Michigan woman launches vegan shoe line

Elizabeth Katzman

Detroit-area TV host, blogger and momtrepreneur Elizabeth Katzman is committed to living a kinder, cleaner lifestyle...in style. Her new shoe collection for women, "Elizabeth's," fuses fashion and compassion in smart, trend-right styles that are also vegan, eco-friendly and cruelty-free.

Handmade in the United States of recycled materials, Elizabeth's features the season's must-have footwear: Peep-toe booties in faux leather are long on style but short on environmental impact; they're biodegradable and emit no volatile compounds. Faux suede slingbacks are versatile, sexy and made from recycled plastic and soft, ultra-microfiber. And side-zip faux leather combat boots are funky, fashionable and, like all Elizabeth's styles, finely crafted and comfortable enough to be worn every day.

For warmer climes, there are Elizabeth's jelly flip flops, sporting a black cow print or pink pigs and the message "Go Veg."

"This collection was born from my love for animals and fashion," says Katzman. "Although the two are often mutually exclusive, I don't believe they have to be."

Katzman, who lives in Birmingham, is a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom to two young boys. She created the website and blog "Elizabeth's Kind Cafe" (elizabethskindcafe.com) to share tips on cooking, composting and gardening with kids, teaching them to care for the earth and themselves. She and her family became vegan in the process, meaning they don't use or eat animal products, because of the widespread abuse and exploitation of animals for food and also because of the considerable health and environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.

"The vegan lifestyle makes sense on so many levels, and that means not only what we eat, but what we put on our bodies and in our homes," she adds.

Katzman's desire to share her passion as well as resources for a kinder, cleaner lifestyle led to hosting the current "Elizabeth's Kind Cafe" weekly talk and cooking show on Bloomfield Community TV. She also created a store on her website to make available helpful products such as books, cruelty-free cosmetics and her easy-to-use, all-natural DIY Home Cleaning Kit. Her new shoe collection fills yet another important need:

"There are vegan shoes out there, but for style-conscious women looking for really fabulous but cruelty-free footwear, there's a hole in the market. My goal with Elizabeth's is to fill that void, and I look forward to introducing more great styles in the months to come."

Elizabeth's shoes are sold at elizabethskindcafe.com.

A portion of the proceeds from every sale benefits People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and 1% for the Planet, a global environmental initiative.

Fundraiser to Support Women and Journalism Internship

Michigan Women's Media, Inc. will host an evening fundraiser next month to kick-start its Women and Journalism Internship.

Sponsored by Southfield-based Center for Financial Planning, "Women of Words" will be held on October 15, 7 p.m., at the historic Masonic Hall, 23715 Farmington Rd., in downtown Farmington. Guests will meet and hear from three women authors:

Brenda Dziedzic, author of Learn About Butterflies in the Garden, has raised more than 3,000 butterflies in her own backyard. She is co-founder and president of the Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association, and can show you how to create a butterfly habitat in your own backyard.

Joy Gaines-Friedler teaches creative writing both privately and for Springfed Arts Detroit Working Writers. She is also a Writer-in-Residence for InsideOut Literary Arts Project. Her book, Like Vapor, was published by Mayapple Press, 2008 and her work has been widely published in literary magazines.

Rebecca Johns' first novel, Icebergs, was a finalist for the 2007 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for first fiction and a recipient of the Michener-Copernicus Award. Her second, The Countess, a fictionalization of the life of Elizabeth Bathory, the “Blood Countess", was published in 2010.

As you listen to authors read from their works, you'll enjoy tea service, desserts and tea sandwiches from Ginger's Cafe. There will be time for questions, and authors will have copies of their books for sale.

This event will help establish the Michigan Women's Media Women and Journalism Internship, which will offer student journalists the opportunity to write about women's issues for MichiganWomensForum.com  Tickets are $15 and must be purchased by Oct. 10 at MichiganWomensMedia.org, at Sunflour Bakehaus in downtown Farmington (cash or check only), or by sending a check to Michigan Women's Media, P.O. Box 921, Farmington MI 48332-0921. Tickets are not tax deductible. The nonprofit's 501(c)3 application is pending.

Purchase your ticket now!

Know Us Project launches in Michigan

The Know Us Project (KUP), changing public policy one conversation at a time, has launched in Michigan.

According to Judith Kovach, Ph.D., MPIPP Program Director, the KUP grew from discussions among several Michigan and national mental health professionals about how to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by many LGBT people on a daily basis.

"We were aware of some of the 'tell your story' programs and knew about the inter-group contact theory that tells us this should be a successful grassroots effort for change," Kovach said. "But, starting from scratch with only part-time staff, it took some time to get everything into place. I think we now have a program that we can all be proud of and we're anxious to see where this goes. Our early feedback has been exceptionally good!"

The free training program is based on Gordon Allport's inter-group contact theory (Allport, 1954), as expanded upon by Gregory Herek (Herek 2003, 2007), Pettigrew and Tropp (Pettigrew and Tropp, 2007), and some work regarding effective language done by the LGBT Movement Advancement Project (lgbtmap.org) and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (glaad.org).
 
The KUP program also draws heavily on the research of Glenda Russell (Russell, 2000 and 2004) about the impact of anti-gay political campaigns and how becoming proactive can help to build resilience.

This is how the KNOW US PROJECT™ differes from other "tell your story" programs. Participants learn how to assess personal risks balanced with the desire to move a national movement forward. Mental health professionals discuss possible emotional consequences of "telling one's story" and ways in which participants can address any problems that may arise, Kovach explained.
 
The KUP training seminars last 3-4 hours and are facilitated by a volunteer mental health professional. We now have many facilitators in place across Michigan. Learn more at mpipp.org.

Inforum to Release Michigan Women's Leadership Index

Rebecca Blumenstein

Research shows that diversity makes good business sense. What can be done to unlock the benefits that diversity adds to shareholder value and profitability?

On Oct. 17 at the Westin Hotel, Southfield, Inforum and Inforum Center for Leadership (ICL) host a panel of distinguished executives who will address actions to boost the number of women on Michigan’s corporate boards to create a competitive edge. The event will be presented by Inforum BoardAccess™ Initiative, created to help develop qualified women candidates for seats on public and private corporate boards of directors.

The event, titled “Claiming Corporate Leadership: Michigan Women’s Leadership Index and the Future of Our State,” also will include the release of ICL’s biennial Michigan Women’s Leadership Index (MWLI), which evaluates the progress of women’s leadership at Michigan’s top public companies. As in 2009, the research for the MWLI is being conducted by the Eastern Michigan University College of Business. 

Leading the discussion on Oct. 17 will be Rebecca Blumenstein of the Wall Street Journal. She is deputy managing editor, international editor, and a leader of the Journal’s ground- breaking Women in the Economy Task Force. A Michigan native, Blumenstein is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Panelists include:

• Dennis Archer, independent corporate director, former Mayor of Detroit
     Perspective: The challenge of diversity on boards
• Cynthia Brinkley, vice president, global human resources, General Motors
     Perspective: Tone at the top is critical in building a pipeline of women leaders
• Meredith Miller, chief corporate governance officer, UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust
     Perspective: Why institutional shareholders encourage board diversity
• Donald R. Parfet, lead director, Kelly Services; founder and general partner, Apjohn Group
     Perspective: Entrepreneurial and VC experience enhances board culture
• Holly Van Deursen, independent director, angel investor, former Group VP of BP
     Perspective:  European-style quotas and angel investing as paths to board service

Registration starts at 11:30 a.m., with luncheon and panel at 12 p.m. Cost for Inforum members is $50, and $65 for nonmembers. A table of 10 is $575. For more information and to register online, www.InforumMichigan.org.

Oakland County NOW Hosts 'Love Your Body" event Oct. 19

Join Oakland County NOW for a free "Love Your Body Event: Media and Body Image" on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m. at  Birmingham Unitarian Church 38651 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills.

Featured speaker will be Amanda Leavitt of Love Your Body Detroit. Her presentation will be followed by a screening and discussion of "Killing Us Softly", an analysis of women in advertisements.

To RSVP or for more information, write oaklandcountynow@gmail.com or call 248-561-4228

HAVEN offers new group for men committed to ending violence against women

HAVEN is launching a new group designed to get men involved and committed to ending violence against women. The group’s first meeting on September 24 is open to everyone.

The group, Gentlemen, is described as an activist group working toward gender equality. The group is dedicated to encouraging healthy and respectful masculinity; challenging sexism and other forms of oppression; and supporting HAVEN in its mission to end gender-based violence.

“Although the majority of gender-based violence is committed by men, we know most men do not condone such behavior,” explained one of the HAVEN Prevention Education Specialists, Mark Nesbitt. The new program provides a place for men to speak out about issues and learn what they can do to help stop the violence against women.

“Participants will explore the important role men can play in ending gender-based violence in their community and come up with positive changes all men can make,” Nesbitt said.

The inaugural meeting will be Saturday, September 24 at 10 a.m. at 30400 Telegraph Road, Ste. 101, Bingham Farms. Refreshments will be served. There is no obligation to join the group and all are encouraged to attend.

Questions about the meeting and the group can be directed to gentlemen@haven-oakland.org.

HAVEN is Oakland County’s center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault. The nationally recognized non-profit organization is a leader in preventing and treating the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault, through community education and empowerment of survivors. HAVEN believes that everyone deserves to live without fear.

For more information about HAVEN and its programs and services, visit haven-oakland.org or call 248-334-1284.

Beaumont hosts drives, ceremony for domestic violence awareness

A “Silent Witness Remembrance Service,” honoring domestic violence victims in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, will be held on Monday, Oct. 3, 2:30 p.m., at Beaumont Hospital, Troy.

The event will feature an address by Valentina Djelaj, a Beaumont, Troy Emergency Center employee, whose mother was a victim of domestic violence.

The ceremony will be held in the lower level classrooms adjacent to the Garden Café at Beaumont, Troy, 44201 Dequindre Road. The public is invited to attend.

This special remembrance ceremony, kicking off “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” will include reading the names and sharing the stories of Michigan women, children and men who lost their lives last year due to domestic violence. Life-size silhouettes known as “silent witnesses” will be displayed depicting the stories of the tragic deaths of domestic violence victims.

“Domestic violence is one of our nation’s greatest health concerns,” Cathleen Meikle, R.N., Beaumont Hospital, co-chair of the domestic violence committee, said. “Our hope is that this event will help create greater awareness of domestic violence throughout the community.”

In addition to the ceremony, donations of items, such as retail gift cards, food, toiletries, cellphones and household supplies, will be collected throughout the month of October at Beaumont Hospital, Troy and Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe. All items collected will be distributed to two local domestic violence shelters: HAVEN in Oakland County and Turning Point in Macomb County.

Employees at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak are donating funds for a playroom make-over at HAVEN.

Help HAVEN by eating at Olga's in Birmingham Sept. 22

Olga’s has made it simple to support the fight to end domestic violence by hosting a fundraiser for HAVEN, Oakland County’s center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault.

On September 22, Olga’s will contribute a portion of their sales, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Birmingham location, 138 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, to HAVEN. The offer is valid on the above date at Olga’s Kitchen Birmingham, MI location only.

Guests are asked to present a flyer when ordering and Olga’s will donate a percentage of the bill to HAVEN. To download a flyer, visit haven-oakland.org, or go to HAVEN on Facebook and Olga’s on Facebook.

HAVEN, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, is a leader in preventing and treating the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault, through community education and empowerment of survivors. HAVEN believes that everyone deserves to live without fear.

For more information about HAVEN and its programs and services, visit haven-oakland.org or call 248-334-1284.

Wayne County NOW honors feminists

Elizabeth Thompson representing the Michigan Women's Commission presents a
state proclamation for Women's Equality Day to Jacquie Steingold, of Wayne County NOW.

On August 26, Wayne County's chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) honored four women with "Feminist of the Year" awards, during a celebration held at a private residence in Detroit.

Emcee Jacquie Steingold, a longtime NOW member and chapter co-president, kicked off the evening by sharing the history of Women's Equality Day, which marks the day U.S. women were granted the right to vote by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. It was a victory 72 years in the making, she said.

"The women being honored today, as the suffragists, are wonderful models of political leadership, activism and organizing," she said. While women still have a long way to go – with recent losses in the levels of representation in elected offices and a persistent gender wage gap – "we can be proud of the solid base upon which to build for the future."

Honored feminists included:

Congressman John Conyers, on behalf of Rose Mary Robinson

Rose Mary Robinson,  Susan B. Anthony Award for political activism on behalf of women
Robinson has been an activist for many years and was one of the first women to serve on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. She is now a member of the Detroit Charter Commission. Because the Commission was meeting Aug. 26, Robinson was unable to attend, and Congressman John Conyers accepted the award on her behalf.

Kimberly Beebe

Kimberly Beebe, Betty Friedan Award for service to NOW
As president of the Oakland County NOW chapter, Beebe has set records for fundraising and attendance at events. A former construction manager, Beebe said even though her projects came in on time and she met and exceeded profit targets, "That wasn't quite enough." She now sells a line of women's clothing made by a woman-owned company, Carol Anderson by invitation (CAbi).

Gloria House

Gloria House, Harriet Tubman award for service to the community
Once jailed for two weeks for her work in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, House is now a professor at University of Michigan-Dearborn and published poet who read three of her works at the event. House was especially honored to receive an award named for Tubman, an African-American abolitionist who, in the mid-19th century, helped slaves escape the south through the Underground Railroad.

Gilda Jacobs

Gilda Jacobs, Loretta Moore award for consciousness raising on behalf of women
After she was term-limited from the Michigan State Senate in 2010, Jacobs took over leadership of the Michigan League for Human Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that Michigan’s low-income residents achieve economic security. Jacobs said while the organization has in the past advocated to do more for people in need, "we have been concerned about trying to hang on to what we've got. Things could not be worse for women and children in this state."

Mary Luevanos

G. Asenath Andrews

Special recognition was also given to Latina artist and activist Mary Luevanos and G. Asenath Andrews, principal of Catherine Ferguson Academy, a Detroit school for pregnant teens.

In addition to the awards presentation, Elizabeth Thompson, representing the Michigan Women's Commission, delivered a framed copy of Gov. Rick Snyder's resolution proclaiming Aug. 26 Women's Equality Day in Michigan.

Labor Rights Week activities announced

 

Additional sessions will be held:

Monday, August 29, time TBD

Hispanic Center

1204 Grandville Ave. SW

Grand Rapids, MI

Thursday, September 1, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Centro Latino Family Services

3815 West Fort Street

Detroit, MI 48216

September Zonta golf outing benefits HAVEN

In September, enjoy the links while helping others at Chipping In for Women, Zonta’s women’s-only golf outing on September 17, designed to raise funds for HAVEN.

This is the fifth Zonta Club of Pontiac's golf fundraiser for HAVEN. The outing takes place at the Heather Highlands Golf Course in Holly. It is an executive par 3 and 4 course. The Heather Highlands is located at I-75 and Holly Road exit.

Registration is at 7:30 a.m., with a shot gun start at 8:30 a.m. A casual luncheon with awards follows at 11 a.m. Fees are $55 for breakfast refreshments, 9 holes of golf with cart and the luncheon. The price for the luncheon alone is $20.

To register, make checks payable to the Zonta Club of Pontiac N. Oakland and mail them to: Chipping in for Women – c/o Vicki Larabell 12143 Ray Road, Ortonville, MI 48462. For information call Vicki at 248-370-4601 or email larabell@oakland.edu

Proceeds from the outing go to the HAVEN START – Safe Therapeutic Assault Response Team – program. The START team, made up of forensic nurses, physician's assistants, and HAVEN advocates, provides comprehensive compassionate care to the victims of sexual assault. Sexual assault patients receive both emotional support by the advocate and therapeutic medical care in a safe environment at no charge. This care includes medical attention, a detailed forensic exam, and prophylactic medication as indicated.

HAVEN is Oakland County’s center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault. The nationally recognized non-profit organization is a leader in preventing and treating the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault, through community education and empowerment of survivors. HAVEN believes that everyone deserves to live without fear.

Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of women executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women. They assist older women locally who are trying to enter the workforce, by providing help with scholarships, resumes and interviewing skills.

For more information about HAVEN and its programs and services, visit haven-oakland.org or call 248-334-1284.

Eight inducted into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame

A world ranked wrestler, a Hispanic community leader, and a Michigan Supreme Court
Justice are among the 8 notable women selected by independent juries for induction into the 2011 class of the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. The women will be honored at a benefit dinner on Thursday, October 27 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.

The 2011 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame honorees in the Contemporary category are:

• Dr. Lois A. Bader of Lansing is dedicated to combating poverty by providing the gift of literacy and language to people in need. She is the executive director of the Capitol Area Literacy Coalition, a literacy Professor at Michigan State University, and author of several books and articles including the Bader Reading and Language Inventory and Read To Succeed.

• Jumana Judeh of Dearborn Heights works as an advocate for Arab American professional women. She started the Women’s Committee under the Arab American Chamber of Commerce, which later became the Arab American Women’s Business Council. Judeh mentors, creates, and supports networks for women in the Arab American community.

• Justice Marilyn Kelly of Bloomfield Hills is a Michigan Supreme Court Justice. She began her career as a French teacher and was elected to the State Board of Education at age 25—later becoming its president. Justice Kelly worked as a courtroom attorney for over 17 years. She was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals and to the Michigan Supreme Court twice, serving as Chief Justice from 2009-2011.

• Edelmira “Delma” Lopez of Lansing created venues for the Latino community to celebrate and share their heritage and Hispanic culture. Lopez helped found Cristo Rey Church and Community Center in Lansing, was the first Latina on the City of Lansing Housing Commission, and worked for the United Farm Workers.

• Kary Moss of Ann Arbor is the first female executive director of the ACLU of Michigan. During her tenure, Moss has initiated reforms and lawsuits championing women’s rights. As a practicing civil rights attorney, Moss litigated many cases dealing with sex discrimination and women’s rights.

• Rose Mary C. Robinson of Detroit was one of the first women elected to the Wayne County Commission. Her work on the Labor Committee of the Wayne County Commission opened doors for women, disabled residents, and minorities. Robinson is a criminal defense trial lawyer and appellate lawyer, often representing poor and indigent clients pro-bono.

• Tricia McNaughton Saunders, born in Ann Arbor, is the most decorated female wrestler in America. She was the first female to win a Michigan state wrestling title and the first female regional champion. She was the first U.S. woman to win a world wrestling title and has won more than any other American—male or female. Named a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Saunders was the first woman ever accorded this honor.

The Hall of Fame honoree in the Historical category is Valeria Lipczynski of Grand Rapids emigrated from Poland and dedicated her life to serving the Polish American community. Lipczynski grew the Grand Rapids Polish immigrant community and organized social, political, religious, and cultural groups. She was the first woman elected to the Board of Directors of the Polish National Alliance in 1907 and she received the Golden Cross of Merit from the Polish government in 1927.

The Philip A. Hart Award is presented annually to male citizens who have demonstrated a unique understanding and support of women's issues and concerns and have contributed to the advancement of women's rights and interests. This year’s recipient is Scott Burgess, Community Relations & Advertising Specialist for the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America.

The site of the 2011 induction ceremony and dinner, the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, is located at 55 South Harrison Avenue, East Lansing. A reception will begin at 5:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Event reservations ($125/person) and information about sponsorships and advertisements will be available at michiganwomenshalloffame.org or by calling 517-484-1880, extension 203.

The Hall of Fame, established in 1983, was created by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association (MWSA). Its mission is to inspire and engage adults and children by celebrating Michigan women’s history, promoting educational opportunities, and honoring the accomplishments of Michigan women.

The Michigan Women’s Historical Center is home to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, changing history exhibits, the Belen Art Gallery featuring Michigan women artists, and a unique and sassy gift shop.

Shop, Take Classes, Get Your Hair Done ... Help Friendship Circle

On Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19, more than 25 stores along Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield will donate a percentage of their daily sales to Friendship Circle, a nonprofit that provides support and services for families of children with special needs.

The community-wide effort to raise funds for the local non-profit while promoting traffic for local businesses. WKQI 95.5 FM will be broadcasting live from the event on Thursday, with special giveaways to drive additional traffic to the stores.

On Sunday, August 21, Fringe Salon, Real Ryder Revolution, Pure Element Pilates and Yoga Shelter will each host a special fundraiser; 100% of the profits will be donated to Friendship Circle.

“We are completely overwhelmed by the number of businesses who are supporting us on these three days," Bassie Shemtov, Director of Friendship Circle, said. "The truth is that if local business is prosperous, so are the non-profits within in it. We are thrilled to partner with so many wonderful stores and are so excited for Give N’ Get!”

In addition to shopping on Thursday and Friday, Friendship Circle will be coordinating children’s activities and entertainment at West Bloomfield Plaza, Boardwalk and Orchard Mall.

To view a list of the participating stores, their donation percentage and to view updates and special offers for Give N’ Get, please visit GiveNGet.us.

For more information, contact Bassie Shemtov at 248-788-7878 ext. 212, or write to Bassie@FriendshipCircle.org; to learn more about Friendship Circle, visit friendshipcircle.org

HAVEN raises matching funds for grants

Knowing how to leverage money is getting more important these days as funders expect non profits to garner their forces around a call for funding and HAVEN has proven very successful doing just that.

The non-profit, a center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault, recently completed drives of nearly $150,000 to match two grants, issued by Art Van and the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. Each stipulated that a specific amount had to be raised by the non profit in order to get the grant funds.

Development Director Tracy Thomas said these campaigns sparked a great deal of attention and generosity towards the organization. ”We are fortunate to have organizations like the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan and Art Van not only to support us but also help us encourage others to leverage donations and provide needed publicity about the campaigns in order for us to succeed," she said.

HAVEN was awarded a $15,000 grant as part of the Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge. With the funding, HAVEN will conduct Skills for Violence Free Relationships throughout Oakland County schools to as many as 3,000 teenagers.

The “Community Foundation Challenge for Emergency Food & Shelter” campaign awarded a $50,000 matching grant to HAVEN in partnership with the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. The monies were earmarked separately for the annual operating funds and the endowment. Funds raised will support the critical operations and support services in HAVEN's emergency shelter program in Pontiac.

Celebrating START nurses all year long

National Nurses Week was celebrated in May, but a local nonprofit that provides support those experiencing domestic or sexual violence thinks the acknowledgment should run all year long.

The nurses who work with HAVEN have special challenges in their “second” jobs, as there are few experiences as traumatic as sexual assault and rape.

The START (Safe Therapeutic Assault Response Team) for HAVEN is made up of forensic nurses, physician's assistants, and HAVEN advocates who are on call 24 hours a day to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to the victims of sexual assault. The nurses are specially trained registered nurses and physicians assistants who perform medical forensic examinations of adolescent and adult victims of acute sexual assault. They collect evidence from suspects in police custody and work with victims. They will also testify in court.

START nurses and staff assist any victim of sexual assault, 13 years or older, who report the crime within 96 hours of its occurrence. They examine both males and females and provide evidence collection from both victims and suspects.

The START site in Royal Oak is where sexual assault survivors are met by both an advocate and nurse. There, survivors receive both emotional support and therapeutic medical care in a safe environment. This care includes medical attention, a detailed forensic exam and medication as needed.

HAVEN began the START program in 2002. Meet two the 11 nurses employed with the program:

HAVEN seeks male mentors to work with children

HAVEN, a center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault, has openings for male mentors, with training set to begin in September.

Positive and loving role models are key to raising young people with respect for the other gender. HAVEN utilizes male mentors in many roles. They come in for two hours each week. No prior experience is needed.

Male volunteers are critical to providing healthy, non-violent role models for children who have witnessed family violence. Volunteers spend time with children of all ages in activities that are often directed by the children. They also plan various activities, games and events for the children.

Rick Scarpelli and Jason Smith are at different stages in their lives; Scarpelli is retired and Smith is a college student. But both HAVEN mentors bring unique perspectives to the young people with whom they interact.

Scarpelli, of Waterford, has worked as a Male Mentor since the start of the year. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience along with his interactions with the children.

Smith, of Holly, has worked with HAVEN for the past year. Despite a jam-packed schedule, he always makes time with the children.

HAVEN puts all volunteers through a thorough selection process. They receive 24 hours of training and must match HAVEN’s empowerment philosophy and be willing to join in examining how men’s violence against women affects everyone.

For training dates and an application, contact Belle Kleinberg Hornung at bkleinberg@haven-oakland.org or 248-334-1284, ext. 659.

HAVEN Promenade of Hope raises almost $250K

Committee member Meg Gordy and
HAVEN speaker Sharon Ule

Over 450 guests celebrated HAVEN’s 2011 Promenade of Hope, There is No Place Like  Home, on May 12, at Art Van Furniture in Royal Oak.

This year’s event raised almost $250,000 in net proceeds. The annual fundraiser is the largest fundraiser for the 36 year-old nonprofit; raising over 20% of HAVEN’s annual fundraising budget each year.

Funds raised from this event help HAVEN continue to provide services to survivors of domestic and sexual assault, free of charge.

Helping garner the community’s support this year were Honorary Chairs Henry Baskin and Art Van Elslander, both of Bloomfield Hills, and the Co–Chairs Meg Gordy of Beverly Hills, Lori Mazurek of Fenton, Deborah Roelofs of Troy and David Sokol of Oakland Township.


This years’ Promenade of Hope sponsors included Diamond Sponsor, Henry Baskin Foundation; Host and Ruby Sponsor, Art Van Furniture; Ruby Sponsor, Huntington National Bank; Platinum Sponsors, Charter One, Ford Motor Company, Kelly Services, Towers Watson, Verizon Wireless. Gold Sponsors included Conway MacKenzie, Cooper Standard, General Motors Company, Hiller’s Market, Norris Wealth Management Group, Pepsi Beverages Company and Wilshire Financial Group.

Art Van Elslander and Henry Baskin

Photos from the event can be found on HAVEN’s Facebook page, facebook.com/HAVENonline. For more information about HAVEN and its programs and services, visit haven-oakland.org or call 248-334-1284.

HAVEN CEO Beth Morrison and WXYZ's Diana Lewis

The Leaven Center offers summer retreats

Following is a list of programs offered at The Leaven Center, a retreat and study center in Lyons:

For girls 

June 26-30 - GrrrlFest: An Event Just for Girls Ages 10-14

This is girl-space! Create music, art, and poetry; have fun outdoors; eat pizza, play games, do service projects; and lots more. A place to share dreams and talk about what's great and what's hard about being a girl ... More ...

July 14-16 - Tell yOUR STORY: A weekend of aRT, ImproV, wrITing, and MOVEment ... for Girls Ages 13-17 

Express yourself and your wildest dreams ... in words, movement and art! Join us for this transformational weekend that will include theater improv, story-telling and story-writing, dream-catching and friend-catching, weaving fibers and words, adventures indoors and out, and more.

July 26-29 - Spark! Dream! Action! Cultivating Vision and Celebrating Talents for a Better Tomorrow: A Retreat for Girls Ages 13-16

What kind of world do you want to co-create? Explore your ideas and your goals with other young activists; learn how to promote your cause through art, letters to the editor, press releases, poems, video, blogs, acting, music and other talents. Plus yoga, meditation and great food for a healthy mind/body/spirit.

For writers and other artists creating for social change
 
July 1-3 - Spittin' Politics: Poetry, Performance, and Political Activism

Spoken word poetry and performance provide entertaining ways to make political and social justice issues accessible to diverse audiences. This retreat with "powerhouse poet" Ami Mattison explores the relationships between poetry, spoken word performance and political activism by offering participants intensive workshops in writing and performance, as well as an opportunity to present a rehearsed and polished performance. Gender inclusive. More ...

August 18-22 - Yearning for Justice: Writing is/as Resistance

At a time when global and local resistance movements are accelerating in all areas of human life, bringing into voice greater numbers of people --- often from long oppressed populations --- the once hidden longings of people for justice and dignity are at the center of the language we hear every day. Our vision is filled with images of resistance, as well as images of loss unbearable and continuing.

Lizz Winstead headlines Planned Parenthood benefit

Lizz Winstead, co-creator and former head writer of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, will be performing at 8 p.m. July 9 at the Historic Eagle Theater next door to the Crofoot Ballroom, in Pontiac, to raise funds for Planned Parenthood.

Dubbed “Planned Parenthood: WTF (What’s the Fuss)?”, the event opens Winstead’s six-city, national tour to raise funds for the non-profit, which provides women's health services. Winstead said she has been incensed by attacks on womens' health at both the national and local level.

“If creating jobs is the number one priority for politicians in this country,” said Winstead, “why are they so focused on my uterus? My uterus doesn't create jobs; in fact it no longer even does the one it's supposed to.”

In recent months, efforts have been made to withdraw state and federal funds from Planned Parenthood. Agency representatives estimate this could potentially deny 17,000 needy Michigan residents access to life-saving services, including annual exams, cancer screenings and birth control—97 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services.

“Women's health care has become the number one focus of extremists – even worse, it has been reduced to a bargaining chip,” said Winstead. “I say enough is enough, and so should anyone who has relied on Planned Parenthood for basic healthcare, or knows someone who has.”

Winstead’s national tour, “Planned Parenthood: I Am Here For You,” is designed to raise awareness, friends and funds for the organization, and to encourage the one in five women who use Planned Parenthood to speak publicly about the organization’s role in delivering mainstream, preventive, life-saving medical care.

“Planned Parenthood has been there for me in every facet of my reproductive health, and now I want to be there for them,” she said.  “The time to stand up for this consistent provider of affordable, high-quality health care is now.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at miplannedparenthood.org.

Exhibit features photos by COTS youth

Detroit’s Coalition On Temporary Shelter (COTS) is pleased to announce the opening of "Through the Eyes of a Child", a photographic art exhibit, on June 14, 2011 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC).

A photo included in the display above includes a note that reads: "I took this picture because I wanted to show that kids of any age can accomplish anything that they set their minds to. One day we will be in a band and she will play the drums."

Monte Nagler, renowned fine art photographer, conducted a photography class for youth in COTS programs and encouraged them to capture their world as they see it. Children also wrote brief statements of what inspired their photos. Thirty touching works, resulting from the efforts of these young artists, will be presented in a traveling exhibit from June 2011 through March 2012.