July 2006

In this Issue

• Results Matter
  2-1-1 helps uninsured metro Detroiters
• Partnership Matters
  American Idol welcomes Women's Initiative member
• Change Matters
  Society attacks region's truancy rates
• Leadership Matters
  DaimlerChrysler wins two United Way Summit Awards
• Having Fun Matters
  Congratulations to our May 2006 Trivia Winner
• Communication Matters
  Sign Up for Customized Newsletters
  Share Your Voice - Submit a News Story Idea
  Subscribe to the UWSEM Blogs

United Way's 2-1-1 is working to provide thousands of uninsured metro Detroiters access to health care through a partnership with the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority (DWCHA).

The health authority is relying on United Way's 2-1-1 technology to get local individuals and families screened for eligibility in the Medicaid program. DWCHA works to coordinate health care delivery for approximately 700,000 uninsured and underinsured Detroit and Wayne County residents, many of whom are forced to seek Medicaid benefits when other options are not available to them.

Those interested in exploring Medicaid eligibility are encouraged to complete a pre-screening questionnaire online at www.uwsem.org/gethelp, or via phone, by simply dialing 2-1-1.

The service is free, open to all Michigan residents and takes less than five minutes to complete. The authority will contact eligible Wayne County residents within three business days. Others may dial 2-1-1 for additional information or further assistance.

Drop three avid American Idol fans in the middle of Hollywood, surround them with celebrities and add a little fun in the sun and you pretty much get the picture of how United Way volunteer M. Cathy Nowosielski, MD, and her family spent a recent trip to Southern California.

Dr. Cathy, as she's known affectionately, is a volunteer member of United Way Women's Initiative Steering Committee and a Leadership Giver. Last fall, she was the high bidder during United Way's online auction on a trip to the American Idol finale. Dr. Cathy took along her sister and teenage niece. And, she kept a diary of their trip, the highlights of which follow.

Our week in Los Angeles was "Idolistic," courtesy of the first annual United Way for Southeastern Michigan on-line auction, and the generosity of Ford Motor Company.

As a member of the UWSEM Women's Initiative Steering Committee, I learned of the online auction conducted in December 2005, and took a look at the items available. The American Idol tickets jumped out at me as a wonderful surprise for my only niece, Erin, to celebrate her eighth grade graduation.

As a member of the UWSEM Women's Initiative Steering Committee, I learned of the on-line auction conducted in December 2005, and took a look at the items available. The American Idol tickets jumped out at me as a wonderful surprise for my only niece, Erin, to celebrate her eighth grade graduation.

We stayed in Los Angeles for a week, and were able to fill that time with some memorable experiences.

We attended the new Simon Cowell show, America's Got Talent, and received star treatment, including runway seats down front, a personally-guided tour of the hills of BH (that's Beverly Hills to you Midwesterners), and a shopping spree. We even managed to squeeze in stops at Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Finally, we topped off our swing through LA with two evenings in the audience at  American Idol. There truly is nothing like being there. The atmosphere in the Kodak Theater was electric, the entertainment was great and the camaraderie with our fellow fans was lively.

We did see Simon and the rest of the judges up close and personal, as well as Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks. We even met (and congratulated) Katharine's proud parents. We taped an interview for a radio program. We even chatted with David Hasselhoff at the Fox VIP Party about his work as a judge earlier in the week on America's Got Talent.

The best part of our trip to LA was being able to treat my niece to what may be an opportunity of a lifetime. I'll always remember the smile Erin had on her face the second night of the trip, after a very kind man gave her his seat next to the British Pop Idol representatives. The gesture made Erin's trip. Thank you to this anonymous friend. And thank you to Ford Motor Company, for graciously contributing this vacation to United Way's online auction. UWSEM is so lucky to have supporters like you.

- M. Cathy Nowosielski, M.D.

Watch for more news about the 2006 online auction in coming months. To donate items or obtain additional information, please call Chris Beach at 313.226.9236 or e-mail chris.beach@LiveUnitedSEM.org.

Chronic truancy is a serious issue across the tri-county area, and this is significant because youths who regularly skip school are more likely to turn to crime and substance use, and to end up with developmental or emotional problems later in life.

In response to this growing problem, members of United Way's Virgil H. Carr Society are gearing up to ensure that more metro Detroit students are present in classrooms this fall, prepared to learn and given the support they need to succeed.

The Virgil H. Carr Society School Attendance Initiative was developed to identify services gaps in selected areas, generate awareness of truancy as a societal issue threatening all of metro Detroit and to facilitate partnerships between area schools and public and private sector partners to address the problem.

A collaborative effort is needed because chronic truancy is about more than just "skipping school." It's often about a student living in a household that does not recognize or value school attendance.

The Society hopes to educate parents and students about the benefits of being in school every day. So, the group is bringing together human service experts, school administrators and state and local judicial professionals to exchange best practices and to cooperatively explore solutions.

Founded in 2002, the Virgil H. Carr Society recognizes African Americans who give at United Way's Leadership Giving level -- $1,000 or more annually - and its members are dedicated to improving lives and communities across metro Detroit.

Learn more about the truancy initiative and other Society projects, as well as how you can get involved by clicking here.

United Way of America has honored DaimlerChrysler for its commitment to improving lives and communities with two distinguished Summit Awards.

The automaker picked up the awards May 18, at UWA's Community Leaders Conference in Denver. DaimlerChrysler earned top honors in the Corporate Community Investment category, for its generous corporate contribution of dollars and resources, and the Employee Community Investment category, for providing employees company-wide opportunities to contribute to local communities.

"DaimlerChrysler has done an outstanding job engaging its employees in both the mission of United Way and the need to address issues facing communities," said United Way of America President and CEO Brian A. Gallagher. 

This is the 19th year that UWA has honored companies with this award. The awards are open to companies that are part of UWA's National Corporate Leadership Program - those companies that have at least 10,000 employees at 25 or more locations, run a company-wide campaign involving each location and subsidiary, and raise more than $1 million in corporate and employee giving. 

"DaimlerChrysler employees have a tradition of helping communities in need, boosting United Way donations last year by 13 percent to more than $12.8 million," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group president and chief executive officer. "Our thanks go out to our partners at the UAW for their contributions, and to the United Way of America for recognizing the entire DaimlerChrysler family for their efforts to help fulfill basic needs such as education, health care and food, for so many."

DaimlerChrysler has been a long-time supporter of United Way on both the local and national levels. In metro Detroit, DaimlerChrysler has contributed nearly $244 million to United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Torch Drive campaign since 1949.

LaSorda chaired DaimlerChrysler's 2005 United Way company campaign at the Chrysler Group's Auburn Hills headquarters. The theme of the campaign was "Champion the Cause." Employees participated in a literacy project that resulted in about 5,000 children's books being collected, and a bake sale that raised $13,000 in just two hours, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the DaimlerChrysler Foundation, among other events.

"As a result of DaimlerChrysler's generosity and commitment to community, millions of people have received necessary services to improve their lives," said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "The level of corporate involvement demonstrated by DaimlerChrysler's executive leadership, and the level of engagement by DaimlerChrysler employees to support the mission of United Way, is unprecedented."

The entries have been reviewed, and the winner of the first-ever Community M@tters™; online trivia quiz is Jacqueline R. Harper. Congratulations!

For being the first to submit the correct answers to last month's quiz, Jacqueline received a surprise visit from United Way for Southeastern Michigan's own mascot, Captain Carin'. The good Captain personally delivered a basket chock full of United Way goodies to Jacqueline's Detroit area office. 

Don't miss your chance to win the next challenging quiz in the July edition of Community M@tters™.

The correct answers to May's quiz, with answers:

1. How many total calls did the United Way2-1-1 call center receive in March of 2006?
Answer: 6,288

2. Who serves as the chair of the UWSEM board of directors?
Answer: Anthony F. Earley, Jr

3. Does United Way for Southeastern Michigan have a Planned Giving program?
Answer: Yes

4. What are the four areas in which United Way works to create change each day?
Answer: Nurturing Children, Building Stronger Neighborhoods, Strengthening Families and Promoting Health.

5. Is the Autism Society of Michigan one of our community partner agencies?
Answer: Yes

6. How much money do you need to contribute to UWSEM to become a Leadership Giver?
Answer: $1,000 or more

7. Out of the 14 voluntary Detroit Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Solicitations, how many does UWSEM meet?
Answer: 14

8. How many Michigan-based United Ways has our current President and CEO Michael J. Brennan worked for?
Answer: 3

Communication Matters

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Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of Community M@tters™. In addition to this general newsletter, United Way for Southeastern Michigan offers specialized electronic newsletters and updates for individuals interested in such topics as the Women's Initiative, United Way's 2-1-1 and workplace campaigns. Please enter your e-mail address in the box below to sign up for any of the specialized UWSEM newsletters. We look forward to keeping you informed!

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