June 9-15, 2010
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE T
It takes more than books for kids to learn
he problem of childhood hunger is not simply a moral issue. Child hunger hampers a young person’s ability to learn and they become more likely to suffer from poverty as an adult. Sci-
entific evidence suggests that hungry children are less likely to become productive citizens. Proper nu- trition is vital to the growth and development of children, partic- ularly for low-income children. 6Sixty-two percent of all house- holds with children under the age of 18 participated in a school lunch program, but only 14 per- cent participated in a summer feeding program that provides free food when school is out.
The Detroit Public Schools – Office of Food Services
fills the gap by offering healthy choices for breakfast, lunch, snack and supper. Breakfast, the most critical meal of the day, is made available to all students with the majority being served in the classroom. Hot lunch is served daily to all students. There is also a “hydration program” — bottled water is offered with the daily snack. Stu- dents who participate in an after school
program receive a hot supper meal. The Detroit Public Schools – Office of
Food Services meal programs benefit stu-
dents and their households. For more information on the programs,
contact your local school.
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S.H.O.T.S
tively and the event provided a unique experience that linked service, learning, education, social skills and fun.
The Waterford Mott Na-
tional Honor Society Indepen- dent Studies’ biggest service project was the “Stuff the Bus” food drive. A Waterford school bus was set up out- side of the local Kroger store and within one afternoon col- lected a bus full of food dona- tions for the Grace Centers of Hope. Other events held included an annual ping pong and Mario Kart tournament, with proceeds going to the Mott Children’s Hospital. The
Young Builders
Build program. Each month students participate in service projects in their communities. In April of this year, trainees assisted with building the pro- totype of a temporary Haitian shelter. The shelter was made from 80-pound sand and dirt bags. The ultimate goal is to enable Haitians to build the shelters for themselves.
In 2009, YDB was select-
ed by the Detroit Workforce Development Department to manage the new Detroit Con- struction Career Center. The program provides unemployed adults and displaced work- ers an opportunity to obtain hands-on education and skills in residential construction free of charge. The new center has allowed YDB to expand on the work that they have been doing over the years by serv- ing adults of all ages, thereby reaching more Detroiters.
In May 2010, YDB moved its
academic and vocational op- erations to 1627 W. Lafayette in Detroit. Staff and students are in the process of getting settled and there is still work to be done. In addition to the move, YDB is focusing its
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time on upcoming community events.
On June 23, at Cobo Hall,
Young Detroit Builders will be hosting a workshop at the U.S. Social Forum. Youth- Build programs from around the United States will travel to Detroit to participate in dis- cussions about social justice issues that are affecting our communities. The intent of the workshop is to leave par- ticipants with ideas on how to be an advocate, a leader and a problem-solving innovator for their community.
On Sept. 24, at 7 p.m., YDB
will host its 7th Annual Show- down In Motown at Majestic Theatre Center in Detroit. The Showdown is a talent competi- tion to benefit the YouthBuild Detroit program.
For tickets to the Show-
down In Motown or more in- formation on YDB’s upcoming events, volunteer opportuni- ties or how to enroll in the program, please contact Young Detroit Builders at (313) 256- 7291 or visit their website at www.youngdetroitbuilders. org.
Positive change
that build the capacity of their organizations and give them the ability to deliver services at an optimum level. We un- derstand that non-profits are often able to address many root causes and provide qual- ity leisure activities that are critical to the holistic develop- ment of our youth.
The Commission has a 15-
year track record for imple- menting youth employment programs. Last year, the Com- mission was a partner with the Summer Youth Employment Program, which provided more than 7,000 youth with work ex- perience. The Commission’s staff has more than 50 years of expertise and experience in the area of youth development and is committed to helping set a positive path for being a part of the city-wide move- ment of preparing our youth to be ready by age 21.
Shirley Wright-Hailey is
the executive director of Little Scholars of Detroit, a non- profit organization that pro- vides quality after-school per- forming arts and enrichment programming to children 5 to
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12 years of age. “Without the Youth De-
velopment Commission, I’m not sure I’d be able to reach this level of program devel- opment,” said Wright-Hailey. “Now I am in a position to im- prove the programs our orga- nization delivers and increase the impact that my activities have on the children and fami- lies we serve.”
Wright-Hailey is a member
of the Commission’s Targeted Area Partnership (TAP) Pro- gram, a two-year capacity- building program that provides grants and develops partner- ships with organizations in targeted areas of the city.
Detroit has an opportunity
to compete with other major cities across the country in the area of youth development and the Commission stands ready to help change the odds of our youth. To learn more about the Commission or how you can serve as a Champion for Youth, please visit the De- troit Youth Commission web- site at
www.ydcdetroit.org or call (313) 963-8916.
most recent project included selling donuts and collecting spare change during lunches for the Red Cross, to benefit the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. Over $745 was raised in this effort.
“This was a great opportu-
nity for high school kids to make a positive impact in the community and have fun in a spirited competition,” stated Steve Yzerman. “Whether you volunteer at a local soup kitch- en or help clean up a street or park, the students realized there are dozens of ways for everyone to get involved and
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make our neighborhoods better for everyone.”
“The S.H.O.T.S. program
encourages a culture of com- munity service in our next generation, which has a far greater reach than if the bank had just performed the activ- ity ourselves,” said Jack Riley, senior vice president, market- ing director at Fifth Third. “We were really pleased to work with our celebrity judges and the Red Wings organization in such a worthwhile program.”
The S.H.O.T.S Program
will begin again in September 2010.
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