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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 WorkZone Program.
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WorkZone
WorkZone is the Ozone House employment training and paid internship program for at-risk youth. All young people in the program participate in a two week training to start and then move into a paid internship or a job-specific training. During the first two weeks youth learn about:
- Finding a career you are good at
- Finding a job you like
- Resume writing
- Mock Interviews
- Succeeding in your job
- Getting promoted
- Working with your boss
Participants then move into their 100 paid internships with a local business, nonprofit or company. Throughout the whole program, youth meet with a job coach to provide support through the internship and job search. WorkZoners also have the opportunity to work with an Ozone House Case Manager to address other needs, around housing, child care, insurance, food, etc.
The program runs three times a year, with the summer session being the largest. During the summer session Ozone House collaborates with Food Gatherers to offer training to youth ages 16-20. This year's session begins June 19th, follow the links for printable
program info and
applications.
Any questions you might have can be direct to Scott Phillips our Youth Employment Coordinator at 734-485-2222 or
[email protected]
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Meet Douglas Manigault III
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Douglas grew up in Detroit and then attended U of M for both his undergraduate degree and MSW which he earned in the spring of 2015. As an undergraduate, Douglas actively engaged with the Gear Up and Leaders and Best programs, which focused on recruiting and retaining youth of color from Southeastern Michigan at the University. As an Afroamerican and African Studies student, Douglas traveled to countries across the African Diaspora, like Ghana, South Africa and Jamaica to study HIV prevention. These experiences were particularly helpful to his MSW internship at AIDS Partnership Michigan (now UNIFIED) and work as a HIV test counselor at HARC (now also UNIFIED). Throughout his educational experiences, and his work with Ozone House, Douglas deomonstrates a special ability to engage young people as they enter new environments or experiences.
He first joined the Ozone team in January 2015 as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at the Drop-In Center. After he finished his MSW with a focus on the Management of Human Services, he became the Grants and Evaluation Manager for Ozone House. In his current role as Director of Grants and Evaluation, Douglas has a greater leadership role and regularly engages with each program and area of the organization. One of his favorite things about Ozone is employees' willingness to step in, fill gaps, and take on different roles and tasks when needed. In his work as the Grants and Evaluation Director, Douglas balances time between reviewing data and writing grants for Ozone House, while also helping improve the quality of Data and services across Washtenaw County as part of the Data Performance and Measurement Committee for the OCED. He really appreciates the problem solving aspects of his role, as he works to sustain programs and create compelling narratives around the important work being done at Ozone House.
When Douglas isn't working, he spends as much time as possible bike riding, and traveling. He also enjoys spending time in the community capturing what he calls "hood art" through photography. Growing up in Detroit and Highland Park, he saw beauty in spaces that normally get ignored and he continues to highlight that beauty in his photography.
Douglas can be reached at
[email protected] or through the Ozone House business line 734-662-2265.
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Resources for Youth in our Community
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Support for Young Parents and Children
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CORNER HEALTH
Mom Power
A parenting group for young adults and their children
Who: Moms (under age 26) and their kids ages 0-6
What: A 10-week parenting program
Where: The Corner Health Center, 47 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti
When: Wednesdays April 19th-June 21st 4:30-7:15 pm
Meal and childcare are provided for each session. Participants earn points for the store at each session.
SOAR Mentoring Program
A source of connection, support, and encouragement for new and expecting moms
Who: Parents who are pregnant or have a child under the age of 1
What: A mom support group and mentoring program
Where: The Corner Health Center
When: Regular monthly group meetings and weekly contact w/ mentor in person or via email, texting, or phone
Meal, childcare, transportation, and $20 stipend is provided for each monthly session. Also, we're always on the look-out for high quality mentors
*If interested in either program, please contact Nicole Neverman at (734) 714-2226 or
[email protected]
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The goal of the Mott Buckle Up! Program is to prevent injuries to children in car crashes. Mott Buckle Up! provides services to both the community and patients at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
In conjunction with this program Corner Health hosts a safe baby class
Who: Expecting moms (under age 26)
What: A 2-hour class on car seat safety and safe sleep
Where: The Corner Health Center
When: 1st Tuesday of each month from 1-3:30 pm
Participants need to register by calling 734-763-2251. Each participant receives a free car seat from Mott's Children's Hospital. Participants can bring one support-person too!
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Hope Medical Clinic in Ypsilanti provides free primary care for patients without financial means to cover their healthcare costs. They also provide emergency & basic need support.
Baby Care:
- Providing emergency diapers, wipes, baby food, and formula as available
- Located in the Hope Center building, 518 Harriet St., Ypsilanti
- Walk-in Thursdays from 2:00 - 4:00 pm-no appointment necessary
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The Education Project Updates
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Graduation Gifts are Coming!!!
Our goal is to get all graduating seniors a graduation gift and to do that we need your help. Please send a list of your current McKinney-Vento Seniors as well as the date for their last day of classes to
[email protected].
We want to make sure we have all of the students identified and are able to get them their gift!
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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. Youth in foster care or awaiting foster care may have a separate Liason in the district or continue to work with the MV liason. The Liason, in conjuction with DHHS, a case worker and other community partners work together to provide support in school and out. 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
[email protected], 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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