Positive News.

[A Boy Named KING]

So We see some negative stuff going on,

Blessed by God we also Know we will see good also.

Here is some of the Good and blessings that Is happening.

Detroit City. Rise Up.







extraordinaryfathers.com/




100 Black Men and Focus: HOPE help Detroit fathers become extraordinary





Fatherhood is the focus of an initiative in Detroit started by the group 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit with support from Focus: HOPE. The “Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit at Focus Hope” is looking to strengthen families by empowering fathers with tangible skills.

According to information from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Fatherhood Initiative, 24 million children in America, or about one out of three children, now live in homes without their biological fathers.

The initial class is helping 17 men that are clients of Focus: HOPE’s various training programs, including the Machinist Training Institute (MTI). The men volunteered for the program, in addition to the other assistance they are getting.
Bill Middlebrooks


“The goal is to provide these young men with the skills, confidence and attitude to be a positive part of their children’s lives,” according to Bill Middlebrooks, former president of 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, author and organizer of the program.

The curriculum, under the tag, “Fathers making a difference, one family as a time,” is derived from the National Fatherhood Initiative out of Washington, D.C. and from Middlebrooks’ book “Dare to be Extraordinary – A Collection of Positive Life Lessons from African American Fathers.”

“The book is a tribute to and testimony of fatherhood, particularly in the African-American community. I profile some famous and some not-so-famous people about the impact fathers made on their lives,” he adds.

The goal of the book and program is to bend the curve for families – reducing the number of homes without fathers in the community. He also looks to change the perception and reality of African-American fatherhood.

Participants-receive-materials-and-one-on-one-mentoring“I really want to make a 180 degree turn in my life and be there for my kids,” said Gregory Stephens who is a 30-year-old MTI participant and father of five that was eager to sign up for the program. Stephens is recently married and is raising his two sons (ages three months and 10 years) with his bride. His other three children live with their mother.

When Stephens was younger, a Detroit police officer in his neighborhood he knew as Sergeant Carey mentored him for a number of years. “Now, I just want to be a better father and a better man,” he added.

William F. Jones, Jr., president/CEO of Focus: HOPE said, “In order to build strong neighborhoods, we must develop strong families in the African-American community. Our HOPE Village Initiative focuses on providing opportunities and support for children, while our education and job training programs enable parents to reach their full potential. The Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit is a natural fit that will help us to further strengthen our efforts.”

William Luse, current president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit says, “This partnership expands and deepens our on-going commitment to serve our community and we are proud to work with Focus: HOPE and the program participants.”

During the 18-week program (offered in two nine week semesters), participants come together for half day, hands-on, non-judgmental engagement and exchanges to help them become more aware of their importance in the lives of their children and being positively present and involved in their family and community.

Each participant receives a workbook, journal and a copy of Middlebrooks’ book, along with intense mentoring during and after the program. “As members of the 100 (100 Black Men), we believe in mentoring across a lifetime,” Middlebrooks added.

Each participant was given a skills and attitude pre-assessment to see where their mindset is as they come into the program. After the second semester, a post-assessment will give organizers and the fathers an idea of their progress.

Weekly topics of discussion and instruction include, What it Means to be a Man, Discipline, Working with Mom and Co-Parenting, Dealing with Anger, Showing and Handling Feelings and Excellence as a Way of Life, Everyday.

The Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit is giving these 17 men almost everything they need to be a good father. According to Middlebrooks, “The only thing we can’t give you is motivation. Your actions mean more than your words.”

The Academy is hoping to build fathers that C.A.R.E. for their children – men that are: Committed, Active, Relevant and Equipped.


“The book is a tribute to and testimony of fatherhood, particularly in the African-American community. I profile some famous and some not-so-famous people about the impact fathers made on their lives,” he adds.

The goal of the book and program is to bend the curve for families – reducing the number of homes without fathers in the community. He also looks to change the perception and reality of African-American fatherhood.

Participants-receive-materials-and-one-on-one-mentoring“I really want to make a 180 degree turn in my life and be there for my kids,” said Gregory Stephens who is a 30-year-old MTI participant and father of five that was eager to sign up for the program. Stephens is recently married and is raising his two sons (ages three months and 10 years) with his bride. His other three children live with their mother.

When Stephens was younger, a Detroit police officer in his neighborhood he knew as Sergeant Carey mentored him for a number of years. “Now, I just want to be a better father and a better man,” he added.

William F. Jones, Jr., president/CEO of Focus: HOPE said, “In order to build strong neighborhoods, we must develop strong families in the African-American community. Our HOPE Village Initiative focuses on providing opportunities and support for children, while our education and job training programs enable parents to reach their full potential. The Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit is a natural fit that will help us to further strengthen our efforts.”

William Luse, current president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit says, “This partnership expands and deepens our on-going commitment to serve our community and we are proud to work with Focus: HOPE and the program participants.”

During the 18-week program (offered in two nine week semesters), participants come together for half day, hands-on, non-judgmental engagement and exchanges to help them become more aware of their importance in the lives of their children and being positively present and involved in their family and community.

Each participant receives a workbook, journal and a copy of Middlebrooks’ book, along with intense mentoring during and after the program. “As members of the 100 (100 Black Men), we believe in mentoring across a lifetime,” Middlebrooks added.

Each participant was given a skills and attitude pre-assessment to see where their mindset is as they come into the program. After the second semester, a post-assessment will give organizers and the fathers an idea of their progress.

Weekly topics of discussion and instruction include, What it Means to be a Man, Discipline, Working with Mom and Co-Parenting, Dealing with Anger, Showing and Handling Feelings and Excellence as a Way of Life, Everyday.

The Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit is giving these 17 men almost everything they need to be a good father. According to Middlebrooks, “The only thing we can’t give you is motivation. Your actions mean more than your words.”

The Academy is hoping to build fathers that C.A.R.E. for their children – men that are: Committed, Active, Relevant and Equipped.


father and a better man,” he added.

William F. Jones, Jr., president/CEO of Focus: HOPE said, “In order to build strong neighborhoods, we must develop strong families in the African-American community. Our HOPE Village Initiative focuses on providing opportunities and support for children, while our education and job training programs enable parents to reach their full potential. The Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit is a natural fit that will help us to further strengthen our efforts.”

William Luse, current president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit says, “This partnership expands and deepens our on-going commitment to serve our community and we are proud to work with Focus: HOPE and the program participants.”

During the 18-week program (offered in two nine week semesters), participants come together for half day, hands-on, non-judgmental engagement and exchanges to help them become more aware of their importance in the lives of their children and being positively present and involved in their family and community.

Each participant receives a workbook, journal and a copy of Middlebrooks’ book, along with intense mentoring during and after the program. “As members of the 100 (100 Black Men), we believe in mentoring across a lifetime,” Middlebrooks added.

Each participant was given a skills and attitude pre-assessment to see where their mindset is as they come into the program. After the second semester, a post-assessment will give organizers and the fathers an idea of their progress.

Weekly topics of discussion and instruction include, What it Means to be a Man, Discipline, Working with Mom and Co-Parenting, Dealing with Anger, Showing and Handling Feelings and Excellence as a Way of Life, Everyday.

The Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit is giving these 17 men almost everything they need to be a good father. According to Middlebrooks, “The only thing we can’t give you is motivation. Your actions mean more than your words.”

The Academy is hoping to build fathers that C.A.R.E. for their children – men that are: Committed, Active, Relevant and Equipped.

For more information on The Extraordinary Fathers Academy, visit their website at ExtraordinaryFathers.com.
Tags : 100 Black Men of Detroit, Detroit Fathers, fatherhood in Detroit, Focus:HOPE
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Mosaic Singers do Detroit proud, earn Gold, Silver Medals at the World Choir Games




They came back with gold … two of them as matter of fact …plus two silvers and the experience of a lifetime.

US EmbassyThe Mosaic Singers, part of the Mosaic Youth Theatre, spent to last two week in Latvia competing in the World Choir Games with a side trip to Lithuania to meet the ambassador and sing in phenomenal places such as the St. Kazimieras Church in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and the Concert Hall at the Marijampole House of Culture in the town of Marijampole. Both were standing-room only. The concert at St. Kazimieras was broadcast live on the internet. At Marijampole the audience stood and applauded non-stop for several minutes at the end until the young artists did not one, but two encores.

“We got the response from many that “Mariajampole has never seen anything like this before,” says the Mosaic Facebook page.

As invited guests of the US Ambassador to Lithuania, Deborah A. McCarthy, they toured the US Embassy and put on a short concert.

The Singers even performed the Lithuanian national anthem … in Lithuanian … perfectly on Good Morning Lithuania.

Here’s a video of them singing the anthem.

Twenty-six young Mosaic singers, ages 14-18, made the trip and sang their hearts out every day … including impromptu concerts in the airport and other places.

They first won two silver medals but were not content. They wanted gold and vowed to get it. When the announcement came that they won the gold chants of USA, USA, USA could be heard drowning out the applause. Remind you of the Olympics? It should this competition is often referred to as the Olympics for Choirs.

Here’s a video from their Facebook page that shows them winning a Gold in the Gospel category.

“We are so proud of how the Mosaic young artists represented Detroit and USA at the World Choir Games,” said Rick Sperling, CEO of the Mosaic Youth Theatre. “These accomplishments are the result of our emphasis on setting high expectations for Detroit youth and giving them the support and training needed to reach them. What these young people accomplished was not just a result of talent, but of incredible hard work, determination, resiliency and professionalism — qualities that will continue to serve them in whatever path they choose to pursue in life.”

Competing in the World Choir Games is a big deal. Singers came from five continents and 73 countries. There were 460 choirs and there 27,000 participants competing in 29 categories. The Mosaic Singers competed against the best choirs of all ages from all around the world.

Here’s a rundown of the medals won by the Mosaic Singers:

Gold in the Pop category
Gold in Gospel … Mosaic ranked 4th in the world overall in choral gospel
Silver in Spiritual
Silver in the Mixed Youth Choir Open Competition

During the Mosaic’s World Choir Games Qualification Concerts in Pop they quickly had the European audience clapping (unsolicited) and hooting and hollering. These are not the easiest performances because there is no audience, just three judges staring at you and taking notes. These young artists came through like pros.

The Mosaic Singers also joined all the thousands of other singers at a major concert in the “Mežaparks,” a neighborhood in North Central Riga, Latvia, and other “friendship concerts” in Latvia.

Performance at St. Kazimieras Church in Vilnius

The Mosaic Singers are no strangers to travel. They have performed in more than 25 states, at The White House and The Kennedy Center. Internationally, they have represented the United States at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, performed at The Millennium Dome in London England, and participated in cultural exchanges with Dakar, Senegal and Singapore.

This trip was sponsored by Strategic Staffing Solutions.

“We have to thank Cindy Pasky, Paul Huxley and everyone at Strategic Staffing Solutions for their incredible generosity in making this once-of-lifetime opportunity possible for the young artists of Mosaic,” Sperling. “In addition to the World Choir Games in Latvia, it was an incredible experience having Strategic Staffing Solutions bring Mosaic to Lithuania as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. and Detroit.”

Several executives traveled with the Singers and S³ CEO Cindy Pasky traveled to Lithuania to attend concerts in Marijampole and Vilnius.

“The Mosaic Singers were awesome,” said Pasky “They showed the world what tremendous talent we have in the USA and Detroit. S³ was proud to sponsor them.”

Since the Games were created in 2000 the worldwide operating organization INTERKULTUR from Pohlheim has been in charge of the program. The event takes place every two years in alternating cities. It was last held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2012. Previous hosts included Austria, South Korea, Germany and China.
Tags : Mosaic Singers in World Choir Games, Mosiac Youth Theatre, World Choir Games Gold Medal winners
288share this story

Twenty-six young Mosaic singers, ages 14-18, made the trip and sang their hearts out every day … including impromptu concerts in the airport and other places.

They first won two silver medals but were not content. They wanted gold and vowed to get it. When the announcement came that they won the gold chants of USA, USA, USA could be heard drowning out the applause. Remind you of the Olympics? It should this competition is often referred to as the Olympics for Choirs.

Here’s a video from their Facebook page that shows them winning a Gold in the Gospel category.


“We are so proud of how the Mosaic young artists represented Detroit and USA at the World Choir Games,” said Rick Sperling, CEO of the Mosaic Youth Theatre. “These accomplishments are the result of our emphasis on setting high expectations for Detroit youth and giving them the support and training needed to reach them. What these young people accomplished was not just a result of talent, but of incredible hard work, determination, resiliency and professionalism — qualities that will continue to serve them in whatever path they choose to pursue in life.”

Competing in the World Choir Games is a big deal. Singers came from five continents and 73 countries. There were 460 choirs and there 27,000 participants competing in 29 categories. The Mosaic Singers competed against the best choirs of all ages from all around the world.

Here’s a rundown of the medals won by the Mosaic Singers:

Gold in the Pop category
Gold in Gospel … Mosaic ranked 4th in the world overall in choral gospel
Silver in Spiritual
Silver in the Mixed Youth Choir Open Competition

During the Mosaic’s World Choir Games Qualification Concerts in Pop they quickly had the European audience clapping (unsolicited) and hooting and hollering. These are not the easiest performances because there is no audience, just three judges staring at you and taking notes. These young artists came through like pros.

The Mosaic Singers also joined all the thousands of other singers at a major concert in the “Mežaparks,” a neighborhood in North Central Riga, Latvia, and other “friendship concerts” in Latvia.


Performance at St. Kazimieras Church in Vilnius

Performance at St. Kazimieras Church in Vilnius

The Mosaic Singers are no strangers to travel. They have performed in more than 25 states, at The White House and The Kennedy Center. Internationally, they have represented the United States at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, performed at The Millennium Dome in London England, and participated in cultural exchanges with Dakar, Senegal and Singapore.

This trip was sponsored by Strategic Staffing Solutions.

“We have to thank Cindy Pasky, Paul Huxley and everyone at Strategic Staffing Solutions for their incredible generosity in making this once-of-lifetime opportunity possible for the young artists of Mosaic,” Sperling. “In addition to the World Choir Games in Latvia, it was an incredible experience having Strategic Staffing Solutions bring Mosaic to Lithuania as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. and Detroit.”

Several executives traveled with the Singers and S³ CEO Cindy Pasky traveled to Lithuania to attend concerts in Marijampole and Vilnius.

“The Mosaic Singers were awesome,” said Pasky “They showed the world what tremendous talent we have in the USA and Detroit. S³ was proud to sponsor them.”




During the Mosaic’s World Choir Games Qualification Concerts in Pop they quickly had the European audience clapping (unsolicited) and hooting and hollering. These are not the easiest performances because there is no audience, just three judges staring at you and taking notes. These young artists came through like pros.

The Mosaic Singers also joined all the thousands of other singers at a major concert in the “Mežaparks,” a neighborhood in North Central Riga, Latvia, and other “friendship concerts” in Latvia.



The Mosaic Singers are no strangers to travel. They have performed in more than 25 states, at The White House and The Kennedy Center. Internationally, they have represented the United States at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, performed at The Millennium Dome in London England, and participated in cultural exchanges with Dakar, Senegal and Singapore.

This trip was sponsored by Strategic Staffing Solutions.

“We have to thank Cindy Pasky, Paul Huxley and everyone at Strategic Staffing Solutions for their incredible generosity in making this once-of-lifetime opportunity possible for the young artists of Mosaic,” Sperling. “In addition to the World Choir Games in Latvia, it was an incredible experience having Strategic Staffing Solutions bring Mosaic to Lithuania as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. and Detroit.”

Several executives traveled with the Singers and S³ CEO Cindy Pasky traveled to Lithuania to attend concerts in Marijampole and Vilnius.

“The Mosaic Singers were awesome,” said Pasky “They showed the world what tremendous talent we have in the USA and Detroit. S³ was proud to sponsor them.”

Since the Games were created in 2000 the worldwide operating organization INTERKULTUR from Pohlheim has been in charge of the program. The event takes place every two years in alternating cities. It was last held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2012. Previous hosts included Austria, South Korea, Germany and China.
Tags : Mosaic Singers in World Choir Games, Mosiac Youth Theatre, World Choir Games Gold Medal winners
288share this story



blog.thedetroithub.com/2014/07/22/mosaic-singers-do-detroit-proud-earn-gold-silver-medals-at-the-world-choir-games/

[A Boy Named KING]

Humble Design
www.humbledesign.org/#!families/cj9m







Humble Design Turns Angela's House Into a Happy, Humble Home!




Humble Design furnishes a house for a family in need

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freshcornercafe.com/ Detroit











freshcornercafe.com/media/video/

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2015 Teens and Young Adults who inspire those around them to reach for the sky, and have support from those who have believed in them to follow there dreams.


www.theroot.com/articles/lists/2015/02/the_2015_young_futurists.html

[truthteacher2007]

Thank you so much for starting this thread. I think it is very important that we celebrate our triumph. I hope more people will add to it and keep it alive for a long time to come!

[A Boy Named KING]

Michigan Farming Initiative hopes to bring Children’s Sensory Garden to New Center and they need your vote





It’s amazing what Detroit can accomplish when we all work together. Here’s an opportunity to do just that with a simple click of your mouse.

Here’s the deal.

float_fullDetroit is in competition with three other cities for a $40,000 Urban Farming Grant from Miracle Gro. The grant will help fund a Children’s Sensory Garden in the New Center neighborhood. That garden will provide a hands-on, outdoor classroom for local youth to experience nature firsthand.

Now that would be very cool.

Here’s what you do. You can vote once each day through February 9. Just click this link gro1000vote.com/#.

It’s a great way to show support for gardening in Detroit.

We’ve shown support this kind of support for the city before. Thanks to your votes, Detroit was named the best sports town in the US and our riverfront was ranked as one of the Top 10 riverfronts in the US by the USA Today Readers Choice Awards.

Here’s a little background on the Urban Farming Grant program.

The video above was submitted by Detroit’s Michigan Farming Initiative, along with this project description …

Faced with challenges of vacant land, blighted property, food insecurity and nutritional illiteracy, the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative uses agriculture as a platform to promote education, community and sustainability in Detroit’s North End neighborhood. Creation of the new Children’s Sensory Garden will provide a hands-on, outdoor classroom for local youth to experience nature firsthand using their five senses.

Miracle Grow launched the GRO1000 community outreach initiative in 2011. It will result in the creation of 1,000 community gardens and green spaces by 2018, which is the company’s 150th anniversary.

You can also check out the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative on Facebook.




blog.thedetroithub.com/2015/01/27/michigan-farming-initiative-hopes-to-bring-childrens-sensory-garden-to-new-center-and-they-need-your-vote/

[A Boy Named KING]

Detroit teenagers aid the environment while gaining traction in difficult job market






To get a job these days you need something a little extra in your resume and 80 Detroit-area students have it. This summer they acquired new skills that will help them succeed in a green-focused world.

Here’s how it worked.

SAs part of the Johnson Controls’ Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC), they spent the summer at Belle Isle Park, Detroit’s River Rouge Park, Eliza Howell Park, the Brightmoor neighborhood and D-Town Farm doing green work. The students participated in projects like outdoor classroom construction, new trail development, green space acreage expansion and planting native trees, grasses, flowers as well as invasive plant species removal and general operations management. If you get a chance, check out their work.

The six-week program was created and sponsored by Johnson Controls in partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and The Greening Detroit. In its sixth year in Detroit, the Conservation Leadership Corps provides students with training to build leadership and professional development skills, a hands-on conservation experience and a personal sense of stewardship in completing environmental projects throughout the city.

Along with the environmental work, the students also gained common work place skills, such as interviews skills, resume writing and personal finance management. It’s all part of Johnson Control’s plan to “grow the next generation” and give these students a leg up on their future job search.

“Each year our Conservation Leadership Corps helps students develop new skills to succeed personally and professionally,” said Jennifer Mattes, director, global public affairs for Johnson Controls. “This unique program gives students an experience that helps make them more competitive job candidates, while offering first-hand experience on the importance of environmental conservation.”

Student employees from The Greening of Detroit’s Green Corps and CLC worked together on some projects, including the watering and maintenance of trees throughout the city.

“The Greening of Detroit is pleased to partner once again with the CLC because it broadens our ability to impact neighborhoods across our city,” said Rebecca Salminen-Witt, president of The Greening of Detroit. “The collective employment of 200 young people also provides economic benefit and the opportunity to nurture a new squadron of environmental stewards.”

Not just anyone gets in the CLCs program. The 80 students selected were picked over 500 applicants. The traits used to assess the student candidates were leadership, work ethic, civic engagement, and interest and commitment to the environment.

SAs part of the program Johnson Control employees worked alongside the students on July 31 to help with environmental learning. Activities that day included planting, developing and maintaining trains, and removing invasive plants.

The students also learned to hone their corporate skills during professional development day at the Johnson Controls’ headquarters in Plymouth. Here they learned the importance of sustainability, energy efficiency, hybrid battery technology and expectations of tomorrow’s leaders.

In addition, this year the Student Conservation Association piloted a Crew Leader Apprentice program thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan’s Youth and Civic Engagement program. The program provides new employment opportunities, additional career training and field experience for CLC program alumni who fall between the student member age requirement of 15 to 18 and the required crew leader starting age of 21. For 2013, five Crew Leader Apprentices were employed through the program.

The SCA also partnered with Legacy Land Conservancy, Six Rivers Land Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy to put together the Southeast Michigan Conservation Corps. This is a four-week employment program for eight high school students from Detroit and two adult leaders. These 10 will work alongside the CLC crews in the field at projects throughout the Detroit region. The Southeast Michigan Conservation Corps is being supported by a private donor.

These programs sure should give these students a leg up in their future job hunt.


blog.thedetroithub.com/2013/08/18/detroit-teenagers-aid-the-environment-while-gaining-traction-in-difficult-job-market/

[A Boy Named KING]

Cristo Rey High School is building some of the gems of Detroit








I first met kids from Detroit Cristo Rey High School three years ago when I visited the school. I wanted to learn more about this Catholic co-ed school that provides college preparatory education to students from economically disadvantaged families in Detroit. The average family income of Detroit Cristo Rey students is less than $30,000.

I had a great time that day. The kids were fun, smart and great to be around.

Gems - Final 2 pagerI then had an opportunity to work with them as part of the school’s work-study program. The students spend four days each week in the classroom and one day per week of real-life work experience with more than 80 businesses and organizations in metro Detroit.

It’s paying off for these kids. They are truly gems of Detroit.

The school opened in 2008 and has had three graduating classes. Every graduating senior in the first three classes has been accepted to college. 85% of graduates have enrolled in college and more than 70% are currently pursuing their degree in college

This comment from the school’s president Michael Khoury pretty much sums up what Cristo Rey is all about. “When I recently asked a student why she wanted to come to Detroit Cristo Rey, she said she ‘wanted a real life.’ And that just really stunned me … most of us just grow up and think we’re entitled to that.”

winning%20streak%20blue%20art%20for%20websiteThere is a way to help more of these kids find that real life. The school will host Gems of Detroit on Friday May 8 from 7 – 10 pm at Eastern Market’s newly remodeled historic Shed 5. There will be food, music, dancing and products that make Detroit great … an all-around good time. The proceeds will directly benefit Cristo Rey students. For the second consecutive year Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is the Title Sponsor.

A standard ticket is $100. A patron ticket is $250. They are available by clicking here.

If you are interested in more information visit www.detroitcristorey.org or contact Naomi Howrani at [e-mail] or 313.402.0081


blog.thedetroithub.com/2015/02/10/cristo-rey-high-school-is-building-some-of-the-gems-of-detroit/

[A Boy Named KING]

Detroit Chefs showing there skills








Detroit Unity.

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Heart of Detroit: Khaalida English and Pretty Positive Girls



Heart of Detroit: Dr. Peggy Richardson




Heart of Detroit: House of Help Ray & Toni Anderson



Heart of Detroit: Erica Wright




Heart of Detroit: Scott Yanak




Heart of Detroit: Durell Mintgomery




Heart of Detroit: Brian Davenport

[A Boy Named KING]

Bringing Communities Together With Good Food


Author: FoodShare Toronto, Jun 5 2014
Source: CanadaHelps.Org
givinglife.canadahelps.org/en/blog/connecting-with-charities/bringing-communities-together-with-good-food/



There are many neighborhoods in Toronto where healthy, fresh produce is costly, low-quality, and hard to find. If you don’t have access to a car, carrying groceries home in a buggy or by bus is very difficult, particularly in the winter for families with young children or people who experience limited mobility. For many people this means grabbing whatever is closest– whether it’s purchased at the local convenience store or nearest fast food restaurant.

At FoodShare we have had to get creative to ensure everyone in Toronto has access to healthy, affordable, fresh food. In partnership with Toronto Public Health Food Strategy, United Way Toronto, and the Food Policy Research Initiative, we launched the Mobile Good Food Market (MGFM) in 2012. It’s a market on wheels (built from a repurposed public transit bus) that travels to diverse neighbourhoods throughout the city selling high-quality, culturally appropriate, fresh vegetables and fruit – a service these neighbourhoods would otherwise lack access to.

“Before beginning this Job, I lived In Ghana,” said Afua Asantewaa, Coordinator of the Mobile Good Food Market. “I knew of poverty. But then when I came back to Canada I was hit with a level of poverty in the neighbourhoods where we operate that I did not expect to see here. I’ve heard people say, ‘I’ve taken vegetables and fruit out of my diet because it’s just too expensive,’ and I ask myself: Am l in Ghana or am I in Canada?”

How can we bring quality food to communities in need more cost-effectively?

We use our significant buying power that comes from FoodShare’s Good Food Programs to get the best deals on produce whenever we can. With FoodShare’s social enterprise model, customers pay the full cost of food and a portion of the transportation costs, while our salaries and infrastructure are funded through donations and grants.

Toronto has many cultures, and food helps build communities. At the mobile market, people from different cultures gather and conversations often revolve around questions such as, “What’s that? How do you cook that?” Neighbours get to know each other, and often say things like, “Oh, I never spoke to her before the market started.” Some people even come with their children, which is great for communicating how critical vegetables and fruit are to good health




Empowering communities

The success of our mobile market has shown that people will buy produce as long as it is fresh, affordable, culturally appropriate and available nearby. Since our launch, we’ve improved access to healthy, fresh food in Toronto neighbourhoods. In addition to the six locations we currently travel to each week, the results we’ve seen have allowed us to use the Mobile Market as a foothold for establishing sustainable and more affordable access to fresh produce in neighbourhoods for the long-term.

As of this year, we will operate in each neighbourhood for a period of one year. Then through local agency partnership along with community support, each Mobile Market will be converted to a Good Food Market, a permanent community fixture. This new initiative will not only give communities ownership of their markets, it will also allow us to expand the number of communities the Mobile Market assists.

It’s very exciting! The community is engaged, and working together we are taking the program to the next level.
A Successful and Sustainable Future

Permanent markets ensure the sustainability of the program while allowing us to expand. FoodShare started this initiative hoping it would be a success. We certainly didn’t know it would perform so well that people, both locally and in other cities, would be clamoring to have it in their neighbourhoods. Other organizations have even traveled from across the country to witness this project in action in an effort to try and replicate what we’re doing. With improved funding we know it will continue to foster positive behavioural change, particularly among communities that are identified as at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

FoodShare Toronto is Canada’s original direct non-profit field to table Community Food Hub. Since 1985 FoodShare has modeled a food system that is sustainable and accessible for everyone, getting good healthy food.

[A Boy Named KING]

Scarborough dynamo provokes positive change — with a little help





By: Leslie Ferenc GTA, Published on Thu Jan 01 2015

When something needs fixing in her Scarborough neighbourhood, Shua Amari is there to get the job done.

Whether it’s cleaning up garbage in the community, organizing events that bring residents in the diverse area together, volunteering with the soccer club or teaching girls how to prepare her famous biryani, “Auntie Shua” is up to the challenge. Whatever she touches makes the neighbourhood better for everyone.

Auntie rolled up her sleeves not long after moving to her Toronto Community Housing townhouse on Canlish Rd. in Dorset Park several years ago. What struck her was the amount of garbage strewn all over, and not a trash can in sight. So she approached administration at the TCH office, offering to rally the community to tidy up the streets.

“I asked that we work together,” she said, adding that the local Action for Neighbourhood Change committee, which engages residents to find solutions to local issues, agreed changes were needed.

“They put in bins, and cameras which caught restaurants dumping trash,” said Amari.

It was the beginning of a new era in the community near Lawrence Ave. E. and Birchmount Rd., where residents and local agencies as well as business and the city began working together for a common cause.

But Amari noticed other gaps, especially when it came to youth. Among the many families who had recently immigrated from the Middle East, parents tended to keep girls close to home. A diplomatic Amari worked long and hard to gain the trust of parents, offering cooking classes for their daughters in her own kitchen. While they were learning to cook, they began to socialize, make friends, and learn more about Canada. Just as important, the Canlish Girls program, supported by United Way Toronto, was empowering youth.

A natural leader, Amari was a positive role model and a good influence on the girls as they learned new skills. For her, it was a badge of honour.

But girls weren’t Amari’s only focus. A volunteer with an area soccer club, she engaged the boys to be constructive with their time and learn something new. “I would tell them not to waste their time sitting around and encouraged them to play,” she said, adding that her involvement let them know someone cared about them.

Three years ago, the Canlish Girls — now 25 members aged 11-27 — moved to the newly opened Dorset Park Community Hub. They continue to meet every Friday. If they’re not planting vegetables, shopping for the ingredients for dishes such as Amari’s famous biryani (the delectable recipe she learned to cook in her mother’s kitchen) or sewing, the girls talk about everything under the sun — including school, future plans and how to reach their goals.

One of the girls has been with the program since she was in Grade 3. Now in Grade 12, she’s become a mentor to younger members.

To keep the momentum going, Amari, mother to Samaa, 16, Hana, 11, Sudere, 6, and Hania, 4, also runs a summer camp.

Each new achievement energizes Amari — the voice of her community — to do more. “This is where we live, and we have to keep making it a better place,” she said. It’s all about respect for others, she added. “If I see something is wrong, I try to fix it. I believe if we don’t do it, no one will come from outside to do it.”

Working in partnership with TCH, the Hub, local business, and other community supports is the key. “If you work in your community, you take two times ownership,” she continued. “By doing that, we are changing our community.”

Part of what makes Amari’s work successful is her focus on bringing neighbours together, said Laura Harper, senior manager of programs and services at the Agincourt Community Services Association. A multi-service agency, it’s been serving Scarborough for 40 years, “promoting positive change and offering a hand up rather than out,” said Harper.

With the support of United Way Toronto, “which created the opportunity — a platform to work — the possibilities are endless,” Harper added.

Formerly with the local Action for Neighbourhood Change group, Harper said she’s seen positive changes in the community and the lives of its residents. “Through United Way programs like the Hub and ANC, residents are given the opportunity to thrive and do work that resonates throughout the community, making things better. It’s a ripple effect.”

As for Auntie Shua, she’s in her element working with young people who need adult support to thrive. “It all about being supportive and enjoying them.”

United Way Toronto’s current fundraising campaign, with a goal of $117 million, helps support these and 200 other United Way community partner agencies delivering health and social services and programs across the city.

United Way

To donate, visit unitedwaytoronto.com or call 416-777-2001.

www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/01/01/scarborough_dynamo_provokes_positive_change_with_a_little_help.html