McLaren Northern Michigan’s Post

New blog post! In this vulnerable article, our Program Volunteer Athena Samonte explores her time so far in academia, her experience volunteering with SFU Public Square, and the future that lies ahead. Read it now: https://ow.ly/q6TS50RaHuZ

Veteran Housing Corp says that IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

February wraps up, feeling like a year's end in just two months! How's your 2024 so far? Any lessons shaping your path ahead? This month brought valuable experiences: 1. Volunteering at a FairPrice outlet during CNY work highlighted the importance of every cent. What seems small to some is substantial to others. 2. Respect is earned. CNY volunteering witnessed customers handing food to our frontliners, showing that kindness matters more than material things. 3. At a community event, the majority assumed one choice was wisest, but a thoughtful minority's alternative proved best—a reminder to be mindful of choices. March awaits with these insights. In the words of Winston Churchill, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." 🚀 #FebruaryReflections #LifeLessons #WisdomThursday #GrowthMindset

Sure, summer camps are great, but what if there was something more impactful for your child to do this summer? Here's the facts on the benefits of youth volunteering ⬇ ☑ Volunteering builds empathy ☑ Volunteering improves self-confidence ☑ Kids can gain transferable skills ☑ Build leadership skills Interested in getting your family started in volunteering with Cypress Missions? Visit our website 👉

On the day I do my final run through for the wellbeing & volunteering session I am co-delivering for the Getting Ahead with Volunteering cohort with the The Open University I see this thought provoking article from Jess. It’s a great question to pose to volunteer involving organisations - how are we allowing prospective volunteers to peak through our windows? #volunteer #volunteering #whatcanIdo #whatwillthatlooklike #howdoesthatfeel #willthatworkforme

Some of the work i contributed to during my volunteering in Human Appeal:

The biggest learning we've had from our research into barriers to volunteering for people with lived experience of mental health is the need for safety. Many people are coming to volunteering through social prescribing and other referral routes with past negative experiences of support through their volunteering or paid work. Tools like the #BigHelpOut are a great chance for people to peek through the window of a charity and see what's it's like without committing. How do you help people peek through the windows of your charity? #VolunteerManagers #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #Volunteering Vision for Volunteering

One of the things elderly people struggle with is loneliness and lack of social engagement. Sometimes, it can be difficult for them to leave their home due to illness, inability to drive, and lack of transportation options. Programs like these can be a wonderful way to invest in the lives of our senior citizens. #NCIwisconsin #Neuropsychology #Kenosha #seniorcitizens

Come see how you or your organization can help!

As an Executive Director of a nonprofit, recruiting and engaging volunteers is part of the daily work. But there's something transformative about stepping into a volunteer role myself as an advisory board member for the school district. It reminds me that no matter our titles or responsibilities, giving our time connects us to the heart of the mission. Volunteering grounds me in the values I champion, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges we face and the people we serve. It’s more than just asking others to join in—it’s about actively living out what we believe in. By rolling up our sleeves, we lead by example and show that our commitment goes beyond the boardroom.