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Partners in Service

Michigan Community Service Commission

The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2011-2012, the MCSC is granting nearly $8 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC is funding 24 AmeriCorps programs and seven Volunteer Michigan grantees. The Governor’s Service Awards and Mentor Michigan 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.

Michigan’s AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is a competitive grant program for organizations to host teams of individuals, called members, who provide intensive, results-driven service to meet community needs across Michigan. In 2011-2012, more than 1,000 AmeriCorps members will provide foreclosure prevention and financial counseling, help ex-offenders re-enter society, help homeless individuals and families find permanent housing, organize literacy and tutoring programs for underperforming youth, mentor and support youth from disadvantaged circumstances, preserve our environment, build houses, feed the hungry, recruit volunteers, and more. These members will serve in more than 300 nonprofits and schools while providing more than one million hours of service. Members must be at least 17 years old and commit to at least one year of service, full or part-time. In return, members receive a modest living stipend and an education award. AmeriCorps members will earn an estimated $3.5 million in education awards to pay for college, vocational training programs, or to repay student loans.

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region

Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build sustainable homes, communities, and hope. Habitat's commitment to sustainability provides a brighter future for homeowners and the community. By building homes that are highly energy-efficient, that have excellent indoor air quality, and follow universal design principles, families can enjoy a lifetime of affordability, cleaner indoor air, and mobility.

*During the Signature Service Project, AmeriCorps members will help construct an energy-efficient home for a local family. Members will also assist with projects at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, such as painting, sorting, and organizing.

SEEDS

SEEDS is a nonprofit organization formed to bring ecology, education, and design together under one roof. They work to solve global issues one neighborhood at a time. SEEDS also invests in community building activities, which are made possible through grants, donations and sweat equity. Their projects help communities make durable decisions about their own future.

*AmeriCorps members will assist with invasive species removal from public properties, prep and plant agricultural crops to be harvested for cooking clubs at regional schools, plant trees to reduce erosion on a section of a blue ribbon trout stream, and help renovate historic structures on the former state hospital grounds now known as the Grand Traverse Commons.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy protects and stewards the region’s natural, scenic, and farm lands now and for all future generations. GTRLC has protected more than 34,000 acres of land and more than 100 miles of shoreline in two decades and believes a healthy and beautiful environment along with access to beautiful landscapes and recreation opportunities are critically important to Northern Michigan and its regional economy.

*AmeriCorps members will work with GTRLC to help improve the health of the natural environment and assist with building a trail system that promises to be a regional asset at Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area, situated on 763 acres in Antrim County.

Conservation Resource Alliance

The Conservation Resource Alliance is dedicated to maintaining the natural beauty and ecosystems of our land while simultaneously nurturing the economic vitality of northern Michigan. CRA serves a 13-county area and cares for more than 4 million acres of land in Northwest Lower Michigan.

*The Flowing Well Trout Farm, built in the mid-1900s, erected 12 small dams to create fish rearing ponds. These dams diverted the natural flow of a trout stream, caused unnaturally high water temperatures, blocked fish passage, and disrupted the natural movement of sediment and woody debris in the river. Restoration work is required to improve the wetland and adjacent upland habitat of the property. AmeriCorps members will remove and recycle an old metal fence once used to control deer. The posts for this fence will be used to create turtle and waterfowl resting platforms. This project will not only benefit wildlife on the site, but will also make this new piece of public property safer and more visually appealing.

United Way of Northwest Michigan

United Way of Northwest Michigan is dedicated to promoting volunteer opportunities in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

*The United Way is coordinating the volunteer fair, which will be held in conjunction with the Celebrate Service community event at the Grand Traverse Commons on Friday, May 18th.

Elemental

A couple years ago some Midwestern guys got together with the idea of helping those less fortunate. As we began researching charities and nonprofits we started digging up incredible stories of philanthropy that were happening right in our backyard. We quickly realized there was no medium for this content and were amazed that so much good was going on without our knowledge. Rather than start our own nonprofit, we decided to be a voice for existing causes.

Elemental is a media company that is going against the grain of standard news. We are using our website and digital magazines as platforms to showcase positive stories, and promote cause based businesses, charities, and individuals who are actively helping others. By publishing these unheard stories we’re hoping to inspire involvement and bridge the gap between people with resources and those in need.

In a world obsessed with negative news, Elemental is here to expose the other side of the story.