Last year Kayla Bright applied for and received a grant from the NEA Foundation for the funding. This year the grant was not available and the students of the special education class were going to miss out.

“We were able to fund 5 of the 7 field trips for the class. Kayla Bright has done such a remarkable job of getting these children out into the community for lessons that you just can’t open a book to learn.” states Jeff Dennings, president of the West Flint Optimist Club.

The club is sponsoring trips to:

• Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium to learn about the history of our community, provide an option for a recreational activity in the area, and also allow them to practice communication skills with those who work at these locations.
• Meijer to learn money and basic calculations. They discuss the issue of want vs. need before shopping to show the importance of prioritizing as adults. Communication skills will come into play as well.
• Buell Lake to learn about the science of nature and the importance of safety.
• Humane Society to learn about caring for animals properly and how much responsibility is involved in pet care. Students also perform community service while at this location.
• Michigan State Capitol to learn about our government and history. Students learn about democracy, the importance of voting, the three branches of government, and the jobs of each branch. Students see the capitol building and are able to see where some of these important jobs take place.

For more information on how to support more projects like this, you can visit www.OptimistsInAction.com. You can also email Jeff at jeffescm@gmail.com. Click here to download the press release.

Ele’s Place, a healing center for grieving children and teens, will open its fourth branch in Flint soon and is seeking caring adults to volunteer as facilitators of support groups. No previous education or experience is necessary. The children and teens aged 3–18 come from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances, but all are grieving the death of a parent, sibling or other loved one. The children and teens are divided into five age groups, while their parents/ guardians may participate in adult groups.

To become an Ele’s Place support group facilitator, volunteers are required to complete a 23-hour training program and make a one-year commitment to work with their assigned group. Volunteer applications should be submitted by as soon as possible to be considered for participation in the upcoming training, which will be held over four days in September. To request a volunteer information packet, call Tracy at (810) 232-3040 or visit www.elesplace.org.

Since 1991, Ele’s Place has provided grief support services at no cost to children and families, and will open its fourth branch in Flint in the fall of 2015. Ele’s Place branches also exist in Lansing, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Support groups are offered for grieving children, teens and their parents or guardians at no cost to families.

Check out this article about Elle’s Place:

NBC 25 discusses grief, depression and Ele’s Place

Grand Blanc father credits grief and healing center, Ele’s Place, for helping sons after wife dies

by Ilse Lujan-Hayes at NBC25 News

http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=1172662#.VPh9zi4ep-U

FLINT – HealthPlus of Michigan today announced a reorganization of the company’s executive leadership team.

 

Effective Sept. 1, Nancy Jenkins, president and CEO of HealthPlus, is retiring. The company’s board of directors has appointed Michael Genord, M.D., to succeed Ms. Jenkins. Dr. Genord has served as chief medical officer for HealthPlus since 2013. Christopher Milback, M.D., current senior plan medical director for HealthPlus, succeeds Dr. Genord as chief medical officer. Ms. Jenkins is staying with the company through Dec. 31 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

 

“It has been a privilege to be a part of the HealthPlus organization for more than 30 years and work with a truly dedicated and talented team,” said Jenkins, who joined HealthPlus in 1982. “I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Genord to lead this company going forward and respond to a rapidly changing health care model.”

 

Effective immediately, Antoinette Geyer assumes the role of vice president of provider network and plan operations for HealthPlus. Ms. Geyer has led provider network and contracting operations at HealthPlus since 2014 and now adds executive oversight of the company’s claims and information technology functions to her role. Graham Smith, HealthPlus vice president of sales and marketing, assumes additional executive leadership of customer service operations.

 

With Dr. Genord’s appointment, a physician leads HealthPlus for the first time in the company’s 35-year history. Dr. Genord is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Before joining HealthPlus, he managed a private practice for 17 years and had leadership roles at William Beaumont Hospital and United Physicians.

 

“HealthPlus has a strong and respected tradition of working with physicians and the communities it serves to deliver value and quality,” said Dr. Genord. “I am honored by our board’s decision to entrust me with the important work of continuing to build on this company’s foundation of service, care, compassion and deep community roots.

 

“Moreover, I understand the changing health care model and how those changes are impacting the patient, the provider and the payer. That’s why I believe HealthPlus is uniquely positioned to leverage its health-maintenance expertise to positively impact cost, quality and population health. Additionally, I will continue operational initiatives that are positioning HealthPlus for long-term business success. With this team, I am confident of a bright future.”

 

HealthPlus of Michigan is a health and wellness organization providing customized, nationally recognized health plans that meet the needs of large and small employers, families and individuals through a variety of programs, including Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan.

 

HealthPlus is proudly headquartered in Flint, Mich., and was formed in 1979 as a not-for-profit organization. Today, it:

Manages health care coverage and wellness programs for members residing in Michigan and for members of Michigan based companies living outside the state
Delivers in-network access to health care providers across the United States
Covers emergency care globally
Provides access to centers of excellence

 

The National Committee for Quality Assurance has ranked HealthPlus’ commercial HMO among the nation’s top health plans for the past 10 years*; its commercial and Medicare HMO plans are accredited as “Excellent” by the NCQA. Visit healthplus.org. – G.G.

Ogden College of Science and Engineering at Western Kentucky University leads the Smart Choice ranking, which evaluated and ranked schools based on publicly available information on accreditation, market reputation, awards and recognition, flexibility, accessibility, and affordability. Oregon Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering, Technology, and Management and Regis University’s College of Computer and Information Sciences came in second and third respectively.

Other universities making the list include (alphabetically ordered):

• American Public University’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – Charles Town, West Virginia
• Baker College – Flint, Michigan
• Bellevue University – Bellevue, Nebraska
• California State University Monterey Bay’s College of Science – Seaside, California
• Capella University’s School of Business and Technology – Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Champlain College – Burlington, Vermont
• City University of Seattle’s Technology Institute – Seattle, Washington
• Columbia College’s Computer and Mathematical Sciences Department – Columbia, Missouri
• Dakota State University – Madison, South Dakota
• DeVry University’s College of Engineering and Information Science – Downers Grove, Illinois
• Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Florida State University – Tallahassee, Florida
• Fort Hays State University – Hays, Kansas
• Franklin University’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology – Columbus, Ohio
• Indiana State University’s College of Technology – Terre Haute, Indiana
• Kansas State University’s College of Technology and Aviation – Manhattan, Kansas
• Kaplan University – Davenport, Iowa
• Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at New Mexico State University – Las Cruces, New Mexico
• Liberty University – Lynchburg, Virginia
• Limestone College – Gaffney, South Carolina
• Mercy College’s School of Liberal Arts – Dobbs Ferry, New York
• Middle Georgia State College’s School of Information Technology – Macon Georgia
• Middle Tennessee State University’s University College – Murfreesboro, Tennessee
• Murray State University – Murray, Kentucky
• Northeastern University’s College of Computer and Information Systems – Boston, Massachusetts
• Old Dominion University – Norfolk, Virginia
• Oregon State University‘ School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – Corvalis, Oregon
• Park University – Parkville, Missouri
• Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology – University Park, Pennsylvania
• Rogers State University’s School of Business and Technology – Claremore, Oklahoma
• Saint Josephs College – Standish, Maine
• Saint Leo University – Saint Leo, Florida
• Salem International University – Salem, West Virginia
• Seidenberg School of Computer Sciences and Information Systems at Pace University – New York, New York
• Southeast Missouri State University – Cape Girardeau, Missouri
• Southeast Missouri State University’s College of Science, Technology, and Agriculture – Winfield, Kansas
• Southern New Hampshire University – Manchester, New Hampshire
• Strayer University – Herndon, Virginia
• Thomas Edison State College – Trenton, New Jersey
• Trident University International’s College of Information Systems – Cypress, California
• UMass Online – Amherst, Massachusetts
• University of Illinois Springfield’s Department of Computer Science – Springfield, Illinois
• University of Maryland University College – Adelphi, Maryland
• University of Phoenix’s College of Information Systems and Technology – Phoenix, Arizona
• Upper Iowa University’s School of Science and Mathematics – Fayette, Iowa
• Western Governors University’s Online College of Information Technology – Salt Lake City, Utah

According to Coby Cagle, SuperScholar Editor, “Computers are the backbone of practically every industry, [and] obtaining a degree in Computer Science (CS) or Information Technology (IT) can unlock the door to a wide array of opportunities.” This Smart Choice ranking of online bachelor’s Computer Science and IT programs is designed to help students make a smart choice about the important decision of choosing the best fit in a bachelor’s program.

SuperScholar exists to help potential students find the right school and degree programs as well as to help existing students get the most out of their education experience. SuperScholar not only helps students obtain the right skills but also the right credentials for professional growth and success.

Contact:
Coby Cagle
Managing Editor
Email
425-296-6970

SOURCE SuperScholar

Related Links

http://www.superscholar.org

A team including two attorneys willing to volunteer time to represent the defendants along with a Genesee Health System clinical liaison work with the defendants. Defendants are screened from a list of all inmates against a list of GHS clients. Once identified, their charges and condition are reviewed and if they qualify an attorney visits with them. Clinical qualification includes diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. Legal eligibility excludes certain crimes, such as murder, criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery and major controlled substance offenses. Qualified defendants have to agree to enter the Mental Health Court program and their case is transferred.

A GHS caseworker assists them through the process and they go to court to speak with Judge Barkey once a week. Through a rigorous process they get back on their medication and are kept busy.

“We have had 426 participants and 176 graduates,” stated Judge Barkey.

Those that don’t graduate from Mental Health Court face their initial charges. For those that graduate, it is also a big win for the county, as the cost of incarceration is much higher than the cost of Mental Health Court.

The success of Mental Health Court is now being shared with the Veteran’s Court which started in December of 2012.

Veterans of all generations are affected by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD hit close to home in 2012 for Judge Barkey. Her secretary’s son, Dwayne (Wayne) Cherry, lost his fierce battle with PTSD on January 9th 2012. Wayne’s journey is remarkable and tragic. He attended MSU after high school and graduated cum laud from MSU. Wayne was at MSU on September 11, 2001. He sent the following email to President Bush…

Dear President,

My name is Dwayne Cherry and I am currently a senior at Michigan State University. I wanted to write and tell you that I, like many Americans, was deeply shocked at this attack. I wish you all the best at binding up our nation’s wounds and finding the criminals responsible for this tragedy. Sir, I believe in American, I believe she’s great and I know you will do everything to help her in this time of need. I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who once said, “That the tree of liberty often needs blood to grow.” Sad that this is often the truth but I wanted to reassure you that there are Americans out there still willing to pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor so freedom will ring. God Bless you and America and guide you in these dark days.

Sincerely,

Dwayne Cherry

He kept his promise and joined the military and served as a counter intelligence agent in the Army for five years. He did a tour in Afghanistan and receive a Bronze Star, three Army commendation medals, two Army achievement medals, meritorious unit commendation, Army good conduct medal, national defense service medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal, non commissioned officer professional development ribbon, Army service ribbon and two overseas service ribbons.

After his years of service, his civilian career mirrored his military career. He married Kate and they had a beautiful daughter. But he secretly struggled with PTSD. In his mind he was protecting his family from what he feared he might do when he took his own life.

Wayne’s story isn’t unique. The suicide rate is an astounding twenty two per day. There are many, many veterans who have lost their battle with PTSD and many more still struggling. They end up in court.

The Veteran’s Court is a team similar to the Mental Health Court with veteran volunteers who administer the program. There are fourteen current participants and there are twelve graduates. Only one has re offended. Court meets once each week, or if doing very well it is changed to every two weeks. The first time is to set up the ground rules with the participant. They have signed a contract and reviewed with the case manager, but Judge Barkey makes it clear that the agreement will be followed or they are out of the program to face their charges.

“I make it clear that I’m not going to be played,” said Judge Barkey.

Judge Barkey made a request of the West Flint Optimist Club to help find more mentors. Mentors must be veterans and they are matched by branch of service. She explained how she is learning new military vernacular and is surprised at the hostility between various branches.

We owe a debt to our veterans and PTSD can show up years after service. Through the Veterans Court they are given an opportunity to seek real help. The success is in the results as their mentors help them get through the process of getting control of their lives. Judge Barkey explained how mentors help the veterans with leaving the house and going to a store. What seems like a simple task to us, can be a threatening task to a veteran suffering from PTSD. Even driving down the highway and going under an overpass can trigger extreme stress. These veterans have been through horrible life changing events in defence of our freedom and way of life. The Veteran’s Court is one way we can break the cycle and provide real help.

“Veteran’s Court isn’t a free pass, but repayment for their sacrifice,” stated Judge Barkey.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) convened top executives from hundreds of Boys & Girls Clubs during National Day of Advocacy this week in Washington D.C. to engage members of Congress around the critical needs of kids in America. Leaders from Clubs, along with BGCA’s president and CEO Jim Clark and former BGCA Board Chairman Ron Gidwitz met with top officials, serving as a voice for the millions of kids who attend a Club around the country and on BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.

This collective effort empowered Club executives and Board members to build awareness and garner support for programs that enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

“As a voice for the 4 million kids we serve, and the more than 11 million youth with no place to go after school, we have a responsibility to advocate for the needs of our youth,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. “We’re grateful to all Club executives that met with their Congressional representatives to rally for policies and programs that will redefine the opportunity equation for kids who need us most, by increasing access to safe, supervised, productive out-of-school time programs for all school-age children in America.”

Club executives and Board members from around the country discussed with members of Congress issues that impact the communities, kids and families they serve. Key topics included 21^st Century Community Learning Centers, afterschool and summer meal and snack programs, Youth Mentoring and outreach to military kids and families. To learn more about these issues visit President Jim Clark’s blog.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150320/183501

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150320/183500

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130710/MM44829-b

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America

RELATED LINKS
http://www.bgca.org

The best way for the Red Cross to capitalize on this opportunity is by corporate catering. If you will be hosting meetings; board meetings, staff meetings or client lunches in the month of March please use Tropical Smoothie for catering and show them the flier so your purchase Counts for the Red Cross. If you are looking for a spot to have lunch with friends, family or clients please choose Tropical Smoothie and show them our flier. If you are able to promote the flier to your friends, family, church and staff it is greatly appreciated. The easiest way to make sure you are never without your flier when you stop in for a refreshing smoothie is to take a picture of the flier so it will always be with you on your phone. Feel free to call Stephanie Eastman with any questions 810-845-4149.

Participating locations: Flint on Linden Road, Clio on Vienna Rd, Owosso on M-21, Grand Blanc on Hill Rd, Davison on State St, Fenton on Owen Rd

Click here to download the flyer.

As we begin the holiday season, I am asking you to think back to the time when you were a child in school.  Do you remember one of your classmates as the “poor kid” or the “shy kid” or the kid that didn’t have the right clothes and school supplies?  Of course you do; every class has them.  Just think for a moment how that child felt about the approaching holidays.  Everyone is talking about where they are going and what they will be having at their Thanksgiving dinner and this child is just hoping that they will get to have dinner.  As classmates talk about what they want for presents, this child would like to have a warm coat and clothes that fit.  This child would like to be able to give a present to their baby sister, but does not have the funds to purchase a gift.  Just think of what a difference an Optimist member could make in the life of this child!

We know that for every Optimist Member we have that 35 children’s lives are impacted, but do we know how many children need us?  I am asking you to join me in working to make sure that the children who need us have our help. Also, share with at least one other person that special feeling you get when you help someone else by asking them to become a part of your Club.  In the spirit of this season of giving, we are giving you the opportunity to help us help more children by doing the following:

Any new Member added between December 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015 will have the $15 new Member fee waived.

It is my hope that as we celebrate the season of giving, we offer more people the opportunity to bring out the best in kids, their communities and themselves by being Optimists.

Happy Holidays!

Ken Garner
Optimist International President

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Goodwill Industries International and 21 Goodwill® agencies across the United States are expanding job and skills training with innovative technology, thanks to a $5.4 million software grant from Microsoft. The grant program, GoodTech, is Microsoft’s third investment in the Goodwill enterprise’s technology infrastructure.

The grant is part of Microsoft’s longstanding commitment to help people improve social and economic opportunities through community technology training centers and Microsoft telecenters. The donated software includes Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office products and internal office systems based on the needs of the individual Goodwill agencies. With this grant, some Goodwill agencies will update their career center computers to assist in job search and training utilizing the most current Microsoft Office Suite; while others will be using the products to improve administrative efficiencies, network infrastructures, tracking and reporting systems, remote access for real-time record-keeping/reporting and MapPoint for transportation of participants to and from jobs.

“Knowing how to leverage technology is important in today’s economy. Microsoft’s investment in Goodwill’s mission will enable our community-based agencies across the country to increase their technology offerings so that people can learn new skills, earn good jobs, and obtain and maintain economic independence and an increased quality of life,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The donation of technology will directly impact our ability to increase internal capacities while also better serving people in our communities who are ready to re-enter the workforce.”

Since 2009, Microsoft has provided 69 local Goodwill agencies with software grant donations, totaling $15,951,552. More than a million people have benefited from the Microsoft award through those investments.

“We are pleased to support Goodwill agencies across the nation to help them provide even more people the access to technology that’s needed to learn the foundational IT skills that employers are looking for today,” said Joanne Harrell, Senior Director, Citizenship and Public Affairs, USA, Microsoft Corporation.

Goodwill agencies were chosen to receive the grant based on their ability to expand services to assist people with challenges to finding employment, including people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, returning veterans and their families, single parents, those who are experiencing long-term unemployment, immigrants, youth and older workers. The agencies receiving funding will implement Microsoft technology to further their job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs, as well as their capacity to implement the software immediately and demonstrate impact within their local communities.

The Goodwill agencies benefiting from the current grant award are:

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with a presence in 14 other countries. Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,000 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Goodwill also builds revenue and creates jobs by contracting with businesses and government agencies to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2013, more than 9.8 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and@GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090716/DC47803LOGO

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International

Coffee Recruitment is a program for Optimist leaders to recruit for long term goals by building new relationships. Building a relationship takes time, but the payoff in the end will be a stronger Club and a stronger bond between Optimists.

Click here to download the Coffee Program brochure. It should be printed on one double-sided page and folded in half.