Helmets to Hardhats Move Military Servicemembers to Construction Trades
Construction jobs are plentiful right now and veterans are being specifically recruited to fill those jobs with the Helmets to Hardhats initiative.
Helmets to Hardhats has been awarded a Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity grant totaling $250,000. The grant will support the Michigan Construction Apprenticeship post-Military Opportunity Program, MiCAMO.
The MiCAMO program will help active-duty and retired military service members, National Guard, reservists, and veterans get the training they need to transition to Registered Apprenticeships and fill Michigan’s skills gap.
Martin Helms, Helmets to Hardhats Executive Director, said, “Our outreach to military service members allows us to connect them to middle class, family-sustaining career opportunities.”
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director Zaneta Adams said, “This program is exciting because it helps veterans realize the many opportunities to gain skills and sustainable income and enables them to increase the economic footprint in their communities.”
More information about Helmets for Hardhats is available at HelmetsToHardhats.org. To learn more about State Apprenticeship Expansion in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
“Wyatt’s Law” Makes Child Abuse and Neglect Information Accessible
“Wyatt’s Law” has been signed as part of a package of legislation that establishes a statewide child abuse registry and a statewide electronic case management system to track confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect.
The registry will be accessible to parents and guardians of Michigan children and would modify the procedure to amend or expunge inaccurate reports.
Wyatt’s law is named after Wyatt Hammel who was abused by someone who had a previous history of child abuse. The legislation was introduced by State Representative Kevin Hertel who acted on behalf of Wyatt’s mother, Erica Hammel, who has been advocating for the legislation for 7 ½ years.
Hertel said, “While Erica and Wyatt will always feel the impacts of child abuse, this law will bring justice for countless other families by helping prevent abuse before it can happen.”
Erica Hammel said, “What happened to Wyatt could have been prevented had pertinent information been easily accessible. Starting today, countless children’s lives in Michigan will be saved because that information is NOW easily accessible.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Nessel and Coalition Request Immediate Student Loan Cancellation
Financial Aid 101 teaches that student loans are not “free money”. You have to pay it back. But the rules might be rewritten if a coalition of Democratic Attorneys General can persuade President Biden to sign off on forgiving the $1.7 trillion debt. The coalition, which includes Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel, described the burden of student debt as “unmanageable”.
The coalition argues that the debt needs to be fully forgiven for every borrower because the repayment system is “systemically flawed”. The unilateral cancellation of student debt would “reduce stress and mental fatigue”, according to the letter, and enable borrowers with forgiven loans to save for retirement and purchase new homes.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Hardships created by the pandemic – and the subsequent hold on loan payments – prove we are equipped to cancel student debt once and for all.”
The status of repayment for future borrowers is not addressed in the request, nor is there a plan to reform the student loan system that is characterized as “systemically flawed”.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Free Food, Personal Care Items at Community Resource Fair May 13th at SC4
The St. Clair County Community Resource Fair is scheduled for May 13th at St. Clair County Community College.
The one-day, one-stop fair is meant to provide services and supports for those who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing extreme financial difficulty. The event is drive-thru with a mobile food pantry, personal care items, and resource bags.
Resource bags will contain print materials from local agencies that offer assistance. Onsite COVID-19 vaccinations will also be available.
Bonnie Dinardo, Executive Director of Community and Public Relations at St. Clair County Community College, said, “We understand that many in our community are struggling to make ends meet. Due to the strains of COVID-19 and the overall increase in the price of goods, more people are seeking help.”
Dinardo said that the “goal with the Community Resource Fair is to provide essentials like food and hygiene items while also connecting folks with local resources that can provide more long-term solutions.”
SC4 is located at 323 Erie Street in Port Huron.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Lesser, Marsh, Smith Chosen as Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year
Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week and Port Huron Schools singled out three employees who have excelled in their professions with the Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Awards.
This year’s winners are Chuck Lesser, Tammy Marsh, and Susie Smith.
Chuck Lesser is the Principal of Keewahdin Elementary. He was chosen as the Advocator of the year for his work as principal at the district elementary school since 2016.
Tammy Marsh has worked for Port Huron Schools for 44 years. She serves as Executive Secretary at Port Huron High School. Marsh received the Innovator of the Year Award.
Susie Smith is a Kindergarten Teacher at Garfield Elementary. She has been a teacher in the district for fifteen years and has been at Garfield for twelve years.
The trio was presented with prizes from local businesses that were delivered by Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas, who said, “This is an exciting way for our district to celebrate our exceptional staff and show our commitment to their success. Making this announcement in the midst of national Teacher Appreciation Week makes this tradition even more special for Port Huron Schools.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland