What's happening in West Willow

Calendar of Events:
Oct. 30th - Habitat Appeal Signing Party - 4-8pm. at the CRC ( 2057 Tyler rd.). The letters already written with tips to add a personal spin! Need all the help we can get to address letters. Come when you can, leave when you must. Contact Danielle at danielle@h4h.org or 734-274-3139.

Oct. 31st. -  Hallelujah Harvest: Trunk and Treat - 6:30 to 8pm at Greater Faith Transitional Inc. , 670 Onandaga St. Just park in the parking lot and pass out your candy or drop off your candy for someone else to pass. A safer way to Trick and Treat. Light refreshments.

Oct. 31st - Harvest Festival: Christian Fellowship and fun!- 6-8pm at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 2345 Tyler rd. No customs or face painting. Movie, games, cake walk, candy bag and refreshments. Helpers, cake and candy welcomed. Contact the church at 734-35730.

Nov. 1- West Willow 1st Rehab House Workday- 9-4pm at 1210 Desoto St.  Help make this house a special home for a family. Contact Shataura at sclayborne@h4h.org or 734-478-6331 to sign up to work all or part of the day.

*Nov. 3rd- WWWIA- West Willow Women in Action -Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6- 7 pm. We meet at the CRC(2057 Tyler rd.). Fellowship, occasional guest, light refreshments. Contact Linda at 734-483-8195 for more information.

Nov.8 - West Willow Community Cleanup Day- 10:30-4pm. Meet at the CRC(2057 Tyler rd.) for morning snack and assigning of jobs. Lunch provided.


Cardio Fitness GFT Total Explosion -  Registration fee $26., 12 classes/12weeks, $6. per class. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 11am-12am. Located at Greater Faith Transition, 670 Onandaga St. Contact: Carmen Jones - 734-323-3338 or cjototalfitness@live.com

Tutoring Program - 4th -12th- Held every Wednesday 6:30pm. at New Covenant,2345 Tyler Rd. Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science! Contact person: Mitch Heard Jr. (734) 845-9654 or MHEARD23@GMAIL.COM

Nov. 6th  -You may Qualify for Asbestos, Mesothelioma, or Silicosis Benefits!- 12/noon on Nov. 6, 2014 at New Covenant M.B. Church, 2345 Tyler rd., Ypsilanti. Contact Rickey at 1-662-871-5475 or Lane at 1-601-842-4030

**Nov.17th - NWWNA ANNUAL Potluck Meeting and H4H Community Connection: 6-8:30PM.  Location: 2345 New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church. We will be having election  of officers for 2015/2016.  Contact Salieta at 734-829-8500 for an absentee ballot after Nov. 10th or any other questions.  It's important! See where we've been and where we are headed. We need the whole community to help us move forward. Great things are happening!!!

DOOR TO DOOR SURVEY

West Willow Resident Satisfaction Survey- As Part of the Lowe's Grant that was awarded to H4H for West Willow a door-to-door survey is being conducted throughout  the month of October. We really appreciate all who complete a survey.
Habitat For Humanity of Huron Valley is working with residents of West Willow to learn more about what things you would like to see to make it even better! We would love to have your input by answering the questions of the survey when someone comes to your door. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. If you prefer you can contact Habitat's West Willow Coordinator Shataura Clayborne at 734-478-6331 or scalyborne@h4h.org to do the survey on line. Please also follow our other social medias for information about what's happening in West Willow: Facebook, Nextdoor and THIS IS WEST WILLOW THANG.

NWWNA updates and HABITAT continued work in West Willow

A special thanks from the entire NWWNA BOARD for the great turn out at the Community Conversation meeting last night. There's lots to do and lots coming up. We are so blessed to have Habitat as a partner. Just looking around the neighborhood and seeing the changes so far is so good. There are many West Willow homeowners who are so grateful for the programs like the Furnace test & Tune; Refrigerator Replacement; Veteran Critical Repair; Exterior Home Improvements and the beginning of Rehabbing Homes in West Willow to increase home ownership! Please continue to call Shataura Clayborne, our West Willow Community Development Coordinator for Habitat of Humanity. She can be reached at sclayborne@h4h.org or 734.478.6331.  
Another one of our partners is Paint Ypsi who does exterior painting and landscaping. They have done homes on Onondaga and Nash. To see if you qualify for their program and to volunteer to help please go to their web at  www.paintypsilantiproject.com. They have upcoming workdays and need your help. Let's lend a hand to help more residents and especially our seniors.

2014 UPCOMING EVENTS 

Door to Door surveys-   volunteers and training. Earn a gift card! Meet at CRC on this dates & times

    Oct. 2nd.   -  9:30am - 1pm

    Oct. 3,6,8,18  - 9:30am -3:30pm   also 4-8pm on the 8th

    Oct. 5,12  - 2-6pm

    Oct. 9   -11:30am-3:30pm

    Oct. 14  -11:00am - 4pm.

    Oct. 16   -  10:00am - 4pm
* Contact Habitat to sign up

Paint Ypsi - volunteers needed Fri. Oct. 3rd. and Sunday,Oct.5th  9-noon &/or 1-4pm  lunch provided go to web or call Sara Hodges at 248-880-4822.

West Willow Women In Action- (WWIA)    -  Oct.6   -    6-7pm at CRC         light lunch

Asbestos Meeting-Know your Rights -      Oct.13  -NOON  - New Covenant M.B. Church  

Fence/Repair Project  -       Oct. 17th       -       volunteers needed to clear away brush from fence

   (contact Habitat)                 Oct.18th        -           volunteers needed to help install fence panels
                                                Oct. 25th      - volunteers needed to help install fence

Rehab Habitat Home -     Oct. 16th   -   8:30-9:00am everyone invited to GROUNDBREAKING
 

NWWNA Neighborhood Meeting  Oct. 20  - at CRC, 2057 Tyler rd. 7-8:30pm  *last time
 to nominate residents for 2015/2016 NWWNA Board/officers. Election held at Nov. 20th.meeting

FREE FLU SHOT CLINIC - Thurs., Oct. 23rd, 11am - 4pm at West Willow C.O.G.I.C., 1837 tYLER RD.

Pavililion at CRC        Fri., Oct 24th &25th    - **POSTPONDED tell the Spring.                                   

Pavillion Dedication    Sunday,Oct. 26th - Dedication and ribbon cutting Celebration -**POSTPONED tell Spring

Rehab Habitat Home-       Nov.1   -       9-4pm   volunteers need for renovation at 1210 Desoto St.

 (contact Habitat or sign up on line)
West Willow Women in Action (WWWIA) Nov. 3rd, 6pm at CRC, 2057 Tyler

Tutoring/all grades -      Starting in November   Wed. nights- 6:30- 8pm. English, Reading, Writing, Math and Science! (contact New Covenant Church- 483-5730)                                               

Questions/Concerns: Linda at734-483-8195

West Willow Community Conversation Meeting

Come share your ideas about what makes our neighborhood great and what things we can do together to make it even better! H4H is hosting a Community Conversation where West Willow residents can voice their opinions about the strengths and needs in our community. Please join us on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church for this exciting meeting. Food will be served from 6:00-6:30pm. If you plan to attend let Shataura Clayborne know so we're sure to have enough food!  Meeting time is 6:30-7:30pm. Church location is 2345 Tyler Rd. RSVP to sclayborne@h4h.org. 734-478-6331.

NWWNA meets Monday, Sept. 15th

Please attend the meeting this Monday at 7pm. Location: CRC building, 2057 Tyler Rd. We begin the timeline for our 2015/16 board members election. If you are interested in running for office or serving on the election committee please contact Linda at 734.483.8195.  We will also have a representative from : police and fire dept., twp. board, H4H and Washtenaw cty. to share programs  they have to help homeowners. See ya at the meeting. Park on the grounds or in the church parking lot.

Helping one Another

There are volunteer opportunities for you with the PAINT YPSILANTI PROJECT. There is an opportunity for you to help your neighbors, make new friends and beautify your community. The next workdays  are Saturday Sept. 6th, 13th, and 20th.  Workdays are split into 2 shifts: 9am - noon and 1:00pm - 4pm. In fact you can stay for the whole day if you wish or as long as you can! There is a complimentary lunch between the shifts. For more information go to their website: depottowncdc.org or contact Sara Hodges at 248.880.4822 or sara.paintypsilanti@gmail.com.

Greater Faith Transition

YOUTH SERVICE DAY - this Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 11:00am. Location  670 Onadaga St. ( formerly Kaiser Elementary). Prayer by Pastor Ford and ministers. This is for all children pre-k to college. Contact church at 734-217-9014.

West Willow family needs help after House Fire

Clothing needs for the family are : Females: teen/misses pants size 3 & 4, top sizes s & m. Girl sizes 12 & 14, s & m tops. Women size 14 pants, XL tops. Shoe sizes: 6,7 1/2, 9, 10, 10 1/2.  Males: 38x32 pants, 2X tops. Shoe sizes 8 and 11.
Shelter/Housing: They've  been told it maybe 8 months before returning to their home. They are looking for a place to rent and daily shelter .
Contact : NWWNA board members at 734.845.7362 or 734.483.8195.

West Willow Women in Action

Because of the holiday we will meet  Sept. 8th at 6pm at the CRC 2057 Tyler rd.) Contact Linda at 734.483.8915 for questions.

NWWNA Monthly meeting

Please attend the NWWNA monthly meeting  Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at 7-8:30pm. at the Community Resource Center (CRC), 20 57 Tyler Rd.

Moving Forward with help from Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley

The New West Willow Neighborhood Association and Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley  are excited to announce that Habitat has received a grant for activities in West Willow this summers and fall! Activities will include community meetings and surveys to get input from all residents about what they love about West Willow and what they would like to see to make it an even better place to live; neighborhood clean-up and beautification; exterior home improvement projects for homeowners; construction of an outdoor pavilion at the community resource center; replacing/repairing the fence along the bike path and the renovation of the 1st Habitat home in West Willow. A kick-off meeting we be held August 26th, 6-7:30pm at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on Tyler Rd. Everyone can come hear more details about the grant, the activities, and how you can get involved! Stay tuned for more information and look for invite in the mail.                                                   

UPDATES

SUMMER CAMP- We are starting the 3rd week of camp with over 60 kids registered! Lots of campers. In fact we have been working through a waiting list.  There is a great staff this year with employees of Washtenaw Cty. Parks and Recs, Mi.Work-Limited Work experience and volunteers from the neighborhood.
WEST WILLOW WOMEN IN ACTION- Meets tonight at 6pm at the CRC(2057 Tyler). This is for women and young ladies in West Willow, Sugarbrook, and Gault Village. A time to meet neighbors, fellowship, share ideas, work on projects and enjoy visiting speakers. Light refreshments. Lots of fun. Contact Linda at 483-8195 for more details or to be a visiting speaker.
BALLIN IN THE WILLOW- Every Tuesday at 5pm, West Willow park. sponsored by WCSO and NWWNA
 NWWNA MONTHLY MEETING- JULY 21ST at the CRC at 7-8:30pm.There will be information about employment help at the meeting.
HABITAT for HUMANITY- Continued work in West Willow. So far many have taken advantage of the Free Refrigerator Replacement program, Energy Efficiency and Furnace Safety program, Exterior improvements(14 houses worked on so far), home ownership (1 house purchased by H4H with renovations  planned to start in the fall). There goal is to renovate 5 homes for the next 3 yrs. If you want to own your home with a zero percent mortgage or interested in any other programs offered by Habitat contact Habitat's West Willow Coordinator Shataura Clayborne at 734-478-6331 or visit h4h.org.
PAINT YPSI- Have painted and improved landscaping at 3 homes on Onandago in the last 2yrs.for FREE. See if you qualify  by visiting www.paintypsilantiproject.com. They are in need of community and company volunteers, 4-8 shifts are available. Sign up on their web for the 2 upcoming work days. 
GREATER FAITH TRANSITIONS CENTER INC. Lots is happening in he old Kaiser School building which is now Greater Faith Transition Center Inc. Since Pastor Robert Ford and his congregation moved in they continue to do Food Distributions on the 1st and 4th. Tuesday of the month. You can pick up food from1-4pm. at 670 Onandaga. Contact the church for more details. Upcoming Events:   VBS July 28-Aug. 1st, 5-8pm, ages 3-18. 
                                   Annual picnic Aug.2, noon-6pm.

WEST WILLOW 2014 SUMMER CAMP

         June 23rd - August 15, 2014                      Monday - Friday                      11-4pm

  COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER (CRC)  2057 TYLER RD.

   EARLY REGISTRATION:   May 23rd  4-6pm
                                                    May 24th  9-11am.

Come on out for lots of fun this summer! This years lunches will be provided by Food Gathers. Some of our  partners and sponsors are Washtenaw Cty. Parks and Recs., Growing Hope, Fly Art, Ypsilanti Public Library/ Book Mobile and WCHO. There will be lots of arts and crafts, board and group games, visits to the park, special visits from Ms. Faye and her  "critters"! This year a resident of WW will be sharing his skills with model airplanes.  Each summer a trip to Rolling Hills and Independent Lake is packed with lots of fun. The youth will be gardening and learning about eating good healthy food from Growing Hope. Space is limited so don't wait. Registration will continue tell max is met. If you can help in any way please contact Linda Mealing at 734.483.8195. Please let us know if you have a special skill to share with the youth of West Willow.         

YPSI PRIDE DAY AND PRE-AWARENESS DAY

This Saturday, May 10th West Willow residents will have the opportunity to share in a YPSI PRIDE  PRE-AWARENESS DAY. It will take place 11-1pm at the CRC and thru out West Willow.  It is an opportunity to help promote YPSI PRIDE DAY which will be May 17th, 9am- noon.  You ask what's YPSI PRIDE DAY, it's People Restoring Image and Developing the Environment through a city-wide clean up. It's a day to roll up your sleeves and volunteer to better the appearance of your neighborhood. So come on West Willow residents let's pitch in and beautify our surroundings with clean streets (get that trash and  those leaves up), clean our entrance ways, park, walk & bike trail, prepare the grounds at the CRC for summer camp and plant some flowers! I'm proud of where I live!  I want others to be proud too and let's show why were proud. The more volunteers the more will be done. So please make time and come out May 17th. Gather your yard tools and meet at the CRC (2057 Tyler Rd.) at 9am  on the 17th and let's get started.  A free lunch will be provided by the sponsors. Pre-register for a free t-shirt. Contact Joann McCollum at 734.845.7365 for signing up and more details.
This Saturday, May 10th will also be a day to get info about all our new adventures and partnership with H4H, Paint Ypsi and info on this summer camp that will run June 23rd - Aug. 15th, 2014, Mon.-Fri., 11- 4pm.  Pre- registration will take place May 23rd, 4-6pm and May 24th, 9-11am at the CRC. After that you may sign up after camp begins. Camp site leader will be Linda Mealing. Contact her at 734.483.8195 for more details.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL
29th - Today U of M Student Presentation, 6pm Join us for final presentations of semester-long work from the Michigan Engaging Communities through the Classroom program (MECC). They will be sharing their ideas from the information that was collected from residents during their door surveys and the input forums held at the CRC. Come early for the Community Resource Fair at 5:30pm. Refreshments provided. Location: New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 2345 Tyler Rd.

MAY
5th- West Willow Women In Action(WWWIA) 6:00 - 7:00pm at the CRC (2057 Tyler Rd.) All women and young ladies in the West Willow area are invited to a evening of fellow-shipping with your neighbors. Come on out for personal growth and sharing. You deserve a break! Topical guest speakers are welcomed. Contact Linda Mealing for more details at 734.483.8195

6th - Voting Day, 7:00am - 8:00pm Polls will be open all day to vote on the AAATA ( The RIDE) millage to expand transit service in the community. Make you voice heard. VOTE!

10th - Promoting Ypsi PRIDE in West Willow  Informational fair at the CRC. We are looking for West Willow churches and youth to decorate their bikes and compete for prices. Final details TBD. For more information and questions contact Joann McCollum at joannmccllm@aol.com or  734.845.7362

17th - Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E., 9:00am - 2:00pm Sign up now! We need participation from all to help beautify the West Willow community. Gather you yard tools and meet at the CRC at 9:00am. Gloves, bags and free lunch will be provided by the sponsors of this city wide event. Contact Joann.

19th - NWWNA Monthly Meeting - 7:00 - 8:00pm at the CRC  The neighbor's association regular monthly meeting

23rd - West Willow Free Summer Camp Early Sign Up, 4:00 -6:00pm  Sign kids up for our annual summer program at the CRC.

24th - West Willow Free Summer Camp Early Sign Up, 9:00-11:00am  Sign up kids at the CRC

31st - Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Orientation, 9:00am  Come learn about Habitat's work in West Willow, owning a home in the neighborhood and how to apply; free refrigerator program;critical repair and weatherization; and energy efficiency and furnace safety. Location: Greater Faith Traditional, Inc., (former Kaiser School) 670 Onandaga St.

JUNE 
23rd West Willow Summer Camp begins  and runs tell August 15th. Monday -Friday, 11:00am -4:00pm   Volunteers and parent participation are needed. Total camper's count will depend on staff size. Coordinator and Contact person: Linda Mealing 734.483.8195

** Food distribution takes place the 1st and 4th Tuesday of each month  at the Greater Faith Transitional Inc. ( former Kaiser School) 670 Onandaga St.

Sharing Thoughts and Concerns

The residents of West Willow may  share their thoughts and concerns about Transportation  on Monday, April 7th at  the CRC located at 2057 Tyler Rd. The event will be part of the West Willow Women in Action  meeting that will run 6-7pm. The U of M students will be there from 6-6:30pm. Please come out and share in the focus group and make transportation better for our residents. How are you getting around from place to place? What could make it better?

PLANNING FOR A BETTER FUTURE

 A special thanks to those residents, community leaders and supporters who filled the CRC on March17th. There was great input from many concerned residents who want our neighborhood to look better, be better and have a lowering crime rate month after month. Some concerns about the appearance of McCartney/Wiard Rd. fencing and the bike/walk path where addressed with the help of Brenda Stumbo and the Road Commissioner Office who was out and in the area the next day! Possible plans for improvement are definitely being addressed. As reports where read at the meeting one could hear there is a lot going on. The NWWNA board is volunteering a lot of time to meet new goals, address residents concerns and to get more residents involved. They  need  all residents and landlords to become an active member in NWWNA. We encourage you all to step up and help with the many projects that are in progress right now. U of M students and Professor Eric Dueweke are busy working on plans that will give us a big view of how and what we can do to  improve life in West Willow. They met with some residents Saturday, March 29th  to get input about what visibly could be changed. They need your input, so please say YES when you get a call to participant in one of their forums this month being held at the CRC. You may have gotten the flyer they passed out  Sunday asking for residents to meet Saturday, April 5th at 1pm at the CRC to share ideas about  transportation issues. There will be a final report presentation on April 29th from 6-8pm  at New Covenant Baptist Church located at 2345 Tyler Rd. for the residents, supporters and twp. and cty. elected officials. So your input is needed now as they prepare for the 29th.! Please  attend the forum/discussion group on Saturday at 1pm, CRC or to the NWWNA board  asap. Let's not let this opportunity slip by. We need you to step up and show up.
The 1st group of  U of M students who where a part of  Michigan Engaging Community through the Classroom (MECC) gave great ideas about our area and about future usage of the old plant property now owned by Racer. Racer Trust was very open to their ideas in 2013 and they continue to keep us informed on what's happening on the property. It would be great to see new  jobs available to West Willow residents.
 We do have opinions and  voices so let's make them known. SPEAK UP and EXPECT changes! We need you to help make change. We need our  twp. and cty.  officials support as we move forward to make West Willow a great place to live.

See list of other "HAPPENINGS" in West Willow:
TELLING IT (an after school program) for 7-9th graders at the CRC starts Thursday, April 3rd at 3:45-5:45pm. and will be every Thursday tell May29th. Contact person  Deb Gordon-Gurfinkel at dmgordon@umich.edu.
WWWIA(west willow women in action)- meet ever 1st Monday of the month at the CRC, 6-7pm. Guest speakers welcomed. Contact Linda at 734.483.8195  Active project now is planning for YPSI PRIDE DAY- May 17th., 9-noon. Meet at the CRC. Sign up now. We need everybody to show up and help beautify our West Willow community. Contact person Joann McCollum - 734.845.7362.
HABITAT- Partnering to buy and rehab homes. Introducing programs to help residents. Weatherization, Veterans, house repairs- in and out,free refrigerators. Contact Shataura Clayborne, 734. 478.6331  
WEST WILLOW SUMMER CAMP- needs your help and financial support. Plans in progess. Contact person Linda, 734.483.8195 and Deb. 734.487.5282.

Linda Mealing
VP NWWNA

Racer Trust Update

RACER has been working with contractors The Environmental Quality Co. (EQ) and Job Site Services (JSS) and consultant Conestoga Rovers and Associates, Inc.. (CRA) to implement two Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) approved remediation activities at the CVO Site (2901 Tyler Road, Ypsilanti, MI).  The large excavation initiated last fall has been completed. The impacted soils were removed from the site and the excavation has been substantially backfilled. This work was completed in mid January 2014.  Work remaining to be completed this spring includes restoration of the grass and asphalt in the excavation area.  A second excavation was initiated in December near the building on site.  This excavation has also been completed and backfilled.   Follow up activities to be completed this spring include segregation of excavated material and disposal.

Please direct all questions and concerns to RACER Trust toll free at 1-855-722-3741.

NWWNA Meets Monday, March 17, 2014

Please come out to the monthly meeting of the NEW WEST WILLOW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (NWWNA). We meet the 3rd. Monday of every month. The meeting starts at 7pm at the Community Resource Center (CRC- 2057 Tyler Rd., right behind the covered bus stop). There will be representatives from the Township Board to give  updates, the fire dept.,and a  police with updated report on activities. Some topics to be discussed are: AAATA and upcoming millage/bond, the new project between Habitat and West Willow  and how to get involved in YPSI PRIDE.  You ask WHAT'S THAT?

COME OUT AND BRING A NEIGHBOR

BE AN INFORMED RESIDENT OF WEST WILLOW

LET'S BUILD A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE

See you Monday (17th) at 7pm at the CRC.

West Willow Women in Action (WWWIA)

Please come out and join other women of West Willow, Gault Village and Sugarbrook on March 3rd.,at 6-7:15pm at the CRC( 2057 Tyler Rd.). This group is know as WWWIA and we meet the 1st Monday of each month for fellowship, support, for planning of ways to support the NWWNA and connect with surrounding neighborhoods. There will be light refreshments at all meetings and guest speakers are welcomed. Contact Linda Mealing at 734.483.8195 to schedule.