| |
Community Education Digest
|
|
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 Crisis Line: Call.Text.Chat.
|
|
|
|
Ozone House Crisis Line: Call.Text.Chat
Ozone House is the first and only agency in Washtenaw County to offer text and chat crisis line services.
The CALL.TEXT.CHAT crisis line is staffed by highly trained volunteers who have been specifically trained on communicating with young people in crisis via the new tools. The counselors provide critical information, referrals and crisis intervention to youth and families struggling with issues like family conflict, mental health, runaway episodes, homelessness, suicide, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, sexual orientation, gender identity and more.
The new crisis lines allow young people to get the emergency support they need if they find themselves in a situation where a phone call is unsafe.
"It's not just about young people who prefer texting,. It's about broadening our accessibility to those in danger. If someone needs support at school, they can slip into a bathroom and send a text. If someone is feeling unsafe at home, they can get support discretely."
Ozone House's crises line can be reached via phone call or text at 734-662-2222. To chat with a crisis counselor, visit www.ozonehouse.org.
Ozone House has helped shelter and support Washtenaw County youth in crises since 1969.
All its services are free, voluntary and confidential.
|
 Sarah Karr is the Director of Residential Services for Ozone House. Although she only joined the Ozone House team in September of 2017, Sarah's entire career has been dedicated to working with underserved and disadvantaged people and their families. Over the past 16 years, Sarah has played key roles in the development and/or oversight of multiple Youth Programs in Toledo and Detroit while also earning her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona and completing her Masters of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University. Her extensive work history includes engagement with Residential Treatment Facilities, Mental Health Services, Crisis Response Teams, Wraparound, Multi-Systemic Therapy, Expanding Mental Health practices for 3-6 Year Olds, and a Youth Shelter called Safety Net in Toledo. In addition, Sarah developed Youth Advisory Boards and created collaborative relationships with youth organizations in order to integrate cultural beliefs, practices, and youth voice into the services being offered at across Detroit. Sarah's work and has always reflected many of the goals and ideals of Ozone House even prior to joining the Ozone team.
Now an Ypsilanti resident, Sarah jumped at the opportunity to work at Ozone House. With a number of experiences under her belt, Sarah not only valued the Ozone has a positive, nationally known, Runaway and Homeless Youth Organization, but also appreciated its position as an independent non-profit organization. At Ozone House, the mission drives the people and the work with a focus on what is the best practice to support youth and families. Sarah loves that everyone at Ozone, from part time staff, to the leadership team, are passionate about providing the most supportive and caring services we can.
When Sarah isn't focused on supporting her team and youth in the community, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her dog. She also likes to spend time outdoors and take in all the local art and music our community has to offer. If you'd like to know more about Sarah's experiences in Toledo or Detroit, she can be reached at skarr@ozonehouse.org or through the Ozone House office line 734-662-2265.
|
|
Resources for Youth in our Community
|
|
Summer
Opportunities
and Support
School may be out for the summer but supporting children and families does not stop. So this June we are providing a list of summer opportunities and resources for families that maybe seeking free meals, fun activities etc.
Meet Up & Eat Up
Food Gatherers will provide free meals throughout the summer for youth in Washtenaw County starting June 18th- August 24th. To find a site near you:
|
Ozone House Drop-In Center
Address: 102 N. Hamilton Ypsilanti, MI
Phone: 734-485-2222
Open: 4pm-8pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 4pm-6pm Wednesday
If you are 13-20 years old, you are welcome at our drop-in center if you want or need to eat a hot meal, hang out in a safe space. The Drop-In Center is open 4pm-8pm and located at 1 block from the Ypsi transit center. They also provide a space for teens to:
- Get food from the pantry
- Do laundry
- Take a shower
- Use computers & phones
- Play games
- Get toiletries
- Get more info or help
- Talk to a job coach
|
WorkZone
WorkZone Summer Session Begins June 18th!
If you are between the ages of 16- 20 and interested in the culinary arts or a summer internship, WorkZone is the place for you.
WorkZoners also have the opportunity to work with an Ozone House Case Manager to address other needs, around housing, child care, insurance, food, etc.
|
|
Washtenaw Literacy Computer Lab
Address: 1301 S. Harris, Ypsilanti (inside the Activity Center)
Phone: 734-337-3338
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10am-4pm
Believing that literacy is the foundation for a sustainable community, Washtenaw Literacy will provide literacy support, free of charge, throughout the summer to young adults 16 and older with a network of trained tutors. Free help, and free Wi-Fi. Come in for help with:
- GED
- ESL
- Computer skills
- Personal finance skills
- Work and job skills
|
|
Washtenaw County Summer Sport Camp
Offers free summer sports camp to youth ages 8 to 15 with breakfast provided. Sports include: Basketball, Cheerleading, Tennis, Soccer, Track, Wrestling, Football, and Art& Crafts. See link below for more information and the application.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
this month!
|
VOGUE NIGHT !!!
Friday, June 22nd
7pm - 11pm
|
|
Ann Arbor Top Of the Park
Now-July 1st
 |
|
|
The Education Project Updates
|
|
|
We are here ALL summer! While School is out, the Education Project is still available to support students and families in need.
|
The 2017-18 School year officially ends June 30th. Starting July 1st, the living situations of students and families will need to be reassessed and we will be accepting new referrals for the 2018-19 school year.
It's never to early to start thinking about next year! If you have new staff or want to provide current staff with a refresher around the McKinney-Vento Law and how to support students in your school, please let us know and we will come to begin of the year trainings for teachers, administrators, school counselors, social workers or anyone in the community.
|
_____________________________________________________________________________
Below is the 2017 - 2018 referral*. Please use this referral when working with students and families this school year. Any questions about the referral or referral process can be directed to ephycontact@washtenawisd.org or call us at 734-994-8100 x1518
Click here to obtain a copy:
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 Liaison.
*Be on the look out for an updated 2018-2019 form.
|
__________________________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________
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. Visit the
Ozone House website to learn more about how you can help.
The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm.
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.
|
If you know a youth or family who could benefit from Ozone House services,
please have them call,text,or chat our 24-hour Crisis Line:
734.662.2222
There is always somebody here to listen.
|
|
|
|
Need More Information About Ozone House?
|
|
|
 |
| Ozone House Poster |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ozone House Outreach Card |
|
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
|
|
|
