Upcoming Events

****Backpack & School Supplies, Sponsored by Networkciti***

Goal: PP wants to donate a minimum of 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to low income families. Last day to donate backpacks and supplies is Aug. 20^th. Donations will be given to children in shelters and rescue homes to boost self-esteem and prepare our future for a successful school year.

Date: While our service never ends, we will donate the book packs and school supplies the week of Aug 27^th and Sept 3^rd to send children prepared and ready for a successful school year.

Time:  To donate to this event, email info@GoProjectPINK.org to coordinate pick-up/drop off location or visit our website (http://www.goprojectpink.org/) and click on the donate button. Your support is more than appreciated by both Project P.I.N.K and the families we impacted.

****Engage Detroit Now: A Networking Event Encouraging Synergy between Professional Industries, Sponsored by YEA Outreach & Project P.I.N.K****

Goal:  Engage Detroit NOW will pair complimentary industries in one venue to lend resources and collaborate through like-ventures. Complimentary appetizers and cocktails will be served as young professionals and entrepreneurs from Metro-Detroit connect within their respective industries and with others to mastermind and offer complimentary services. Attendees are encouraged to meet professionals outside of their traditional social circles to expand their economic reach throughout the city, generate ideas for new ventures, and discuss solutions to industry problems. Influence youth retention rates for the city of Detroit.

Date:              August 25, 2011

Location:      Virgil H. Carr Cultural Center 311 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI, 48226

Time:              6pm – 10pm

Cost:              $20

Project P.I.N.K appreciates YOUR Support

&

 HOPE TO See YOU there!!!!

Website: www.GoProjectPINK.org

facebook: Project P.I.N.K or ItsProjectPINK

Twitter: GoProjectPINK

Blogspot: ProjectPINKspeaks.blogspot.com

BACKPACK DONATIONS

Project P.I.N.K is requesting donations of backpacks and school supplies for low-income families. Please assist us providing our future with the essentials to succeed this school year.

Donations are needed by Aug. 20!!!!

Our organization is reaching out asking local businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders for donations of backpacks and school supplies. Monetary donations are also encouraged so supplies can be purchased in bulk. Our goal is to provide 50 low income families with both backpack and school supplies to assist school aged children with starting a successful school year. By providing children with backpacks filled with school supplies, families can use their money to buy food and pay for rent! We also wish to see students head back to school confident and fully prepared.

For more details on how to donate backpacks and school supplies, please email Project P.I.N.K at info@GoProjectPINK.org. We will be hosting a rally on the final collection day!

We look forward to seeing you there!

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR

Be Supportive
Parent Should Help the Student Make the Transition: Plan to take your child to visit the new school or classroom before the first day of school.

Early Bird Gets the Worm
Wake them up early enough to get up on time so they are not tardy! Even if that means waking them up 15 or 30 minutes earlier than they used to wake up.

Get Plenty Rest
Be sure your child gets a good night's sleep. Set a routine bedtime and head to bed earlier than summer days!

Eat Breakfast Daily
Eat a good breakfast every morning, don’t let children skip breakfast. Take advantage of the breakfast programs offered by most schools!

Be Prepared
Have them prepare all of their things the night before, including clothes or uniforms, socks, shoes, hair accessories, backpacks, homework assignments, etc.

Meet with your child’s teacher(s) to discuss your child’s special needs.
Take a picture of your child to the meeting. Teachers are more likely to take a personal interest in your child and remember your child’s special needs if s/he has seen a picture of your child.

Make a List of Important Things About Your Child.
Make a list of the five most important things that the teacher(s) need to know about your child. Explain why these things are vital to your child’s success. Leave a copy of the list with each teacher.

Prepare to Deal with Potential Problems Early.
If your child is in general education classes, prepare for the teacher(s) who wants to see how your child “gets along” before making any changes in the way they run their classrooms.

Resolve Old Concerns and Issues.
Try to resolve these issues and concerns before your child begins to have problems this year.

Go to your school’s Open House.
In addition to giving you another chance to meet with your child's teachers (and make a good impression), teachers often explain their classroom rules during Open House.

Get a bound notebook.
Use the notebook as a “contact log” to send messages to the teachers. Write a sentence of two to the teacher(s) every day.

Be Encouraging
Praise your children, encourage them, use positive reinforcement, work with them closely, let them know that you are available to help if needed.

HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!

College Bound ....

As many students prepare for college and/or next level experiencing beyond high school. It is imperative that we explore our options. After high school, I was not ready for college. I honestly did not apply to college until mid August. I was not intrigued with the idea of just completing 12 years of school and returning for 4 (or more years). College was expensive and I had no money. College just seemed like massive headache to pursue. I was more interested in finding a job and working! Well... turns out with the help of CYD, I was able to learn the benefits of attending college, earn money and work! City Year also provided housing within miles of the work area.

City Year Detroit was a life changing experiencing! It provided me with both the opportunity to work and earn money for college. It also provided me with a unique confidence that encourage me to believe that ALL my dreams were possible. I had the pleasure of meeting lifetime friends and mentors. I attended several workshops and travelled the world. Most importantly, I was able to make a positive impact in the lives of other. Over 5 years later, I am still using monies from AmeriCorps to help with college experiences.

Here is more about the organization, found at www.CITYYEAR.org

City Year corps members are as diverse a group as the communities they serve. We’re looking for you if you want to give back, work alongside a diverse group of people and are ready to change the world. Our corps members must also meet these eligibility requirements. To participate, you must:

• Have a college degree or have attended some college, have a high school or diploma or GED, or be willing to earn a GED
• Be able to dedicate 10 months to full-time service
• Be between the ages of 17 and 24
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident alien
• Have served no more than 3 terms in another AmeriCorps, NCCC or VISTA program
• Agree to a background or security check

Previous experiences with service, tutoring, mentoring and leadership help strengthen candidacy.

As a City Year corps member, you can expect to be challenged both personally and professionally. Your City Year will be demanding – so you’ll have to be strong, disciplined, and committed to serve 1,700 hours over a 10-month period. However, your year as a City Year corps member will also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You will have the opportunity to:

• Pledge to serve schools and communities
• Be a role model, tutor and mentor to kids 
• Plan and run after-school programs
• Coordinate and lead community service projects
• Engage citizens to volunteer
• Be inspired by your teammates, an energetic and idealistic culture and build friendships that will last a lifetime
• Develop leadership skills, by leading and following
• Prove that young people can change the world

City Year corps members come from all over the United States to serve in one of 21 U.S. locations. Some choose to serve at a location close to their hometown, while others decide to relocate to new cities.

Please check it out!!!

On the Move!!!

Last week, our Executive Director sat in a committee meeting to discuss the future of Catherine Ferguson Academy. It has been said that the only school in the city catering to young mothers will be closing at the end of the semester. It is imperative that we work together and keep CFA open! The school provides education and resources for pregnant teens, grades 9-12. Many of the teens come from underprivileged backgrounds and are faced with daily challenges that infringe upon their educational opportunities. The Catherine Ferguson Academy strives to provide quality education in order to ensure a bright future for each child. The goal of the principal and teachers at the academy is to prevent the pregnancy cycle from reoccurring in the next generation of infants. 

Please help us work towards keeping this school open. Catherine Ferguson encourages young mother to stay educated and motivated throughout trials and tribulations!  Save Catherine Ferguson!

History of the CFA:

The Catherine Ferguson Academy (CFA) is a public high school founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1986 for pregnant girls and teen mothers. It is named after a freed slave who dedicated herself to education though she was never allowed to learn to read or attend school as a child. CFA is housed in a former elementary school building which is about 90 years old and has an urban farm in its backyard where the students learn to grow vegetables as well as other skills required for self-sufficiency. Most students come from lower income backgrounds—about 78 percent qualify for free or reduced meal programs, and 97 percent are of African American descent. CFA has a 97 percent attendance rate, a 90 percent high school graduation rate, and the vast majority of students go on to either a two or a four year college.

CFA has been slated to be converted to a charter school if a buyer can be found by June 1, or to close at the end of the school year by order of the Emergency Manager of the Detroit Public Schools, Robert Bobb. The closure or sale is part of a deficit reduction plan to consolidate high schools and increase class sizes to 60 students by 2013. CFA students protested the decision by staging a sit-in and occupying the school during spring break, but were arrested by the Detroit Police on April 16, 2011. Staff from CFA will be given 20 minutes to present their arguments for keeping the school open at a meeting to be held before Emergency Manager Bobb. 

Please click the links below and aid in taking our schools back and making a difference in the lives of young mothers.

More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Ferguson_Academy

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-catherine-ferguson-academy-for-young-women

http://www.bamn.com/doc/2011/110415-catherine-ferguson.asp

http://www.grownindetroitmovie.com/school.php

School Info

If you are interested in attending the Catherine Ferguson Academy For Young Women, contact the main office at:  (313) 596-4771

The school address is:
2750 Selden St.
Detroit, MI 48208

For more information, visit the school website:
http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/schools/school/742