Meet Erin!!

Erin Bernhard is the new AmeriCorps VISTA for The Grand Vision. Although paid by a federal government program she will be working with Amanda and Susan at the United Way Volunteer Center to promote Volunteer Northwest Michigan. Her main objective is to work with the schools in the region to encourage student use of the website for service learning and engagement. She is also focused on promoting the website as a volunteer clearinghouse to local volunteer-run non-profits. Erin is a 2007 alum of Traverse City West Senior High and a recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a BA in English Literature and Language. Prior to her AmeriCorps service, she worked as an intern reporter with the Leelanau Enterprise

Summer Internship

We were fortunate to have two interns this summer. Here is a short note from one of them, Caron Alpers:

In conclusion of my summer internship, I am reflecting on my placement with this social service organization.  United Way of Northwest Michigan has offered me valuable opportunities to gain a feel for what working in the social work field will be like.  I have been introduced to, and have gained an appreciation of, many professionally and personally - and have felt part of a professional team.  I state with confidence that this committed team is working to ensure equal access to resources for all people.  I grew in my understanding of the many resources available to my neighbors - many that I was previously unaware of.  I connected, in a variety of ways, to the new 2-1-1 data base and that has been enlightening.  This internship has been a valuable learning tool and a motivator to me to continue with my goal.

Community Campaign

The planning for each year's, "United Way Community Campaign," begins in recruitment and selection of Campaign Division Chairs.

We are pleased to announce that Wes and Arlene Nelson will lead our 2011 Community Campaign. Both together and individually, the couple has made "long-standing and far-reaching" contributions to the area through their work with the National Cherry Festival, Zonta, Rotary, Northwestern Michigan College Scholarship Program, Project 100, the Doula Teen program, the Cadillac Club, and the Navigator Club.

Campaign Division Chairs consists of volunteers from across the community. Each division has a leader to commit to helping raise funds and awareness during the campaign. While many volunteers are very visible, others do a lot of work behind the scenes. Campaign volunteers are critical to our success. We still have a few divisions without leadership, if you are interested in volunteering please contact Michelle Krumm at 947-3200 Ext. 204.

Grace - our summer intern

Going into my internship with United Way, I didn’t really know what it was or what it did.  But after a couple days here, I learned that it’s a huge part of how our Community thrives. It has been such a great experience  getting to know all parts that make up United Way and the awesome staff that works so hard to improve our Community. I am extremely blessed to have such a great experience at United Way. I look forward to everyday that I work and still have the rest of the summer to return!

Thank you for everything!!!

Grace Duensing

Grants awarded to local agencies

Although United Way is probably most known for raising money, the real purpose of United Way is to support area non-profits. One important way we do this is by providing grants. Earlier this month we concluded our grant making for this year. Here's what you, through your contributions, did:

•Helped fund 39 different programs

•Provided 12 programs with more than 75% of what they requested

•Funded 17 programs that had not been funded by United Way in the past

•Impacted people all across the 5-county area

•Funded programs addressing a wide range of needs including health care, housing, food, youth programs, and financial assistance

If you contributed to this year's community campaign you should feel good knowing your single gift to United Way was actually a gift to dozens of programs throughout our community. Giving through United Way is an important part of how our community responds to the needs of our neighbors.

Cherryland Humane Society Needs Your Help

Taken from a letter sent to residents asking to help keep the Cherryland Humane Society open:

"The Cherryland Humane Society (CHS) has served the area for over 54 years.  It has truly been a labor of love for thousands of individuals for over 1/2 a century.  We now find ourselves in dire financial straits.  If we are unable to raise much needed funds soon, we will be forced to close our doors by early to mid June.  For every $20,000 in donations that we are able to raise toward the $200,000 goal, we will be able to operate for an additional month.  Because we now find ourselves in a critical situation, we wish to ask for your consideration for providing a tax deductible donation for the work of the CHS on behalf of multitudes of unwanted and homeless pets.  Your contribution will impact the future of so many pets that are dependent upon each of us for their well being.  We shall be pleased to work with you concerning recognition for whatever financial help that you are willing to provide."

Contributions can be sent to Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse City, MI 49696.  If you wish to discuss your gift or would like additional information please contact Mike Cherry, CHS Executive Director, at (231) 946-5116.

United Way of Northwest Michigan's mission is to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources to support community - determined initiatives that improve the lives of community members.

4th Graders create art to support the Goodwill Inn

Eastern Elementary School’s “Heroes In Our Community”: Spotlight on 4th Grade “Helping Hands” Team


Eastern Elementary’s 4th graders want to help support the homeless in the Traverse City community. As part of the school’s “Heroes In Our Community” service learning project, the students chose homelessness as their cause to learn about and support. Since early May, the 4th grade “Helping Hands” team has been researching and working with local artist Angela Schuler to create paintings focused on the different types of homes found all around the world. The team finished their paintings last week, and all 5 versions of “Homes Around the World” are now listed on eBay.


100% of proceeds from the sale of these paintings will go to the Goodwill Inn in Traverse City on behalf of the Helping Hands team.

Each version of “Homes Around the World” bears the sub-title of word “home” or “house” in another language.

Online Auctions run through noon on Friday, May 27. To view the paintings online and/or to place a bid, please go to: http://easternpto.weebly.com/helpinghands.html, or go to eBay and search for “Homes Around The World”.