"I have moments of real terror when I think we may be losing this generation. We have to bring these people into the active life of the community and make them feel necessary."

~Eleanor Roosevelt 1934

 

"Vital community: one in which all members of the community understand how what they do impacts the rest of the community."

 

 

I have been actively involved and passionate about community development for many years. Following are some of the things I involved myself in for the sake of our community.
bullet Delta Strategy: a collaboration for community development and change involving all sectors of this community, focusing on systemic change using basic principles of organizational management and development. I have been involved in the community work sessions on economic self-sufficiency, education, and basic human needs; workforce development being my primary focus and interest. "

 

bullet Community Transition Council (co-chair): a countywide systems-change initiative to improve employment and community outcomes for students with disabilities. The council coordinates networking luncheons, transition liaison training, and monthly planning meetings for parents, school staff, and agency personnel (non-profit and government) that provide transition services. "

 

bullet Racial Reconciliation workshop: facilitated by staff from Grand Valley State University for the Council at Madison Square Church. The purpose is to increase capacity for leading a racially diverse church with a high priority of racial reconciliation and for relating to, listening to, and understanding each other as a very diverse group, in order to increase effectiveness in decision making and problem solving.

 

bullet Summit on Racism: convened by the Racial Justice Institute of GRACE, with support from Delta Strategy and GR Chamber of Commerce. Addressing racial justice collaboratively with the support and representation of over 40 businesses as well as Community-Based Organizations, Public Institutions (police and schools), Government (federal, state, and local cities), and Religious Organizations.

 

bullet Breakfast Club participant: the breakfast club gives structure and guidance to getting together people of different races, one-on-one, to discuss sensitive issues of race. The purpose is to build relationships and to foster a deeper understanding of those who are different from us. "

 

bullet Michigan Organizing Project: a grassroots community-organizing project to address felt issues of social injustice specific to each community. Neighborhood organizations and churches are brought together for needs sensing and to create a solution, then as a mass gathering, confronting those in authority with the problem and the demands of the solution. The people with power are then held accountable by the group to make these changes.

 

bullet Restorers Inc.: a grassroots Christian Community Development Organization, representing the Madison and Hall neighbors. Investigate and give recommendation concerning referrals needing various types of crises assistance.

 

bullet Madison Square Church: as deacons at Madison Square, we are the gatekeeper of the money the church gives to assist the poor. We are in a change process of meeting more personal development needs leading to long-term, sustainable change, not just crisis needs. Racial reconciliation, community development, and social justice are among the highest of priorities. Also serve on the social justice committee.

 

bullet Experience Exchange summer internships for teachers, through Partners in Public Education: a strategic plan to involve businesses in education by demonstrating to them the integral part they could have in the educational process and by developing partnerships between teachers and businesses. School staff are matched with a business and spend 24 hours in that business. A summary and lesson plan is then written to bring back to the school. Experiences involved the following businesses: Associated Builders and Contractors, Pioneer Construction, Pleune Services, and Brann's Restaurant.

 

bullet Career Pathways Design Team training by the Career Pathways Design Institute sponsored by the Grand Rapids Partners in Public Education and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. A countywide school improvement effort to create tangible ways to incorporate the School-To-Work Opportunities Act and the Workforce Investment Act into education and business.

 

bullet Service Learning Team Member training by Grand Rapids Public Schools. Service Learning is an experiential learning method that connects community needs, community service and education, integrating the service performed by students into the school curriculum.

 

bullet Wrap-Around Services training: An initiative by the State of Michigan to involve the community and families in the support and therapeutic intervention plan of at-risk youth with intensive needs thereby developing more sustainable and natural support systems.