Reminder! November 2 Poverty & Education Lecture by Researcher Richard Rothstein

Join us Next Wednesday! November 2, 2011  6:30 pm for a free evening lecture on Poverty & Education with Richard Rothstein Research Associate, Economic Policy Institute Dear Voices4Action, How can we break down barriers to success for Kalamazoo County's 15,000 children in poverty? The Poverty Reduction Initiative is pleased to invite you to a free lecture by  renowned author and educational researcher Richard Rothstein. 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Dale Lake Auditorium KVCC Texas Township Campus 6767 W O Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan  map free admission, free parking Seating is limited Rothstein will give us a glimpse into the complex issues that children and families living in poverty must overcome to achieve greater success in school and other learning environments. We hope you will join us for Rothstein’s lecture and participate in forums, discussions, and follow-up work to make his visit a meaningful change agent for our community. Share the warmth! Bring a new item of winter wear to donate for PROJECT CONNECT. Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves for all ages. This visit is supported and sponsored by Kalamazoo Public Schools, Western Michigan University’s Lewis Walker Institute, Kalamazoo Regional Educational Services Agency, The Learning Network of Greater Kalamazoo & ISAAC. Richard Rothstein is a research associate of the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and a senior fellow of the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy at the University of California (Berkeley) Law School. From 1999 to 2002 he was the national education columnist of The New York Times. He is the author of Grading Education: Getting Accountability Right (Teachers College Press and EPI, 2008) and Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap (Teachers College Press 2004). He is also the author of The Way We Were? Myths and Realities of America’s Student Achievement (1998). Other recent books include The Charter School Dust-Up: Examining the Evidence on Enrollment and Achievement (co-authored in 2005); and All Else Equal: Are Public and Private Schools Different? (co-authored in 2003). Contact Richard Rothstein at riroth@epi.org. Click here to unsubscribe from PRI mailings.

Early Learning is Good Business - Oct 18 Summit on Early Childhood Education

From Calhoun Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition

 

Nicole Hamilton posted in Calhoun Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition. Nicole Hamilton 12:58pm Sep 29   Early Learning is Good Business - Summit on Early Childhood Education Tuesday, October 18 at 6:00pm View Post on Facebook ·

 

You're Invited! November 2 Poverty & Education Lecture by Researcher Richard Rothstein

Save the date! November 2, 2011  6:30 pm for a free evening lecture on Poverty & Education with Richard Rothstein Research Associate, Economic Policy Institute Dear Voices4Action, How can we break down barriers to success for Kalamazoo County's 15,000 children in poverty? The Poverty Reduction Initiative is pleased to invite you to a free lecture by  renowned author and educational researcher Richard Rothstein. 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Dale Lake Auditorium KVCC Texas Township Campus 6767 W O Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan  map free admission, free parking Rothstein will give us a glimpse into the complex issues that children and families living in poverty must overcome to achieve greater success in school and other learning environments. We hope you will join us for Rothstein’s lecture and participate in forums, discussions, and follow-up work to make his visit a meaningful change agent for our community. Share the warmth! Bring a new item of winter wear to donate for PROJECT CONNECT on November 16. Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves for all ages. This visit is supported and sponsored by Kalamazoo Public Schools, Western Michigan University’s Lewis Walker Institute, and other local partners. Richard Rothstein is a research associate of the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and a senior fellow of the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy at the University of California (Berkeley) Law School. From 1999 to 2002 he was the national education columnist of The New York Times. He is the author of Grading Education: Getting Accountability Right (Teachers College Press and EPI, 2008) and Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap (Teachers College Press 2004). He is also the author of The Way We Were? Myths and Realities of America’s Student Achievement (1998). Other recent books include The Charter School Dust-Up: Examining the Evidence on Enrollment and Achievement (co-authored in 2005); and All Else Equal: Are Public and Private Schools Different? (co-authored in 2003). Contact Richard Rothstein at riroth@epi.org. Click here to unsubscribe from PRI mailings.

Join the Call - Michigan Advocates Discuss the "Super Committee" on October 12

Some months ago a number of Michigan leaders connected with Ruth Flower from
the Friends Committee on National Legislation on a call to discuss your work
around the federal budget. Now, the Budget Control Act (more commonly known
as the "deficit deal") has created a "super committee" charged with
producing a bill that specifies ways to reduce the deficit by $1.2 - $1.5
trillion over ten years by November 23rd. Representatives Dave Camp and Fred
Upton were both selected to participate on this "super committee".

To help social service providers, non-profit organizations and religious
leaders engage in this round of advocacy with the Federal budget and the
"super committee", the SAVE for All Campaign is coordinating a conference
call with advocacy leaders in Michigan - especially in Representative Upton
and Camp's districts. The call is scheduled for October 12th at 1:00pm EST.
The SAVE for All Campaign includes almost 1600 organizations and more than
45 Michigan groups that are committed to protecting programs for that
support low-income families, and finding more reasonable ways to spend
government funds and to collect the taxes that support what the nation
actually needs.

The call will last for less than one hour and will focus on the following:

* Update on the current situation at the federal level (the importance and
role of both Camp and Upton in the current budget negotiations, the Budget
Control Act, the Super Committee, a balanced budget amendment, and other
relevant pieces)
* What's at stake for Michigan in these negotiations and decisions?
* What kind of advocacy do you think would influence Rep. Camp or Upton?
Who has their attention?
* What has advocacy activities are already underway in Michigan, and what
capacities do Michigan groups have.
* How can national groups help?
* Q & A

Why should your organization be involved?

As stated above, Representatives Camp and Upton's positions on the "super
committee" makes them of particular importance in the federal budget debate.
Votes for a "deal" on the "super committee" only need to be supported by a
majority. That means a vote by either Upton or Camp to protect low-income
people, invest in jobs, etc. could tip the scales in our direction. That's
why the SAVE for All Campaign has been working with key states to identify
networks of leaders in key states, to get their advice on dealing with their
members of Congress, to hear about their in-state advocacy efforts, and to
see if our national coalitions can strengthen that work in any way. The
goal is to strengthen the resolve of key members of Congress to advocate for
and protect programs for low-income people and families.

Representatives Camp and Upton, like most of Congress, are very concerned
about the federal debt and how to create savings in our budget. It is
important that they hear from folks in Michigan that cutting major child
care, education, health care programs and other programs that serve the most
vulnerable is not an answer to the nation's budget problems. Representative
Upton is in a particularly interesting position to cross the aisle and do
that.

We in the SAVE for All Campaign believe that deficit spending can be brought
under control, with a combination of judicious spending cuts that protect
low-income programs, investments in job creation, and a fair revenue plan
that closes tax loopholes that currently favor wealthy individuals and
corporations. To get to that result, we need commitments from key members
of the "super committee" to protect low income families and individuals.
Let's see what we can make happen!

Register

Please register here for the call on October 12th at 1:00pm EST.
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHVNdHhVTUVTenpfakpYNm
RBb0FlTlE6MQ> We'll send a confirmation and call-in number to all
registrants. It is important that members of your organization in Michigan
be represented on this call. We hope you will be able to join us.

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact Angie
Evans at Aevans@chn.org or 202-223-2532, ext 112. Thank you very much, and
we look forward to talking with you on October 12th at 1:00pm EST.

Ancora Imparo "Still I Learn" - Free Legal Aid Training for Lay Service Providers November 10

Free Legal Training for Social Service Workers, Community Advocates, and Medical Service Providers with Legal Aid of Western Michigan

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2011
8:00 AM - NOON
M-TEC AT KVCC

Please join LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN for its annual free legal training for social service workers, community advocates, and medical service providers who want to learn more about the legal issues affecting their clients, customers, and patients. Download the registration form.

We will also be hosting a food drive for Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. Please consider bringing a donation with you to the training.

Workshop topics include:
•Welfare Reform 2011
•Elder Law
•Employment Law
•Housing
•Consumer
•Family
•Advanced Track: Subsidized Housing

Please submit your registration to our office via email (LAWM.TRAINING@gmail.com) by NOVEMBER 2, 2011. For additional information, please contact Mark Zolnoski at 1-800-819-0773, Ext. 228.

If you have registered and do not receive a confirmation email or materials by November 4, 2011, please contact Mark Zolnoski.

Register today! Voices for Action Region 6 - Oct 21 Roundtable on Workforce Development,Job Training & Education

Invitation for the Region 6 Roundtable - Workforce Develoment, Job Training & Education

On October 21 from 1:00pm-3:00pm the Region 6 Voices for Action network will be hosting a discussion roundtable on workforce development, education and job training.

You are invited to attend, share your insights, thoughts and any local programs or initiatives which may be of value to others in the Region. Feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues!

Preliminary Agenda

• Introductions
• Presentation
• Discussion
• Voices for Action (update)
• State Voices for Action update
• Adjourn

The meeting will be held at:

The Lewis Walker Institute for Racial and Ethnic Studies
1140 Welborn Hall, WMU
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Map

Register online today!

Jeff Brown
Executive Director
Poverty Reduction Initiative

1140 Welborn Hall WMU
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI  49008-5236
269-615-1027
director@haltpoverty.org
www.haltpoverty.org

Open Doors To Host 2nd Annual Bountiful Breakfast

Kalamazoo, MI September 8, 2011 - Open Doors will host its 2nd Annual Bountiful Breakfast on Saturday, October 1st.

The event, to be held in South Westnedge Park from 9am-noon, will feature a breakfast of local cuisine and tour of Open Doors’ residences. Restaurants providing the breakfast include: Bagel Beanery, Biggby’s, Chocolatea, Cosmo’s Cucina, Full City Cafe, Millennium Restaurant Group, Mr. Thom Cooks, Oakwood Bistro, The Ample Pantry and Victorian Bakery. Additionally, D&W Marketplace, Meijer and Gordon Water are also donating items.

“The Bountiful Breakfast was such a huge success last year, we decided to make it an annual event,” states Rick Stravers, Executive Director of Open Doors. “The food is delicious and people are able to tour our residences and learn more about what we do in the community.”

Open Doors has been partnering with homeless women and men and low-wage workers since 1970 to empower them to support themselves and secure housing. At the Open Door and the Next Door, homeless women and men seek and find employment, save for future housing and address personal obstacles to stability. The Residence Community for Working People provides low-wage workers with housing at affordable rates and personal support for maintaining health and stability.

The tour will include four Open Doors’ residences around South Westnedge Park, formerly known as Pioneer Park, located at the intersection of South Westnedge Avenue and Park Place. Also on the tour this year is Open Doors’ new office at 810 S. Westnedge Avenue.

“The business and restaurant community has been especially supportive of Open Doors and the Bountiful Breakfast. We are grateful for their commitment to helping men and women secure the housing they need,” states Stravers.

Sponsoring businesses include Approved Fire Protection Co., Boot Haan Insurance, Clifford Mulder of Raymond James, Gergely Law Offices, P.C., Parrish Consulting, Rathco Safety & Supply Co. Redmond, Streed and Yokom, Rose Pest Solutions, Sherriff-Goslin Roofing Co., and Yeo & Yeo. P.C.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children under 10 and are available online at www.OpenDoorsKalamazoo.org or by calling the Open Doors offices at 343-6064. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the event.

For further information, please contact Sarah Bricknell, Development Director, at 269.343.6064 or at sbricknell@opendoorskalamazoo.org.