MCSC Annual Report FINAL 2-8-07.Indd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Changing Lives By Engaging People In Service Changing Lives By Engaging People In Service Changing Lives By Engaging People In Service Changing Lives By Engaging People In Service Changing Lives By Engaging People In Service 2006 Annual Report Dear Friends, MCSC Commissioners Daniel G. Mulhern We are building a culture of service in Michigan–and that service is Michigan’s First Gentleman changing lives and our communities. The numbers are staggering and MCSC Chair the stories affi rming. Wendy Acho LaSalle Bank Midwest Through the work of the Michigan Community Service Commission Elizabeth Bunn programs in 2006: International Union UAW Melonie Colaianne • Michigan students completed more than a million service-learning MASCO Corporation Foundation hours. Robert Collier Council of Michigan Foundations • Our 891 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members accomplished nearly Jimmie Comer Comer Holdings 700,000 service and training hours. Those members also recruited, placed, and/or supported more than 25,000 community volunteers Christine Kwak W.K. Kellogg Foundation to assist them in tackling the priority needs of communities across the state. Mayor Brenda Lawrence City of Southfi eld • Mentoring programs reported a record number of mentoring Russell Mawby Chair Emeritus, relationships. There were 35,000 children matched with a caring W. K. Kellogg Foundation adult. That’s 5,000 more than in 2005 and 11,000 more than in Susan Meston 2004, when we fi rst surveyed mentoring programs in Michigan. Muskegon Area Intermediate School District In this 2006 annual report, you’ll witness how volunteers, students, Donna Niester educators, and nonprofi t organizations are changing lives and making James C. Acheson Foundation signifi cant differences in our communities. Acheson Ventures Kari Pardoe It’s Randy Walker, Sr., who has built long-term relationships with The LEAGUE Michigan two young men and mentored others who haven’t always had a strong Bernard Parker male role model in their lives. It’s Wendi Brantley, who was inspired Wayne County Commissioner to join Michigan’s AmeriCorps after our members helped her become Jerry Seese a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity. It’s also Samantha, one Saginaw Township Community Schools of the Lincoln Elementary fourth graders leading a service-learning Marsha Smith Rotary Charities of Traverse City project to keep the Rouge River clean. The ongoing project involves every fourth grader in Wayne-Westland Schools. Joseph Sowmick Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan All of this growth was possible because our partners–individuals, Laurie Stupak foundations, businesses, and government organizations–understand Stupak For Congress Committee and support the critical need to fund service programs. We thank them Alphonso Swain for their dedication and investment. Capital Area Center for Independent Living Entering another year of programming, we’re focused on the work that Michael Thomas remains. We invite you to join our movement to make a difference in Saginaw County Prosecuting Attorney the lives of individuals and collectively transform our entire state. Shaun VanHorn Law Student Kenneth Whipple Paula Kaiser VanDam Daniel G. Mulhern CMS Energy Acting Executive Director MCSC Chair Larry Williamson Comcast Cable Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran Kalamazoo College Kathy Young-Welch CDL Training School 3 2006 Program Locations by County 4 The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. The MCSC’s signature programs are Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve – Michigan, Mentor Michigan, Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants, and the Governor’s Service Awards. Since 1992, the MCSC has granted more than $61 million to communities for volunteer initiatives. These funds have leveraged more than $52 million in local funds and engaged nearly 1 million people in service. In 2006, the MCSC: G Granted approximately $6.2 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. G Engaged more than 68,000 participants and volunteers in service activities through AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve programs. G Supported 230 mentoring programs through awareness building, mentor recruitment, partnership development, training, and recognition. G Executed programming in at least 82 of Michigan’s 83 counties. Learn more about all the great things we’ve accomplished during the past year ... Our Outlook ......................................................................................................................... 3 Our Programs Michigan’s AmeriCorps ................................................................................................... 6 Learn and Serve – Michigan .......................................................................................... 10 Mentor Michigan............................................................................................................ 14 Michigan’s Volunteer Investments Grants...................................................................... 17 Governor’s Service Awards ............................................................................................ 18 Our Advisory Committees ................................................................................................. 20 Financial Statement and Our Supporters ....................................................................... 22 Connecting With Our Programs ....................................................................................... 23 5 Michigan’s AmeriCorps Changing Lives Through a Year of Service Members are not simply serving It was this experience that inspired Wendi to become Michigan communities; a Michigan’s AmeriCorps member herself. they are transforming them. “It was the best decision I ever made,” she said. “The network is awesome. I love the group I’m Wendi Brantley has cried tears of joy at every with. And, I’m doing something I love.” Habitat for Humanity house dedication she has attended. As a member of the Michigan Habitat’s Wendi’s experience is a perfect example of the cycle AmeriCorps team, she has worked closely with the of good will that results from the work of the families taking ownership of the homes. Michigan Habitat’s AmeriCorps team. The AmeriCorps members support the Habitat for “I know what these people are going through to live Humanity mission to build decent, affordable the ‘American Dream,’ which is homeownership,” housing for people in need in Michigan. They recruit Wendi said. new volunteers to assist them in meeting this goal, train volunteers for the construction site, and assist Wendi really does know–just last year the 38-year- families with their pre-homeownership requirements, old single mother and her two daughters moved into including service hours called “sweat equity.” their own Habitat home in Detroit. Wendi grew close to the AmeriCorps members as they worked Each year, Michigan Habitat’s AmeriCorps members together in family support classes and completed take part in the process of building nearly 150 the 300 service hours required by the Habitat houses. Last year, they also completed more than homeownership process. 39,000 service and training hours and recruited and/ Michigan’s AmeriCorps granted $5,683,493 to Michigan nonprofi t The programs. In addition, members earned more than $1,540,000 million in education awards. 891 members, ages 17 to 72 years old, served in 82 out of 83 Michigan counties. Impact 690,643 service and training hours were completed by members. 6 or supported more than 8,000 volunteers. terms of Michigan and the United States. An important aspect of the Michigan’s AmeriCorps Michigan Habitat’s AmeriCorps is one of the 21 program is the annual Member Celebration, which AmeriCorps programs that are part of the Michigan’s unites members from across the state. In November AmeriCorps family. Commonly described as the 2005, more than 400 individuals were sworn in as new “domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps is a national members at this event. Members had the opportunity service program that engages members in service in to network with one another, attend training seminars, “Without our communities all over Michigan. Members and participate in teambuilding exercises. strengthen communities by addressing local AmeriCorps concerns. The mission of AmeriCorps is to get Members were also brought together in May 2006 for members, things done, strengthen communities, encourage the annual Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, at responsibility, and expand opportunity. which 250 members worked on 10 Habitat for we would have Humanity homes in Grand Rapids. The project is a far less to offer Within Michigan’s AmeriCorps, each program partnership between the MCSC, Michigan Habitat’s the communities develops its priorities based on the needs of local AmeriCorps, and a local Habitat for Humanity affi liate. communities. In the past year, 891 members of we serve.” Michigan’s AmeriCorps served in various areas As a cause and effect of an awareness of being part throughout the state. Members built houses, of a larger team, Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs — Lisa J. Marks, mentored children, taught confl ict resolution, have been known to lend a helping hand outside of chief executive officer, recruited volunteers, implemented homeland their home communities, and sometimes beyond American Red Cross security activities, educated individuals in their usual service activities. AmeriCorps Together of Greater environmental,