DONATE TO NMCAA - In this episode of The Collective Us, hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck wrap up their "Rebuild Your Life" series with a deep dive into homeless prevention. Joined by Grant Card, Operations Manager for Homeless Prevention Programs at NMCAA, and Victoria Purvis, Director of Homeless Prevention Programs at NEMCSA, the discussion covers the rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Northern Michigan and the unique challenges faced in rural areas compared to big cities. The guests highlight the critical need for affordable housing and adequate funding, the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability, and the importance of community partnerships in addressing these issues. They also shed light on the creative solutions and community-driven efforts that make a difference in supporting those experiencing homelessness.

[DONATE to NMCAA] This is part 3 of The Collective Us series on rebuilding your life, focusing on homeownership as a significant milestone. June is Homeownership Month, and Erica highlights preschool applications and an upcoming Giving Week. They welcome guests Megan Dey, NMCAA Petoskey office and a Habitat for Humanity client, and Laura Porter, an admissions lead and housing counselor. Laura talks about workshops offered by NMCAA for homeownership education, which are free in June. Megan shares her experience with Habitat for Humanity, emphasizing the support she received and the importance of sweat equity. They also discuss advocacy efforts for better funding for homeownership programs and the various educational resources available to help individuals prepare for buying a home.

[Support NMCAA by Donating] In this episode of "The Collective US," hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck discuss the ongoing activities and initiatives of their organization with a focus on community involvement and personal transformation.

The main topic of discussion is the "Rebuild Your Life" series, highlighting how parents often transition into teaching roles. Erica introduces guests Judy Abernathy, a lead teacher at NMCAA, and Missy Carson Smith, a Family Liaison for Strong Beginnings preschool program and Great Start Collaborative.

Judy shares her journey from a parent volunteer in her son's Head Start classroom to becoming a substitute, then an assistant teacher, and finally a lead teacher. Her story emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and community support in making career transitions possible. She also reflects on the joy of seeing former students and their families appreciate her impact over the years.

Missy discusses the Child Caring Now initiative, aimed at improving early childhood care and education in a five-county region. The initiative seeks to provide quality, affordable childcare options and support for childcare providers. It includes various subgroups focusing on credentialing, substitute recruitment, new provider support, mentorship, and funding. Missy emphasizes the importance of strength-based approaches in encouraging parents to consider careers in early childhood education, noting the significant positive impact it has on both families and communities.

To learn more about the Child Caring Now initiative, Missy directs listeners to childcaringnow.org, where they can find information and contact details to get involved in various aspects of the program.

SUPPORT NMCAA BY DONATING - Erica Austin introduces guest co-host Melissa Findley-Thompson and a special series for National Rebuild Your Life Month, encouraging people to pursue their dreams and take action now.

Guests John Sullivan from Clark Contracting Services and Tish Stave from NMCAA are introduced. Tish explains NMCAA’s partnerships with contractors for weatherization and emergency home repairs through an RFP process.

John discusses his company’s work in weatherization and construction across Michigan. Both John and Tish share their career paths in construction and their current roles.

The importance of skilled trades is emphasized, with mention of a program offering free training for a builder’s license. Perseverance in career goals is highlighted.

Tish describes the variety of contractors needed for NMCAA’s programs and the collaborative efforts with community partners to maximize resources and help clients despite funding constraints.

[DONATE TO NMCAA] - In this episode, Erica Austin and Ryan Buck discuss various events and initiatives related to Community Action Month. They start by recapping their previous episode with Brian McGrain, the executive director of Michigan Community Action (MCA), emphasizing his inspiring leadership qualities. They highlight Governor Gretchen Whitmer's proclamation of May 2024 as Community Action Month in Michigan.

They introduce two returning guests, Alissa Norris, NMCAA's strategic development coordinator, and Melissa Findley Thompson, NMCAA's engagement manager. The group discusses upcoming events, such as Older Americans Month, Head Start's 59th birthday, and National Pizza Party Day, which aims to engage local pizzerias to support NMCAA's initiatives.

The conversation shifts to recognizing employee milestones, including Jessica Boom's 15th anniversary with NMCAA. They also unveil exciting insider information about NMCAA's brand refresh, featuring a new website with a modern color palette inspired by the Great Lakes region.

Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of community engagement and partnerships in supporting NMCAA's mission. The discussion showcases their enthusiasm for serving the community and fostering positive change.

SUPPORT NMCAA - DONATE This podcast episode features Erica Austin and Ryan Buck from the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency discussing various aspects of community action, including an interview with Brian McGrain, the executive director of Michigan Community Action. They discuss the significance of Community Action Month, the history and mission of community action agencies, and the importance of the community needs assessment in addressing local challenges. McGrain emphasizes the diverse needs across different communities and the importance of storytelling and showcasing tangible results to engage elected officials and garner support for community action initiatives. He also highlights the need for a broader perspective that considers the statewide impact of community action efforts. Overall, the conversation underscores the role of community action in addressing poverty and supporting individuals and families in need.

SUPPORT NMCAA - DONATE - This episode features hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck discussing various topics related to The Collective Us podcast by NMCAA (Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency). They discuss their journey of podcasting together, including how they got started and the topics they cover. They highlight segments from their episodes, including interviews with guests discussing child and family development, homelessness prevention, and homeownership challenges. The hosts reflect on the importance of community support and partnerships in addressing these issues. They also emphasize the impact of their guests' stories and the services provided by NMCAA.

This episode features hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck discussing literacy, books, and their guests, Kara Gregory and Cyndi Lockey. Kara Gregory talks about her organization, Power Book Bags, and its mission to promote literacy. Cyndi Lockey discusses how they distribute book bags to families in need through the Early Head Start program, emphasizing the importance of early literacy and interaction for child development. Kara Gregory shares the origin of Power Book Bags and its grassroots beginnings in her community, highlighting the impact of community support and volunteer efforts. Cyndi Lockey explains how literacy can start at a young age through simple interactions and exploration. Overall, the conversation underscores the significance of early literacy and community involvement in fostering a culture of reading.

This podcast episode features Erica Austin and Ryan Buck discussing the upcoming March for Meals fundraiser for Meals on Wheels, hosted by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. The event is held at Moomers Homemade Ice Cream and involves a hot fudge sundae bar with various toppings for $10. Lisa Robitshek, manager of Meals on Wheels, and Nancy Plummer, co-owner of Moomers, join the conversation, highlighting the importance of March for Meals in raising funds for seniors facing food insecurity. The episode covers the history of Meals on Wheels, the unique aspects of the event, and its evolution, including adjustments made during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also mention the involvement of local businesses, sponsors, and the special limited edition ice cream flavor created for the event.

The podcast episode features hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck interviewing guests Alicia Temple and Jason Paca from the Child and Family Development Department at NMCAA (Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency). The discussion focuses on the Head Start and GSRP (Great Start Readiness Program) programs, including preschool recruitment and enrollment processes.

The hosts and guests delve into the history of Project Head Start, its comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of low-income families, and its significance in addressing the War on Poverty initiated by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.

The conversation covers the preschool enrollment process, starting with families completing an interest form on the NMCAA website. Alicia Temple, the ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance) and Health Manager, and Jason Paca, the Head Start and GSRP Recruitment and Health Coordinator, explain the steps involved in recruitment, eligibility criteria, and the importance of in-person appointments.

The hosts share testimonials from parents who found the enrollment process easy and expressed appreciation for the support received from NMCAA staff. They also discuss the collaborative efforts with various Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) and the importance of addressing families' holistic needs.

The podcast touches on the eligibility criteria for Head Start and GSRP, emphasizing the priority given to families facing financial challenges, homelessness, or those receiving public assistance. The hosts mention the dynamic nature of waiting lists, with continuous updates based on new applications and changing circumstances.

Alicia Temple, the manager overseeing the waitlist, enrollment, and attendance, explains the selection process, which involves a committee discussion considering factors like eligibility criteria, priorities, and geographical considerations. The hosts also acknowledge the ongoing efforts to serve as many children and families as possible, emphasizing the collaborative approach with other community programs.