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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 Opening Doors for Youth.
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Opening Doors for Youth
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This year, Ozone House partnered with the Neutral Zone and Corner Health to develop the Opening Doors for Youth program. This project expands our current Community Engagement, Outreach Activities, and Community Partnerships. Our goal is to create warm handoffs between our agency, schools, and community partners.
Through this program, youth in Washtenaw County will have increased access to existing supports through outreach and engagement with youth-serving staff in classrooms and community organizations. In addition, deeper partnerships among organizations will result in streamlined entry and linkages, as well as enhancement of existing services to accommodate the greater influx of connected youth.
Outreach & Engagement: 
"Pop-up" Drop-ins at schools and within the community
Partnerships:
Unified training and support across agencies
Enhancing Services:
A shared screening tool across agencies to identify youth needs and connect to appropriate supports.
With the Opening Doors partnership, youth with be better supported, connected and served in our community!
If you are interested in more information about our Opening Doors to Youth Program you can call
Ozone House,
(734) 662-2265 or email Patrick Gaulier at pgaulier@ozonehouse.org
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Sharonda Simmons is Ozone House's new Director of Education, Outreach and Welcoming. She will primarily be based at the Drop-In Center but will also spend time in the community supporting outreaching, engaging youth, and connecting with community partners. Originally from River Rouge, Sharonda has spent most of her life in Metro Detroit. She attended University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree, and has been working in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area ever since. While at U of M, she connected to the Intergroup Relations Program and developed a passion for creating connections and understanding around race, class, and social and cultural experiences. Her experience at U of M led her to the Neutral Zone where she spent several years. Sharonda engaged youth at the Neutral Zone in programming and groups that prompted young people to be actively involved and aware of the community around them. She helped developed leaders and young people who were empowered to have difficult conversations, access their creativity and engage with each other in productive ways. Following the Neutral Zone, Sharonda joined the staff at Arrowwood where she was challenged with developing youth programming as well as meeting the needs of the entire community. At the Community Center, Sharonda emphasized the importance of fostering community partnerships and brought in programming with other local agencies to support the needs of the youth and the community.
Now, as the Director of Outreach, Education, and Welcoming, Sharonda looks forward to bringing that same notion to her work at Ozone House. She is excited and feels empowered to cultivate even more youth-centered programming in our space. She looks forward to working with young people to create more opportunities for youth leadership and youth lead groups, workshops and programming. One of the main things she has already taken note of, is Ozone House's commitment to continued growth. As an agency that has been in the community for almost 50 years, there is no sign that folks are willing to remain comfortable or complacent in the work. In just a short time, she has felt the energy and passion that both staff and youth bring to Ozone and sees that all of it is driven by the Ozone House mission to put youth at the forefront of our work. When asked why she chose to come to Ozone she says, that even in her interview, she sensed the connection to purpose and community in the space. She is excited for this new adventure and already feels embraced and welcomed as a member of the Ozone House Family.
When she is not working, she is taking on other adventures, challenging herself to try new things, whether it's hairstyles and makeup, the ukulele, or a random outing through Groupon! While planning and organization is key to her work, outside of work, she feels it's important to just experience life. She looks forward to settling into her new role and finding the time to get a dog. If you'd like to talk to her more, feel free to email her at
ssimmons@ozonehouse.org
or call over to the drop-in 734-485-2222.
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Resources for Youth in our Community
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November Resources
Tis the season for celebrating fall and preparing for the chilling weather.
This November we are sharing events and resources that aim to provide a safe place, real support and families.
The Original Cottage Inn
Nov. 22nd | 10AM - 1PM | 512 E. William St, Ann Arbor, 48104 | (734) 663-3379
Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor
Reach Church
St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea
Nov. 22nd | 11:30AM-1:30PM|
775 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118| registration required please call 734-475-9242
Aubrees Pizzeria & Grille
Nov. 22rd
| 12 - 4PM| 39 E. Cross St. Ypsilanti, MI, 48198 | (734) 483-1870 (multiple locations participating, check with location nearest you)
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There's still time to apply for Toys for Tots! Below is the information about applying and distribution. You can also visit the Toys for Tots
website:
FILL OUT APPLICATIONS: 5PM to 8PM
DECEMBER 1-DECEMBER 7
DECEMBER 10-DECEMBER 14
TOY DISTRIBUTION DATES 5PM to 8PM
ALL APPLICANTS, PLEASE BRING THE FOLLOWING:
1. PROOF OF INCOME OR DHS BUDGET BREAKDOWN
2. BIRTH CERTIFICATE, BIRTH AFFIDAVIT, IMMUNIZATION OR SCHOOL RECORD OF EACH CHILD, FROM 0-12
3. VALID MI STATE ID OR MI DRIVERS LICENSE WITH WASHTENAW COUNTY ADDRESS
4. CUSTODIAL PARENTS MUST HAVE SIGNED COURT GUARDIANSHIP PAPERWORK
APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION: THE KEYBANK BUILDING. 301 W MICHIGAN AVE. YPSILANTI IN THE BASEMENT
PLEASE NOTE- WE WILL NOT SEND ANYONE TO PICK UP ANY TOYS ON THE BEHALF OF TOYS FOR TOTS WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL BY ARTELIA REEVES .
You May Contact Artelia Reeves, Washtenaw County Regional Coordinator At (734) 695-9391 Or
Arteliareeves@Gmail.Com With Any Questions Or Assistance Needed Regarding The Program.
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The Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development (OCED) and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) announce the opening of winter warming centers for those experiencing homelessness during severe cold weather.
Jointly funded for the fourth year by the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County and lead by SAWC; thewinter weather response provides expanded winter shelter services for the homeless.
Expanded services include an:
- overnight warming center at the Delonis Center from 7pm - 7am accommodating up to 50 people in the shelter's dining room and common areas; and
- daytime warming centers at area churches that will be available to the homeless population throughout the winter.
A current list of daytime center locations and hours are available here.
For individuals needing to escape adverse cold conditions (real or wind chill air temperature at 20 degrees or below) before continuing on their destination; temporary weather havens are also available. These sites are for all Washtenaw County residents and will be activated when the weather reaches extreme temperatures, requiring public school closings. A current list of weather haven locations and hours are available here.
The Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development is committed to ensuring that all Washtenaw County residents are protected during severe weather condition
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The Education Project Updates
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Education Projects Supports and Services
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Below is the 2018 - 2019 referral. Please use this referral when working with students and families this school year.
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.
Any questions about the referral or referral process can be directed to or call us at 734-994-8100 x1518.
Click here to obtain a copy:
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. We will come trainings for teachers, administrators, school counselors, social workers or anyon
I
e in the community.
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Coats, Gloves, and Holiday Gifts Drive!
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
Coats are being sent out on a rolling basis. If you have a student that you feel need to be prioritized, please let us know.
Additionally Holiday gifts will be going out during the week of December 17th. Please make sure we have accurate lists of students for your school or district so that they all receive a Holiday Gift!
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THE EDUCATION PROJECT
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The Education Project is a joint program of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) and Ozone House. The Education Project 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
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The Education Project serves children & youth, ages 0-21, from the 9 school districts and thirteen public school academies (PSA) in the county.
Each district and PSA has a McKinney-Vento liaison and we work directly with them as well as allies within each school to provide support to students and families experiencing homelessness.
The Education Project works closely with community partners: Hospitals, clinics, shelters and other non-profits to make sure that students get the wraparound support they need.
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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
https://washtenawisd.org/services/ephy/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.
The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm.
How can I help?
- Volunteer to pack backpacks and organize supplies
- Host a supply or gift card drive for:
- Back-to-School
- Holiday
- Graduation
- Or any time!
- Donate funds, gift cards or in-kind donations from our wish list, including: clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, bus tokens and more.
- Advocate to your federal legislators to keep the McKinney-Vento Act funded
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,text,or chat 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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