AUGUST 11, 2023 HOMELESSNESS Washtenaw Homelessness Summit initiates grassroots coalition of peers JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 On Saturday, August 5, I attended the pilot meeting of what is on its way to becoming a coalition of grassroots peers of the homeless. In attendance were representatives from Washtenaw Camp Outreach, Peace House of Ypsilanti, Mercy House, the NeuroTraining Initiative, Care Based Safety, Circling Back, Women on the Move, Journey of Faith Church and A Servant's Heart which works in Ypsilanti’s West Willow. The conference went from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., during which members of each organization got to know each other, learned about what each organization does and how we can work together toward common goals. We discussed what that synergy might look like. We talked about how to structure the coalition, how it will benefit the community and further our individual organizations' goals. Part of the coalition’s function is to keep each other informed and apprised of each other's services and movements. Communication on this level is sorely needed among our grassroots community of care. Personally, as someone who has experienced homelessness, I can say easy-to-find resources would have helped get me out of homelessness faster than having to research and rediscover the steps to the services. Much of the information shared was based on an impressive survey of 50 unhoused and formerly unhoused persons in Washtenaw County. The purpose of the survey was to get an idea of what the strengths and gaps are in the care they receive. See the Unhoused Experiences in Washtenaw County report for more information. Currently, the coalition is loosely formed and doesn’t even have an official name yet. It will develop structure as it becomes necessary. We decided that as a coalition our priority should be emergency shelter. Future meetings will flesh out how the weight of this newly-found body can meet this need. This decision was spot on. A few times during my experience I feared for my life due to being trapped outside during a Michigan winter. Fortunately, I had a gym membership that was 24 hours and management didn’t care that I hung out there for 8 hours at a time. Another idea that surfaced was that of a “service hub,” a physical space where the organizations above (and potentially others) would offer resources in a community setting that promotes a sense of belonging. This one-stop-shopping approach — meeting a variety of needs from tents and sleeping bags to filling out forms to obtaining documents to strengthening mental health — would have been very welcome when I was experiencing homelessness. Overall, the day left me feeling like I was in the Hall of the Justice League of America. In fact, there were quite a few Wonder Women and Supermen. Given the caliber of the people forming the groups, their passion, compassion and devotion to the community, I am very excited to see where this coalition goes. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library TICKS from last page homeless campers go beyond the physical effects of bites. Scarce resources hinder their ability to effectively address tick-related concerns, with preventative measures such as regular body checks and tick removal consistently overlooked amidst the daily battle for survival. In addition, the improvised shelters used by the homeless offer scant protection from these relentless pests, exacerbating their exposure and vulnerability. While this tick infestation is rampant, empowerment through education has emerged as a crucial tool, equipping people experiencing homelessness with knowledge on tick prevention and early recognition of tick-borne diseases. To avoid tick bites, it is essential to avoid tick-infested areas, such as grassy, brushy and wooded places. When possible, walking in the center of trails can help avoid contact with ticks at trail edges. Additionally, bathing or showering as soon as possible after coming indoors can help wash off ticks, and more easily find ones that might be crawling on the body in hard to reach places. If you cannot avoid tick-infested areas, repellent that contains permethrin is effective for not only ticks, but mosquitos and bed bugs. Protecting pets is also crucial, as dogs and cats can carry ticks indoors. Using EPA-registered repellents on exposed skin and treating clothes with permethrin can provide additional protection. Performing daily tick checks, thoroughly inspecting the body and removing attached ticks with tweezers on both pets and humans, is vital to prevent tick-borne diseases. From moose populations bravely battling the consequences of soaring temperatures to homeless campers weighed down by the burden of tick infestations, collective action becomes paramount. Together, we must unite to find solutions, safeguarding the well-being of all, thereby extending a protective embrace to those most vulnerable among us. All artwork is for sale (cash only). Artists donate 10% of what they sell to Journey of Faith’s homeless ministry. ART ON A JOURNEY When homeless artists create and sell their art they gain much needed financial support while making sense of the world and finding meaning and purpose in it — it’s a journey we’re all on. August 1 – September 14 at the Ann Arbor District Library, downtown branch. Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and science tools— you name it! Plus, we heard there are plenty of Summer Game codes hidden across all of our locations, exclusive to library visitors. Unusual Stuff to Borrow There’s more to borrow at AADL than books, music, and movies. To name a few, there are games, telescopes, stories-to-go kits, and home tools. Check out these unusual yet handy items during your next library visit. Michigan Activity Pass With a valid library card from any Michigan public library, you can print a pass to participating organizations, including museums and state parks, through the Michigan Activity Pass website. Some partners offer complimentary or reduced-price admission; others, discounts in their gift shop or other exclusive offers. FEATURED EVENT 5 Sunday, September 10 10am–5pm • Downtown Library Formerly the Kerrytown Bookfest, the A2 Community Bookfest is thrilled to return to downtown Ann Arbor for 2023! Booksellers, publishers, authors, and more will be on the vendor floor from 10am-5pm along with featured author talks, and various activities throughout the day for all ages. For details, visit AADL.org/bookfest
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