conference highlighting the KIDS COUNT Data in the context with child poverty issues in Kalamazoo. The conference will take place in the board room of the Kalamazoo United Way, located at 709 South Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-6003.

The conference includes the release of the KIDS COUNT Michigan Data book 2009, which is officially embargoed until Tuesday, January 12th 2010 at 2:00am. The event will provide clarity and insight through multiple speakers on the topic of poverty’s affect on children.

KIDS COUNT is a national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the United States. Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the report releases annual data which focuses on the educational, social, economic, and physical well-being of children.

Childhood poverty, abuse and neglect continue to rise in Michigan, but child deaths are down dramatically since the start of the decade, the latest Kids Count report finds.

“The data certainly show a mix of trends both good and bad,’’ said Jane Zehnder-Merrell, a senior research associate at the Michigan League for Human Services and director of the Kids Count in Michigan project. “Michigan’s unemployment and declining family income take a toll on kids’ lives, but we are seeing improvements in some areas of health and education.’’

Childhood poverty jumped 6 percent between 2005 and 2007, with nearly one in every five children in Michigan living in poverty. The number of students receiving free or reduced-priced lunches rose 14 percent between 2006 and 2008—more than two of every five public school K-12 students now participate in the School Lunch Program at free or reduced prices.

For more information about the event, please contact Initiative Kevin Lignell at the Poverty Reduction Initiative by phone (269) 387-2678 or email klignell@haltpoverty.org.

Kellogg Foundation increases local giving

While most organizations and foundations have cut back their funding due to the severity of economic times, the Kellogg Foundation is approaching the depressed economy in a different way. With the economy in Battle Creek suffering, Kellogg has actually increased its rate of giving to local projects without subtracting its giving globally.

From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

"When you look at the economy and the tough times now that communities are having; to still meet the needs of vulnerable children and families -- we couldn't walk away from that," said Reggie LaGrand, director of greater Battle Creek programming.

The foundation's annual contributions to the area usually total about $8 million to $10 million, LaGrand said. But in the past two years it has given almost twice that amount because of a unique initiative to revitalize downtown Battle Creek.

The philanthropic organization gave slightly less than $16 million to its founder's hometown in the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, up from $15 million the previous year, according to its 2009 annual report.

The increase of about $8 million went to a downtown transformation project, which includes the creation of a National Center for Food Protection and an International Food Protection Training Institute, LaGrand said. The Kellogg Foundation has committed $35 million over five years for the project.

The other half of last year's funding went to programs promoting the health, education and economic security of vulnerable children, while promoting civic engagement and racial equity.

I wish more organizations would see the benefit of increased giving during times of struggle. Often do we see that when the financial loss is higher, there is less and less to give to those in need.

Read the full article:

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100107/NEWS01/1070316/1002/NEWS01/Kellogg-Foundation-increases-local-giving

Michigan League for Human Services launches blog "Factually Speaking"

The Michigan League for Human Services has launched it's own blog, "Factually Speaking", to keep users up to date on important news in Michigan. The Michigan League for Human Services is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide policy and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that Michigan’s low-income residents achieve economic security.

To accomplish this, the League uses data-driven advocacy to shape public policy, focusing on a range of public and private supports, including public assistance, work and family supports, job training and education. The League also works to make sure adequate resources are available to support these services. Through research, analysis, public education and advocacy efforts, the League brings credible and accessible information to the public policy discussion of the critical issues that affect the lives of low-income people.

The League has a network of more than 1,500 individuals and organizations from business, labor, human services professions, faith-based organizations as well as concerned citizens. The League works with many groups that provide direct services to residents of Michigan, though we do not provide such services. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization and not affiliated with the state Department of Human Services.

I am expecting strong topics and critical articles from this blog, and it should be a wealth of good information about issues surrounding the state budget and the future of Michigan as a whole. Factually Speaking has an all-star cast of policy expert bloggers, including:

• Sharon Park, President and CEO with the Michigan League for Human Services
• Lawrence (Lary) O. Wells, Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan League for Human Services
• Jane Zehnder-Merrell, Director of Kids Count in Michigan and Senior Planning/Research Associate at the Michigan League for Human Services
• Judy Putnam, Communications Director for the League
• Karen Holcomb-Merrill, State Fiscal Project Director with the League
• Jan Hudson, healthcare policy analysis and advocacy specialist
• Peter Ruark, who analyses and gives presentations on workforce development, public assistance, family self-sufficiency, wage mobility and low-income tax credits.
• Jacqui Broughton, A planning/research Associate with the League
• Paul Diefenbach, Data Manager for the League

Keep in touch Factually Speaking by subscribing to their new blog:

http://factuallyspeaking.wordpress.com/

Visit the Michigan League for Human Services website:

http://www.milhs.org/

Michigan Citizens with Food Stamps and No Other Income Increases by 60%

According to the New York Times, the number of Michigan residents living solely on food stamps and no other cash assistance increased by 60% from 2007 to 2009.

See:

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/02/us/foodstamps-table.html

The full article is at:

www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/us/03foodstamps.html

The Poverty Reduction Initiative presents "Pace For Poverty"

The Poverty Reduction Initiative presents an opportunity to combine your passion and fitness towards reducing poverty in Kalamazoo County. On Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 the Poverty Reduction Initiative, Gull Lake Community Schools and other local organizations will host multiple morning events beginning at 8:00am.

Funds raised through registration fees will be used to support initiatives and organizations throughout Kalamazoo that feature poverty reduction themes. The Pace for Poverty Run is a continuation of the annual Lindsay Cornelius Memorial Run, a very successful event that ran for several years. That event preceeded the Pace for Poverty and raised funds to support the local police and fire rescue units, as well as providing bike helmets to many in our community. We are grateful for the support and for the legacy that the Cornelius family have offered to the Pace for Poverty.

All events start and end behind the Gull Lake Middle School (9550 East M-89, Richland Michigan) The courses wind their way through streets neighboring the Gull Lake Schools, as well as the Richland countryside, with aid stations on all courses. A map of the courses will be availalbe at packet pick-up.

Prizes will be awarded three deep in each five-year age category for the 10k and 5k run. Special awards for top overall Male and Female winners and top overall Male and Female Masters (over 40) winners. Results posted as soon as possible at the conclusion of the run and prizes will be available for pick-up at the Awards Tent. Computerized timing with disposable chips provided by Gault Race Management.

Early Registration ends with entries recieved on June 25th, 2010. On-Line Registration ends on Thursday July1, 9:00pm. All other late registration must be done, in person, on hard copy form 3:00pm-7:00pm July 2 or 6:30am-7:30am July 3 in the Gull Lake Middle School Gym. Hard copy registration fees will be an additional $5.00 for the 10k and 5k (in addition to any late fees).

To learn more about the event, click here or visit:

http://www.active.com/running/richland-mi/pace-for-poverty-2010

Earned Income Tax Credit a boon to working families

"Kimberly Lee Brown is an Americorps VISTA worker in her second term with Southwest Community Action Agency," per the Dowagiac Daily News.

"Kim intends to move her family out of poverty within the next three years, and she wants to take others with her.

“My goal is to reach 200 families this tax season. You wouldn’t believe how thankful people are just to get that money back they have waited all year for. When we tell them it won’t cost them one dime, some of them actually get tears in their eyes.”"

The Cass County Earned Income Tax Coalition (EITC) is seeking volunteers to help with tax preparation for low income citizens. Local EITC coalitions, or AARP groups which also provide assistance to seniors and other low income tax payers, are preparing for tax season in earnest.

www.dowagiacnews.com/2009/12/30/earned-income-tax-credit-a-boon-to-working-families/