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Local News

Extra Bridge Card Payment Coming

All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits are receiving an additional monthly payment in October in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 1.25 million Michiganders in close to 700,000 households will receive additional food assistance benefits.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from Oct. 23 through Nov. 1. These benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

Some Michiganders began receiving additional food assistance in April 2020 after the beginning of the pandemic that started the month before. In May 2021, all eligible households began getting extra monthly benefits. Federal approval is necessary every month.

All households eligible for SNAP receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received over $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:

  • One Person: $250
  • Two Persons: $459
  • Three Persons: $658
  • Four Persons: $835
  • Five Persons: $992
  • Six Persons: $1,190
  • Seven Persons: $1,316
  • Eight Persons: $1,504

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Submitted by MDHHS

Michigan Women Forward

Female Entrepreneurs Can Win $10,000 for Their Business

Michigan Women Forward will award up to $10,000 to female entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or expand their current one. Women must apply by November 10, 2021 to compete in the Southeast Michigan virtual pitch on March 24, 2022.

Applicants will submit a business plan and pitch to an audience, and forty finalists will be chosen. Finalists will be connected with business coaches and mentors who will help them refine their presentations

At the end of the competition, the first place winner will receive $10,000; second place, $5,000; and third place, $2,500.

Carolyn Cassin, President and CEO of Michigan Women Forward, said, “WomanUp & Pitch is an amazing opportunity for budding female entrepreneurs to develop their presentation skills, think strategically to create a strong business plan and make connections with the peers and business leaders.”

The program is sponsored by the Consumers Energy Foundation which seeks to invest in the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Pre-Christmas Bazaar to Benefit Women at Risk

The international organization, Women at Risk, is hosting a Pre-Christmas Bazaar, where handmade items will be sold, at Cornerstone Church in Clyde Township. The bazaar will be on November 5th from 2:00-7:00 p.m.

Women at Risk is a Michigan-based non-profit that works to lift women out of dangerous situations where they could be vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. The organization provides protection, intervention and healing for those who are in danger.

The bazaar will feature items made by the women being served by the organizaiton. The local organizers, Gail Pagurko and Jean Sabo, said that the items for sale will include candles, scarves, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Sabo said that she and Pagurko want to support women and they believe this organization is a great way to help. The event is open to the commujnity and they are hoping many will come out to get a little early Christmas shopping done and support at-risk women.

https://warinternational.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Armory Could Get Upgrades to Support Women in Service

Port Huron’s Army National Guard Armory needs to “get with the changing times”, according to National Guard representatives that gave a tour to legislators and media on Friday.

The U.S. military now allows women into combat roles, but Michigan does not currently have adequate facilities for guardswomen at their armories. That could change with cooperation from the Governor, the legislature, and the federal government to start construction projects at Michigan’s National Guard armories to provide adequate bathroom and shower facilities for the increasing number of guardswomen.

Paul D. Rogers, Major General in the Michigan National Guard and Adjutant General with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said that Michigan is at the forefront of the effort to welcome women into the military roles that help to build skills and provide career opportunities.

There are currently four women in service at the Port Huron Armory with another in training. The $3 million upgrade would be funded with half of the money coming from state appropriations and the rest matched with federal funds. Both State Senator Dan Lauwers and State Representative Gary Eisen expressed support for the renovations to the armory that will update the community facility and support local contractors. Eisen called the renovations “way overdue”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Children’s Author Jacquie Anter Looks to Nature in Book: You

A children’s book author with local ties is looking to guide kids to feeling their inner worth by looking to nature.

Author Jacquie Anter recently released the book, You, published by Archway Publishing. When asked about the book, Anter said, “The book’s message is a simple yet profound one that is sorely needed today. That message is that we are born in perfect love and with perfect value, and all we need to do is look to nature to be reminded of this truth.”

When asked about coming up with the book idea, Anter said, “Kids are so in tune with nature, so using nature struck me as a great way to help remind them that just as they look at the mountains, a forest of trees or a flower — or in Port Huron’s case, all the water surrounding it — and just see the natural beauty, kids can apply that same concept to looking at themselves.”

Anter has spent a lot of time in the Blue Water Area, with her husband having grown up in Port Huron, and it had an impact on her book. She said, “Port Huron is all about nature with a great lake, a major international river, and a river running through its downtown.”

You is Anter’s first book and she is hoping to publish a second book in the next 18 months.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New State Agency Formed to Serve Aging Population

The state of Michigan is about to get a new government agency. The Health and Aging Services Administration within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been created to address the needs of the growing aging population.

Nearly 25% of Michigan’s population is over age 60 and those 85 and older remain the fastest-growing age group. The creation of the new agency combines several other previously established agencies and offices to increase coordination. Service capacity is also expected to expand with the creation of the office.

Kate Massey, the senior deputy director of the new administration said, “Long-term care policy will now come from one coordinated area of MDHHS. We expect these changes to allow smoother transitions across the continuum of care – including for older adults who prefer to age in place. Services to our aging population are a critically important part of MDHHS’s work.”  

 Paula D. Cunningham, state director of AARP Michigan, also commended the streamlined offices, saying, “These improvements are especially important as Michigan’s aging population continues to grow and as many older adults want to continue to live in their homes and communities as they age.” 

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland