RECENT NEWS
EATON HOMELESS SHELTER WINS GRANT
The Caring Neighbor Foundation announces a $1,000 grant to SIREN which provides the only homeless and domestic violence shelter in Eaton County. In the past year the SIREN shelter, located in Charlotte, provided a temporary home to 264 adults and 294 children, but had to turn away 1,556 desperate individuals seeking help which represents a 26% increase from last year.
SIREN not only accommodates about 100 people nightly but also gives food, clothing and personal need items. The agency offers its clients counseling, group support, life skills classes, referrals and advocacy. Additionally, SIREN conducts special projects throughout the year including a ‘Back To School Program’ that provides a child with a backpack, school supplies and a new school outfit, a ‘Children’s Summer Camp Program’ that includes caring for and riding a horse to foster the child’s self-esteem, and ‘Adopt a Family Program’ that consists in giving gifts to families in need at Christmas time.
In one instance, Mary, living with her three daughters in Eaton County and unexpectedly removed from her property for safety reasons, is most grateful for help given by SIREN. Mary received temporary housing, vocational training, work clothing, gas to get to job interviews and payment of an auto insurance premium to start on a new job. The children received school clothing, school supplies, and assistance with graduation expenses. Two of the children needed and received supportive counseling due to the trauma that comes with homelessness. The new job soon enabled the family to move into a vacant home, thanks to the emergency support provided by the kind people at SIREN.
In giving the grant, Richard Currier, from the Caring Neighbor Foundation, commented that “without the many caring people of Eaton County we would not be able to provide a helping hand”. He encouraged people throughout the county to “become more directly involved in caring activities in the area by calling the Foundation at 517-627-4591. We live in hard times and today more than ever we all need the caring of neighbors to keep our lives together and to meet our basic needs.”
ARCHIVAL NEWS
A Caring Neighbor is Only a 211 Call Away
The Caring Neighbor Foundation announces an award of $1,000 to the Capital Area United Way for the Central Michigan 2-1-1 service for our tri-county area. The grant will enable anyone in the Greater Lansing area to simply dial 211 to seek help or offer help as a caring neighbor. A trained specialist responds day or night to a call and can help with a wide variety of health and human services including rent and utility assistance, foreclosure assistance, food, clothing, shelter, parenting resources, health needs, housing, low cost counseling, substance abuse services, tax filing and much, much more. Residents are also urged to call if they wish to volunteer services in their community or donate items.
The 2-1-1 specialist can draw from over 600 agencies and 2000 service programs, or even find new resources if need be, to match the individual need of the caller. The specialist is prepared to go beyond just referring by becoming an advocate for the caller until the need is resolved. A total of 34,715 neighbors in this area dialed 211 in 2011. The greatest volume of calls was made during holiday seasons seeking help with utilities, food and clothing. Another high volume time was during the tax filing season. Among the callers, 98% were pleased with the assistance given. Here are a few examples.
A widow, 75, felt helpless with a leak in the roof, a plugged drain and fallen limbs in the yard, all of which her now deceased husband could easily have managed. The 2-1-1. specialist quickly connected her with a trustworthy contractor who met her needs. The problem was a matter of a neighbor having to face a new situation rather than a lack of money.
A debilitating operation left a caller unable to care for his basic needs without home modifications beyond his means. The 2-1-1. specialist had no immediate resources but took the time as an advocate to canvas the community until a local church was found that not only paid for the needed equipment but also came to the home of the caller to install it.
Facing the prospect of being homeless and unable to navigate the system to get help, a caller dialed 211 seeking help. The 2-1-1 Specialist located a non-profit to assist not only by making a computer available but also by coaching the caller in filling out an application for shelter assistance.
A couple, long time renters, were about to put their hard earned savings down to buy a home of their own for the first time. They had the presence of mind to call 211 before doing so. To their shock and surprise, the specialist found that there was a serious mortgage issue and a large back property tax the owner had concealed. Without the help of the specialist a dream home would have become a nightmare. The 2-1-1 specialist not only saved the individuals from a pit fall but took the time to connect the grateful couple to a home buying counseling service.
In issuing the grant of $1,000, Richard Currier, from the Caring Neighbor Foundation, commented that there are many, many caring neighbors all around us; no one needs to feel alone. During these hard times we have many needs in the area, but we also have abundant personal and material resources to share. We can begin to heal the needs of our community by reaching out to make a connection. If a neighbor is willing to help with goods or services, call 211; if a neighbor is in need of help, call 211. We are all neighbors and caring about neighbor near and far makes for the kind of world we need and seek
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The CNF awarded a $300 grant in February 2012 to the Tri-County Alcohol Program. The following report gives specifics.
The Tri-County Alcohol Awareness Committee has been operating for the past 14 years promoting alcohol awareness in the tri-county and surrounding areas. For the past 3 years, we have sponsored a Talent Show for youth in grades 8-12. We are working in conjunction with the substance abuse coalitions from Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties with the mission to reduce substance abuse and its related consequence and stigma. The Tri-County Alcohol Awareness Committee is comprised of agency and volunteer people, including law enforcement, school district personnel, community agencies and others, working together to promote this event. To date, we have worked with hundreds of youth, with the Talent Show regularly bringing in over 500 participants each year. The Talent Show will also help to further the work of the coalitions’ media project, “Most Teens Don’t”, a social norm campaign that is being developed and implemented in local schools. The Talent Show helps to promote that norm and recognize the excellent talents of our young people
Project Caring Neighbor completed at St. Michael’s school in Grand Ledge and the following report was submitted.
Go Forth to Love and Serve
During the month of December, 28 kindergarten and first grade students from St. Michael Parish School took on a service learning project that allowed them to be involved with all of the steps of service. The classrooms received a $100 grant from the Caring Neighborhood Foundation and used that money to purchase materials to make snowman Christmas ornaments. The children sold the ornaments for $5 each during parent/ teacher conferences and at the annual St. Michael’s Craft Bazaar. The children raised $725.00 in ornament sales! Students went on a field trip to purchased and deliver baby items to Hannah’s House in Lansing. While at Hannah’s House the children learned that this is a home for babies and mothers that would otherwise be homeless. We also gave a snowman ornament to Hannah’s House for them to hang on their tree! We had a great time serving others!!
Katie Gregory
St. Michael Parish School
Grand Ledge MI
Tom Martin, Angela’s grandfather, is delighted to see her trying to make a difference in the world. He had this to say about his involvement in the Foundation and the caring endeavors of his grand daughter.
I have been a member of the Caring Neighbor Foundation since its beginning. I have served as the artist to illustrate the goals and objectives of the Foundation. The more I worked on it the more I realized how important the sharing of oneself was. Gradually it became a lifestyle to be concerned with what was needed all around me. Ruth and I suddenly realized that our children and grandchildren were reaching out helping others and we were actually living the Caring Neighbor lifestyle. When we heard that our grand daughter Angela had quit her job working with troubled children in Baltimore to go and spend six months working with African children, we knew that God was working in all our lives. We needed a home base organization that augmented our mission in life and it became the World Caring Neighbor Foundation. Love it! Live it!
Tom Martin, World Caring Neighbor Artist
Mayor Smith Receives Caring Neighbor Award
Caring Neighbor Day was celebrated in Grand Ledge on Saturday 25 September in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market. Representatives of several social service agencies participated in the event along with the Michigan State Police, Grand Ledge Police and Grand Ledge Area Emergency Services Department. Music was provided by two bands. Eaton County Commissioner Jean Pearl-Wright read a Proclamation from Governor Jennifer Granholm. Mayor Kalmin Smith and Congressman Mark Schauer gave remarks. Eaton County Commissioner Theresa Abed was also present. Richard Currier presented Mayor Smith with the 2010 Caring Neighbor Award.
Mayor Smith’s Remarks at Caring Neighbor Day Celebration. “The Book of Proverbs tells us that: “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.” That is the real message of the Caring Neighbor Foundation.
A few years ago, I was privileged to meet Richard Currier at a meeting of the GLEAP Board of Directors. GLEAP is the Grand Ledge Emergency Action Program, formed years ago by local churches, to serve the unique and special needs of our community that cannot be met by other sources. Mr. Currier made a presentation on the importance of good neighbors and explained how an abundance of caring neighbors can strengthen any community. He suggested a program for Grand Ledge to encourage neighbors to get to know and assist one another on the grounds that even the smallest act of kindness can uplift our City.
A few days later, Mr. Currier invited me to his home for lunch, and we discussed his dream of a Caring Neighbor Foundation. It wasn’t long before the Caring Neighbor Foundation was organized to encourage caring neighbors, and to promote acts of kindness in our community.
The City of Grand Ledge is proud to be the first city to promote the Caring Neighbor Foundation by declaring a Caring Neighbor Day in 2008. We are gratified that Governor Jennifer Granholm has proclaimed September 26, 2010, as Caring Neighbor Day in Michigan, and we are happy to celebrate Caring Neighbor Day today, at the Grand Ledge Farmer’s Market.
I want to thank Richard Currier for his leadership in creating the Caring Neighbor Foundation, and also Christine Richardson, for her work as coordinator of the Grand Ledge Celebration of Michigan Caring Neighbor Day. Thank you also to all those who have contributed in any way to this event. As Proverbs tells us: You, are truly Blessed.”
Richard Currier, who heads the Grand Ledge Caring Neighbor Foundation presents a check to athletic director Steve Baker and Grand Ledge Police Chief Martin Underhill looks on. The funds will be used to bring the “Life of an Athlete” program, developed by the American Athletic Institute, to Grand Ledge. Underhill, representing the Eaton County Substance Abuse Advisory Group, said the program, which uses trainers from U.S. Olympic Training Center, is intended to help student athletes realize the consequences of drug and alcohol use. ALAN MILLER\LCN
CARING NEIGHBOR DAY SLATED FOR EATON COUNTY
The Board of Commissioners in Eaton County proclaimed Sunday, September 13,
as a ‘Caring Neighbor Day’ for Eaton County. The proclamation was issued
unanimously by all the commissioners at their meeting on August 19th.
Commissioner Jeanne Pearl-Wright presented the proposal to the Board and
provided the following rationale:
The communities of Eaton County are based on the numerous relationships between its varied neighbors; even the simplest act of kindness toward a neighbor helps build the relationships comminutes are made of; all of us, as neighbors, have the golden opportunity to take action toward establishing the foundation for a
stronger, more caring, and more effective community throughout Eaton County,
thereby fostering a more compassionate world; a caring neighbor creates
a positive influence for the nurturing, educating and inspiring of our
youth; and, finally, a caring neighbor makes good times better and the hard
times many now face easier to bear.
Having listed the reasons for the action, Commissioner Wright then made the
following proposal to the Commission: “Be it known to one and all, that we,
the Eaton County Commissioners, to honor those who care about our community
by putting their lives on the line and to affirm a partnership among all of
us in building a community that cares, do hereby declare the Sunday
following Labor Day a Caring Neighbor Day for Eaton County, and invite
individuals and groups in this County to find creative ways of expressing in
action what it means to be a caring neighbor.”
The Eaton County Commissioners, in giving their endorsement to the
initiative, join the City Council of Grand Ledge that issued a similar
proclamation to establish a Caring Neighbor Day beginning last year. Richard
Currier from the Caring Neighbor Foundation addressed the Commissioners to
thank them and to point out that we need at least one day a year to value
our neighbor who adds so much to the lives of us all.
Many neighbors are facing hunger and even foreclosure on their home for the first time in their lives. Many of these neighbors work one, two, or more jobs but cannot make enough to support their family. Many other neighbors are fearful of losing
their job and feel isolated as they face an uncertain future. A caring
neighbor can make all the difference in the world and a Caring Neighbor Day
helps to remind us that we need to be aware of what our neighbor is going
through.
Dr. Currier invited the Commissioners to attend the monthly meetings of the
Caring Neighbor Foundation at Independence Village in Grand Ledge on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM. These are open meetings for all who wish to attend to explore ways to make Eaton County a model of caring for others to emulate. In the past year the Caring Neighbor Foundation has provided funds for GLEAP in Grand Ledge, SIREN in Charlotte and Loaves and Fishes in Lansing. The Foundation has supported shelters in Kalamazoo and Muskegon.
Individuals and groups that take initiative to reach out to their neighbor
on September 13th in response to the proclamation of a special Caring
Neighbor Day are invited to report their endeavors and outcomes to the
Caring Neighbor Foundation, Box 80615, Lansing, Michigan or email
cnf@michcom.net. These initiatives will be reported at some future date for
the purpose of giving others ideas on how to build a more caring community.
Caring has a snowball
CARING NEIGHBORS INITIATE ROUNDTABLE
Chris Richardson, coordinator for the Caring Neighbor Foundation, chairs
the first Caring Neighbor Roundtable (CNR) meeting in the Grand Ledge
area. She explained to the group that a CNR is a community building
exercise consisting of a monthly gathering of 2-12 caring neighbors to
nurture body, mind and heart. A shared meal (potluck) nourishes the body;
a focused discussion stimulates the mind; and a meeting with caring
neighbors expands the heart. The host(s) of a CNR selects, in advance, a
topic or article to be discussed. The host(s) chairs the meeting in an
atmosphere of respect for the uniqueness of each neighbor. The views
offered on the chosen topic challenge ‘caring’ for the person of the
neighbor over the thoughts expressed.
Richard Currier from the Caring Neighbor Foundation emphasized that the
monthly gathering of neighbors is an important social exercise that will
enhance one’s physical as well as mental health. He explained that the
fast pace of life today raises our stress level to dangerous levels. The
CNR is a timeout exercise that gives opportunity to know your neighbor and
appreciate the unique contribution each neighbor makes to the wider
community. Taking time for a roundtable meeting with neighbors also
develops communication skills that lead to stronger family ties and an
overall richer community life.
This initial meeting of a CNR was aimed at attracting as many as possible
to this ongoing social exercise program that is fun, an eye opening to new
worlds, and a soon to become highpoint in a busy month. The next gathering
will be on April ninth at 11:00 AM. Those who would like to participate or
just get more information should contact Chris Richardson at 517-983-2444
or by email: 8cricharson@gmail.com
BENEFIT GOLF SCRAMBLE GRAND SUCCESS
The annual golf scramble conducted this month by The Caring Neighbor Foundation to benefit neighbors in need of food, clothing and shelter was a grand success. The numbers of golfers and sponsors were smaller than last year but the amount of money raised ($3,153) to alleviate homelessness and hunger was greater than last year by a significant amount. The outstanding generosity of sponsors, golfing participants and caring neighbors who organized the scramble made the difference. The generosity showed in the commitment of those who worked for the endless hours on the scramble but received no reimbursement and in the golfer who won the 50/50 drawing and immediately turned the winnings back to the Caring Neighbor Foundation to assist those in need. These are especially hard times and such generosity made the scramble the success that it was this year. All the funds raised go directly to meet the needs of those who have fallen on hard times as the Foundation does not withhold any donated funds for administrative purposes.
Richard Currier from the Caring Neighbor Foundation, who coordinated the scramble, commented that new and former sponsors made a huge difference. These sponsors included especially Independence Village of Grand Ledge, the Stanly B. Koks Trust, Triumph Home Health Care and Capital Strategies of Lansing. David Lademan of Capital Strategies was the chairman of the benefit scramble. Other important contributors include CBI Rehabilitation Services Inc., Rich Johnson, Frank and Audrey Baker, Mary Elaine Westberg, Libby Saltman and Jim and Judy VanCamp. Numerous prizes were also donated including a Michigan Gift Basket containing an assortment of Michigan products valued at $150 donated by Hospice Advantage.
Last year the Caring Neighbor Foundation used the proceeds from the annual scramble to award $600 to GLEAP a social welfare group in Grand Ledge, $1000 to SIREN a homeless shelter in Charlotte and $1000 to Loaves and Fishes a homeless shelter in Lansing. These funds helped shelter 439 families and feed 3401 hungry people this past year. Due to the increased donations this year, the Foundation will support other caring neighbor initiatives in Eaton and Ingham counties. Donors who wish to support the ongoing efforts to meet the needs of hurting neighbors or those who wish to apply for funds should contact Richard Currier at 627-4591, or the Caring Neighbor Foundation, Box 80615, Lansing, MI 48908 or email the Foundation at cnf@michcom .net. Applicants for funds should be, or in the process of, forming a 501c3 social welfare agency.
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Connecting The Dots
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