One Way Our Community Can Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

Summer is here and children are enjoying their "freedom".  We want to be sure that our children are safe.   Darkness to Light, is a training to end Child Sexual Abuse that will be offered for free to community groups over the next two months until the end of August 2013.

The New Beginnings Exchange Club Downriver would like to partner with community groups to host this free training.  The goal is to train 75 adults in the Downriver area to raise awareness of the harm done by child sexual abuse and encourage adults to create safe communities where every child is safe.  For more details please contact Lacea Zavala lzavala@guidance-center.org or call 734 785 7705 ext. 7291.

Women Driving For A Great Cause

Come to the Women's Expo on Saturday, November 10th, and explore massage therapy, health & beauty items, cakes and breads, purses & jewelry, home decor, candles, a nutritionalist and so much more! While you are there take a test drive in a new Ford car, and Taylor Ford will make a donation to support the programs and services of The Information Center (Taylor).  

The Women's Expo will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at The Information Center 20500 Eureka Road, in Taylor.  Taylor Ford is donating $20 per test-driver up to a $6,000 maximum for The Information Center, so bring your friends!  It's a fun way to help a great cause.

A $3 entry for the Women's Expo is waived when you do the test drive.  Participants must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license.  For more information call (734) 282-7171.

The Information Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has served residents of the Downriver and surrounding communities since 1975.  Our website is www.theinfocenter.info

Free Breast and Mammogram Screenings

Breast and Mammogram Screenings: On October 27th from 7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, 2333 Biddle, Wyandotte, MI is providing free Breast and Mammogram Screenings.  You must call 734-246-9601 for an appointment. This important service is free for eligible Downriver area women. Call for an appointment and to make sure you meet eligibility requirements. Space is limited.  It does not cost anything to call to see if you are eligible!

Good Government Starts With Your Vote!

With the upcoming elections on Tuesday, November 6th it’s important to know your rights as a voter! 

If you are voting at the polls please remember that:

·         Michigan polls will be open on Election Day (November 6^th) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

·         Voters will be asked to provide a valid photo ID: Michigan driver’s license or ID card if you do not have one of those, the following will be accepted (only if they are current):

o   Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state

o   Federal or state government-issued photo identification

o   U.S. passport

o   Military identification card with photo

o   Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university

o   Tribal identification card with photo

**If you do not have an acceptable form of identification YOU CAN STILL VOTE but they will require that you sign a brief affidavit that says you do not have a photo ID on your person. Your ballot will be counted with all others.

If you are registered to vote you may qualify for an absentee ballot if:

·         age 60 or older

·         physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another

·         expecting to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls will be open on Election Day

·         in jail awaiting arraignment or trial

·         unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons

·         appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

**Absentee ballots can be obtained in person through 4pm on Monday, November 5^th or you may fill out an application and have one mailed to your home. If you qualify for an absentee ballot you must submit that application by 2pm on Saturday, November 2^nd! For the application click here. 

For more information on the elections visit: www.Michigan.gov/elections! For information regarding transportation services for seniors and homebound individuals to the polls call The Information Center at 734-282-7171.

Veterans Hiring Expo

One of the Veterans Hiring Expos we have received information and plenty of advance notice on will be taking place on October 30th from 12-4 p.m. at the Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College 4800 E. Huron River Dr.  Ann Arbor, MI 48105.  You can register at www.wccnet.edu/vetjobs!

This event is open to the public.  There will be up to 75 companies ready to hire employees.  Fee workshops will also be offered in resume building for veterans and transition tips from active service to general population.

The Information Center (located in Taylor) is also serves veterans.  Our staff will help you to understand the benefits and supports you are eligible for, and how to effectively make contact with community and veteran resources that are there to support you, including those available through Michigan Works!   To speak with someone at The Information Center (free service) call (734) 282-7171.  You can also check us out at www.theinfocenter.info.

Children In Poverty

In difficult economic times maintaining a steady and sufficient income can be even more challenging.  Many available jobs do not provide the necessary income to keep a family out of poverty.  A family of 4 with an annual income below $22,000 is considered to be living in poverty according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  Parents may be working, and yet they find it very difficult to provide for their children's needs if they are part of our population some refer to as the working poor.

This affects a child's development. For children under the age of 5, living in poverty and going without can create severe consequences because it is a crucial developmental stage in their lives.  Living in poverty tends to have a long term impact on a child's life; it often affects future educational achievement, and physical, behavioral, and emotional health.  Parents living in poverty and the working poor are likely to feel increasingly stressed, overwhelmed, depressed or anxious due to the ongoing struggles.  When parents are overwhelmed, every additional stress that a parent faces increases the risk of child abuse and neglect, especially if they are isolated and feeling all alone.

It is important for families with children to know what community resources are available to possibly offset some of the costs in a family's budget when going through rough times, and what supports are available to help with some of the problems creating the stress.  For information on services from prenatal care to holiday time assistance, make a free call to The Information Center at (734) 282-7171 or visit us at www.theinfocenter.info.

Human Services vs. Costs

Human services are programs that help people and families. Often those helped have limited income and resources, but these programs are not just important for poor people.  It is important that people who need help be connected to appropriate services for humanitarian reasons, and for economic reasons. Human services and social programs may include assistance with job training or job placement, emergency food, day care, health services, counseling services, and other specialized supports for seniors, veterans and others.

Recently, the Illinois Human Services Commission analyzed the value of human services and found that in many instances addressing problems before they become severe decreases the cost to the general community in the long run.  They noted that:

• Every $1 spent on child abuse prevention saves tax payers $19 in child abuse treatment.
• Every $1 spent on home care for the elderly saves tax payers $10.50 on nursing home costs.
• Every $1 spent on childhood learning generates $7 in tax payer benefits.
• Every $1 spent on drug treatment saves taxpayers $7 in reduced crime, and emergency room visits.
• Every $1 spent on job training returns $4.60 to the tax payer.

There is a great value in providing our community members with access to resources that assist people and families, and this in turn reduces the long term costs shared by all of us, from these preventable problems.

For information about local human and social services of all kinds call The Information Center (734) 282-7171 or visit us at www.theinfocenter.info.