March 2018

IN THE ZONE NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE:
Youth Advocating for Youth
Volunteer Opportunities Available
Millennial Ozone House Board
YOUTH ADVOCATING FOR YOUTH
Advocating for Youth

The Ozone House SpeakOut group met with Chris Matus, Gary Peters' regional Director, to advocate for youth. The group was specifically advocating for passage of the Runaway, Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act . This program would reauthorize essential programs such as prevention, emergency shelters, street outreach and transitional living. The group also requested an increase for funding attached to the legislation, up to $165 million annually. Other priorities were discussed as well:

  • Senator Peters was encouraged to ask HUD to expand its definition of youth homelessness to include individuals who may be sleeping in a hotel or on a friend’s couch.

Current HUD definition: Individuals and families who live in a place not meant for human habitation (including the streets or in their car), emergency shelter, transitional housing, and hotels paid for by a government or charitable organization.

SpeakOut member with Gary Peters’ Regional Director Chris Matus
  • It was also suggested that HUD should allow more flexibility in funds for homelessness (i.e. allowing a community to shift funds initially earmarked for veterans to assist youth if the need is greater in the community)

  • We also recommended the agency move its annual Point-In-Time-Count to a date when the weather is warmer and a time that is more likely to capture homeless youth. January in Michigan is not representative of capturing homeless young people.



Contact Gary Peters to help us advocate for youth.
SpeakOut is comprised of formerly homeless youth who speak about Ozone House and youth homelessness at community events, in schools, and with local and state policymakers.
DOME DAY IN LANSING
On March 7 th , Ozone House sent a delegation of youth and staff to participate in DOME Day in Lansing. On DOME Day, runaway and homeless youth providers from around the state converge on the Capitol for a day of education and advocacy. This year’s delegation met with Representative Yousef Rabhi (District 53), Representative Ronnie Peterson (District 54) and Senator Joe Hune (District 22). In addition to sharing their personal experiences and information about Ozone House services, delegates were advocating for increased resources in the state budget to address youth homelessness.
Volunteer Opportunities Available
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Crisis Call/Text/Chat Line
Ozone House is always seeking compassionate volunteers to become Crisis Line counselors.

Crisis Line counselors listen and provide critical information, referrals, and crisis intervention to youth and families struggling with such issues as family conflict, runaway episodes, homelessness, suicide, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, sexual orientation and gender identity, and other crises.

Crisis Line Volunteers counselors complete a 40-hour training on two Wednesday evenings and two consecutive weekends. Once completed, volunteers commit to one 4-hour shift per week for 8+ months.

Become a Crisis Line Volunteer!
Here's How:
Sign up to attend an interview. The next round of interviews will be held in May 2017. Please  e-mail Allison Brengle at  Abrengle@ozonehouse.org  to schedule your interview.
  1. Get invited to training. After the interview, you may be invited to continue on to the crisis line training if Ozone House seems like the right fit for you.
  2. Attend the volunteer training! All of the training dates are mandatory and required for you to be eligible to volunteer on the Crisis Line.
Crisis Line volunteer training sessions will be held for invited trainees:
  • Wednesday, May 9 6PM-9PM
  • Saturday, May 12 9AM-5PM
  • Sunday, May 13 9AM-5PM
  • Wednesday, May 16 6PM-9PM
  • Saturday, May 19 9AM-5PM
  • Sunday, May 20 9AM-5PM 
RUN FOR OZONE HOUSE IN
THE BIG HOUSE 5K
Participate in the Big House 5k on April 8th to support Ozone House and 5 other great charities! Run or volunteer. Just be a part of the action!
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ann Arbor Marathon
May 20
Ozone House is fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries of the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon on May 20th. We need to fill 12 volunteer spots on behalf of Ozone House. Will you help us?

To register to volunteer, click below. You can pick your own time and your own place to volunteer. Be sure to let them know you are volunteering on behalf of Ozone House.

Want to run? There is a 5K, 10K, half and full marathon opportunity. Join our team today!
THE EDUCATION PROJECT
Pack backpacks
Ozone House’s THE EDUCATION PROJECT ensures that students affected by homelessness enroll, attend, and succeed in school. Last year The Education Project helped 1,154 students in Washtenaw County.

The Education Project is open to volunteers on Tuesday's and Wednesday's. To sign up to volunteer, click below for a link to sign-up genius, allowing you to pick what time slot works for your schedule.
ARE YOU A MILLENNIAL?
Ozone House has a volunteer Millennial Board. Young people get together monthly to develop outreach and advocacy for Ozone House. Want to get involved? Email our Millennial Ozone House Board (MOB) representative Ugbaad.
OZONE HOUSE
1705 Washtenaw Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 
Office: 734-662-2265  
Drop-In Center
102 N. Hamilton Street Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Drop-In Center: 734-485-2222

24-Hour CRISIS HOTLINE: 734-662-2222   

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