Getting Service Organizations Involved in Coalitions

MPN FULL COALITION MEETING April 25, 2012  MISD, Room 202 Getting Service Organizations Involved in Coalitions In Attendance: Randy Crowell, Lt. Gov of Kiwanis, Division 2; Dana Gire - Community Member; Judy Hartwell - Community Member; Sharmane Hicks - MING Counter Drug; Rachel Hone - CARE of SEM; Nancy Jenuwine - MCOSA; Amy Kaherl - MISD; Charlene McGunn - Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families; Owen Pfaendtner - Macomb Family Services; Dawn Radzioch - MCOSA; Jim Randals - Boys & Girls Club; Alycia Starr Devins - Northwest Prevention Coalition; Joe Thayer - Macomb Family Services; Barb Towner - Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families; Carl Wagner - Bay Haven Coalition; Amanda York - Congressman Levins Office

Welcome Dawn Radzioch welcomed those in attendance. Each person introduced themselves and indicated what agency/coalition/business they were from. Dawn briefly introduced the speakers to the participants. Guest Speakers: Randy provided an overview of the Kiwanis Club. The word “Kiwanis” means “giving back”. Established in 1915, Randy Crowell, the Kiwanis began as a networking group for business men. It eventually evolved into an association that Lt. Gov. of Kiwanis, provides funds for organizations that work with children. Today, the Kiwanis are a world wide organization. Some Division 2 of the projects supported by the Kiwanis are: Neonatal Tetanus, Child Identity Program; Kids Against Hunger; and Email: Law Enforcement Career Academy for High School Students. randy@sterling- photography.net The Kiwanis can assist in providing funds or manpower to an organization; however the project must involve or benefit children. If you have a request contact your local Kiwanis group, and they will determine if they can include it as part of their budget. Every club has different requirements. For example, one club may want a request in writing, and another club may request that someone from the organization attend a Kiwanis meeting to talk about their project. Randy stated that 100% of the funds raised by the Kiwanis go to the charity - no money is taken for administration costs. Jim Randels Jim provided an overview of the Boys and Girls Club. The mission of the club is to inspire children to be Director, Boys and Girls responsible adults. The Boys and Girls Club have been in existence for 100 years. There are 12 clubs in 4 Club of Macomb, different counties in Michigan, and 4,000 clubs across the country. Each club is managed by Its own Board of Email: Directors. Membership cost is $50/year per child. Other sources of funding include donations and grants. The [email protected] Macomb Boys and Girls Club are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer; Tuesday-Friday 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday until 5:30 during the school year. Jim mentioned that there is a Boys and Girls Club that is located at 8 Mile/Schoenherr, which may be more convenient for those that live in the Warren area.

Youth focused programs include: Character Building; Education and Career; Health and Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports & Recreation. Jim has coordinated SMART Moves program with the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Familes. This program is a researched based substance abuse programs. Another program, Project Learn, targets 3rd grade students who are at-risk. High school students from both Chippewa Valley High Schools tutor the younger children.

The Boys and Girls Club does not need a written request from coalitions for assistance as simple call is all that is needed. The Macomb Clubs phone number is (586) 566-5516. Mark Kilgore, Mark provided an overview of CARE of Southeastern Michigan. In 1977 CARE incorporated with the single goal of Community Organizer, assessing the treatment needs of those suffering from the problematic use of alcohol and/or other drugs. Over CARE of Southeastern time, additional services were added including educational programs focused on preventing alcoholism, tobacco Michigan use and other drug dependencies; helping students who exhibit a need for treatment for drug use and/or other Email: mental health diagnosis; and assistance to businesses. [email protected]

Some of the programs CARE of Southeastern Michigan facilitates include: Summer Youth Day Camp for children living in families that have substance abuse; Peer Recovery Program which provides mentoring for people in recovery; Parenting Classes; and Student Assistance Services. Mark discussed his role as a community organizer. One challenge is to get businesses involved in coalition. He stated that his approach to businesses begins with relationship building then follows up with asking if they can offer “time, talent, or treasures” to the community. Mark stressed that often times businesses are hesitant to commit, because of time constraints. One way to address this problem is to let them know this is not a long-term commitment. Businesses can help community coalitions by offering a donation, provide goods and services, or just sending a representative to meetings. Mark recommends attending events that include key stakeholders and strike up a conversation. Once you get to know your community leaders and business owners a natural connection can be made. Sharmaine Hicks Sharmaine acknowledge that many people ask “why does the military care about drugs/drug abuse?” The Drug Demand Reduction answer, she said, is that the community is also their home. The Michigan Air National Guard has received Specialist, Michigan Air coalition training through CADCA. Assistance from the Michigan Air National Guard include helping coalitions National Guard evaluate how they see themselves; leadership development; provide substance abuse education to school; health Email: fairs; or to assist at any coalition event that addresses drugs and alcohol. Some of the programs they facilitate sharmaine.nicholson@ang are: Stay on Track, Project Alert, and Too Good For Drugs. All of these programs are research based. .af.mil Sharmaine has a powerpoint presentation that can be shown to coalitions that provides details on how they can help coalitions. The Michigan Air National Guard Drug Demand Reduction section serves all of Michigan, and is free of charge. A request for help or presentation to coalitions should be made in advance (at least 1 - 2 weeks). The request needs to be submitted on letterhead, detailing what you are requesting, and it must be signed. Other Business Dawn reminded the participants about the Drug Take Project that is being coordinated by eight local coalitions on Saturday 28, 2012 from 10 am until 2 pm at 12 different locations. Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families are sponsoring a program called “A Dose of Reality: Youth Prescription Drug Abuse in Our Community”. It will take place on Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Dakota High School, and is free of charge. Dinner will be served at 6 pm. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/familynightout. Families Against Narcotics (FAN) are looking for sponsors and participants for their 4th Annual “Run Drugs out of Town” on Saturday July 21, 2012 at the Fraser High School. Call 586-438-8500 for more information or visit http://familiesagainstnarcotics.org/index.html. There will be no MPN Coalitions during the summer. Meetings will begin in the Fall. Schedule of meetings will be sent out to coalitions once dates have been determined.