Welcome to community m@tters™, your online update of what matters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. This newsletter highlights United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Agenda for Change work in the areas of educational preparedness, Financial Stability and basic needs -- along with upcoming events, volunteer spotlights and Kurt's Corner, UWSEM demographer Kurt Metzger's look at key regional trends.

In this issue:

• Educational Preparedness: Early childhood investment produces huge return
• Financial Stability: EITC qualifiers fail to pocket cash
• Basic Needs: United Way gives voice to area's homeless
• Upcoming Events: Time to celebrate volunteers
• Volunteer Spotlight: Alternative Spring Break blog
• Kurt's Corner: Volunteering in America

A group of local business leaders is looking to quickly make the region more competitive globally by investing in tomorrow’s workforce. The plan is to encourage companies across the region to support early childhood development programs by pushing the business case.

By getting involved in the care and development of our region’s children today, we dramatically increase their chances of success later in life -- while saving businesses billions of dollars -- leaders from Great Start Michigan told those gathered at a recent metro Detroit early childhood education conference.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan helped sponsor the event -- along with Great Start programs in Oakland and Wayne, and Oakland Schools -- which drew more than 100 human service providers, educators and business leaders.

Educational preparedness is one of three focus areas on United Way’s Agenda for Change, and early childhood development figures to be a prominent component of the organization’s future work.

“This is the most important meeting occurring in the region today,” said UWSEM President and CEO Michael Brennan. “We know that the region is aligned [with this focus] and businesses say that’s what they want. We just need to develop the blueprint.”

Bill Millet, president of Scope View Strategic Advantage, told attendees quality early childhood education brings both short-term and long-term return on investment. One short-term benefit, he said, is that businesses whose employees did not worry about childcare problems see less absenteeism, tardiness and turnover, and higher morale. Absenteeism resulting from a lack of quality childcare, costs businesses more than $3 billion each year, according to Great Start Michigan. 

By investing in our children early and often, the region saves considerably in the long run. A recent Brookings Institution study suggests that instituting a high-quality, universal preschool policy would cost the United States $59 billion by 2080, but would add $2 trillion to the nation’s annual gross domestic product.  

Event organizers encouraged business leaders to get involved in driving improvements in early childhood education through the Great Start collaborative, by earmarking corporate contributions to support early childhood projects and encouraging others to get involved. 

Although metro Detroit taxpayers will likely claim a few hundred million dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits this year, a significant chunk of that money will be squandered, experts say. Worse yet, millions more will be left on the table.

The EITC is a federal tax rebate for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families worth up to $4,500. More than 250,000 metro Detroiters claimed $450 million worth of EITCs in 2004, according to the IRS. Still, an estimated 25 percent of eligible taxpayers fail to apply for the credit and thousands of EITC claimants end up forking over 67-774 percent of their money to providers of controversial Refund Anticipation Loans.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan and a group of determined partners are helping more taxpayers claim the cash they have earned, and advising them of ways to manage it responsibly.

The EITC Partnership recently recruited 100 volunteers -- in about a week -- to help complete returns at a number of free tax preparation sites around the region in an effort to help more workers claim the valuable credit.

The EITC is the largest federal aid program for the working poor, and lifts more families out of poverty than any other government support initiative.  With over 440,000 Michigan residents living at or below the poverty line, helping more qualified individuals claim the credit would provide a considerable boost to local economies. In the city of Detroit alone, the IRS says, about $38 million went unclaimed two years ago. Increasing the number of EITC claims by just 5 percent across the region would generate an estimated $21.25 million in refunds.

Volunteers receive free training and certification, gaining a marketable skill while helping others. The 100 volunteers recruited by the partnership are expected to help prepare an additional 1,300 returns, allowing qualified metro Detroiters to claim an estimated $1.2 million in EITCs.

Equally important, volunteers will provide financial literacy counseling to steer taxpayers away from high-interest RALs, which allow filers to claim their refund quickly, in exchange for a hefty fee.  By offering information on asset building opportunities, the EITC partnership hopes to equip taxpayers with money management skills that will allow them to use their refund to improve Financial Stability.

For more on United Way’s EITC project and the importance of the credit to our region, click here.

The extended freeze blanketing the region has been especially harsh for the homeless population braving sub-zero wind chills each day. Because their voices often go unheard, United Way 2-1-1 is leading an effort to tell their stories, and in the process, get them off of the streets for good.

Through its Agenda for Change, United Way for Southeastern Michigan is focusing much of its future work on basic needs for individuals and families in southeast Michigan, including the homeless. The goal is to provide access to the resources individuals need when in crisis so that they can stabilize their lives and build a future.

The 2-1-1 staff is looking at issues preventing metro Detroit’s homeless from meeting their basic needs, by going straight to the source.

“We realized that there would always be a gap between what the hard data says, and what’s perceived by the homeless,” said Bill Sullivan, United Way 2-1-1 operations manager. “We felt that by going to them and learning what their perceptions and barriers were, we would get the most useful information.”

Over the past three weeks, Sullivan and his team have spoken to nearly 70 individuals in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. UWSEM President and CEO Michael Brennan helped conduct some of the on-street interviews.

 The canvassers say the majority of the homeless they spoke to are not mentally ill, struggling with addiction, or violent. The individuals they interviewed really want to work, but cannot because they lack a permanent address, a phone, transportation or proper identification, Sullivan said.

The team quickly discovered that many homeless people are unaware of the resources available to them, so they distributed United Way 2-1-1 information cards, along with 50 cents, so individuals could call the 24-hour helpline from a pay phone.

Early returns have been positive. In fact, one individual received a housing voucher and landed a job within 48 hours of calling 2-1-1.

Sullivan says that the initial hurdle for the homeless is access, because the current human service system can seem fragmented and frustrate users. For someone facing transportation or money issues simply getting to a job interview or applying for identification can be a challenge, and ultimately keeps some people on the street.

The 2-1-1 staff is compiling feedback gathered during the outreach effort, and that data will be used in future planning.  The team has been sharing its experiences throughout the project online, click here to learn more.

Every day in our community, countless individuals -- through acts of kindness and generous volunteer service -- make life better for others. It’s time that they were recognized for their selflessness.

Help United Way for Southeastern Michigan honor metro Detroit’s outstanding volunteers by nominating an individual or a group for the Celebrate Volunteers … Recognizing HomeTown Heroes Awards.

The winners will be recognized April 16, at United Way’s annual awards luncheon. For nomination details call (313) 226-9430 or click here.

All nominations are due to United Way by 5 p.m., Friday, March 16.

Award categories include:

• Acts of Kindness Award -- Sponsored by Smooth Jazz V98.7, and recognizes those who have shown great help and kindness, benefiting groups and/or individuals throughout metro Detroit.
• Bernie Firestone Award -- Recognizes an outstanding rank and file member of a local labor union for dedication to community service.
• CorPLUS Award -- Sponsored by the Junior League of Detroit, and recognizes a retiree whose volunteer efforts exemplify the highest standard of service and benefits metropolitan Detroit.
• Exemplary Group Service Award -- Recognizes families, couples or groups who strive to improve their community through volunteer work.
• Governor’s Honor Roll -- Sponsored by the Junior League of Birmingham, with support from the Michigan State Governor’s Office. This non-competitive award recognizes individuals for outstanding community service.
• Heart of Gold Award -- Has become one of the most distinguished volunteer recognitions in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Individuals are honored for their effort, enthusiasm and immeasurable commitment to volunteerism.
• Outstanding Youth Award -- Recognizes youths 12-18, who show leadership, commitment and character through community service.
• Young Adult Award of Excellence -- Recognizes adults 19-25, who represent the highest standard of service, leadership, commitment and character.
• Outstanding Business Award -- Sponsored by the Southeast Michigan Corporate Volunteer Council and United Way, and recognizes businesses committed to community involvement through volunteering. 

On the morning of Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States, devastating cities and ruining lives in the process. Nearly 1,200 people died, and millions of lives were changed forever.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, young people from across the nation rallied behind the regional recovery effort. Some gave money. Others gave of their time, spending days or weeks in Louisiana and Mississippi. More than year later, there is much left to repair and rebuild in the area. Many of those enthusiastic volunteers are heading south to pitch in once again, and 10 metro Detroiters are joining them.

As part of the Alternative Spring Break project, the young adults, along with representatives of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Think MTV and United Way of America will spend a week in March working on Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts.  

Visit the UWSEM Alternative Spring Break blog at uwsemasb.blogspot.com to meet the participants, and come back each week to follow their journey.

According to a new report, “Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings,” issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service, between 2000 and 2005, Michiganders volunteered at a higher rate than the national average.

Michigan ranked No. 18 nationally in 2005, with a volunteer rate of 32.7 percent.  Utah was first at 48 percent, while Nevada residents came in last at only 18.8 percent.

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From 2003-2005, Michigan volunteers spent an average of 45 hours annually involved in community service, lower than both the Midwest (48 hours) and national (51 hours) averages.

Overall, most Americans who are into volunteering primarily participate in service projects through their churches and other religious groups.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, and nonprofit research group Independent Sector estimate that, from 2003-2005, the time Americans spent volunteering annually was worth $150,713,441,220. Michigan accounted for an estimated $4,879,988,459 -- or 3.2 percent -- of the national total.

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Michigan women volunteered at higher rates than their male counterparts – 36 percent to 28 percent.  However, men who volunteered averaged more hours of service per year – 48 hours compared to 42 hours for women. Married individuals volunteered at higher rates than singles (37 percent vs. 26 percent).

Researchers also examined volunteerism rates along racial/ethnic lines and found that whites volunteer at the highest rate (34 percent), while blacks average the most volunteer hours annually (52 hours).  Nearly half (45.5 percent) of all blacks who participate in community service, do so through a religious organization, as do 37.1 percent of Hispanics and 33.8 percent of white, non-Hispanic volunteers.

When asked how they enjoy spending their volunteer time, Michigan residents ranked the following categories highest:

• Educational or youth service (31.5 percent)
• Religious  (31.2 percent)
• Social or community service (12.4 percent)

Between 2003 and 2005, the following activities were most popular among volunteers:

• Coach, referee, tutor, teach or mentor  (31.2 percent)
• Fundraise or sell items to raise money (30.9 percent)
• Engage in general labor; supply transportation for people (30.8 percent)
• Collect, prepare, distribute or serve food (26.7 percent)

Finally, researchers looked at community service participation by age group and found that the largest group of volunteers is made up of 35-44 year olds, followed by Generation Xers and baby boomers. Michigan mirrors the national trend.

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Between 2003 and 2005, more than 25 million baby boomers performed volunteer work annually, along with about 8 million young adults (16-24 years) and over 3 million college students. 

The Corporation for National and Community Service also looked at the emerging population of young volunteers in “College Students Helping America.” That report reveals:

• The volunteer rate among college students grew approximately 20 percent from 2002 to 2005, and. The growth of Alternative Spring Break programs across the country has contributed to the trend significantly
• The increase in volunteerism in the collegiate ranks is also tied to young people who were high school students or college freshmen during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and have been moved to serve their communities as a result.
• Tutoring and mentoring activities are the most popular volunteer projects among college students.
• Students who work part-time tend to volunteer more than students who do not work at all.

A growing number of colleges and universities are actively embracing civic responsibility and strengthening communiity connections in new and creative ways.  The institutions and their students will be critical to building a national culture of citizenship, service and responsibility in the years to come.

10 Tips for Volunteers
Finally, we offer up some useful advice for volunteers, adapted from materials compiled by Independent Sector:

1. Research the causes or issues important to you.  Look for a group involved in issues about which you feel strongly.
2. Consider the skills you have to offer.  If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching or just enjoy interacting with people, look for volunteer work that incorporates these activities.
3. Some of the best volunteer opportunities are often the least obvious, so think outside the box. Consider service projects like neighborhood watch programs, disaster relief, youth organizations, intergenerational programs and park services.
4. Don’t wait for an invitation. There are many ways to find organizations in need of volunteers. Ask friends or colleagues about their volunteer activities, search online, visit a volunteer referral site like Volunteer Solutions, or stop by your local volunteer center.
5. After finding an appropriate opportunity schedule a meeting and plan for it as you would a job interview. Be ready to discuss your interests, qualifications and background, and get details about the organization, including benefits to volunteers. Both parties should be able to determine whether the opportunity is a good fit.
6. If you are interested in learning something new, consider whether the organization offers training or professional development opportunities, and pick up a skill while serving your community.
7. Find an activity that fits your schedule. Organizations need different levels of commitment. Becoming a mentor, for example, requires long-term commitment, while a walk-a-thon may be a seasonal project.
8. Get the family involved. Look for opportunities that are suitable for adults and children, or for couples.
9. Become a virtual volunteer. Some organizations offer the opportunity to volunteer online. All you need is Internet access and a little computer skill.
10. Find something you are passionate about, and you will find that the enthusiasm, humor and emotion you bring as a result will make for a priceless experience.