Detroit Nonprofits and Charities

I love this group. The director of the nonprofit I volunteer at, Que Blackout, came from Mosiac. We saw a show and I can see where our instructors got all their talent from.

Good charity, many people have been helped in Michigan by the folks who are apart of this charity.

I have been a fan of Arts and Scraps since returning to Detroit to teach in 2008 and encourage everyone that I know to take a tour. As a Middle Principal, I gave each teacher an allotment to shop at Arts and Scraps. As a nonprofit Founder/Executive Director, this is my first stop for each of our programs. My clients in Columbus, OH have received several of the materials and are planning a trip to Arts and Scraps this Spring to prepare for Summer School as well. Several of our team members have purchased materials for hands-on math activities, Pi Day, and annual conference kits for Metro Detroit youth and families. I had a partnership meeting with Peg to create a variety of math themed kits (for Algebra and Geometry). We were just in Saturday and found materials to create our Pi Day signage for each booth. A huge savings. Printed signs/banners would have cost $40. The staff is very creative and accommodating. If you share your goal with them they will help guide you to materials that will set you on the right path. It is a joy to bring my children (8, 18, and 21) into the store and see their creativity encouraged in both business and play.

Before Labor Day 2016, a large group of women took a tour through the Methodist Children's Home in Detroit.(MCHS) What we saw was no sign of any activity. The girls buildings were empty and"used for donations". The largest building was locked and used for staff offices,an empty gym, and a kitchen that was not being used even though it was near lunch time. The " school" building had no black board,pencils,paper,or books,and two out dated computers in one corner. The guide unlocked one boys building where we glanced at an empty kitchen and living room. When asked where the boys were she said "they were in their rooms playing games on their computers." It was a beautiful day, but never did we see a child playing games, basketball,riding a bike,and enjoying outdoor activities. Viewing no children at that moment was quite shocking. Our large group of women observed zero kids activities during the whole tour. REALLY??? Most of us became alarmed at this time because before the tour began, the CEO informed us proudly," that 42 boys were living there." <br> After reviewing the MCHS 2015 Annual Report, we almost became physically sick with deep concern. With a revenue of almost 8 million dollars and expenditures of that exact amount, we believe there is an immense problem with the entire operation. It's just so sad and unacceptable.

As a poet-in-the-schools, a high school teacher of 35 years, a writer of 2 books on teaching writing, and a coordinator of writer/artist school visits, I value highly what InsideOut brings to the Detroit students. I donate yearly, buy the schools' anthologies to use in the schools where I work, and have just today watched two InsideOut writers in three classes (grades 3, 10, and 11, including a social studies class). Classroom teachers and students alike find the act of writing becomes genuinely engaging, as live and lively writers lead them through writing experiences that open their imaginations, develop their pleasure in language, and above all help them believe in themselves and in one another as individuals with the right to make their own artistic choices. Teachers see all these strengths can be transferred to the writing of expository, critical, and personal essays.Students who care about writing are more likely, also, to become reflective, appreciative readers--to "read as writers." Every child deserves the experiences offered by a strong writers-in-the-schools program like InsideOut.

I really like seeing the turn around with the organization. They are not trying to be everything to everyone and they partner with other community organizations, businesses, DPS, and the city to continue planting trees, building up Detroit youth, and training adults in green jobs. They get the job done!

FRIENDS U NEED, INC. is doing the work that others sometime do not know is necessary. I want to believe that most of the world is not apathetic to the needs of our brothers and sisters who return to our communities. The work with Returning Citicens is monumental, extremely necessary and critical to the survival of our communities and our world. FRIENDS U NEED, INC. has taken a giant step in supporting the essential needs of our family members (they are all family). Food, clothing and shelter are basic needs, however, in order to acquire these basic needs one must have a job, transportation, tools, health care, counseling and a strong support system when theuy return to a community that is not always welcoming. Thank you for the opportunituy to speak about FRIENDS U NEED, INC. and the contributions that they are making to our community. Focus: HOPE is a not for profit civil and human rights organization with a mission dedicated to celebrating diversity offering an opportunity to all who seek support to achieve their fullest potential. We offer job training, full time employment and collaboration with organizations like FRIENDS U NEED, INC. is certain to make a positive impact in our community.

The CT State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America was recently the recipient of a generous grant from the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund (VVAF) now the Veterans Support Foundation (VSF). Through this grant, our service representatives were able to help many more disabled veterans in our state to receive disability compensation forom the VA. The grant resulted in more than a hundred-fold return on compensation and pension awarded to deserving veterans.

Covenant House Michigan is the treasurer of our greatest asset--our youth. The staff tirelessly works to help raise our future up. Their mission far transcends hope. They help breathe life into young people otherwise who have been cast aside. It is important to note that this mission is a statewide initiative. I am proud to support CHM and will continue to do so.

My previous property management USP management colluded with Travelers Aid without letting me know that their tenant are homeless and need the property owner to pay their water, sewage and DTE (gas, electricity) all the utility bills in a single family resident which is not required by the law. And their water and sewage bill is always over $200 and DTE bill is also $200 which regular house bill is all about $50. Add together is already half of their monthly rent. When we tell them to move because we are not liable to pay their bills, then they totally destroyed everything they can in the property (They cut the kitchen counter, break the kitchen cabinet, and dug all the tiles, smear, scrape and peal all the walls, pour oil and dirt on the carpet, broke all the blinds, stuffed all the bathroom sink and broke the vanities, destroy bathroom tub etc...)And they trashed the place. The are also extremely difficult tenant who will never answer the phone when any inspection or repairs they called need to do. They are extremely uncooperative. I hope all the owner learn from my experience. Do not ever rent to the travelers aid tenants. I believe both Travelers Aid and the tenants are abusing the system and take advantage of the owners. Both of them are the most vicious people on earth you don't ever want to deal with! Below are the pictures taken after they moved out. It says we can only attach 4 pictures but actually I can only attach 1 picture.

I worked at the SEO as a volunteer. It was great at the talent at CCS is amazing. what a great place to go to school and get an education that can lead to a good job

I mean how much can I say honestly wow this agency for the camps and arrives they provide for the community of visually impaired and blind student are amazing camps and frills trips just amazing I would recommend this camp for all student boys& girls very good camp

I tried to donate my car to Charity Motors. I submitted information about the vehicle and my address online, and received confirmation and a thank you for the donation via email, including instructions to sign the title and send a copy back to Charity Motors ... which I did. The email also noted that I would be contacted by a logistics company that would transport the vehicle. I spoke with the logistics company and they let me know that the vehicle would likely be picked up by the end of the week.<br><br>I waited patiently for 4 weeks. I was very busy and did not have time to follow up, and I just assumed that the hurricane that had passed by might have thrown the schedule for a loop and that the logistics company would call soon. I called them today and they told me that Charity Motors had told them not to bother with the pickup. Later on the same day that they had confirmed the donation with me and that I had spoken with the logistics company to coordinate the pickup, the pickup was canceled by Charity Motors, and no attempt was made to contact me and let me know that it had been canceled.<br><br>I called Charity Motors. The customer service representative answered, "Charity Motors. Please hold." and then he put me on hold for 3 minutes. When he came back on the line, I told him the situation, and he put me on hold again for another 3 minutes. When he came back on the line he said, "it says that there was a message delivered, so I apologize if you didn't receive it." I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt here, but I'm dubious. There was definitely no message delivered via phone or email. Was the "message" lost in the mail? Was it a telegram? Smoke signal? Skywriter?<br><br>Long story short ... the car was not worth enough for them to transport it to their nearest location (from South Florida to Maryland). I can totally understand that. However, in this instance, Charity Motors clearly does not have its act together. Between the time when they confirmed the donation and asked for a copy of the title and the time when they canceled the pickup with the logistics company (without bothering to contact me) they didn't learn anything new about the car. They knew the value of the car and its location ... and presumably they knew where their own nearest location was when they asked me to sign and send them the title and when they originally initiated the pickup with the logistics company. Then today, I sat on hold for 6 minutes of a call that lasted about 7 and 1/2 minutes.<br><br>All in all, a lot of little problems, and nothing in the experience was handled well. I actually did a fair amount of research on car donation options before choosing Charity Motors. Maybe my experience is an anomaly, but I think it suggests that Charity Motors is not well-run. Donor beware ... and don't sign your title until someone is physically there to pick up the car.

A Streetwise Vendor Named Mr. Moody<br><br>Mr. Moody was a poet, a veteran, and true gentleman. He had a deep booming voice that was often the first thing I heard when I would get off the Southshore train. He would be saying, 'Streetwise, get your Streetwise.' He knew my name, my daughter's name, and my wife's name. He would chat about the weather, his girlfriend, or read me his poetry. When his poetry would appear in Streetwise he would sign my copy. He always smiled and made my day brighter. He was the first homeless or tenuously housed person I really ever chatted with. He would tell me how important Streetwise was to him and others. He had pride in the AMAZING job he did. He wasn't just selling a magazine but helping people see the homeless for the great human beings that they are. It was the connection that I made with that I continue buying and giving to Streetwise. Rest in peace, Mr. Moody, Chicago isn't the same without you. <br>http://streetwise.org/

I worked The Heat and Warmth Fund's (THAW) Annual Radio-thon in 2009 and 2010. THAW provides low income individuals and families throughout the state of Michigan with utility assitance during the winter months. They assist customers year-round with their utility bills and help them gain awareness on how to better their conditions and circumstances. I must say that the extraordinary work this organization provides year-round is second to none. They are a leader in energy assitance and will continue to serve those in need in our community.

I grew up attending G.N.L. I am happy I did. Because of Greater New Light the foundation of the word of God has taken root in my life. I am an adult now and never have I forgotten the teachings of the Dynamic Pastor Roquemore. His teachings gave wisdom, strength and reproof. Although the church is small don't be fooled. You learn more life lessons at this church than you will at any big church. For those that are looking for a church home and can not decide, join Greater New Light. Seek the word while it may be found. Be dedicated and your life will change!