Black United Fund
Westside Cultural & Athletic Club
One summer, concerned individuals organized a baseball team of neighborhood youths. Through the activities of this team, attention was brought to the vicious gang warfare in the community, understanding the need to belong and the desire to exert energy, the concerned citizens decided to organize the “gang warfare” into constructive athletic competition. The Buchanan Killers Gang was asked to fight it out, on the basketball court, against the Money Makers Gang. Condon Middle School gym was secured for the practices and the game.
The youths called a TRUCE for the event. During practices, the gang members did exercises and drills together. After two weeks of initial practices, both teams of gang members began to recognize the talents in each other, and with encouragement, decided to join together and formed the “BALL KINGS” basketball team.
Since the inception, the program has been broadened by the SMURFETTES Adopt-a-Little Sister Club” for neglected and abused teen girls, the “Adopt-A-Grandparent Club” with 280 members, Tutorial Program, Community Newsletter, Lunch Program, Summer Day Camp, Diversional Program with the State Probation Department, Counseling Services, Drama classes, Dance, Arts and Crafts, Sports, Summer Job Placement with the Summer Youth Employment Program, Health Classes, Junior Journalist and Photography tutoring. The program has proven to be a deterrent to crime and has bridged the gap between our senior citizens and youths. In addition, those youths who have succeeded through the program…return—volunteer their time and frequently become permanent staff. The full circle of SELF-HELP is clearly demonstrated…and SELF-DETERMINISM becomes a reality.
Capital Area United Way
Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region
Big Brother Clint and Little Brother Sammy
“Clint has just been a huge help to us. He’s taken Sammy sledding, trick-or-treating, ice skating, camping and to see the Harlem Globetrotters. One time Clint offered to fix up our basketball backboard. The next thing I knew, Clint and Sammy were cutting wood, painting and hanging up a brand new one! I really appreciate all the things he does for Sammy – you couldn’t have matched my boy with a better person. Sammy feels so safe with him, and he’s really started to come out of his shell. They get along so well!”
- Sammy's mother, Alechia
Otsego County United Way
Friendship Shelter
Sharon is one of our clients who has become like family. She calls regularly just to talk and tell us how well she’s doing. Sharon was 59 years old when she came to us. Three years prior she had been in a severe car accident, she spent 3 months in a coma and suffered 3 strokes. She then moved in with her daughter and two granddaughters, everything was going fine until her daughter’s boyfriend move in, and Sharon was forced to leave. She had nowhere to go and through Department of Human Services she came here. She stayed with us for 5 ½ months while looking for an affordable place to live. Our case manager Molly worked with her to help her save her money, get to doctors and other appointments and called and applied at numerous apartment buildings. We helped her furnish her new home with donations you bring us, furniture, dishes, pots and pans. With our help, and yours she has become self-sufficient and tells us she pinches herself every day to believe that it’s real.