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| When Edith Mejia, whose primary language is
Spanish, moved to Battle Creek in 2001, she struggled in school and
socially because of the language barrier. Then she joined Community
Action Agency of South Central Michigan’s Latino After-School and
Summer Enrichment Program. The United Way-funded program provides
one-on-one tutoring and mentoring that has helped Edith excel in
school and develop a network of caring friends. |
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Teyuna Colen could hardly wait until she was old
enough to be matched up with a big sister through Big Brothers/Big
Sisters. Just recently, the six-year old was matched with Angel
Shoff who has done everything from take Teyuna to the zoo to
swimming. Teyuna's grandmother says Angel is providing Teyuna with
opportunities she never would have if it weren’t for the United
Way-funded program, and she's thrilled Teyuna has a positive role
model in her life. |
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| When area resident Anthony Torres needed reliable
transportation to get back and forth to work and his undergraduate
classes at Western, Goodwill’s Wheels to Work program was there for
him. The United Way-funded program helped him purchase an
at-below-market price car and he was able to live up to his
employment commitments, as well as finish his undergraduate work. He
is now a full-time social worker, husband, father and graduate
student. |
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When local teen Jose′ was having problems
communicating in sign language to his family, whose first language
is Spanish, DeafLink’s Advocacy program stepped in to provide sign
language training for the teen, his parents and younger sister. The
younger sister helped bridge the language gap and now, thanks to the
United Way-funded program, Jose′ can communicate with his family
using the same signs he uses in school. |
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| The Monarch family was struggling with their
son’s ADHD and explosive temper when they sought help from Family &
Children Services family counseling program. The United Way-funded
program, combined with a positive experience through a United
Way-funded Boy Scouts program, has helped their family cope. Their
son has even made Eagle Scout and is succeeding in school.
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Updated
11/21/2007 |
