MCC Monthly VISTA Feature - February 2012
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2012
MCC*VISTA Impact Highlights
University of Michigan-Dearborn
First-year AmeriCorps*VISTAs Nechole Drake-McClendon, Bob Gross, Lauren Hayes, and Molly Manley serving at University of Michigan-Dearborn all helped to coordinate events during the week of January 16th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Event co-organizer Lauren Hayes worked with the United Way of Southeastern Michigan to plan, secure volunteer projects, support recruitment from other college partners, and train team leaders from City Year Detroit and six other area schools: Henry Ford Community College, Marygrove College, Oakland Community College - Orchard Ridge, Oakland Community College - Royal Oak, Madonna University, and Davenport University. The projects were designed to address diverse social issues in the community and benefit those organizations who needed assistance from a large group of volunteers. This service was then intended to both directly and indirectly impact and benefit thousands of local citizens who come into contact with those organizations on a daily basis. During the course of the week, 11 events were scheduled. For these events, Nechole Drake-McClendon, Bob Gross, and Molly Manley both served on the planning committee and helped lead the various service projects. 577 volunteers were mobilized through the VISTAs’ efforts.
Schoolcraft College
First-year AmeriCorps*VISTA Daina Salayon serving at Schoolcraft College organized an event which explained the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Salayon invited a kindergarten class of 23 students from the Schoolcraft College Children’s center to play games, listen to stories, and make arts and crafts as a means of teaching the children about diversity and service. Salayon was awarded $136.90 from the Schoolcraft College Foundation, making it possible to purchase supplies for the event including poster board, paper, markers, and snacks for the children. Salayon received help from 15 volunteers for the event for a total of 30 volunteer hours.
Article about this event: http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120115/LIFE/201150335/Schoolcraft-College-marks-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day
Mott Community College
First-year AmeriCorps*VISTA Robin McClain serving at Mott Community College, in conjunction with Resource Genesee, coordinated a Tax Coalition Project. Volunteers were sent in small teams to local neighborhoods to place door hangers listing free tax preparation services such as AARP and VITA services and where to look for more information. By raising awareness of these services, Resource Genesee and Mott Community College hope to increase the number of households receiving the earned income tax credit and bring more money back to Genesee County. This event mobilized 35 volunteers.
Article about this event: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/01/post_269.html
Oakland University
First-year AmeriCorps*VISTA Ambriah Brown served as the primary organizer of Oakland University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities. Brown partnered with the United Way of Southeast Michigan to develop a service project in which volunteers participated in organization and beautification efforts of The Baldwin Center, Grace Centers of Hope, and Arts and Scraps, community organizations in Pontiac, Michigan that work with underserved populations. Brown was also responsible for securing funding for this event; she received a total of $3,805 from the Oakland University Student Congress and the United Way of Southeast Michigan. This event mobilized 90 volunteers, which Brown notes was a 30% increase from the previous year.
Article about this event: http://oaklandpostonline.com/2012/01/17/campus/mlk-service-project-inspires-unity-through-service/
Wayne State University
First-year AmeriCorps*VISTA Maggie Davenport serving at Wayne State University, in conjunction with ArtsCorps Detroit and other AmeriCorps volunteers in the Detroit area, coordinated the Martin Luther King Day Circle of Service. During the event, attendees participated in a community clean-up and a short, symbolic march to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Davenport secured funding and in-kind donations for a total value of $526.05. She also was responsible for advertising the event as well as facilitating the reflection activity at the end of the day. The event was well received by the organizations involved as well as its participants, one of whom remarked, “We were all on the stage, doing our part. I meant a lot of new, nice people.” This event mobilized 10 volunteers.
Post about this event: http://artscorpsdetroit.wayne.edu/news.php?id=7965
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