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Operation PENCIL

Hello everyone,

My cousin in in the Army and is currently stationed in Afghanistan. He is participating in a program called Operation PENCIL. The mission is to get school supplies to Afghanistan schools. If you’re interested in donating supplies, here is the FB page: https://www.facebook.com/OperationPencil. The address is there, but it’s also here:

Casey Napier
724th MP BN
TASK FORCE CENTURION
APO AE  09354

If you or members of your Village are interested, I encourage you to donate!

 

Thanks 🙂

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MMAM: HUD Property Contract Administrators

fair housingI have a helpful resource to share regarding HUD policy.  Michigan Multi-family Asset  Mangers (MMAM) has Resident Coordinators.  They are a mediator agency;  a contract administrator for some HUD properties.   (MSHDA also does this for other properties.)  They are investigators and mediators to make sure HUD rules are being followed by management.     They can open an investigation, for example, when there are discrepancies between members, who did not recertify on time, and management.   They cannot investigate while a member has an attorney.  They can investigate after a member has signed a repayment plan.   They are a great a great source of information about HUD policy.    For instance, they may find rules were not followed with management’s  delivery of letters to members…some letters  have to be mailed by certified mail and given to the person, sometimes putting them under the door is fine.  If CSI makes an exception for a member, with no history of doing the same for all members in the past, this is not allowed.  (“What we do for one we do for all.”) Here is the contact information:

 

Michigan Multi-family Asset  Mangers (MMAM)

2395 Jolly Road, Suite 180

Okemos, MI 48864

Phone: (517) 267-9277

Fax: (517) 267-9894

Tenant Inquiries Phone: (517) 267-9905

(517) 267-9905

Tenant Inquiries Fax: (517) 267-9894

Tenant Inquiries Email: residentcomplaints@mamhousing.com

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Michigan Weatherization Assistance Program News

The Mich Weatherization Assistance Program is operating through the Community Action Agencies.  Eligible families must have income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. contact their local CAP agency.  DHS & SSI recipients automatically qualify for this no cost program. Visit the Michigan Community Action Association website for details.

 

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Veterans Aid and Attendance How-to Website

A great Aid and Attendance website for Veterans reviewed in a NYT blog:

A Department of Veterans Affairs benefit called the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Improved Pensionbenefit, known as A&A, can cover the costs of caregivers in the home (including sons and daughters who are paid to be caregivers, though not spouses) or be used for assisted living or a nursing home.

The benefit is not insignificant: up to $2,019 monthly for a veteran and spouse, and up to $1,094 for the widow of a veteran.

….Ms. Burak introduced VeteranAid.org, a Web site and a 501(c)(3) charity, in 2005, to provide information about A&A eligibility and how to apply.

Source:  http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/few-know-of-benefit-to-help-aging-veterans/

I’ve reviewed the website, and it is extraordinarily thorough with excellent information and detailed steps for navigating the application process.

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Youth and Senior Safety Fair at Belle Isle

Katy Graham, Hannan Trustee, sent us a flyer for:

Youth and Senior Safety Fair

hosted by TRIAD and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office

Wednesday, 8/22/12, 10am-2pm

Belle Isle Casino

Picnic Lunch

Information: 313-224-0614

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Social Security Offers Free Interpreters

Social Security Administration offers Free Language Interpreters

We provide free interpreter  services to help you conduct your Social Security business. These interpreter  services are available whether you talk to us by phone or in the Social  Security office.

Call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, if you speak Spanish press 2, for all other languages press 1,  stay on the  line and remain silent during our English voice automation  prompts until a representative answers. The representative will contact an interpreter to  help with your call. If your business cannot be completed by phone, we will  make an appointment for you at a local Social Security office and arrange for an interpreter to be there at the time of your visit.

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Veterans Resources

A few handy links that could help family members of your clients…

C3 Workforce Inc. – Southgate; A staffing and placement agency that specializes in finding jobs for veterans

Emmanuel House Recovery Program – Detroit; Provides housing, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, job assistance and temp transportation to and from jobs

Onward March – Commerce Twp; Nonprofit helps veterans transitioning into civilian life and entrepreneurship ventures

Pure Michigan Talent Connect – State employment services for veterans

Southwest Housing Solutions, Piquette Square – Detroit; provides housing and mental health and substance abuse counseling

Veteran’s Haven – Wayne; Provides food, clothing, transitional housing and medical supplies. 734-728-0527

Volunteers of America, Michigan – Provides employment and housing for men and women vets and their families

 

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DHS application legal assistance

The legal organization that assists with DHS application issues is the Center for Civil Justice. I just found out they only open cases for food benefits in Wayne County and work with Medicaid cases only in Genessee County. However, one of their assistants told me that even though they can’t open a case for you, they can answer any questions you have and advises you to call.

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