Michigan Works Scrambles & Finds Summer Employment for Berrien County Youth

"With state and federal funding evaporating, the people at Michigan Works in March expected to place only 80 young people in its Summer Youth Employment Program. Most years they had been able to employ 200 workers. In 2009 they placed more than 800 in jobs with federal stimulus dollars.

"We had consistent funding for six years," said Candace Elders, director of communications for the local Michigan Works Association branch, the job placement and training program serving Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.

But with an economy that continues to struggle and dwindling government revenue, that pool had vanished.

That left Michigan Works scrambling to find new funding sources to get area youths out of the house, off the streets and into jobs. They tapped into nine funding sources and succeeded in placing 350 youth with 75 companies and organizations, including the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Berrien County Department of Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Harbor Shores."

www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/08/14/local_news/1717016.txt

Do Government Anti-Fraud Programs Make It Too Difficult for the Poor to Receive Assistance?

Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, a national PBS program, asks some important questions in this week's edition:

Are anti-fraud programs making it too difficult for honest, poor people who need assistance to get that assistance? Or are anti-fraud programs necessary to protect tax payers' money?

One person who volunteers with the poor thinks that such anti-fraud programs are "... terrible. I think it’s a way of criminalizing poverty, and it is a way of making people feel ashamed of asking for help."

A county administrator in San Diego, California who runs such an anti-fraud program thinks that such programs: "... provide an integrity component to the public aid that goes out to those people in need, and without that integrity program then there is no way to insure that the monies go out to the people that are actually eligible, deserving, and actually have the need."

Another professor who is an advocate for the poor says: "For us it’s not the issue that you’re checking for fraud. We think that’s a reasonable thing to do, because you've got to protect the public dollar. It’s when you create a program that is, makes it difficult to get the benefit and then doesn’t demonstrate any benefit to the county or the state or the taxpayer. So we’re paying for a program that no one can prove has any impact."

The full report which centers on a controversial and aggressive anti-fraud welfare program in San Diego County California may be viewed or read at:

www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/august-13-2010/cutbacks-and-the-poor/6782/

Homeless suffer oil effects in Battle Creek

Environmental disasters often affect those the most who do not have the means to escape them. Those without financial resources are left to endure the harmful affects of their environment, while those with more means are better equipped to weather adversity. During Hurricane Katrina, we saw how the low-income population had less resources to leave New Orleans before and after the Hurricane hit. They were left to suffer the consequences of the disaster.

In Battle Creek, the homeless population who live near the river are becoming ill from inhaling the fumes from the recent oil spill. From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

Two homeless men stood in a forgotten patch of woods under an M-66 bridge, just a stone's throw away from the oil-infested Kalamazoo River.

"It's hurt my breathing," said Greg Knight, one of the men who stores his belongings and sleeps under the bridge. "All day long, I smell this ... It's hurting my chest. I can't deal with this."

Around them, cloth, bedding and household items were strewn about the camp in an incomprehensible mess. The smell of oil hung in the air. Above them, drivers passing in and out of Battle Creek likely were oblivious to the men's plight.

--

"We've been getting sick a couple days," said Ed, one of the men who live under M-66. "We went to the shelter because we couldn't take it anymore."

Ed, who preferred not to give his last name, said he's been sick to his stomach. Knight said he has experienced nausea and trouble breathing, and others have been throwing up for days. After noting Knight's bad cough and frail body, Artis asked the two men to check into the shelter.

When considering who to reimburse for the damaging effects of the oil spill, all members of our population should be considered. This includes the homeless population who will need health care to combat the health effects associated with inhaling fumes. We need to talk care of our entire population, and especially those who do not have financial means.

Read the full article: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/08/follow_the_money_links_teens_f.html

Kent County Residents Camp Out Hoping to get a Chance to Get a Pre-Application to Get on Section 8 Housing Waiting List

Hundreds of Kent County Residents are camping out in Kentwood on the grounds of a church, some since Monday, in the hopes of being able to complete a pre-application to get on a waiting list for Section 8 housing.

EduJobs Bill is Partially Paid for with $12 Billion in Food Stamp Cuts

An editorial opinion:

As a past president of the Michigan School Business Officials and a chief financial officer for a school district in SW Michigan, I look forward to finding out how the EduJobs bill that President Obama signed yesterday will impact K-12 education in Michigan. Many of my colleagues at schools throughout Michigan have reduced teaching and support staff through layoffs, early retirement incentives, outsourcing, and more.

Having just over $300 million in additional dollars to support K-12 education in Michigan is, in my humble opinion, a good thing. Many of our urban and rural districts have struggled during a decade of tight funding and budget cuts. The children in Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Hartford, Niles, Allegan, and many other school systems in SW Michigan will benefit.

(If the $300 million is allocated purely on a per student basis, then districts may receive nearly $200 additional per student. There are nearly 1.6 million students in Michigan's public schools. How the funds will be allocated remains to be decided in Lansing and schools may not find out for some time, probably not until well after school starts at Labor Day.)

I am also saddened at the same time by this bill's "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul." Obviously, there is a huge debate at the federal and state level about fiscal responsibility. Many people of good will are concerned about deficits at the federal level and the legacy that these may leave for our children and grand children. I share these concerns.

However, I remain frustrated that part of the funding for the EduJobs bill comes from a $12 billion reduction in federal food stamps. Our children, all children need full bellies in order to learn.

Woodrow Wilson once said:

"Hunger does not breed reform; it breeds madness and all the ugly distempers that make an ordered life impossible."

I am appreciative of additional funding for K-12 education. We need to have a dialogue about solving the long term financial problems of our country, a serious and earnest dialogue. In the meantime, I wish we would learn other ways to balance our budgets and reduce spending than cutting food assistance for our neediest citizens.

More information on the EduJobs bill can be found at:

www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/08/10/01jobs.h30.html?tkn=RORFvVlS8tONuC+dO3Gyk/+BQVyhsgTZbmXx&cmp=clp-edweek

Michigan Food Pantries Struggle to Keep Up With Demand

"A record number of Michiganders are turning to public agencies, private organizations and religious institutions for help. Those agencies are being fueled by staff and volunteer support, government funds and donations.

But as needs increase, the fuel is running low.

Calls for assistance to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan's 211 hot line are expected to top 408,000 by the end of this year, surpassing last year's record of 393,439, according to the most recent statistics from its downtown Detroit office.

"The No. 1 request is for gas bill payment, followed closely by food, and third is rent payment assistance," said Kristen Bolds, operations manager for 211.

Unemployment is the biggest driver of need, said Gerry Brisson, a vice president for Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan."

Read more at the Detroit Free Press

www.freep.com/article/20100811/NEWS05/8110335/1318/Food-pantries-scramble-to-keep-up-with-demand#ixzz0wHr50LnG

The Ark to build apartments for low-income young adults

Since 1977, the Ark has provided services such as a shelter for short-term housing, job and housing counseling as well as facilities to do a load of laundry or take a shower. Now, they are looking to expand in order to build affordable homes for young adults.

This fall, Catholic Family Services will begin construction on new facilities for The Ark on Pleasant Avenue — half a mile north from it’s present location on West Kilgore Road.

The three cottages will be completely different from what The Ark has previously offered.

Each cottage will have three studio apartments. Rent is 30 percent of a resident’s income. While renters will need to be between 18 and 24 years old to apply for the apartments, they can live in them as long as they need to.

Executive Director Frances Denny said it is difficult for young adults to apply for subsidized housing because it often is reserved for older people. Without their own housing, Denny said young adults can go from place to place, couch surfing and perpetuating homelessness.

See the full story at: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/08/the_ark_to_build_apartments_fo.html

African Farmer Studies & Teaches Farming Techniques While in Kalamazoo County & USA

Zacarias Robsene Machengua comes from a family of farmers that grows wheat, corn, rice, potatoes, cabbage and tomatoes during a growing season that lasts all year in the mountains of western Mozambique.The 28-year old farmer, who hails from a village near Chimoio, Mozambique, has been in the United States for 2-1/2 months learning advanced animal-powered farming techniques, which he will pass on to other farmers.

Mr. Machengua recently visited Tillers International near Scotts in Kalamazoo County.

www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100808/NEWS01/8080310/Snapshots-African-farmer-learns-to-till

A Good Time to Engage your Local Candidates

The results are in and both Republican and Democratic candidates for government offices across the state of Michigan have been chosen. Now the tough work for regular citizens comes into play: making sure the voices of the communities they represent are heard.

Now is an opportunity to speak about an important issue to all citizens of Michigan: Poverty Reduction. Though many families have fallen into poverty during the recession of the last few years, poverty has been increasing in all types of communities since the start of the last decade.

We need a plan that will successfully reduce poverty in Michigan. This isn't just about creating more jobs in Michigan; this is about providing more opportunity in Michigan for all our residents. It's about figuring out how to create affordable housing. It's about about retraining workers who lost jobs in the industrial sector. It's about figuring out how providing better access to information about services to those in need. It's about mentoring a new generation of youth to take the wheel and drive Michigan towards a successful future.

We are all in this together. When all do better, we all do better. This is an opportunity to talk to your local politician about why poverty reduction is important in your community. The more awareness we spread now, the better chance we have at influencing our leaders when the tough decisions arise.

A list of who will be running for local offices across Southwest Michigan: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/0o/southwest_michigan_election_re.html

Human Dignity and Self Worth

This past week, I had two separate lunches with two older, African American gentlemen.

My church prepares and serves lunch several times a year at the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen. Serving starts daily at 11:30. From my experience, typically there is an initial rush from the clients who are waiting in line for the Kitchen to open. Inevitably, there is a lull and the number of clients coming through the line slows. I like to use this time to enjoy one of the meals that we have prepared. It is my way of ensuring that the food we have prepared is tasty and hot. (I am not a chef, but I do like to eat.)

It is also a time when I can join one or more of the Soup Kitchen's clients for a meal. This Saturday I plopped my food tray down next to an elderly African American gentlemen. Some poor people are distinguished looking. This gentleman was one. His clothes well worn, yet well tended to.

I inquired about whether he was a life long resident of Benton Harbor and found out that he had moved to the area about 30 years earlier from Alabama, having been born in the South. His reason for moving to the area was employment. I enjoyed his conversation, quite philosophical actually, about the dignity and value of human activity and employment.

The importance to him of meaningful and gainful employment as a younger man could be expressed in one phrase: Self-worth.

Earlier in the week, I was blessed to share a luncheon meal with notable West Michigan artist, Paul Collins. Mr. Collins has painted the rich, the famous, the poor, and the working class. Fascinating fellow who has traveled to the Middle East, Japan, and many other locals.

Mr. Collins' art pieces are expressions of individual humanity. As an artist, he is able to capture the beauty, the dignity, the soul and self-worth of the individual.

There's the connection. Two people. Two residents of West Michigan. And although they may express it in different ways, they both understand that each person has dignity, value, and worth whether they be in a corporate board room or in a Soup Kitchen in the back of the Salvation Army.

Mr. Collins web page can be located at:

collinsart.com

The Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen serves a luncheon meal 365 days a year from its location in the back of the Salvation Army building in downtown Benton Harbor.