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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 Transitional Living Program.
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Transitional Living (Miller House)
Miller house is a transitional living opportunity for youth ages 18-20 who do not have a stable or safe home. It is not considered an emergency housing option, but rather a space where young people live and mature over an extended period of time (up to 18 months). For youth to access this opportunity, typically, they will engage in other Ozone House services like case management or counseling prior to moving into the transitional living space.
While at Miller House, residents must go to school and/or have a job, and participate in:
When youth are ready to leave Miller House and move into their own home, they leave with the saving they have accrued through "rent" and continued access to critical Ozone House support services.
For more information call 734-662-2222.
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Since 2010 Mary has been a valuable member of the Ozone House team. She first started as a youth specialist on our residential program and then moved over to the Drop-In Center as the Youth employment Coordinator in 2012. In 2014 step back into work with the residential team as the Miller House case manager and has continued to take on non-residential case management clients as well. Mary loves working as a case manager, enjoying the different challenges that each day brings. The fact that she gets to take on these challenges with intelligent, skilled, and resilient, young people makes her love the work she does.
Originally from Southwest Detroit, Mary's passion for working with and supporting at-risk young people started within the city limits. Currently, Mary is pouring that passion into her work at Ozone House as well as into completing her Bachelor's of Social Work at Eastern Michigan. When she's not working at Ozone house, she is spending time at home with her family and her sweet Pomeranian, Chiquito. She is also busy ramping up for parenthood as she is expecting her first child in May!
Mary can be reached through email at mherrera@ozonehouse.org
or through the Ozone House business line 734-662-2265.
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Resources in our Community
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Tax Preparation Support
United Way has tax preparation support available! Please provide families with the information below to get taxes done quickly and correctly!
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It may seem early, but deadlines for Summer Camp Scholarships are coming up. The first being January 31st, through the
Washtenaw Camp Placement Association
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Make sure to connect your youth to camps this summer and help them fill out scholarship applications!
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DAYTIME WARMING CENTERS
In addition to the locations listed below the county has provided a more comprehensive list of Temporary Weather Havens
January 2017
§ St. Mary's Student Parish (9:00am - 4:30pm)
331 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-0557
February 2017
§ First Congregational Church (8:30am - 4:00pm)
Monday, Wednesday & Friday ONLY
608 E William Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-1679
§ First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor (8:30am - 4:30pm)
Tuesday & Thursday ONLY
517 E Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-9376
March 1-31, 2017
§ Lord of Light Lutheran Church and Student Chapel (8:30am - 4:00pm)
801 S Forest Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 668-7622
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DELONIS WARMING CENTER INFORMATION
Nighttime Winter Programs:
Begin: November 14
th
2016.
End: April 3, 2017 with the last night of April 2nd 2017.
Delonis Day Warming Shelter:
Begin: December 5th 2016
End: April 3rd
The Delonis Center is open:
8:30am-5:00pm M, W & F
8:30am-7:00pm T & Th
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.
For general questions about warming centers contact
Laura Urteaga-Fuentes at (734) 544-3052 or urteagal@ewashtenaw.org
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The Education Project Updates
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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:
As of December 10th Foster Youth are no longer considered McKinney-Vento and will be primarily supported through DHHS. The Education Project and the WISD will continue to offer basic supports to youth and help facilitate communication between the schools, families and case workers.
Please check in with your district or school liason if you have any questions.
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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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