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Community Education Digest
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Welcome to our Community Education Digest! As a refresher, 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 Drop-In Center.
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Drop-In Center
Ozone House's Drop-In Center in Ypsilanti is a safe and supportive environment for youth ages 13 - 20. Every weekday the drop-in opens up at 4pm and offers youth a variety of supports and the opportunity to:
The Drop-In is also home to WorkZone, PrideZone, our Street Outreach team, and Speak OUT (our public speaking program for youth). Additionally every Thursday Night there is special programming designed to support youth in building life-skills and exploring career options.
Currently we have special Summer Hours (until August 26th)!
Monday: 4 - 6pm
Tuesday: 4 - 9pm
Wednesday: 4 - 6pm (Pridezone 6- 8pm)
Thursday: 4 - 9pm
Friday: 4 - 9pm
The Drop-In Center is located at 102 N. Hamilton (a block from the Ypsilanti transit Center) To learn more have youth contact our crisis line at 734-662-2222 or just drop in during open hours!
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Meet Scott Phillips
Youth Employment Coordinator
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Scott is a hometown kid. He attended Huron High School, received a BSW from Eastern, and will be finishing his MSW this August from Eastern Michigan University with a concentration in Child and Family. He loves the area and says it was his dream to work and support the community he grew up in.
Scott has been with Ozone House for a little over 3 years. Even though he has held many roles, he has remained a constant in our Drop-in Center. First joining Ozone House as a WorkZone Job coach, then moving into the role of Crisis Intervention Specialist, currently Scott works as the Youth Employment Coordinator. In this role, Scott oversees our Peer Outreach Workers (POWs), co-facilitates our WorkZone program, and provides all around coverage and support at the Drop-In Center during open hours.
When Scott isn't out canvasing the community with the POWs, he is taking in all the excitement and natural beauty the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area has to offer. He loves to draw, fish, and just be on the water. The best part is, he gets to share it with his family: his wife, his daughter Maya, and his dog and cats, Auggie, Miso Soup and Hazel.
You can reach Scott at the Drop-In Center by phone at 734-485-2222 or through email at sphillips@ozonehouse.org
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Summer Resources for Youth in our Community
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Food Gatherers
Food Gatherers is a
food rescue and food bank program serving Washtenaw County, Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community.
Food Gatherers is a sponsor of The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). A program created to ensure that children in lower-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations, when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs.
Links to Meal Sites:
The Salvation Army of Livingston County is also sponsoring free meals this summer in Brighton, Fenton, Fowlerville, Hartland, Howell and Whitmore Lake. Click here for the list of meals hosted by the Salvation Army this summer. The Whitmore Lake site is also listed below:
Coventry Woods/ Clubhouse
7243 Sheldon Rd. Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
Dates of Program: June 20th -August 15th; No service on 7/4 or 7/25
Mondays: Check In 11:15AM, Lunch 11:30-12:30PM, Program 12:30-1:30pm
No registration needed. First come, first served.
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Growing Hope
Growing Hope is an organization that works to create healthy and sustainable local food systems that positively impact many aspects of the Ypsilanti-area community, economy, and home life.
Their vision involves using community and school gardens-and the education that they provide-as vehicles for positive social, economic, environmental, and neighborhood change.
Seed2Plate
Growing Hope partners with Ypsilanti schools and community centers to empower young people to make healthy lifestyle choices through gardening, healthy cooking and eating.
Seed2Plate Summer Partners:
Bright Futures at West Middle School:
Ypsilanti Community Middle School students
Holmes Elementary school students
Washtenaw International Middle Academy
Parkridge Community Center Summer Camp
Ypsilanti Downtown Library
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The Education Project Updates
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We are in the process of updating our referral for the 2016-2017 school year. Please be sure to look out for it in the next couple weeks. Our goal is to design a referral that is more accessible to families, school staff and our community partners, so that we can better serve the students of Washtenaw County.
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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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