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Local News

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Announces Fall Campaign Goal

Sarnia, Ontaio — United Way of Sarnia-Lambton will tackle the fall campaign with a $1,900,000 Needs Target. The target, set by the local volunteer Board of Directors, is unchanged from 2019. 

“The vital programs that are funded by United Way remain a critical component in invoking positive change throughout Lambton County”, said Vicky Ducharme, Volunteer Campaign Chair. “Before this pandemic and in the future, we must continue working to help vulnerable youth, families and seniors. The $1,900,000 is needed to fund United Way programs at appropriate levels.” 

The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton campaign will focus on three priority areas; Healthy Resilient Successful Kids, Empowering and Strengthening Self Sustaining Families; and Healthy, Safe and Independent Seniors. 

The Day of Caring, the annual campaign kick-off, has been cancelled along with many of the fundraising events that the United Way relies on. The campaign will focus on employee giving while increasing the direct mail and online giving programs. 

Initiative Helps Formerly Incarcerated Citizens Obtain ID and Register to Vote

The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) announced a joint initiative last week to help incarcerated citizens who have completed their sentences and are reintegrating into their communities. The initiative provides them with a driver’s license or state ID upon their parole and ensures they understand their voting rights have been restored. A pilot of the program is already underway and will be fully launched later this summer.

“For formerly incarcerated individuals, obtaining ID is one of the biggest obstacles they face, and it’s also the first hurdle they have to cross before they can do anything else,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “This partnership removes that obstacle and helps returning citizens start off on the right track to reintegrating into their communities.”

MDOC has sought such a partnership for years, and Secretary Benson made it a MDOS priority when she took office in 2019. Through the initiative, MDOC will obtain required documents, paperwork and photos for individuals designated for parole and will send that info directly to MDOS, where either a driver’s license or state ID will be processed.

“This initiative is an important step that builds on the years of work the MDOC has done to help returning citizens have their vital documents upon release,” said MDOC Director Heidi Washington. “We know that providing identification after exiting the criminal justice system will play a huge role in producing positive outcomes for parolees and the community at large, and we’re proud to be partnering on this effort.”

Once someone has been paroled, they will be provided their driver’s license or ID and registered to vote unless they choose not to be, along with a workforce development packet that includes information outlining the restoration of their voting rights.

 

MI Passion Celebrating First Year and Crowdfunding with patronicity.com

Port Huron, MI — MI Passion Boutique in Downtown Port Huron is having a grand re-opening and one-year anniversary celebration tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th. Starting at noon, the first 40 patrons will get gift bags. There is a ribbon cutting at 12:15.

MI Passion has had quite a year, but it is still hanging on and looking forward to a bright future. After opening last summer, MI Passion quickly outgrew its small storefront. The store relocated into an expanded space down the street at 229 Huron Avenue in late January. Just a few weeks later, everything shut down for the pandemic.

Anita Varty, owner of MI Passion, said she kept the business afloat through online sales and Facebook live presentations where she featured her merchandise. Varty said that she was unable to get any of the government relief aid available, but she was able to make the cut for an innovative crowdfunding initiative, one of just a handful in the area.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is partnering with patronicity.com and matching grants to give a boost to local businesses that are important to communities. MI Passion is hoping to raise $4000 to help with their economic recovery.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Launches Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College now has an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The purpose of the Office is to “advance the college’s efforts in providing educational access and support for all”, according to a press release.

The college will launch a national speaker series for the benefit of the community. Social Justice speaker Jen Frey will begin the series on October 9th, and a book discussion will commence this fall. Another initiative of the college is to make Juneteenth an officially recognized holiday on June 19th every year.

According to SC4 Board of Trustees chair Dr. Nicholas DeGrazia, “The new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be instrumental as we continue toward our goals of growth, sustainability, and creating a stronger community that reflects the world we live in.” He also indicated that the entire board of trustees supports the creation of the Office.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be led by Jessica Brown, who has been with SC4 since 2014. Brown was the Director of the TRIO Student Support Services and is involved with the Global Diversity Advisory Council.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center Honors June Employee and Volunteer of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its June 2020
Employee of the Month, Holly Hendershot, and its June 2020 Volunteer of the Month, Margaret
Langolf. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Holly is Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department and has been with LHMC since 2018.
She was nominated by a peer who commented, “On a hot day in May a patient’s brother and
children were waiting outside in their vehicle because visitors were asked not to enter the
building, per the Governor’s Executive Order. Holly took it upon herself to take them popsicles to cool them off while they waited to hear from the doctors. This nice gesture is one example of how Holly goes above and beyond in trying to make families as comfortable as possible during a stressful situation.”

Margaret volunteers in various roles throughout the hospital and was nominated by an employee who stated: “This time of year is one of the busiest for Margaret, as she oversees the Lake Huron Foundation Volunteer Organization (LHFVO) Scholarship Program. This year, she was presented with a whole new slew of challenges – and she met them head-on! Margaret led a
remote review process with the LHFVO Scholarship Committee to select award recipients, guaranteeing students would be notified of whether or not they would be receiving an award in a timely manner. During some very unique and unprecedented circumstances, Margaret met the challenge with commitment, dedication and passion. She took the lead while remaining flexible and accommodating, keeping the end-goal of ensuring students would have the financial support they desperately need to continue their education in the healthcare field at the top of her mind.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a
special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Holly and Margaret, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit
www.mylakehuron.com.

McLaren Port Huron Recognized by Healthgrades with Patient Safety Excellence Award

Port Huron, Mich.— Healthgrades, the leading source that connects consumers, physicians and health systems, awarded McLaren Port Huron with a 2020 Patient Safety Excellence Award. Released annually, Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award recognizes hospitals that have the lowest occurrences of 14 preventable patient safety events.

Inclusion on the list places McLaren Port Huron among the top 10 percent of acute care hospitals nationwide in patient safety.

“At McLaren Port Huron, excellence is about the constant pursuit of best practices. We participate in voluntary safety and quality initiatives to enhance patient outcomes,” said Jennifer Montgomery, president and CEO of McLaren Port Huron. “I am honored to have earned this award and would like to thank all of our physicians and staff who are committed to continuously providing high quality care in the safest environment possible.”

Data collected is tracked and measured to determine hospitals’ effectiveness in preventing injuries, infections and other serious conditions. Healthgrades considers 14 patient safety indicators and other measurements to create the list of recipients.

Specifically, McLaren Port Huron was recognized for:

  • Keeping patients safe from preventable complications
  • Delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes
  • Placing patient care and safety first throughout hospitalization

McLaren Port Huron is one of five McLaren Health Care providers to earn the recognition, with McLaren Macomb, McLaren Oakland, McLaren Lapeer Region and McLaren Greater Lansing also included on the list.

To learn more about how McLaren Port Huron is providing safe care during COVID-19, visit mclaren.org/safecare.