CLEAN UP AND CREATE

As the final days of summer gave way to fall, United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s staff and Board members gathered with the community for a Day of Action at O’Hair Park in Detroit.

“There’s so much that needs to be done,” said Allyson Waldman, chief financial officer at ROUSH and board member at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Spending an hour or two once a month seems like the least I can do to help give back when United Way does so much for the community.”

Equipped with trash grabbers, mulch, stencils and paint, the volunteers transformed the park in time for a noon lunch.

“The clean-up feels wonderful, and it makes the park look brighter,” said Andrea Thompson, community coordinator for O’Hair Park. “It just shows how United Way is caring about different communities in the city of Detroit and it’s very positive.”

O’Hair Park is a central gathering space for nearby residents. For the past eight weeks, it’s hosted a summer program. Now, children gather for reading tutoring every Tuesday, and Andrea distributes fruits and vegetables every Wednesday.

“Thank you for coming out, because all help is needed,” said Andrea. “The more we work together, the stronger we can be.”

EXPANDING ACCESS TO LITERACY

This Day of Action marks the beginning of a multi-year project to install Storybook Trails and Little Free Libraries, made possible through partnership with the Kresge Foundation, the City of Detroit and the Detroit Parks Coalition.

“When The Kresge Foundation approached us with a shared goal of expanding access to literacy resources in Detroit, we saw an opportunity to think beyond traditional settings,” said Kristen Cibulskis, director of engagement at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “By bringing programs and resources into local parks, we could meet children and families where they were and make literacy more accessible.”

Once completed, Storybook Trails will mix nature, play and literacy. Children can have an interactive experience with a story running from one trail marker to the next.

After painting a colorful hopscotch game, United Way’s Manager of People Services Ashley Blevins expressed her excitement for the literacy projects.

“The Storybook Trail is something completely new to me and I think it’s fascinating,” said Ashley. “I love the immersion of it, and I’m also a big theater person, so being able to see the world in the story actually popping up around you is such a cool concept.”

GETTING OUT AND SEEING THE IMPACT

United Way encourages Days of Action to unite teams and the community around a shared mission.

“This is a great chance to connect with the local community,” said Byron Osbern, business representative at IBEW Local 58 and board member at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “And I love being able to complete a project; we had 10 bags of mulch and now that is under the trees.”

It’s revitalizing for team members to get outside, volunteer and see the impact they make.

“United Way really inspires me to come out, because they come up with these great events to help our community,” said Joe Locricchio, manager of facilities at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “I’m literally picking up trash— it’s tangible, I can see the work I’m doing, and I know it’s making this space prettier for the next person.”

Normally behind a desk in finance, United Way’s Executive Business Partner & Procurement Manager Amanda Halula echoed this sentiment.

“It’s important to get out here and get involved in things like this to remind us of what we’re doing when we’re pushing paper and looking at spreadsheets,” said Amanda. “And I really like seeing our committee members, board members and others who are here to support.

“I believe that we can better society by all participating.”

Ready to get involved? Check out new opportunities on our volunteer portal.