Fall 2009 Orientation Community Service Day
Wednesday, September 2Sign up for one of the following sites by calling the Office of Student Services (734-936-0961) by August 26, 2009. Sites will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
*The Community Service Day is optional, however it is highly recommended as some activities from the day will be incorporated into orientation.
Project Sites:
- 1. Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation
- 2. Food Gatherers
- 3. Matrix Theatre
- 4. SOS Housing Crisis Center
- 5. Community Action Network (CAN) - Bryant Community Center
- 6. Friends in Deed
- 7. Detroit Agriculture - Romanowski Farm Park
- 8. Delray Senior Center/Residential
- 9. Starfish Family Services
- 10. People's Community Services
- 11. Bridging Communities
- 12. Bagley Orchard Community Garden
- 13. Detroit Community Organizing/Canvassing Project
- 14. Tour of Detroit and Community Organizing/Canvassing Project
- 15. Open Door - Fort Street Presbyterian Church
Community Service Day is a fun and exciting way to meet and bond with your MSW cohort, current students, and School of Social Work Faculty.
"[Community Service] benefits you just as much as the people you serve. There is no better feeling than knowing you've made a positive impact on another person's life. It is my responsibility, due to all of the privileges I have been given, to help those that have less." -Ameet Thaker
1. Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation
Location:
PVM Village of Bethany Manor
8737 14th St.
Detroit, MI 48206-2203
PVM Village of Oakman Manor
14000 Woodrow Wilson
Detroit, MI 48238-2963
Organization Mission: To enhance the quality of life for senior citizens in Metropolitan Detroit - with a focus on the City of Detroit - by identifying their unmet physical, social and financial needs and maintaining facilities and creating programs that both address these needs and preserve the dignity of seniors. Presbyterian Villages of Michigan provides a spectrum of housing options for seniors in 20 villages across Michigan, including 6 subsidized senior building in Detroit.
Project Description: Meet and assist older adults residing at PVM Villages of Bethany Manor and Oakman Manor with household chores including washing interior windows. Eat lunch with Hannan Social Worker(s) and Service Coordinator(s), while learning about the goals of service coordination in PVM senior buildings.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 3:00pm
Websites: www.hannan.org, www.pvm.org
Special Instruction: Wear clothing suitable for cleaning.
2. Food Gatherers
Location:
1 Carrot Way
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9290
Organization Mission: Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community by: reducing food waste through the rescue and distribution of perishable and non perishable food; coordinating with other hunger relief providers; educating the public about hunger; and developing new food resources.
Project Description: Help sort food (such as produce), stock the pantry with canned goods, repackage bulk items, help salvage/wash damaged products, and help to keep the warehouse/trucks clean and safe.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: 12:30pm
Website: www.foodgatherers.org
Special Instruction: Open-toed shoes and sleeveless shirts are not allowed in the warehouse.
3. Matrix Theatre
Location:
2730 Bagley St
Detroit, MI 48216
Organization Mission: Matrix Theatre Company uses the transformative power of theatre to change lives, build community, and foster social justice. It creates opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities to become creators, producers, and audience of original theatre.
Project Description: Volunteers will assist in a variety of activities including puppet building, preparing the theatre for an upcoming show, and/or performing community outreach activities.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 5:30pm
Website: www.matrixtheatre.org
Special Instruction: Dress in clothing suitable for painting.
4. SOS Housing Crisis Center
Location:
114 N. River Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Organization Mission: We offer free housing crisis intervention and support for homeless families and individuals in a caring, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive environment. We attempt to provide the maximum assistance possible based on our available resources and funding.
Project Description: Students will help organize and assemble food boxes for the food and children's pantries.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 1:00pm
Website: www.soscs.org/cs.html
Special Instruction: Dress in old/comfortable clothes.
5. Community Action Network - Bryant Community Center
Location:
3 W. Eden Ct.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Organization Mission: CAN helps to lead successful lives by providing educational and life skills programs for children and teens, and supportive housing services for families. CAN advocates for low-income families with schools, community service providers, and government agencies. CAN develops awareness in the broader community of the challenges these families face. CAN strives to build strong, stable and safe communities, which benefits all Washtenaw County residents.
Project Description: Assist with the painting of the Center's kitchen, plant bushes/flowers around the community center, rearrange toy lending library, and/or rearrange the computer room.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 4:30pm
Website: www.hvcn.org/info/can/
Special Instruction: Wear clothing suitable for painting/cleaning.
6. Friends In Deed
Location:
1196 Ecorse Rd.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Organization Mission: Friends In Deed is an inter-faith volunteer organization that provides for the needs of Washtenaw County residents that are not being met by other human service agencies. Friends In Deed provides information, referral, and screening services to congregations and agencies as well as resources to people in need.
Project Description: Friends in Deed operates a large furniture program that matches donors with needy families. Assist with the pick-up and delivery of furniture for this program.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 4:00pm
Website: www.friendsindeed.info/
Special Instruction: Wear old comfortable clothes. Must be comfortable lifting and moving furniture.
7. Detroit Agriculture - Romanowski Farm Park
Location:
4795 Lonyo
Detroit, MI 48210
Organization Mission: The Garden Resource Program is an effort to provide hundreds of home, school and community gardens access to resources and information in order to empower Detroit residents to grow, harvest, prepare, and preserve food for their families in their backyards and neighborhoods.
Project Description: Volunteers will help with maintenance of the Hope Takes Root Community Garden. This garden is one of over 800 gardens in the city. It is home to a permaculture (fruit & nut orchard) plot, a compost demonstration project and a great community garden.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 3:00pm
Website: www.detroitagriculture.org
Special Instruction: Wear clothing suitable for cleaning.
8. Delray Senior Center/Residential
Location:
275 West Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48216
Project Description: Spend a day socializing with seniors. Students will assist with a BBQ, play bingo and games and hear oral histories from residents.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 5:00pm
Special Instruction:Dress for the weather.
9. Starfish Family Services
Location:
30000 Hiveley
Inkster, MI 48141
Organization Mission:Starfish believes investing early in the lives of families to keep them intact, prevent problems from escalating, and help strengthen relationships.
Project Description: Painting of classroom, set up of classroom, working with kids, or working in community garden.
Departure: 10:45am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 5:00pm
Website: www.starfishonline.org
Special Instruction: Wear clothing suitable for painting and cleaning.
10. People's Community Services
Location:
Delray Neighborhood House
420 Leigh
Detroit, Mi 48209
Organization Mission: People's Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit is a non-profit organization established to continue a historical interest of people in providing social services to the especially needy neighborhoods of the Metropolitan Detroit area, so as to meet the needs of the individuals and families of the community without regard to race, sex, age, or religion.
Project Description: Volunteers will create an educational nature walk in an area where an explosion destroyed a playground.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 4:00pm
Website: www.pecose.org
Special Instruction: Dress for the weather and wear old/comfortable clothes. Wear close-toed shoes.
11. Bridging Communities
Location: 9200 West Vernor Hwy. Detroit, MI 48209
Organization Mission: For 26 years, Bridging Communities, Inc. has led Detroit in creative collaboration and innovative programming to meet the needs of the elders and their surrounding neighborhoods. We are the leader in grassroots, volunteer-based, home-bound eldercare in Detroit while working with the residents to create a community that one can live in for a lifetime.
Project Description: Volunteers will assist seniors in their homes with repairs and chore services.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 4:00pm
Website: www.bridgingcommunities.org
Special Instruction: Wear clothes suitable for painting and cleaning.
12. Bagley Orchard Community Garden
Location: 4012 Bagley St. Detroit, MI 48209
Organization Mission: The Bagley Orchard community garden is a collection of Hubbard Farms residents who joined together in February 2009, to build community, and revitalize a neglected vacant lot in our neighborhood.
Project Description: Restore vacant lots by assisting neighborhood residents plant fruit trees, plant native flowers, and create walking paths.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 5:00pm
Special Instruction: Wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Bring heavy work gloves if possible. Water will be provided.
13. Detroit Community Organizing - Canvassing Project
Location:
People's Community Service: Delray House
420 Leigh St
Detroit, MI 48209
Organization Mission: Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision is a coalition of residents, community organizations, agencies, business and industry working together to improve the environment and strengthen the economy of Southwest Detroit. People's Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit is a non-profit organization established to continue a historical interest of people in providing social services to the especially needy neighborhoods of the Metropolitan Detroit area, so as to meet the needs of the individuals and families of the community without regard to race, sex, age, or religion.
Project Description: Canvassing neighborhood homes to organize, inform, and build unity among Delray residents on the Community Benefits Agreements. The building of a second international bridge in southwest Detroit will relocate homes; create more air pollution, and truck traffic to one of the most struggling communities in Detroit. Residents have the right to also benefit from this major infrastructure project. Volunteers will get first hand experience in doing organizing door to door by talking to residents and sharing important information.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 5:00pm
Websites: www.pecose.org, http://sdevweb.org/
Special Instruction:Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
14. Tour of Detroit and Community Organizing/Canvassing Project
Location: Detroit
Organization Information: Urban Neighborhood Initiatives' passion is to make urban neighborhoods vital, healthy environments that strengthen individuals and support families.
Project Description: Yes, severe hits with the auto industry, our challenging school system, and media attention focused on the city council have made Detroit seem as if it's in crisis - and it is... BUT Detroit is growing and re-creating itself. Larry Gant, School of Social Work Professor and Community Based Initiative Director will show you Detroit's highlights and challenges, the tour will provide experiences in the rejuvenated Eastern Market area and a walk through the Dequindre Street Cut from Eastern Market to the new and exciting Riverfront Esplanade. We'll view southwest Detroit's new and controversial Ambassador Bridge developments, visit the new Detroit artist neighborhoods, and Earthworks Garden. Free Lunch will be provided at Detroit Center with a desert stop (on your own dime) at either La Gloria Bakery or Mexicantown Bakery. After the tour, volunteers will participate in a canvassing project in the Springdale Woodmere neighborhood to organize resident to join a block club that will address community needs. Spanish speaking abilities will be helpful, but not required.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 5:00pm
Website:www.unidetroit.org
Special Instruction: Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
15. Open Door - Fort Street Presbyterian Church
Location:
631 West Fort St.
Detroit, MI 48226
Organization Information: We open our doors to serve a hearty meal to over 400 people who are homeless or cannot afford food. During the last year, 21,000 meals were served to homeless and poor people. In addition, clothing, showers, medical services, and haircuts are available. A social worker provides counseling for assistance benefits. Job postings are made available in the local area. With your help, lives have been touched or changed.
Project Description: Volunteers will assist in the sorting of donated good, cleaning the facility and/or creation of personal care packages for clients.
Departure: 8:00am (meet at School of Social Work). Transportation will be provided.
Return: Approx. 2:00pm
Website:http://fortstreet.org/Open%20Door/overview.html
Special Instruction: Wear clothes suitable for cleaning. Dress for the weather, the organization does not have air conditioning.