Dan Mulhern and Jennifer Granholm Support Volunteerism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elyse Ver Berkmoes Walter
Communications Specialist
(517) 241-0063 – office
(269) 845-2227 – cell
verberkmoese@michigan.gov
www.michigan.gov/mcsc

First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern helped spread the work of volunteers into Michigan’s communities by swearing into service more than 400 AmeriCorps members from across the state at the 2008 Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration. The event, hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission, helped prepare AmeriCorps members for their year of service and celebrated the courage of their commitment.
WHAT: The Member Celebration provided an opportunity for all current Michigan’s AmeriCorps members to come together for a day of training, networking, and motivation. The annual Celebration helps members gain a new perspective on the impact their AmeriCorps service has on communities throughout Michigan.

Mulhern Granholm

Through the day’s events, members understand they are part of a significant national movement. Members participate in professional development workshops on leadership, service project planning, and other topics relevant to national and community service. Members also hear dfrom keynote speaker Susannah Cowden.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Michigan’s AmeriCorps is often described as the domestic Peace Corps. Individuals, called members, take on the toughest challenges facing communities by serving within nonprofit organizations, schools, and other agencies throughout the state. They tutor and mentor children, help the homeless, feed the hungry, protect the environment, and more.

In a 2007 report released by the Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan’s AmeriCorps members:
- Completed over 700,000 hours of service and training.
- Recruited nearly 24,000 volunteers who served more than 188,000 hours.
- Impacted over 120,000 students, citizens, and volunteers.

Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities

Communities

through volunteerism. In 2008-09, the MCSC is granting more than $5.3 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC is funding 18 AmeriCorps programs and 24 Learn and Serve programs. The Governor’s Service Awards, Mentor Michigan, and Volunteer Investment Grants are also premier programs of the MCSC. The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting. The Corporation for National and Community Service grants the federal funding the MCSC administers. For more information visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc and www.cns.gov .

OMIA Scholarship Awarded to Megan Root

The OMIA Foundation, staff, families, students, and benefactors

Pamela Jo

would like to congratulate Megan Root as the recipient of the 2008 Down the River Scholarship in memoriam of “Pamela Jo from O-hio!”

The scholarship committee was thrilled to receive Megan’s application and surprised by how aligned her enthusiasm is with Pam’s.  There simply wasn’t a more qualified, accomplished, and promising applicant in the pool.

Hailing from Kenton, Ohio Megan and Pam share the passion to learn through continued education.  Megan now attends Ohio Northern University

ONU logo

with plans to study Pharmacology.  We thank Megan for her application package and appreciate those who cast recommendations for her.

On behalf of the OMIA Foundation, congratulations Megan and keep on learning!

Lloyd Carr Volunteers ~ Why can’t you?

[State of Michigan Press Release - not OMIA original material]

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elyse Ver Berkmoes
Communications Specialist
Michigan Community Service Commission
517-241-0063
verberkmoese@michigan.gov
www.mentormichigan.org

Former University of Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr Recruits for a New Team

Lansing, Mich. – September 26, 2008 – Mentor Michigan has named former
University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr

Lloyd Carr

their newest champion
for recruiting mentors. Carr has come out of retirement to recruit for a
new type of team, a team of mentors to match with Michigan’s young
people.

Governor Jennifer Granholm

In her 2008 State of the State Address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
set a goal to recruit 10,000 new mentors by 2010 through the Mentor
Michigan program. Given Carr’s legendary coaching skills, he is well
equipped to help Mentor Michigan reach this goal by championing the
importance of mentors.

“I have partnered with Mentor Michigan to recruit a team of men and
women to make a difference in the lives of children in need,” said
Carr. “All it takes is a little time and the willingness to reach out
and mentor a child. I’m confident that we will form the finest team in
America to help the kids in our communities.”

One hour a week can make a big difference in a young person’s future.
Mentor Michigan supports more than 200 organizations around the state
that are changing lives by matching mentors with young people.  Mentor
Michigan provides those organizations with training and research.  It
fosters partnerships with businesses, faith-based and nonprofit
organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and state and local
government to support mentoring.  Mentor Michigan also builds public
awareness about the importance of and the need for mentors by urging
caring adults to “pass it on,” because sharing a little of yourself
with a young person can reward both of you with lifelong benefits.

DP + Company, a marketing, advertising, and public relations firm based
out of Farmington Hills, Michigan, has generously created various
materials, including PSAs, focused on Lloyd Carr’s mentor recruitment
efforts.

If you are interested in mentoring a child, visit
www.mentormichigan.org.

OMIA Volunteers to Teach Kids Music

The OMIA Foundation presents a lesson titled “Rock Band Tour” to Ms Brooke Johnson’s Lansing MI elementary school. The children mapped out a make believe rock band tour for the OMIA Band, including tour stops, meal planning, and financial reports.

About the OMIA Foundation

The OMIA Foundation, a private non-profit, charitable organization, has been developing and presenting original and innovative lesson plans to Michigan’s K-12 students since 2004. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by dedicated and caring teachers, musicians, and cohorts. Funding is received from private donations, government grants, foundations, service clubs, businesses and individuals.

We are committed to service excellence. The Foundation is fully licensed as a non-profit in the State of Michigan. We have implemented research and development as well as giving full attention to the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, Michigan Education Association, and Michigan Legislature.

The Foundation continually strives to strengthen our connections to the community and those who use our services. We welcome stakeholder feedback and input . We work along side teachers to streamline service delivery.

We hope you enjoy this website and find it useful. For some it will be the beginning of our connection with you, while for others who already know us, we hope it will deepen your understanding of the Foundation and its activities. Whether you wish to access our services or support our activities we sincerely welcome you. We believe in our mission: to enhance the lives of students by expanding the scope of learning. Visit OMIA.