Come help us celebrate the religious, cultural and ethnic diversity of Hamtramck AND support the food pantry and other programs of Friendship House!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Meet at Town Center Shopping Mall (Holbrook & Joseph Campau)

The biggest program of Friendship House is s food pantry that serves over 1,000 people each month.  There are many other programs as well that help people deal with the effects of poverty.  Perhaps the most important thing that Friendship House does is to treat people with compassion, dignity and respect regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.  That’s pretty important♥♥♥

Discover the diversity of Hamtramck

• Where else can you find seven mosques in an area of two square miles, and a city where 27 languages are spoken?
• Gather at Town Center Shopping Mall (Holbrook & Joseph Campau) where ample parking is available.
• Walk with a group of 8-10 people at your own pace and on your choice of various routes throughout Hamtramck
• Visit a mosque, historic churches and other special sites
• Stop and Friendship House and other Hamtramck ministries to explore the ways in which they serve those in need.
• Entice yourself with some of the culinary gems in Hamtramck.

CLICK HERE FOR PLEDGE SHEET

Support the Ministry of Friendship House

There is no charge to participate in the friendship Walk.  However, everyone who participates is encouraged to make a donation to Friendship house in support of its food pantry and other “love in action” programs for those in need.

In fact, any additional gifts you can raise from friends and family will make a big difference, because all Friendship Walk proceeds will be matched by the First Baptist Church of Royal Oak Mission Fund!

In order to have enough maps and other materials on hand, please let Linnea Berg, Executive Director of Friendship House, know you plan to participate, and how many friends you’ll be bringing along.

Linneab1415@gmail.com                                          1-313-871-7443

I’m am more aware, I now have power to be smarter with how and when I use my money.

Ms. Ilene participated in the Money Power classes (a financial literacy education program) during the month of February.  Below is her reflection of how the classes of the Money Power program, have put her on a path to discovering and using the power she has when it comes to her money.

What did you think of the money Power Program?

The classes were informative.  There were some things I knew, some things I didn’t know, and some things that I was wrong about. 

What are some of the things you already knew?

I knew about free credit reports, but I didn’t know that they were a good way to see if anyone was trying to steal my identity.  I live on a fixed income, I don’t have a lot of money, so I thought who would want to steal my identity.  The Money Power classes showed me that and identity thief isn’t interested in me, but interested in what they can get in my name, and hold me responsible for it. 

I didn’t know that banks were owned by corporations and credit unions were own by its members.  I thought they were the same. 

What was something you were wrong about?

The Money Power classes taught me that I was wrong about easily my money came in and out of my household.  I used to buy things that I didn’t need!

Such as…. The Daily Newspaper

I used to buy a newspaper every day at $1.00 per day.  That’s $6 for six, plus $1.50 for the Sunday paper, totaling $7.50 for the week ($390 per year).  But, I really only read the paper on Thursdays and Sundays (a cost of $2.50 per week); so now I’m saving $5.00 per week (a savings of $260 per year).  That doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but when you live on a fixed income, every dollar you don’t waste on unnecessary spending, is a dollar you can save and use on more important needs.

Anything else….    

I’m not a big shopper person.  But I do make impulse purchases (buying something I like or want, but don’t really need) from time to time.  From the Money Power classes I started writing down each purchase I made; I would then sit down and look at where my money went, and I realized that I was wasting my money on stuff I really don’t need.  The Money Power helped me recognize that I need to think about my purchases, do I want it or need it; I need to wait for sales, and not simply run to the corner store (a convenience) to purchase something that is almost twice as much as from a regular store.

The Money Power has helped me work to use my money more wisely.

Have you told other people about the Money Power program?

Yes, I have told several.

What have you told them?

I now have control over how I spend my money.  I don’t have a lot, but I have more than I did before.  I still have to pay my rent and my bills, but I can also save.  I’m no longer a “Lazy” spender, I have choices.  I didn’t know that before, but now I do.  As they say, ‘Money is power’, these classes helped me become aware of the power I have.

What attracted you to the Money Power classes?

(Ilene responded with some hesitancy) I really signed up for the vouchers (incentives).  I know that’s not the right answer, but now I am glad that I did.  The class discussion were great, the instructors took time to explain things to us.

I know it’s not right to come for the (incentives), but the subject of teaching me about money, when I know I don’t have any, really isn’t that interesting.  What’s the point, I’m poor.  But the (incentives) got me to sign up, and keep coming back, and now I don’t feel like I’m powerless with my money. 

Faithful Servants of Olivet Baptist Church

Throughout the year, Friendship House, with great appreciation, recieves donations from “Womens Circles” of various churches.  These circles have names like classic names; Dorcas, Philathia, Ester and Ruth.  These ministry circles have historically served as a precursor to what is commonly called a small group, today.  They provide a an intentional time and place for fellowship and support to the women of any congregation along with the focus of serving others.

Sometimes this service is a financial donation, and other times its a Labor of Love.  These Labors of Loves comes to Friendship house in the forms of rolled bandages (White Cross), knitted blankets and hats, clothing and food donations, folding and preparing our Annual Report.

These tireless women (and their menfolk too) hear and respond to the calling of our Lord to serve with love: feeding the lambs and tending the sheep (John 21:15-17) of Friendship House.  For hours they labor in love: cutting and rolling bandages into tight bundles; knit and crochette yarn into tapestries of care designed to hug someone’s body; the letters and envelopes they stuff; the food that is gathered-box-and-deliver to Friendship House.  To all who hear have answered the call from the four corners of the state and country: we thank God for all the work to do, in the name of our Lord.

Your acts of mercy and kindness bring hope, warmth, and full bellies to the ’least of these”.

Thank-you & keep up the great work.

Class members listening to Sam talk about banking.

Sam delivering a riveting talk about banking

The Money Power educational program is up and running!  On February 15th, six students, under the direction of Paul Prochazka and Sam Young, began the journey of learning and discovery to become more powerful with their money. The students are excited!  Each week, homework is assigned and through the week, the students come into the lobby, talking with Sam and Paul about how they already have their assignments compete, and also how grateful they are for the Money Power Program.

Money Power is a financial literacy education program designed to educate the neighbors of Friendship House to recognize the power they have with their money.  By providing knowledge and resources, Friendship House is designing a new style of program which will promote a  healthier financial lifestyle.

This will be accomplished through a classroom environment where discussion is encouraged on topics like healthy spending, budget design, predatory practices, banking institutions, improving your credit score, investments and taxes, and more.  Friendship House hopes that Money Power will improve the lives of its neighbors.  Immediately it will help our neighbors design a plan to get out of debt while establishing and improving lines of credit.

A student responding to of Sam's questions

If you would be willing to support the Money Power program, feel free to make a donation for Friendship House earmarked “Money Power.”  Or you can give Friendship House a call and ask for Paul, who will be more than willing to explain the exciting new program and how you can help Friendship house help its neighbors.

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”

What do these words mean at Friendship House?

“Friendship House is a community resource network of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’,”  starts our Mission Statement, and we are thinking about what that means for the
future.  One element guiding our thoughts is empowering people to help themselves. We want to help those who are able to become independent of Friendship House to do so.  Whenever possible, we wish to foster a sense of community and connectedness between Hamtramck residents. To the extent that neighbors can work together to help each other and their neighborhood, we want to support them. Of course, we strive to act “neighborly” to our Hamtramck neighbors.

The First Baptist Church of Tekonsha (located 110 miles west of Hamtramck) brought us 118 gift wrapped shoe boxes designed specifically for homeless children.  Friendship House took a bunch of them over to the Hamtramck Public Schools headquarters because schools usually know who the homeless kids which attend their schools.  Here is what one of the principals  wrote in response.

I wanted to drop you a short line before leaving for the holidays to thank you and the folks at Friendship House for your wonderful generosity.  The students were so surprised by the Christmas gift boxes as school dismissed today.  Everyone who received one walked out of the school with huge smiles on their faces.  The Holbrook Elementary staff really appreciates the work you do in our community.  Best wishes for a most blessed holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Russell Robinson  Principal Holbrook Elementary School