George James

Kids in Foster Care Get Help from Dave Thomas Foundation

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Dave Thomas Foundation to move kids from foster care into permanent homes. Dave Thomas was the founder of the Wendy’s fast food chain and an advocate for adoption.

The program provides the funding for recruiters who find homes for youth at highest risk of aging out of foster care, including teenagers, children with special needs and siblings. JooYeun Chang, executive director of the Children’s Services Agency within MDHHS said, “Wendy’s Wonderful Kids has demonstrated success at finding families for children who have waited in foster care the longest, and we are thankful for the opportunity to expand this program in Michigan.”

The Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program has a success rate for placement that is three times higher than average. According to MDHHs, there are 13,000 children currently placed in foster care with 300 kids needing to be adopted. More information about fostering and adopting can be found at Michigan.gov. More about the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program can be found at davethomasfoundation.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Job Fair Goes Virtual This Month

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College has not given up on this year’s job fair. While indoor gatherings have been restricted, a Virtual Job Fair will be held on August 18th and 20th, with another one planned for September 22nd and 24th.

In partnership with the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, the City of Port Huron, Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works, and the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce, the job fair has the same goal as the “in-person” job fairs: to allow employers to connect with job seekers who are actively seeking work in the area.

This week, employers can enter their company information, contact information, and available job openings through the SC4 Career Coach portal. Next week, job seekers can review the list of job openings and choose a fifteen-minute time slot to meet with employers to find out more about the jobs. Finally, on August 18th and 20th, the employers and potential employees will meet virtually. Job seekers can find more at sc4.edu/virtual-job-fair. Many local companies are in urgent need of new employees, according to SC4. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Forget about Routine Vaccinations

“The Vaccine” is a hot topic in the news, but parents are asked not to forget about the routine non-COVID vaccines that their children may be behind on receiving.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, kids are falling behind on their vaccine schedule across the state. Well-child visits have been postponed in the wake of the global pandemic, making non-immunized children vulnerable to diseases. Both mumps and measles, which are vaccine preventable and highly contagious have presented in children in the area within the past two years.

The flu vaccine, while not required for school, is being strongly recommended this year. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said, “It will also be vital for everyone ages six months and older to get their flu vaccine this fall. The influenza vaccine will help keep Michiganders out of the hospital for flu-related illnesses, saving lives and protecting our hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The flu vaccine will be available in early fall.

St. Clair County’s vaccination rate is considered “poor” and the waiver rate, where parents choose not to have their children vaccinated, is considered “high”, according to the county health department annual report.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Community Opens Up Wallets for Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home Fundraiser

Port Huron, MI — The Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home in Port Huron exceeded their 2020 spring fundraising goal in a big way. The goal of $20,000 was quickly met and the campaign went on to bring in over $32,000.

Part of the success of the campaign was a matching fund challenge that doubled donations up to $8000 and a Diamond-level donation of $5000 from Laura Newsome, a member of the Home’s Board of Directors.

The virtual fundraiser started in May, in place of the cancelled in-person luncheon that is usually held. Executive Director of Blue Water Developmental Housing, Kathy Swantek, said, “Our luncheon typically raises $20,000 each year, and we were confident we had good community support. However, the community far exceeded our expectations, and we are thankful and grateful to all who recognize the need for Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home, and to all who chose to support it even during the midst of this pandemic.”

Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home has been providing assisted living to area senior citizens since 1944. The home provides lodging for seniors who have lower incomes and may have nowhere else to go.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Majority of Survey Respondents Want Legal Pot Shops in Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The City of Port Huron conducted a survey asking community members for their opinions on allowing marijuana dispensaries in the city. Over 1100 responses were gathered.

Over 70% of respondents were in favor of allowing marijuana dispensaries, and 17% wanted restrictions, while just over 10% of respondents said no to pot shops in the city.

There were a variety of comments. Many showed an impatience with the delays in allowing legal shops. Several comments stated that alcohol poses a greater risk than pot and that it is illogical to restrict a less harmful substance. Other commenters pointed out that legal dispensaries can offer a regulated and safer product than the marijuana people are buying from street dealers, which can be of questionable quality with suspicious ingredients. Still others said that they have a medical marijuana card and have to travel to other cities to get their legal products. The economic benefits of a new revenue source in the city were widely touted by the respondents.

There were also plenty of comments that expressed strong opposition to freely selling a substance that has long been classified as an illegal drug and concern was expressed for the odor caused by smoking marijuana.

The city’s current ban on marijuana dispensaries ends on September 30.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Open Bags of Seeds from China

If you get a mysterious bag of seeds in the mail, don’t plant them. It worked out well for Jack in the fairy tale, but it won’t be so great for you. Instead of discovering a golden egg, you could end up introducing an invasive species to the ecosystem.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has sent out an unprecedented warning asking people who receive mysterious seeds in the mail to leave them unopened. Mike Philip, Director of MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division warns, “These unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.”

The seeds are sent from China and are thought to be part of a “brushing” scam where fake product reviews are generated by “verified owners” to give credibility to online retailers.

The United States Department of Agriculture is currently investigating this situation across the nation. Residents who receive the seeds are asked to call MDARD at 800-292-3939 or go to MDA-Info@michigan.gov. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland