OUR NEIGHBORS. OUR FAMILY. LET S DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. Homeless No More, a painting by Reuben Kenyatta, graduate of VOAMI veterans programs. See inside for details. HOMELESS NO MORE
WHO DO YOU SEE IN THESE FACES? Artist Reuben Kenyatta explains some of the people and situations depicted in his painting, Homeless No More. HOMELESS NO MORE is a painting concept developed from my own personal experience of being a homeless veteran and to show the many different faces that make up this forgotten and unforgiving world. We often judge homelessness as a self-inflicted misfortune and forget the many other mitigating issues that may have forced a person down this desperate road of despair. To change any condition, we must first change how we view it. A mother with a baby and young daughter symbolize the fact that homelessness can happen to anyone and famlies are especially vulnerable. Mr. Kenyatta said he wanted to be sensitive to stereotypes, and chose this African- American man to demonstrate the 40 percent of the homeless population who have a physical disability. This man depicts someone who regrets not having prepared for old age. He wants to put his wilder youth behind him, but he has no savings and now needs a place to stay as cold weather sets in. This young woman had a good job and a home -- but had to flee an abusive relationship that had her living in fear for herself and her son. Domestic violence is a significant factor in homelessness for women. Mr. Kenyatta said seeing homeless children is a heartbreaking experience, knowing they are homeless through no fault of their own. The VOA saw a 15% increase in children sheltered last year. Reuben Kenyatta is a graduate of the veterans programs at Volunteers of America Michigan. He produces art through his own Wild Wolf Fine Art Studio and recently spoke at an event at the Detroit Institute of Art. Visitors to our Veterans Housing Program will recognize the large mural he painted honoring military service. He donated his painting, Homeless No More to help promote the event. Find out more at www.kenyatta-art.com
FROM THE DESK OF KEVIN T. McGRAW I have a confession. I worked in downtown Lansing for 14 years. I saw the homeless people downtown, scavenging in garbage cans, carrying what looks like everything they own, asking for money. I m embarrassed to say that, although I had empathy for those people, I was too busy or didn t care enough to help. Maybe I was afraid of peeling the onion and seeing that it would take more than I could do. Maybe I felt they were victims of their own choices in life. I learned that I was simply ignoring what I saw, believing someone else will deal with it. Or thinking, It s not my problem. Man, was I wrong. Thank God that a chance meeting with the leadership at Volunteers of America opened my eyes. I saw that there are A LOT of people in our community who need help, and that the VOA is AWESOME at providing that help. They provide a multitude of services and they do it extremely efficiently. So, none of us has an excuse anymore! We CAN help the most vulnerable in our community and it won t take a lot of our time or energy (unless you want it to!) Drive down North Larch Street and see the folks making their way from the bus stop to the VOA. Observe the little kids struggling with cheap rolling suitcases and stuffed trash bags. Know what s in them? Everything they own clothes, old stuffed animals, school notebooks, maybe a toothbrush and pillow. These are our neighbors, our friends. They are our family. Does this bother you as much as it does me? More people arrive every day an average of 19 new people each weekday! at Volunteers of America in desperate search of someone who cares. What do they find at the VOA? A meal, a safe place to sleep, medical and dental care, housing and more. They find hope. This is what Homeless No More makes possible. You can make a difference by joining this cause. Let s show we care about our suffering neighbors. Let s give them some hope. Let s do something about this. No excuses anymore. Kevin McGraw writes about the common sight, little kids struggling with cheap rolling suitcases, at left. HOMELESS NO MORE 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Kellogg Center, East Lansing A night of networking and socializing with people who like you are committed to extending a hand to our most vulnerable neighbors. Your sponsorship of this event keeps hope alive for the thousands who turn to Volunteers of America Michigan. Chair, VOA Lansing Committee
IN 2017, DONORS TO HOMELESS NO MORE PROVIDED ENOUGH FUNDING FOR: 3,240 nights of Emergency Shelter to men, women and children; 2,645 nights of hotel lodging for families when shelters are full; 22,371 hot, nutritious meals in our Community Kitchen; 7,051 services in New Hope Day Center; and 2,045 nights of shelter for homeless veterans. WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH IN 2018 $20,000 to $30,000-plus: BEACON SPONSORSHIP 874 to 1,311 bed nights in the Emergency Shelter 751 to 1,127 hotel bed nights when no other beds are 6,355 to 9,533 hot meals in the Community Kitchen 1,638 to 2,457 services at New Hope Day Center 442 to 662 veteran service days with supportive housing and employment assistance 437 to 873 bed nights in the Emergency Shelter 376 to 750 hotel bed nights when no other beds are 3,178 to 6,354 hot meals in Community Kitchen 833 to 1,637 services at the New Hope Day Center 221 to 441 veteran service days providing supportive housing and employment assistance 218 to 436 bed nights in the Emergency Shelter 188 to 375 hotel bed nights when no other beds are 1,589 to 3,177 hot meals in Community Kitchen 417 to 833 services at the New Hope Day Center 110 to 221 veteran service days providing supportive housing and employment assistance Name on sponsor board above VOA logo Opportunity for radio and television time Name on printed material: invitations, program, etc. (if confirmed by print deadline) Name on media releases, website and table tents Full page ad in program 10 tickets (additional tickets upon request) $10,000 to $19,999: COMMUNITY PATRON SPONSORSHIP 109 to 217 bed nights in the Emergency Shelter 94 to 187 Lodging nights for families 794 to 1,588 hot meals in Community Kitchen 208 to 416 services at the New Hope Day Center 55 to 109 days housing and services for veterans Name on sponsor board Name on all printed material: invitations, program, etc. (if confirmed by print deadline) Name on website Name on table tents Half page ad in program 8 tickets to event $5,000 to $9,999: PART OF THE SOLUTION SPONSORSHIP Name on sponsor board Name on invitations, program, etc. (If confirmed by print deadline) Name on website Name on table tents 8 tickets to event $2,500 to $4,999: MERCIFUL CARE $1,000 to $2,499: IMMEDIATE NEEDS 44 to 108 bed nights in the Emergency Shelter 38 to 93 Lodging nights for families 318 to 793 hot meals in Community Kitchen 83 to 207 services at the New Hope Day Center 22 to 54 days housing and services for veterans Name on sponsor board, program, website etc. (If confirmed by print deadline) 6 tickets to the event Name on sponsor board, and website (If confirmed by print deadline) 4 tickets to the event
Homeless No More reception for Volunteers of America Michigan 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Kellogg Center, East Lansing Please fax this form to (517) 574-7970, email to Renee Jones at rjones@voami.org or mail to: Volunteers of America Michigan, 414 N. Larch St., Lansing, MI, 48912 Name: Title: Organization: Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: YES, I will be a sponsor of the Homeless No More on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, from 5:30 7:30 p.m. to support the efforts of the Volunteers of America Michigan. Beacon Sponsor ($20,000 to $30,000-plus) AMOUNT: $.00 Community Patron Sponsor ($10,000 to $19,999) AMOUNT: $.00 Part of the Solution Sponsor ($5,000 to $9,999) AMOUNT: $.00 Merciful Care Sponsor ($2,500 to $4,999) AMOUNT: $.00 Immediate Needs Sponsor ($1,000 to $2,499) AMOUNT: $.00_ Tickets at $125 each, for total of $.00 PLEASE PRINT HOW TO LIST YOUR SPONSORSHIP IN RECOGNITION MATERIALS: Payment: A check for the full amount is enclosed. Please invoice me for the full amount Please bill my Visa or MasterCard #: Security code: Expiration Date: Billing ZIP Code: Signature: Please make checks payable: Volunteers of America Michigan For further information, please contact: Renee Jones at (517) 862-4673 or e-mail at rjones@voami.org