Service & NonProfits

Hope Starts Here marks progress in Detroit 

A recent Harvard report found that investing in early childhood education programs provides opportunities to children that lead to upward economic mobility later in life. Children who participate in quality early childhood experiences have many positive and lasting gains, including that they are less likely to be retained in a grade, more likely to graduate from high school and have more opportunity for economic advancement. Yet, one in three working families still struggles to find the early childhood care and education they need to give their children a strong start and set them up for success. Another recent report says the child care shortage costs Michigan’s economy $2.88 billion a year.

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Source: Hope Starts Here marks progress in Detroit | Every Child Thrives

Ambidextrous artist helps Detroit nonprofit

A Detroit nonprofit is getting a boost from a local artist who is pitching in with both hands.

Colin Darke, of Grosse Pointe Farms, works for Rocket Loans by day. In his spare time, he is an artist who has been using his unusual skills to help raise funds for Arts & Scraps in Detroit.

“Colin started with us as a volunteer and he has moved from there to trying to help support us financially,” explained Arts & Scraps Executive Director Ang Adamiak. “He uses his skill at being able to draw with both hands to gain a social media following, and he is using that power to raise money for Arts & Scraps.”

Darke is ambidextrous, which means he can use both hands as if they were his dominant hand. Having always been an art enthusiast, he started posting his talent of drawing and painting with both hands simultaneously on social media.

“I’ve been able to draw and write with both hands since forever,” Darke said. “A few years ago, my mom and wife were in the kitchen and my son could also use both hands, and I mentioned I could draw and write with both hands when they were talking about it. I didn’t realize how rare that was. So, I started putting up videos on TikTok and Instagram of drawing and writing simultaneously. A few of the videos went viral.”

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Source: Ambidextrous artist helps Detroit nonprofit

Metro Detroit landscaping company offers to mow lawns free for health care workers

A Metro Detroit landscaping company is offering to mow the lawns of health care workers for free.

As health care workers fight the coronavirus (COVID-19), Plowz and Mowz wants them to have one less thing to worry about at home.

Eric Greenberg, of Ferndale, is one of many health care officials working around the clock to help those with COVID-19. He doesn’t have much time to do chores around the house.

“It looks like someone that’s been very busy and they just haven’t been able to get to it,” said Blake Hyde, a landscaper with Plowz and Mowz.

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Source: Metro Detroit landscaping company offers to mow lawns free for health care workers

Life Directions 2018 Spark of Hope Tribute Gala to Honor Outstanding Detroit-Area Citizens for

The Spark of Hope Tribute Gala is bringing a unique opportunity for sponsors to have an ROI through the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix (June 1-3), along with key corporate partnerships like Lear Corp. The funds used from our annual gala will directly impact efforts to implement Life Directions’ programs in another Detroit school and allow Life Directions to continue making a real difference in the lives of students and spark hope for their bright futures.

Life Directions, Detroit’s Peer to Peer Mentoring organization, will host its 45th Annual “Spark of Hope” Tribute Gala fundraiser at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the GM Wintergarden in the Renaissance Center. Lear Corp. in Southfield is this year’s Ignite the Spark Title Sponsor. The Spark of Hope Tribute Gala will include dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment, and the company of like-minded philanthropic leaders.

Source: Life Directions 2018 Spark of Hope Tribute Gala to Honor Outstanding Detroit-Area Citizens for

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