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/

Kalamazoo residents give to those in need year-round

From Jeff Barr of the Kalamazoo Gazette:

KALAMAZOO — Examples of Kalamazoo Gazette readers lending a hand to those in need are as plentiful as they are generous.

In the past six weeks, there have been three such gifts after stories appeared in the Gazette, and many more before that.

Last week was such an instance. A response came after a Sunday column profiled the plight of Michelle, a woman walking in the bitter cold who had missed the last bus of the night after Christmas shopping for her children.

Details of Michelle’s optimistic smile despite her tenuous financial condition touched a heart. A local dentist reached out with a $100 bill that made it into Michelle’s hands.

Another example came just before Thanksgiving, after a Gazette column told the tale of Kevin Whitfield. The resident of Kalamazoo’s east side wakes up at 3:30 a.m. five days a week and walks an hour to catch a Ministry With Community shuttle to a temp agency in hope of finding day work.

Soon after the column appeared, a $25 money order arrived for Whitfield. Another call offered a new bike and a lock; another reader gave a holiday food basket.

In the past few years, dozens of residents have responded with various gifts after reading Gazette stories.

A few examples: A $300 check arrived for a man who couldn’t fill up his oil tank; donations poured in to completely renovate the bathroom of a woman with multiple sclerosis after a contractor collected money and didn’t complete the work; more than 90 respondents donated to a cerebral palsy victim who couldn’t afford summer camp; a bike was given to a mentally challenged girl who had hers stolen.

These are a few of the generous examples of which we are aware. Undoubtedly, there are anonymous gifts that are given quietly and without notice.

It is true that the holidays are a season of giving. But in Kalamazoo, it goes on year-round.

Local charities offer ways to give something different for Christmas

Rebecca Bakken of the Kalamazoo Gazette offers a few alternatives to traditional gift giving in favor of donating money to a charity:

For those looking to avoid the malls for last-minute shopping, giving the gift of charity can help forgo stress for the gift-giver as well as for some of the less fortunate people in the Kalamazoo area.

• Open Door Next Door Shelters: Employees can process donations and give cards for gift recipients until Christmas Day. Call (269) 343-6064.
• Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity: Alternative gifts can be bought at any time at www.habitatkalamazoo.org. Gift givers can also call (269) 344-2443 or visit their offices at 534 E. Kalamazoo Ave. until 3 p.m. on Dec. 24.
• Ministry with Community: Alternative gift buyers can visit the shelter to donate and receive a card from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. any day, including Christmas.

Area charities are making it easy for people to reject traditional gift giving in favor of donating money in a friend or a loved one’s name to help provide basic needs for those who are less fortunate.

“It can be a very satisfying way to give and even receive a Christmas gift. Even a small amount can make a big difference,” said Rick Stravers, executive director of Open Door Next Door Shelters.

The organization is dedicated to helping young homeless people acquire permanent housing and maintain employment and sober living.

Stravers said $10 can provide a resident with food for one guest. He said $30 can pay for 10 days of job hunting on a city bus and $16 can provide heat and electricity to an entire shelter for one day.

Those who donate will receive a card to give to the gift recipient, stating that a donation has been made in their name, Stravers said. Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity and Ministry with Community also provide cards so the gift-giver has something to present.

Donating money to Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity can help purchase tools, lumber and fixtures so the organization can continue to build homes for people in Kalamazoo.

“We do promote giving to Habitat as a way to honor someone’s service or memory, birthday, Father’s Day — any holiday — and people do that pretty regularly,” said Ann Kilkuskie, development coordinator.

Twenty dollars can buy four boxes of nails that will help hold together someone’s future home, $35 can buy shingles to put a roof over a child’s head and $150 can buy the door to a struggling individual’s first home.

At Ministry with Community, people who are homeless or have fallen on hard times can receive breakfast and lunch, do their laundry and receive counseling with a social worker, among many other things, all free of charge. Its alternative gift-giving program is called Giving Tree.

Rob Oakleaf, deputy director, said he started giving alternative gifts to those on his list after hearing that his mother was doing the same through Heifer International, a group that allows people to purchase cows and other animals so people in developing nations can eat and achieve a sustainable lifestyle.

“I do it for my family every year. I don’t think anybody else needs another iPod,” Oakleaf said.
For $25, a person trying to get their life together can visit with a social worker for one hour, while $50 can help a person have clean laundry for a year. One hundred dollars will buy work clothes, boots and transportation for a person willing to work but lacking the means.

“The response (to Giving Tree) has been modest but growing,” Oakleaf said.

Heidi Bryant, missions elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland, said the church holds an alternative gift market every year around Thanksgiving and during Wassailing in Richland in early December, raising money for several area missions.

This year the church raised $2,600 for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Ministry with Community and Open Door Next Door Shelters, among others.

“We all have the parents and grandparents that just don’t need another nick-nack,” Bryant said

Read the full story from the Kalamazoo Gazette

Over 200 show up to hear about Kalamazoo RCAR Program

Last night over 200 residents attended an information session about Road Construction Apprenticeship Readiness (RCAR) program in Kalamazoo.

The RCAR program is a 9-week paid training program offers training and jobs skills in the construction industry. RCAR will accept 15 applicants in 2010 who represent racial minorities, women and low-income individuals.

These applicants will be given the tools and skills to be successful in a road construction career. The training in this program also helps prepare these applicants for the realities of working in the construction field.

Chad Miller speaks to the group about some of the realities of working in the construction industry in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNCLZwr58cE





To learn more about RCAR, visit http://www.haltpoverty.org/rcar

Kalamazoo churches to leave homeless ministry over sexuality conflict

According to the Kalamazoo Gazette:

"Theological disagreements over homosexuality are causing a divide within a downtown ministry that serves the poor, homeless and lonely.

Martha’s Table, through which eight churches have provided Sunday afternoon worship and meals for the needy at First Congregational Church, is losing three of the churches because of the issue of homosexuality, even though the ecumenical ministry takes no position on it, said the Rev. Matt Laney, pastor of First Congregational.

Agape Christian Church and Word for Life Church of God plan to withdraw from Martha’s Table at the end of the year, and Centerpoint Church (formerly Third Reformed Church) has already done so, Laney said.

“The founding principle of Martha’s Table was that churches would come together and put aside their differences in light of what unites us, which is our common commitment to serve Christ and others,” Laney said. “But now this difference has risen above our common commitment to serving Christ.”

Laney said representatives of all three churches have been “very clear” that they don’t want to be “guilty by association” with First Congregational and its inclusiveness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, said Laney, who publicly supported an ordinance passed by Kalamazoo voters in November that protects GLBT people from discrimination in housing, jobs and accommodations.

“To me, it’s incredibly disappointing,” Laney said. “That’s the best word I can give it. It’s also mystifying. I was very shocked and surprised when they pulled out.”

The man who came up with the vision for Martha’s Table — Jeff McNally, pastor of Word for Life and owner of McNally’s Kitchen, which provided most of the meals — declined to comment on the reasons for his withdrawal from the ministry that began in 2007.

“I would just as soon let it go,” he said. “We are just pulling out. That’s all. ... We would just as soon take a position of silence.”

But Ron Vestrand, senior pastor of Agape Christian Church, said it was conversations with McNally that led to his church withdrawing from Martha’s Table.

“As time went on, Pastor McNally was becoming concerned with Pastor Matt Laney’s stand on homosexuality. I believe it was causing some disunity. ... I think the primary issue was that we felt that Matt’s stance on homosexuality as a valid Christian lifestyle violated our biblical worldview.”

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Rev. Matt Laney, left, and Jeff McNally pose at Laney’s First Congregational Church.