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”.

NMC Students take alternative spring break in New Orleans

by Lisa Perkins
lperkins@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY - Sand, sun and sandals were replaced by blisters, sweat and a sense of acomplishment for a group of Northwestern Michigan College students who took an alternative spring break trip.

The group of 10 students and two local United Way employees spent the last week of March hanging drywall and installing insulartion while working with the St. Bernard Project to help rebuild homes for families displaced after Hurricane Katrina.  "This is something we have wanted to do for several years, but this year everything fell into place,"  said Michelle Gallagher, coordinator of the trip for United Way of Northwest Michigan.  United Way Worldwide has partnered with the St. Bernard Project, bringing volunteers to assist in their efforts since the hurricane devastated New Orleans more than five years ago.

"The impact was more than any of us had anticipated, the neighborhoods are not even halfway rebuild, the amount of homes that are still completely gutted, or just have cement foundations left is amazing," said Gallagher, whose crew worked on two homes during their five-day stay.

AmeriCorps Vista supervisors gave instrucitons to the students who worked on drywalling the home of an older man, Marcel Rivera, whose house had been gutted right down to the studs.  At the home of Tonya Scott, the team also learned to install insulation.  "People there are still pretty positive for what they have been through.  They still want to rebiuld,"  said Gallagher, who hopes that some of the students she worked with will continue volunteering in their own community.

Mike Foster, a 19-year-old NMC student from Flint, says the trip to New Orleans was an opportunity that dosen't come up every day.  "A trip of this magnitude changed my view of volunteering.  It is great to work at a soup kitchen for a day, but working for a week on a project like this was really life-changing," said Foster, who plans to continue volunteering by working with Habitat for Humanity.  "There is still a lot to do down there, but there is a lot that needs to be done in my hometown too," he said.

Critical Human Service Grants Awarded

Earlier this month a 13-member Citizen Action Team (CAT) collectively donated over 300 hours to determine how best to support the critical human service programs in our area. After reading the applications, interviewing program staff and volunteers, and working together to discern the most effective use of the donated dollars the CAT recommended and the United Way Board affirmed funding to 23 different programs. A list of those programs is available by clicking here. Here are a few things you should know:


- 27 programs applied

- $250,000 was awarded

- 9 programs received more than 75% of the total ask

- Each of the 5-counties are well represented in the distribution

- 8 of the funded programs had not been funded by United Way in the past

- The funded programs address a wide range of needs including health care, housing, food, and financial assistance.

The CAT did a fantastic job and the community has been well served by their efforts. If you donate through United Way I hope you know this group of volunteers took their job very seriously and worked hard to make sure your gifts will have a meaningful and lasting impact.

The grant cycle continues as we prepare to award grants to area programs serving young people. Applications are due to us by 5:00 p.m. on May 6. The CAT will conduct interviews on June 2 and 3 with award announcements being made the following week. At present we anticipate awarding $110,000 during this cycle.

It’s never too late to give. Gifts and pledges made before June 1 will be added to the youth grant cycle. If you have not given please do so know. Gifts and pledges can be made on-line (create link) or my contacting Kate Kerr (create link) 231.947.320 x203.

The United Way does not exist to raise money. Instead we seek to give donors and efficient and effective way to help others. These grants are one important way we fulfill this mission and improve the lives of others.

Growing Your Partnership

Partnering with United Way provides an easy, convenient way for you to invest in your community. We want to help you make the most of your investment. When we come together, the possibilites are endless.



Together we can:

• Meet your company's philanthropic goals. We make it easy for your company to get involved and achieve your philanthropic or community based goals.

• Build trust and increase goodwill among customers by giving back to the community.

• Build a positive local image for your company. After all, your company is a member of our community too! And working with United Way will automatically promote your company's efforts, generosity and community support.

• Energize your employees. Focusing your organization toward a common goal helps build morale and teamwork.

• Connect employees to their community. United Way matches employee volunteer teams with great opportunities to help our community.

• Link employees with services. If your employees have a spouse, kids, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, friends of friends or neighbors then they probably know someone who can benefit from grant funded programs.

You can also take advantage of various other year-round resources available to you and your employees. We can help you access expert speakers, receive information on local issues, link employees to services, network and assist during transitions.

Let us help you craft a strategic plan for community involvement, call 231.947.3200 Ext. 204 or email Michellek@unitedwaynwmi.org. If your company doesn't have an established campaign, it's easy to start one! Call today!

Barefoot in April

A huge thank you to the thirty-four people who joined us for our One Day Without Shoes walk through downtown Traverse City. Two local schools, Westwoods Elementary and Mill Creek Elementary, went shoeless for the day. This event was a huge success and the impact we made was tremendous. The purpose of the day was to help recognize how small, simple things - such as shoes - can make a tremendous difference in the life of someone. In conjuction with the Day Without Shoes United Way held a shoe drive that helped fill the needs of many in our community and the world around us - we collected over 500 pairs of shoes!

Alternative Spring Break - Marcel's House

On our first day of work for the St. Bernard Project, we went to the home of Marcel Rivera-Ayestas and spent the day hanging drywall.

Marcel is 61 years old and has dedicated his life to helping those who are less fortunate. "Go for the core of your being," Marcel said, quoting a close spiritual friend. "The core of my being is to help care for God's children."

A native of Honduras, Marcel is a single father to daughter Kayla and son, David. He is a grassroots organizer, mostly for the rights of day-laborers.

Though Marcel works hard to help others, he found himself in need of help after katrina swept through New Orleans in 2005, devastating the city. Marcel left the Sunday before Katrina, after his son, who is studying law in guatemala, implored him to leave. marcel joined the mass exodus out of New Orleans, but not before helping transport hundreds of homeless people from the local homeless shelter to a hurricane shelter. Marcel spent the weeks following Katrina's landfall in a van in a parking garage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He then temporarily lived in Georgia until he returned to New Orleans in December 2005.

"New Orleans was a war scene out of Honduras," said Marcel, looking up from the craggy street beneath his feet at the at the other crumbling homes neighboring his. "New Orleans was neglected; saving this city and its inhabitants was completely left up to those who remained."

Today, still unable to rebuild his home by himself, Marcel takes up temporary residence in a trailer in Mississippi, commuting to New Orleans to work as a carpenter and to continue grassroots organizing. After Katrina, he continued The Wall, a soup kitchen and homeless shelter that he founded in 2001, despite his own need to return to his home. According to marcel, this monthly-held soup kitchen has fed nearly 1 million people sinced he started it.

"Sometimes all they need is a cup of coffee," Marcel said. "The cup of coffee is like a pebble tossed into a pond, causing cascading ripple effects. It's a small gesture, but it's what this city needs."

Since work has begun on Marcel's house the copper wiring and plumbing has been stolen out of his house twice and just last week another attempt to break into his house was made. He now spends many nights sleeping on the floor of his home which has no running water and electricity just to protect it from being broken into again.

"Right now, it's difficult driving from Mississippi to New Orleans everyday," said Marcel, "but it's because of grassroots efforts like St. Bernard Project that I believe in the power of people and community. I look forward to the day that I can come home."

Alternative Spring Break - House #2

The house we spent most of the week working on was owned by a woman named Tonya Scott.  We spent three days in her 2 story home and were able to get it all insulated, the ceilings drywalled and about half of the walls drywalled. 

Here is Tonya's story:

“My life was normal,” Tanya said before pausing to qualify that statement “whatever normal means.” A life-long resident of New Orleans, Tanya worked as a L.P.N. for a V.A. hospital and clinic before the storm. She had what she described as a “basic and comfortable life” filled with work, friends and family.

As news forecasts began to suggest the power of the ensuing storm, Tanya was working 12-hour shifts at the V.A. hospital. In fact, having experienced many storms throughout her life, Tanya professed that she knew very little about the storm’s seriousness or severity until her mother, Audrey, informed her the eve before the mandatory evacuation.

The following afternoon, Tanya sat in disbelief as she watched Mayor Nagin announce the mandatory evacuation on the news. Tanya felt overwhelmed with the inundation of information and silently debated what, if any, course of action to take. Audrey, her mother, had already made the decision to evacuate the area; however, Tanya did not want to make any immediate or rash decisions.

Despite the pressure to evacuate, Tanya continued living her life. On Tuesday, the day of the storm, Tanya dropped her daughter, Nicole, off at work. The next day, Tanya recalls, “the sewers were backed up and the water was nearly chest-high. “Amidst this commotion, Tanya received a phone call from her frightened daughter, Nicole. Nicole expressed her fear that she might die. A week passed before Tanya received word that Nicole was O.K.

Tanya evacuated to Gonzales, LA, a city located in the Ascension Parish. She stayed in Gonzales for one week before relocating to Baton Rouge and then finally settling in Houston, Dallas for several months. In December of 2005, after months of instability, Tanya arrived back in New Orleans hoping to find some equanimity and begin the rebuilding process. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan.

The storm waged heavy structural damage on Tanya’s home. Moreover, the aftermath of the storm played a significant role in the deterioration of her health. In early 2006, Tanya moved into a F.E.M.A. trailer. This living arrangement, Tanya believes, led to the worsening of her asthmatic condition. A fact she feels might be correlated to the presence of formaldhehyde, a chemical believed to be found in all new, unused and unventilated F.E.M.A. trailers.

In November of 2008, Tanya developed severe pneumonia that required invasive surgery to remove water from her lungs. Shortly thereafter, following doctor’s orders, Tanya moved out of the F.E.M.A trailer. To make matters worse, the funds Tanya received from the Road Home were used for a forced mortgage payoff. In other words, she now owned a home that she could not afford to rebuild. Moreover, Tanya allocated the remainder of her insurance money to a plumber who never rendered the services she had paid for. While Tanya has suffered a great deal both emotionally and physically, she remains confident and optimistic about her future in New Orleans.

To date, Tanya is excited that her house has begun the early stages of the rebuilding process. When asked what is the first thing she is going to do when she is reunited with her home? “Kiss all the walls, everything!”

Winter WOW Festival

Hello Festival friends!

As most of you know, the National Cherry Festival is managing the downtown events for next weekend’s Winter Wow!fest. We still have volunteer opportunities available and would love for you to come on out and volunteer for this fun Festival. I’ve listed below a few of the positions we still need help with. There are several other positions you will see when you sign in to the Volunteer Registration Portal that are not listed below. To sign up to volunteer at Winter Wow!fest, please go to: www.cherryfestival.org , click on the Volunteer tab on the right hand side of the page. This will take you directly to the Volunteer Registration Portal. If you have never volunteered for the Cherry Festival, just fill out the brief volunteer registration form and then sign up for the volunteer position you wish to work. If you already have a username and password, just sign in and sign up for the event(s) you wish to volunteer for.

We really appreciate all of your help and support with Winter Wow!fest. We’ll see you next weekend!

(1 slot left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

Beer & Wine Servers [A]

Saturday, February 19, 8:30am - 12:00pm 3 Filled


(3 slots left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

Food and Pepsi Servers [A]

Saturday, February 19, 2:45pm - 6:00pm 0 Filled

(9 slots left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

(Soup’r Bowl) Restaurant Assistant [A, I]

Saturday, February 19, 11:00am - 3:00pm 3 Filled

(2 slots left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

(Soup’r Bowl) Ballot Counter [A]

Saturday, February 19, 11:30am - 3:30pm 2 Filled

(1 slot left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

ID Checkers

Saturday, February 19, 4:45pm - 10:00pm 3 Filled

(2 slots left) Snowball/Softball Tournament at the Civic Center

Beer Serving and Food Handling [A]

Saturday, February 19, 2:45pm - 6:00pm 0 Filled

(2 slots left) Snowball/Softball Tournament at the Civic Center

Beer Serving and Food Handling [A]

Saturday, February 19, 5:45pm - 9:00pm 0 Filled

2-1-1 Up and Running

'211' service begins Friday

By LINDSAY VanHULLE

TRAVERSE CITY — A new social services hotline is scheduled to roll out Friday.

The line, known as 211, is not automated and will connect callers to people who can offer information on domestic violence resources, food pantries, homeless shelters and other needs.

Rolling out 211 on Feb. 11 is not a coincidence, said Steve Wade, executive director of the United Way of Northwest Michigan.

The "211" number itself won't be available for several months, Wade said, but callers can dial toll-free number (877) 211-5253 or visit www.call-211.org to access the database.

Six counties will be included — Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska and Missaukee. Some service already is provided in Wexford, Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Residents of Manistee County already can dial 211.

Staffers not only will be able to tell callers an organization's location and phone number, but also what documents they need to bring and whether they meet particular income requirements, Wade said.

The service is funded through a mix of private and public funds, including the United Way, Grand Traverse County and $300,000 from Consumers Energy, Wade said.

Citizens Needed for Grant Review

United Way of Northwest is seeking residents of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties to serve on its Citizen Action Team (CAT). The CAT is the group of citizens who review the various applications for funding, interview the agencies and weigh overall community need as a part of determining how funds will be invested. CAT volunteers receive training before reviewing the requests from local human service nonprofit agencies.

A complete schedule of training sessions and interview dates is available on our website unitedwaynwmi.org. If you have questions or need additional information contact Michelle Gallagher 231-947-3200 x 201, michelleg@unitedwaynwmi.org.

The United Way of Northwest Michigan seeks to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources. The CAT is one of the most effective ways for citizens to help us achieve this mission and serve our community.

Accepting Grant Applications

Beginning February 7 and running through March 11, 2011 United Way of Northwest Michigan will accept grant applications for their Critical Human Service Grants.

Successful applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt health or human service organization and have been in existence for at least two years. Additionally, applicants must provide services directly to persons in one or more of the following counties: Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau. The grant application is entirely online and qualifying agencies may obtain a username and password by contacting Michelle Gallagher 231-947-3200 x201 or michelleg@unitedwaynwmi.org.

United Way of Northwest Michigan seeks to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources to support community determined initiatives that improve the lives of community members in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Information about United Way can be obtained through their website www.unitedwaynwmi.org or by contacting them directly by either calling 231.947.3200 or emailing info@unitedwaynwmi.org.

Recruiting for Board members

Interested in utilizing your talent and joining a northwest Michigan nonprofit agency Board of Directors? The United Way Volunteer Center in partnership with NorthSky Nonprofit Network have joined forces to help nonprofit agencies with the essential task of recruiting board members to govern local nonprofit agencies in northwest Michigan. The success of any nonprofit agency is directly tied to the board and the talent and dedication of its members.

Through NorthSky’s Board Governance education series, community members learn what it takes to be an effective board member and how to find a nonprofit board in need of your skills and enthusiasm. Nonprofit boards can also participate in training to understand how to build a better board. Participants will also learn the important aspects of recruiting new board members including how to access the United Way’s pool of trained community members.

NorthSky Nonprofit Network is a nonprofit management support program of Rotary Charities of Traverse City that assists northern Michigan nonprofit organizations in strengthening their capabilities through capacity building and sustainability support. NorthSky provides a wide range of services and resources to help nonprofit organizations deliver programs effectively and efficiently.

To register for the “Board Primer” session contact NorthSky Nonprofit Network at www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org or call (231) 929-3924.

The United Way of Northwest Michigan seeks to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources to support community determined initiatives that improve the lives of community members in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Information about the United Way and board recruitment can be obtained through their website www.unitedwaynwmi.org or by contacting Susan McQuaid, Director by either calling 231.947.3200 or emailing susan@unitedwaynwmi.org.

Alternative Spring Break

During spring break, hundreds of young adults and student volunteers from across the United States trade swim trunks for tool belts and team up with United Way to make a meaningful impact in communities across the country.


This spring we (Amanda and Michelle) will be taking some students from Northwestern Michigan College to New Orleans to help rebuild houses in Saint Bernard's Parrish. The trip is being funded largely by donations from friends and family. If you would like to help make this trip possible you can donate here. Money donated will be used for housing at the City of Hope and for the cost of transportation to and from New Orleans. Thank you.