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Community Education Digest
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Welcome to our Community Education Digest! The aim of Ozone House's Community Education Digest newsletter is to connect our community's resources and services with the youth and families who need them most. Each month, the Community Education Digest highlights an Ozone House program along with related resources in our community. Many of these resources can also be found in the Ozone House Info Cards shown below.
This month we highlight our Holiday Giving Programs.
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Holiday Giving
Each year Ozone House puts together a holiday giving campaign to make sure the youth we serve know they are supported and valued by our organization and the community. This year with our partnership with the Education Project we have expanded the number of youth we can support during the holiday season.
Adopt-a-family program: Community members have the opportunity to "adopt" the families and young people Ozone serves during the holiday season by picking out gifts specific to the needs of the family.
Holiday Wishlist: At Ozone House, we serve young people transitioning into adulthood. Ozone has compiled a
holiday wishlist that supports our youth as they take those steps.
WINTER WARMTH Matching:
All cash donations up to $20,000 will be matched $ for $ until December 31, 2016 through our WINTER WARMTH matching gift campaign!
The Education Project Holiday gifts: The goal is to distribute gifts to all the students identified as homeless this school year. Gifts are being collected through either a Giving Tree program or a Holiday Drive. Click the following pdf for more information on giving through the Education Project:
Education Project Giving
For more information on all of Ozone House's Holiday programs visit
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Heidi Ruud is coming up on her first full year as the Marketing and Communication Specialist for Ozone House. Joining the organization after spending years volunteering in the community; Heidi loves being able to work for a place that is really making a difference.
Originally from Illinois, Heidi got her MBA at Northwestern's Kellogg Business School in 2001 and moved to Michigan in 2005. While raising her two children, Heidi was an active leader of the PTO, and worked as a volunteer for Lighthouse in Oakland County, helping coordinate their adopt-a-family and dress for success programs and since moving to Ann Arbor in 2013 she has been part of the
North Star Reach gala committee.
Heidi loves working for Ozone House where she gets to serve the community and spend time with her family. At Ozone House, Heidi says she feels empowered to make decisions and supported in her work. Her goal at Ozone House is to create awareness and spread Ozone House's mission to everyone in the community. She's done this through the roll out of an awesome new
Ozone House website and a new print campaign that focuses on the stories of our young people. Even when Heidi is not working, she is still talking about Ozone House, only she's doing it while trekking around southeastern Michigan taking her kids to different sporting activities. When she does have downtime, you can find her running along the Huron River, playing golf or working out.
If you are in need of more Ozone House materials or just want to find out more about our marketing and communications, Heidi can be reached at
hruud@ozonehouse.org or through the Ozone house business line 734-662-2265.
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Resources in our Community
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FREE THANKSGIVING MEALS
Cottage Inn
512 E William St. Ann Arbor
Thursday, Nov. 24 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
One free meal.
The Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor
2275 Platt Road, Ann Arbor
Thursday, Nov. 24 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The church is offering a free Thanksgiving meal for lower income families and homeless.
Brown Chapel AME Church
1043 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti
Wednesday, Nov. 23 at noon.
Dont forget to check at
foodgatherers.org for additional food resources throughout the year.
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APPLY AT THE KEYBANK BUILDING AT 301 W. MICHIGAN AVE, LOWER LEVEL IN DOWNTOWN YPSILANTI, MI
PLEASE BRING THE FOLLOWING:
- PROOF OF INCOME OR DHS BUDGET BREAKDOWN
- BIRTH CERTIFICATE, BIRTH AFFIDAVIT OR SCHOOL RECORD OF EACH CHILD
- VALID MI STATE ID OR MI DRIVERS LICENSE FOR PROOF OF PARENT(S) WITH WASHTENAW COUNTY ADDRESS
*CUSTODY PARENTS HAVE SIGNED COURT GUARDIANSHIP PAPERWORK
5pm - 8pm
Monday, November 14
th - Friday November 18
th
Monday, November 21
st & Tuesday, November 22
nd
12pm - 3pm
Saturday, November 26
th
(LAST DAY TO APPLY)
Contact Artelia Reeves, Washtenaw County Regional Coordinator at (734) 695-9391 or
arteliareeves@gmail.com
for any questions or assistance needed regarding the program.
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WARMING CENTER INFORMATION
Winter of 2016-2017
Nighttime Winter Programs:
Begin: November 14
th
2016.
End: April 3, 2017 with the last night of April 2nd 2017.
The Day Warming Shelter:
Begin: December 5th 2016
End: April 3rd.
The Schedule will be posted at the Delonis Center.
For access to the warming center each client must call Housing Access of Washtenaw County and obtain a referral to the Delonis Center...
There will be in person HAWC screeners at the Delonis Center from 6pm to 10pm beginning November 1st Monday through Friday beginning November 14th until January 30th 2017
There will be no screeners on weekends or major Holidays.
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The Education Project Updates
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Tell us what supports you need!
We have school supplies, toiletries, socks, and underwear, but can work to meet the specific needs of youth in your school. Let us know how we can support. Additionally, coats and winter gear are being sent out as requests come in! We are working with each district to make sure each student is being supported.
The referral is intended to be filled out by school staff or community partners with the students or families in need of support. Once a referral is completed, the information should be shared with the Education Project staff as well as the Local Liason.
Click here to obtain a copy:
Just a heads up, some changes will be happening with the way we support foster care students starting December 10th. We are working with DHHS and the local liasons to make the transition as seamless as possible. More updates to come!
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__________________________________________________________________________________
The Education Project, sometimes known as the Education Project for Homeless Youth, is designed to ensure that students experiencing homelessness or unstable living situations enroll, regularly attend, and succeed in school. Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students who are homeless must have equal access to free and appropriate public education.
The Education Project works closely with Liaisons in the school districts, Allies within each school, community partners, and families to identify and serve all youth affected by homelessness.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Education Project
Who is Homeless?
Homelessness does not always look like a family living in a car or on the street; it exists in many different versions. The primary criteria we consider are: Is their housing Fixed? Is it Regular? And is it Adequate?
Fixed: Is it permanent or not subject to change? For example, is the person staying somewhere that they have a right to live? Are they not on the lease? Could they be asked to leave?
Regular: Are they staying the same place every night? Do they have to switch locations frequently?
Adequate: Is the residence sufficient? Do youth staying in the home have a bed to sleep in? Are there health risks and unsanitary conditions in the home? Does it meet the physical and psychological needs of a child?
Although we all hope that homelessness is very temporary, it can be a perpetual experience for many families and unaccompanied youth. It is important to ask these questions and understand each family and youth's situation.
How can I access the Education Project?
The education project is housed in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. The website is
http://www.washtenawisd.org/services/k-12-student-services. Here you can find information about who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, what services are offered and additional links and supports around youth homelessness and education.
How can I help?
The Education Project relies on a combination of grant support from the state and donations from members of the community. Many of the items provided to families, like toiletries and school supplies, are supplied through donations. This allows the Education Project the ability to fund other school related expenses like field trips, sports/activities, tutoring services and temporary transportation for students. Additionally, the program is always looking for volunteers to help pack up supplies for youth as well as deliver supports to schools within the districts. By having a team of volunteers ready to disperse supplies, EPHY will serve families more effectively. Click here to learn about ways you can help:
The Education Project Volunteer Flyer
The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 3:30pm.
Any questions regarding a young person's McKinney-Vento status and the supports available can be direct to
ephycontact@washtenawisd.org, or by phone at (734) 994-8100 x1518.
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If you know a youth or family who could benefit from Ozone House services,
please have them call our 24-hour Crisis Line:
734.662.2222
There is always somebody here to listen.
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Need More Information About Ozone House?
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| Ozone House Poster |
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We will come to you!
We provide educational presentations to middle and high school classrooms or assemblies, as well as organizations throughout Washtenaw County.
To order free printed education materials, or to schedule a presentation,
contact Dawn Espy at
call (734) 994-8100 x1518
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Ozone House Outreach Card |
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To learn more about all of our crisis intervention, housing or support services, or to get involved with Ozone House,
please visit our website at
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