NWI News and Events
Photo of sunflower in Riddle school garden courtesy of Katie Olender
Get Involved!
NorthWest Initiative - North Neighborhood Center
1012 North Walnut, Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 517-999-2894   Fax:  517-999-2897
July 25 is Westside Summer Fest – Get Involved!

The 3rd Annual Westside Summer Fest will be Saturday, July
25, 2009
. This free, family-friendly takes place off Saginaw
Street, between Princeton and Chicago. Last year’s event
drew in more than 5,000 people with live music, kids’
activities, a farmers’ and artisans market, and more. The
event builds the positive image of Lansing’s Westside,
brings people to the area, and increases community
connections. We are currently seeking sponsors, volunteers,
and vendors. Sponsor levels range from $250 to $5,000, and
sponsorships can be in the form of grants or donations, and
can be cash or in-kind support or services. Volunteer
opportunities include helping with flyering and promotions
before the festival; and helping with everything on July 24-26
from set-up and tear-down to clean-up to face-painting to 3
on 3 basketball. Vendor opportunities are for the open-air
market and food vendors. Learn more about the festival and
download the sponsor packet and vendor forms at
www.
westsidesummerfest.com, or contact jessica@nwlansing.
org; 214-5684.

Free Summer Garden Camp at Three Locations!

The Food Systems Project is offering a free summer garden
camp at three locations this year:

  • Riddle Elementary
    June 15 - August 21
    Tuesdays & Thursdays; 10:30-12:30
  • Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy
    June 15 - August 21
    Mondays & Wednesdays; 12:00-3:00
  • Cavanaugh Elementary
    June 19 - August 21
    Wednesdays & Fridays; 9-12

Click the links below for more information on how to enroll!
For more information, contact Joy Baldwin at (517) 999-2894.

Westside Alliance – Revitalizing the Saginaw/Oakland Area

The Westside Alliance Program works to revitalize the
business and residential areas along Saginaw and Oakland
on Lansing’s Westside, using projects related to design,
promotion, business development, and organization.
Click
here to learn more!

NWI is Helping Our Youth Grow!

April showers bring May flowers. That is exactly what is
happening at NorthWest Initiative.  Our
youth groups are
planting beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables for our
community garden, located on the south side of
1012 N.
Walnut St
.  We would like to invite any youth between the
ages of nine and sixteen, to come and enjoy the fun activities
on
Saturday mornings, starting at 9:00am. Everyone is
welcome to come and see the great projects our youth are
involved with. Volunteers are always appreciated!  Contact
Lori at 999-2894 for more information.

ARRO Wants to Challenge our Business Community

Recently, ARRO attended a working meeting for re-entry
issues at the State Bar Association.  It was amazing to listen
to how Grand Rapids and Cascade Engineering have made
great strides to open doors for employment for returning
citizens.  The business community in Detroit also brought a
voice to this meeting, by combating the monies being spent
in corrections.  

As the State Capitol of Michigan, it is time that Lansing and
Ingham County work toward setting an example in the
employment barrier for returning citizens.  They are coming
back to the community - a fact that we can not ignore. It would
be beneficial for our community to open their arms to give ex-
felons a chance at a new life.  They have done their time and
learned from their mistakes. Therefore, we at ARRO
challenge our community to make the same strides as
Grand Rapids. You can help by looking at the actual benefits
of hiring an ex-felon and by making more of an effort to hire
them. For more information, please contact
Monica at (517)
999-2895.

Vision 2020 Continues to Share Resources

Do you need external home repairs, such as help fixing any
holes in your porch or steps? Is a hand rail needed?  Does
your home need a fresh coat of paint?  Let’s work on it
together!  Add your name to our external home repair list and
you may be eligible to get help for the services you need.  
Contact
Janine at 999-2894 to see if you qualify.

IHP: Need It?  Have It?  Want to Know More About It?

The Ingham Health Plan was created for those who cannot
afford health insurance. If this sounds like something that
you would like more information on, come and talk to the
Outreach Team at NWI to see if you qualify!  The NWI
Outreach Team is hosting an IHP Informational Meeting on
May 15th at 12:00 noon at our office, located at 1012 N.
Walnut St. Suite 107
.  

We will be covering many topics about Ingham Health Plan
including:

  • The difference between Plan A and Plan B.
  • What is covered and what is not covered.
  • Getting & keeping appointments and why it’s
    important.
  • Qualifying for coverage.

Remember, you don’t have to wait for that day to get signed
up.  If you bring in your current ID and most recent proof of
income at any time, we can help you sign up that same day.  
Additionally, IHP Plan-A (also known as the Adult Benefits
Waiver) is still being offered until May 31st. Enrollment is
limited, so let us help you through the application process.  
We are available by phone or walk-in, during the week. For
more information, please contact Q. at
(517) 999 - 2895;  
qosmon@nwlansing.org.  We hope to see you soon!
Share your Ideas
Are you interested in what
this community is doing to
improve the area and want
to help the people living
and working in the
Northwest Lansing area?  
Spare some time for a good
cause, come and share
some of your ideas with us!

Click here to view  our
event calendar!

Our agency is fuelled by the
support and ideas of
prominent community
leaders like you!
Donate
It feels good to give and it
helps your community.  
Every effort is appreciated
and together we can make
a difference and have fun
while doing it!  You can
even specify which
programs you would like
to fund!
(Contact info below)
Volunteer
We are always looking for
volunteers to work in our
office, school gardens, and
to help with projects like
flower planters, events,
advocacy and more!  Giving
your time for a good cause
is a rewarding experience!
(Contact info below)
Intern
We are always looking for
student interns to work in a
wide variety of settings, with
skills ranging from human
services and social work to
computer technology.  NWI
is a great place to gain
some experience and to
begin your career!
(Contact info below)
Contact Us!

If you would like to learn
more about becoming a
partner, sponsor,  volunteer
or intern; contact
Peggy at 517-999-2894;
peggy@nwlansing.org
NWI Now Distributes
Supplemental Bread








NWI now distributes   
Panera Bread commodities
every week on
Thursdays
between
12:00 and 4:00.  
Residents in need may    
pick up breads and bagels
at our North Neighborhood
Center location,
1012 N.
Walnut, or you may call
517-999-2894 to
schedule a pickup time.
Thinking of
Opening a Bank Account?

Comerica Cash and Care
is a great way to support
your favorite charity or
community organization.  
Just open a new qualifying
account or take advantage
of a new qualifying service
from Comerica and we
will contribute $100 to the
charity of your choice.

So if your shopping around
for a new bank, stop by your
local Comerica banking
center and tell them you
want your $100 donated to
NorthWest Initiative!  




For more information visit
comerica.com/cashandcare
or call 800-292-1300;
800-589-1400