Warrendale students organize trip to Ivy League schools

Screenshopt of GoFundMe campaign

Students from the Warrendale Charter Academy in Detroit have organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds so they can visit Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. All funds raised as part of this campaign will go towards the travel expenses of these 26 middle school students.

Janae Anderson, the middle school dean at the Warrendale Charter Academy, described this campaign as follows:

Warrendale is a k-8 charter school in the heart of Detroit with a little over 750 students currently enrolled. WCA is a Title 1 school that has created a positive climate and culture that focuses heavily on student proficiency and academic growth. Most recently, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy recognized WCA as a top 200 school in the state, a top 50 school in the county, and a top 20 school in the city and gave an A letter grade for academic performance in context.

Part of our school's success comes from providing our students with unique opportunities that foster their thirst for learning and education beyond the classroom. For the past two years, our middle school students have had the opportunity to visit universities and historical landmarks in both Washington D.C. and Atlanta. This year is very special in that students will be taking tours of Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, which are universities that do not have a heavy population of Black students. The goal of the college tour is to not only allow students to see and visit these Universities in person but to also learn what it takes to become a part of the student body.

Currently, there are 26 middle school students who are attending this wonderful experience. The money donated will be added to the funds that students have already raised individually and lower the overall cost of travel fees associated with visiting the schools. By making a donation you are helping our students learn about college early in life and set them on a path of success.

The Warrendale Charter Academy operates from the building that used to house Ss. Peter and Paul Grade School once upon a time. If you are interested in supporting this campaign, please visit its page on GoFundMe by clicking here.

GM announces $6 million donation to support Detroit schools

General Motor headquarters | File photo

Earlier this morning, General Motors announced a $6 million donation to Beyond Basics to support the Be the Solution literacy campaign. This investment will provide nearly 500 Detroit high schoolers the opportunity to participate in the nonprofit’s literacy program. It is also the largest single contribution ever to this program.

“Beyond Basics delivers outstanding results that are real, measurable and impactful,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors president. “At General Motors, we believe investing in Detroit’s children and families is an investment in the future – for them, and for all of us residing in southeast Michigan. Our team is proud to support Beyond Basics’ ambitious mission, and we encourage other companies to do the same as we work together to revitalize the city.”

General Motors’ donation is the largest single investment to Beyond Basics’ Be the Solution literacy campaign, to date, and marks the half-way point of this year’s $11 million goal. The $33 million, three-year campaign launched last summer with the endorsement of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

This donation also comes on the heels of the $2.2 billion investment in Detroit and Hamtramck that GM announced last month.

Beyond Basics works closely with DPSCD and has already achieved tremendous success with 50 tutors at schools across the city — including Mumford High School, where today’s grant announcement was held. The number of trained, certified tutors is expected to jump to 300 over the next three years.

“This is not about throwing money at another problem. Beyond Basics gets at the heart of the challenges linked to reading below grade level and delivers a strategy that is coherent, comprehensive and truly research-based,” explained Dr. Nikolai P. Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District. “With the support and leadership of General Motors and Beyond Basics, we will begin to address, at scale, high school literacy challenges so students can be on a college or career path. Due to the legacy of emergency management, too many of our high school students are behind.”

Today’s donation continues General Motors’ support of Beyond Basics’ results-driven work. In 2018, General Motors helped establish Beyond Basics’ first bricks-and-mortar space in Detroit at the Durfee Innovation Society in Detroit. The Beyond Basics Family Literacy Center provides literacy and workforce development services, including GED and SAT prep, with a large focus on reaching an adult population.

“Most Detroit public high school students are reading below grade level,” said Pamela Good, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Basics. “When students fall behind in literacy, they fall behind in every subject because curriculums assume children can read. With this generous $1 million donation from General Motors, Beyond Basics can pair even more trained tutors with struggling students who are eager to learn and need that extra boost.”

Providing a child with the tool of reading can change the trajectory of their life. It opens a world of possibilities that can give them opportunities that would be impossible without literacy. For over twenty years Pamela Good and the Beyond Basics team have been committed to giving children the chance to read and see the potential they have to succeed in the world. It is a mission that has helped thousands, but there are many more in need of help.

Update at 12:38 pm - An earlier version of this story listed GM's donation as $1 million when it's actually $6 million. This story has been corrected to reflect this.

Detroit-area toy company teams up with Toys for Tots

With the the holiday season in full swing, Magformers of Canton, Michigan announced its partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Designed to assist the less fortunate, Toys For Tots is a top-rated charity that distributes millions of gifts to less fortunate children every holiday season. Magformers will be participating by donating over $25,000 worth of toys through a buy one give one program available now on  Magformers.com.

“As an industry leader in magnetic building toys, we believe it is vital for children to develop through creativity. The importance of giving back and being kind is not overlooked when it comes to our mission. This partnership is the perfect opportunity to introduce children to our products and teach them lessons in STEM early on. We hope our work with Toys For Tots inspires others to pay it forward this holiday season.” says Chris Tidwell, CEO of Magformers.

The Marine Toys for Tots Program has been delivering hope to less fortunate children since 1947. The foundation helps bring the joy of Christmas to kids in a variety of ways, by delivering a message of hope, by helping kids build and restore self-esteem and by inspiring children to give back. Last year, with the help of team members, partnering businesses and volunteers the Marine Toys for Tots donated over 18.5 million toys, games, and books to over 7 million children in need.

During the partnership, Magformers will contribute over $25,000 worth of toys to the Toys For Tots foundation. Furthermore, Magformers will be participating in a buy one give one program for select products purchased on the Magformers website. The toys include products from the STEM.org authenticated plush line, Dolce and Clicformers lines. Consumers can help the cause this holiday season by purchasing top-selling Magformers products such as the Amazing Construction 70pc Set, the Dolce Mouse Backpack and many more.

Magformer’s partnership with the U.S. Marine Toys For Tots foundation will run until December 31, 2019. For more information on Magformers, Clicformers, and Dolce visit, magformers.com. To learn more about Toys For Tots and how you can donate visit toysfortots.org.

Detroiter charged in child pornography case

Prison cell - Photo by Ichigo121212/Pixabay

A Detroit man was indicted yesterday on charges of production, possession and receipt of child pornography, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin announced earlier today. Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D'Antuono of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Indicted was Wade Preston Streeter, 49 of Detroit. Streeter was arrested on November 21 on a criminal complaint and was held in custody while charges were pending in his case.

According to court records, Streeter is alleged to have sexually assaulted and covertly produced sexually graphic photographs of minor boys as well as engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the minor victims.  This alleged conduct took place both at his home in Detroit as well as on a tugboat that he owns.

The FBI is asking for the public’s help to identify potential victims of Streeter, who would befriend young boys on Facebook and other social media sites and then arrange to meet them privately.

Anyone who may have been victimized by Wade Preston Streeter, or anyone who may have information about his alleged criminal behavior, is encouraged to call (313) 426-3880 or email the FBI at DetroitShipTips@fbi.gov.

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates. Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law. Victims in this investigation can find information about the hearings in this case at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/united-states-v-wade-streeter-docket-19-mj-30602.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys April Russo and Barbara Lanning.

One more Christmas miracle

Recent photo of Vivian Lemire - Family photo

As we get closer to Christmas, I become more and more of a sucker for news stories with a happy ending - especially when they involve sick children. Today, such a story comes to us all the way from Missouri, courtesy of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association

Vivian Lemire will celebrate her ninth birthday shortly before Christmas. Then on December 31 her family will ring in the New Year by remembering their post-transplant homecoming two years. These December celebrations are made possible by another family, complete strangers, who chose to donate their child’s liver and kidney during the most difficult of circumstances.

Her parents Cara and Rich Lemire are no strangers to loss nor to big gifts - especially ones that are life-saving. When they found out in 2010 they were pregnant with a daughter they would name Vivian, they were excited and anxious. Four years earlier, they lost their first child to Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease.

The condition caused their first baby’s kidneys and liver to swell and take up space the lungs needed to grow properly. Cara and Rich were completely unaware of her condition before her birth and they only had two days with their daughter, Renee, before she passed. They allowed themselves time to grieve before considering another pregnancy, but with support from their medical team they decided to try again.

“Once we were pregnant again we were thrilled,” Care explained, “but we struggled to let ourselves feel we could ‘get ready’ for her. We had walked this journey before and worried it would lead to the same heartbreaking place. Vivian’s early ultrasounds showed no sign of ARPKD and we felt encouraged about not experiencing a recurrence.”

ARPKD is a rare inherited childhood condition where the development of the kidneys and liver is abnormal. Over time either of these organs may fail. Even though ARPKD is rare, it is one of the most common kidney problems to affect young children. PKD International, a global network of patient organizations, estimates that 1 in 20,000 babies are born with this disorder. The condition often causes serious problems after birth.

At Cara’s 32-week pregnancy check, an ultrasound showed that Baby Vivian’s kidneys were enlarged with cysts and her amniotic fluid was dangerously low. The Lemires were devastated when they were told the baby also had ARPKD. “It was a crushing moment, but we were determined to give Vivian the best chance we could at survival,” Cara said.

When the baby’s heart muscles began to show signs of hypertension, the doctors determined they could not wait any longer and Vivian was delivered a few days before Christmas 2010. The baby’s lungs had some underdevelopment but she was able to breathe with minimal assistance. Vivian’s next challenge was severe hypertension and renal failure with kidneys that were estimated to be the size of adult kidneys in her tiny body.

At two weeks old, Vivian had her first kidney removed and began dialysis 24 hours a day. Four weeks later Vivian had her second kidney removed. The Lemires had to travel 40 minutes from their O’Fallon, Missouri, home to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis four days a week for Vivian’s hemodialysis. Each session was four hours long.

Vivian spent 278 days of her first year of life inpatient enduring several surgeries, battling infections and treating complications of her compromised immune system. Vivian’s medical care made it nearly impossible for both Cara and Rich to keep their full-time jobs; therefore, Rich decided to step back from his career to manage Vivian’s medical schedule of appointments, treatments, specialists, back-and-forth commutes and many more of her complicated medical demands.

Cara and Rich knew Vivian would need a dual life-saving transplant (kidney and liver) for long-term survival. At the start of 2012, while in the midst of Vivian’s hemodialysis sessions and appointments, a transplant social worker suggested Cara and Rich reach out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to learn more about fundraising for transplant-related expenses. On January 31st, Cara called COTA’s toll-free phone number and completed COTA’s Patient Agreement.

COTA uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a life-saving transplant have enough to deal with, so COTA’s model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a community team of trained volunteers. COTA is a 501(c)3 charity so all contributions to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and COTA funds are available for a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.

On March 8, 2012, a COTA fundraising specialist travelled to the Lemire’s hometown to train the volunteers for the COTA campaign in honor of Vivian. This group of family members and friends, quickly got to work organizing fundraisers to help with mounting transplant-related expenses. Numerous COTA fundraisers were held and the team surpassed its $60,000 goal in a short amount of time.

When Vivian was 2½, the transplant team at Cardinal Glennon officially listed her for a dual kidney and liver transplant. Cara and Rich were anxious but were excited to continue their family’s transplant journey. However the wait became lengthy and Vivian’s case became more complicated as she grew. Cara and Rich were eventually told by the Cardinal Glennon transplant team they were no longer able to perform the life-saving dual transplant Vivian needed.

“We will never forget the moment our nephrologist, whose guidance we trusted, told us if Vivian were her child, she would take her to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford,” Cara said. Soon after that recommendation, the Lemires flew to Palo Alto, California -- more than 2,000 miles away from their Missouri home. Cara says at their very first meeting ‘everything clicked.’ The Lucile Packard transplant team agreed that, when the time came for Vivian’s dual transplant, the Lemire family would need to temporarily relocate to California and start her transplant treatment plan.

In August 2017 after two years of being listed and a near match, the Lemires finally got The Call for both a kidney and liver match for Vivian in California. Cara remembers feeling like their bags were in their hands before they even hung up the phone. It was indeed the call they had been waiting for since the day Vivian was born. On August 9, 2017, Vivian received a kidney and liver transplant and her second chance at life. Cara and Rich received the greatest gift imaginable.

The dual organ transplant went well but required a longer recovery time for Vivian, which meant the family would be in California for an extended period of time. Cara took a leave from her job and the family was able to stay in the Ronald McDonald House very close to Lucile Packard. “With our home and jobs halfway across the country, COTA eased the financial burden and enabled us to be at Vivian’s side during her transplant and lengthy recovery,” they said.

On December 31st, four and a half months after her life-saving dual kidney and liver transplant, Vivian and her parents were able to return home to Missouri. It was indeed a positive way to step into the New Year and their new post-transplant life.

“Even before Vivian was born, we knew a transplant was likely in our family’s future. When it became clear the best outcome of Vivian’s transplant would be achieved at a transplant center more than 2,000 miles away from our home, we also knew we were going to need help to make everything work financially. With home and jobs halfway across the country, COTA eased the financial burden and enabled us to be at Vivian’s side before and after transplant. It is a tremendous gift to know COTA is here for our family now and will be … for a lifetime,” said Cara and Rich.

Today Vivian is enrolled in elementary school, which she loves and where she is thriving. She loves dancing, singing and participating in any type of music. Vivian is thrilled to be making new friends at school. This Christmas will likely be full of celebration and joy for the Lemires as they enjoy the holidays in their own home. Vivian is indeed a gift for Cara and Rich who went from wondering when The Call would come to now watching their beautiful daughter enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the season. They will indeed remember their special donor angel this holiday season as well.

Grand opening of the Minock-Whitlock Park in Detroit

It was a cold and rainy autumn day in Detroit this past Saturday; the sort of day when many souls wouldn’t think about venturing off the couch if they didn’t have to. However, for one group of Detroiters who have spent years of their lives preparing for this past Saturday, no amount of rain could possibly keep them away.

It shouldn’t be surprising then that more than 100 Detroiters came out to partake in the official opening of the Minock-Whitlock Park in Warrendale. They were joined by County Commissioner Alisha Bell, Mayor Mike Duggan, Councilman Gabe Leland, State Senator Sylvia Santana, and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib were there to cut the ceremonial ribbon and celebrate this moment.

A couple of years ago, a series of three vacant and blighted houses sat on this stretch of land at the northeast corner of Minock and Whitlock Streets. The City of Detroit managed to demolish the dilapidated houses but that still left empty land in its place.

The crew of volunteers who have spearheaded the In Memory Of Community Garden across the street decided to intervene. With support from the City of Detroit, the Land Bank Authority, and corporate sponsors, they were able to transform this vacant land into a safe and fun place for neighborhood kids to play.

This same group of volunteers also worked with the City of Detroit to establish the In Memory Of Orchard, which is near the garden at the southeast corner of Auburn and Whitlocks Streets.

The group plans to expand the existing playscape to include monkey bars once additional funds can be raised.

The Minock-Whitlock Park is open every day from dawn to dusk.

Ribbon cutting at Minock Whitlock Park this Saturday

Ribbon cutting - Stock illustration courtesy of Needpix.com

After months of construction and preparation, it is finally time for the Warrendale neighborhood to join together and celebrate the new Minock-Whitlock Park (6548 Minock St.) with an official ribbon cutting celebration. We will have one this Saturday, October 26. Several Detroit dignitaries are expected to be on hand for this event that starts at 2 p.m. at the park.

The Minock Whitlock Park is a series of three lots in our Detroit neighborhood that were previously vacant and a blight to the community. With thousands of volunteer hours and funding from several different sources, this land has been transformed into a pocket park that is complete with a playscape for local children.

This transformation was spearheaded by Barb and Joe Mattney who also led the In Memory Community Garden (6551 Minock St.), which is directly across Minock Street from the playground, and the In Memory Of Orchard (6700 Auburn St.), which are nearby. They were not alone in their efforts to bring this park to life. Building it was a community effort that numerous community members took part in.

Everyone in Detroit is invited to attend the ribbon cutting this Saturday. Children, in particular, are invited to wear their favorite Halloween costumes to the park.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, there will be cider and donuts as well as a pumpkin patch at the In Memory Of Community Garden. Again, everyone in Detroit is invited to attend this as well. It will be a celebration of dreams and sweat that made this happen for our neighborhood.

The park is located at the northeast corner of Minock and Whitlock Streets; hence its name. It will be open from dawn to dusk every day throughout the foreseeable future. There is no charge to use this park and the public is welcome.

Halloween coming to Rouge Park

Halloween - Illustration by Myriam Zilles

As previously reported on this blog, Detroit’s Halloween in the D program is coming to Rouge Park. Children across Warrendale and the surrounding neighborhoods are invited to the Brennan Pools Building (22340 Plymouth Rd.).

Volunteers will be on hand to help make sure that the youngest Detroiters have a spooky good time. Trick-or-treating will happen there from 5 - 8 p.m.

This, of course, leads directly to my second announcement that is related to Halloween in the D.

The nonprofit group Friends of Rouge Park is looking for volunteers to help make this event a safe and fun time for the children of Detroit. The more people who help out, the easier this will be on everyone. There are two different times next week when they will need people to help them with the Halloween program.

Volunteers are needed to help pack bags of candy for the children on Wednesday, October 23 from noon until approximately 5 p.m. Anyone who is willing and able to help should sign up via the link below and then come to the Brennan Pools Building that day.

The group will also need lots of help on Thursday, October for Halloween itself. From noon until 6 p.m., the group is looking to help with people who can help setting up for this event and staffing it. They will also need help that day with staffing this event and then breaking everything down later at night. This will needed from 4:30 - 10 p.m.

Anyone who is willing to volunteer to make Halloween in the D a safe and fun evening for the children of Detroit is asked to sign-up by clicking this link.

For more information, please contact Erica Hill, manager of special events and programming for Detroit’s Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached at (313) 628-4203.

Halloween in the D

Detroit is gearing up for a spooky and fun Halloween, Mayor Mike Duggan outlined in his announcement last week at the 8th Police Precinct, which services the Warrendale neighborhood. The Department of Neighborhoods is the lead agency for making this happen. However, there will be a variety of partners supporting these programs.

In and around the Warrendale neighborhood, Rouge Park will be transformed into a Haunted Park for visitors on Thursday, October 31. D-DOT will also bring back its popular Haunted Bus There will also be Trick Or Treating at police stations, fire houses, and recreation centers across Detroit.

More information about Halloween in the D activites is available in the video embedded above.

Jones to host Infinite Scholars Fair in Detroit

Council President Brenda Jones at a Warrendale meeting - Photo by Frank Nemecek

On Thursday, October 10, City Council President Brenda Jones will host the 3rd annual Infinite Scholars Fair in Detroit. This event will happen from 4 - 8 p.m. in Shed 3 at Eastern Market (2934 Russell St.) and will feature representatives from more than 40 colleges. Some of these schools will offer on-site acceptance for students as well as an onsite scholarship awards.

At the event last year, Detroit students were awarded more than $11 million is scholarships onsite.

The Infinite Scholars Fair is focused on students who are currently in the 12th grade. Those in the 9th through 11th grades, however, will still be welcomed. Students should bring up to 20 packets with them containing a copy of the transcript, ACT/SAT scores, recommendation letters, an essay on why they want to attend college, and a resume.

There is no cost to attend this event in Detroit. Regardless, interested students are still asked to RSVP online.

Update @ 5:17 p.m.
On the subject of preparing for college, I believe students should consider the question of safety when selecting a collee or university.

It was fortuidous, therefore, that a representative from SafeHome.org reached out to me today. They released a study on the Safest Cities for College Students to determine the safest colleges nationally and in each state. The rankings were determined using the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, and U.S. Department of Education from colleges with at least 10,000 students in nearly 150 U.S. cities through 2017.

Western Michigan University was ranked as the least safe college or university in the Great Lakes State. In contrast, Lansing Community College was shown to be the safest. The full report is available online here.

Orthodontist holds screening day and donate $300,000 in braces for kids in need

Dr. Jamie Reynolds of Spillane and Reynolds Orthodontics, with offices in Novi and Rochester, Michigan, is donating braces to kids in his community through the nonprofit Smiles Change Lives.  On October 5, 2019, he will be holding a screening day to screen all the children in the Detroit area that are waiting to receive braces through this nonprofit program.

Smiles Change Lives is a national nonprofit that helps kids get braces who could not otherwise afford them. On average, braces cost $6,000 per child, making them out of reach for many hard working families. Further, orthodontic treatment has long been considered cosmetic by insurance companies, providing little assistance, even for those that are insured. As a result, many children and teens suffer unnecessary discomfort and embarrassment from their misaligned teeth. Smiles Change Lives’ mission is to provide these families with the opportunity to provide their children with braces through its network of more than 800 volunteer orthodontists in the United States and Canada.

Dr. Reynolds has been treating kids through Smiles Change Lives since 2016. This is not the first time he has gone above and beyond to help kids in his community. On average, Dr. Reynolds donates orthodontic treatment to 8 kids per year through Smiles Change Lives.  With approximately 100 kids on the waiting list to be treated through the Smiles Change Lives program, Dr. Reynolds has committed to help clear out the wait list by agreeing to treat at least 50 qualified children, which is approximately $300,000 in donated services.

“The demand for our program in the greater Detroit area has far exceeded the number of orthodontists we have in our network,” stated Alexis Barclay, director of provider services for Smiles Change Lives. “Dr. Reynold’s dedication to treat at least 50 of the children waiting to receive braces is truly life changing for these kids.”

In the words of a mother whose daughter recently completed treatment, “On behalf of myself and daughter, please accept our deepest thanks for a life changing experience for my daughter. She smiles all the time now and has a sense of confidence I've never seen before. To everyone responsible, please know that you have helped another child regain a huge part of herself back. She may go on to change the world in a better way now; just like Smiles Change Lives did for her.”

To qualify for the program, a child must be between the ages of 7-21, have good oral hygiene, not be wearing braces currently, have a moderate to severe need for braces, and meet certain financial guidelines (e.g., for a family of 4, their household income must be below $61,500, however household income limit varies based upon family size; the financial requirement is waived for children in foster care). The family must also be willing to submit an application fee of $30, and if accepted for treatment, a program fee of $650.  The full program guidelines can be reviewed at www.smileschangelives.org. Families interested in the event should contact info [at] smileschangelives [dot] org to learn more.

To date, Smiles Change Lives and its network of orthodontists have helped more than 13,000 kids receive braces in the United States and Canada.

October is Liver Awareness Month

Peter Ganucheau - Press photo

October is Liver Awareness Month, which is the month created by the American Liver Foundation to raise awareness about liver health. More than 30 million Americans have some form of liver disease

This October an Alabama transplant family is thrilled to be celebrating their son’s now healthy liver and his second chance at life. Brigitte and Adam Ganucheau of Mobile, Alabama, who were parents of three boys, were excited to find out they were pregnant with their fourth child. Brigitte shares this memory.

Peter Ganucheau was born in July 2016. The pregnancy and birth had no major issues, Brigitte and Adam were thrilled to bring him home and start their new life as a family of six. They did notice, however, that Peter was a little jaundiced but they thought it would clear up with some sunshine.

At Peter’s two-month checkup the family’s pediatrician was concerned about his jaundice and distended stomach so she sent them to the University of South Alabama Children and Women’s Hospital for blood work. After multiple days of testing to rule out a number of possible causes for the jaundice and distended stomach, Peter was diagnosed with biliary atresia.

Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease that impacts one in every 12,000 children. Patients are born with this disease and doctors do not know what causes it. Peter underwent his first round of surgery in September 2016.

“Even though at first we were encouraged that our baby’s jaundice was slowly clearing up," Brigetter explain, "it became apparent the surgery was not as successful as hoped. The reality was that a liver transplant was our only hope to save Peter’s life and he would need a new liver very soon.”

In December 2016, Peter and Brigitte travelled nearly 550 miles to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston while Dad and Ganucheau boys John Paul, Luke, and Kolbe remained at home in Mobile.

Peter was listed for a new liver at the end of December 2016. It was decided Brigitte would remain in Atlanta while Adam and Peter’s brothers would stay at home in Mobile. Brigitte said, “It was a challenging time for our family and our marriage.”

During these days, Brigitte journaled and shared the following with their friends and family, “The doctor has told us Peter is listed and eligible to receive a partial or whole liver. We are simply waiting for a match. Transplant can truly happen at any time. The surgery itself could take up to 10 hours and we are praying a match will present itself soon.”

The family relied on FaceTime and text messaging to stay in touch. Regardless, Brigitte desperately wanted to be home in Mobile and to be Mom to their four boys. Adam’s work in ministry was in a very busy time during January and February so he was struggling to keep his work, their home and the boys’ lives held together. With the help of supportive friends and family, Adam was able to make short visits to Atlanta.

It quickly became apparent to Adam and Brigitte that transplant-related expenses were going to be staggering, including the family’s travel expenses, Atlanta lodging and living expenses and Peter’s inpatient stay with no real idea of when a new liver would be available. A transplant social worker at Egleston suggested Brigitte reach out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to learn more about fundraising for transplant-related expenses.

COTA uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a life-saving transplant have enough to deal with so their model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a community team of trained volunteers. This group of family members and friends, quickly got to work organizing fundraisers to help with mounting transplant-related expenses.

“Once the COTA fundraising began the overwhelming outpouring of support provided our family so much hope,” Brigitte added. “So many people hundreds of miles away back home were making gifts to COTA and were attending fundraising events. It was truly difficult to not have hope once we learned how many people cared about Peter and about our entire family.”

Brigitte regularly journaled throughout January to share Peter updates with the many friends and family members who were hours away and wanted to read about Peter and Brigitte’s days in Atlanta. On January 12th Brigitte wrote, “Peter is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable every day … his breathing is more labored and he is not his usual happy self. His stomach is extremely distended because his liver and spleen are extremely swollen. Our little boy has been such a fighter. We hope the right liver makes its way to us soon.”

On January 16th she wrote, “Adam is on his way back to Mobile. Peter and I were very sad to see him go, but we had a great weekend together. Thank you again for all the prayers and for anyone who has made a donation to COTA in Peter’s honor … we are beyond blessed to have the love and support of so many people.”

On January 21st, “Doctors have come by today and still no liver. Today is going to be a dreary day. It has started thundering and lightning here so we do not have our walk outside to look forward to. No good news. No bad news. Just blah.”

Just when it seemed like Peter would be on the liver waiting list forever and their family would be separated by hundreds of miles, Brigitte received word that a new liver was available for Peter. Arrangements were made for Adam to fly to Atlanta so he could be with Brigitte throughout the transplant surgery.

On February 2, 2017, Peter received a whole organ that immediately began working correctly. His jaundice vanished overnight and he started on the road to recovery from liver disease. Peter remained in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Egleston for a few days and was then moved to the transplant floor. Eventually he and Brigitte were relocated to the Ronald McDonald House so they were close for blood work, tests and checkups.

In late February, coinciding with a school break for Mardi Gras, Adam and Peter’s brothers traveled to Atlanta and the family of six was together for the first time since Christmas. Adam and the boys returned home to Mobile, and Brigitte and Peter followed just a few days later. Once home Brigitte and Peter have periodically returned to Atlanta for clinic visits. After more time had passed Peter’s blood work was drawn in Mobile and shared with the Atlanta team to keep some of the travel to a minimum.

Brigitte recalls these days with gratitude. She wrote, “We knew we were not out of the woods yet. Every little ear infection or fever can be a cause for concern. With a compromised immune system, Peter is more susceptible to other illnesses and allergies. However, after the long journeys we have travelled … we are confident we can handle things like a dairy allergy or a double ear infection.”

One year post-transplant, Adam looked back and journaled on COTA’s Team Peter G website. “This year has certainly had some ups and downs. To celebrate finally coming home, to be present at family functions, to even just see him on his first birthday … but the nervousness of any little virus or infection, to navigating the maze of medical care and medicines, even this week going to the Emergency Room for a high fever. Life with a toddler who has a major medical issue and a compromised immune system is anything but boring. There are times when I am amazed we even did it at all with Brigitte in Atlanta and me with the boys in Mobile. Thank you to everyone who prayed, sent well wishes and supported COTA in Peter’s honor over the past year. We are so grateful. We are appreciative to be a COTA family. There is so much anxiety when it comes to your child needing a life-saving transplant. The financial peace of mind COTA provides is such a blessing. Right now Peter can only say a few words like ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ and ‘cookie,’ but if he had a more extensive vocabulary I am sure he would join us in thanking everyone and celebrating just how far we have come in just one year!”

Today, three-year-old Peter is terrific. His liver seems to be doing very well. Barring any unforeseen illness or hospitalizations, Brigitte and Adam are happy to report they do not need to return to Atlanta for a whole year. Peter’s lab draws are down to every three months. He is doing very well developmentally -- talking a lot more and working on potty training. Peter continues to grow and has become a very active little boy who loves playing outside with his brothers.

According to Brigitte and Peter, “Peter remains a bright light in our lives … he is full of smiles and always able to provide a laugh for our family. We are simply not sure how we would have gotten to this place without being part of the COTA Family.”

 “The Children’s Organ Transplant Association gave our family hope by helping us handle the immense financial burden that comes with a life-saving transplant. Even with health insurance, we were receiving more and more medical bills each day. Our transplant social worker referred us to COTA and with their support and guidance, and through generous financial contributions from friends and family, we have been able to cover all of the transplant-related costs associated with Peter’s diagnosis and liver transplant. Without COTA, Peter’s transplant, his recovery and our ability to support the rest of our family would have been nearly impossible. The peace of mind COTA provides is truly invaluable and lasts … for a lifetime,” they said.

Vacant lots transformed into playground

Playscape at the Minock & Whitlock Park - Photo by Frank Nemecek

It wasn't long ago that a series of vacant homes occupied a small stretch of land on the southeast corner of Minock and Whitlock Streets in the Warrendale neighborhood. The City of Detroit eventually demolished those abandoned structures; leaving empty land in its spot instead.

While everyone in Warrendale seemed to prefer the empty land to the burned out houses that once stood there, its emptiness still haunted the neighborhood.

After years of being occupied by nothing more than assorted pieces of trash that were deposited there by the wind, a group of voluneters from the In Memory Of Community Garden managed to raise the money necessary install playscapes at that location. What was once nothing more than an eyesore on the westside of Detroit, is now a safe and fun place for children to play.

This transformed land has been christened the Minock & Whitlock Park after the intercection where it sits. It joins the nearby In Memory Of Community Garden and the In Memory of Orchard as public green spaces in the neighborhood.

NASA invites students to help name the next Mars rover

Name the Mars 2020 Rover - Image by NASA

Since an impressive number of parents and educators read this blog, I wanted to share that K-12 students in public, private, and home schools across the United States are invited to enter the Mars 2020 Name the Rover essay contest. One grand prize winner will not only name the rover but be invited to see the spacecraft launch in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The Name the Rover contest is part of NASA's efforts to engage students in the STEM enterprise behind Mars exploration and inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"This naming contest is a wonderful opportunity for our nation's youth to get involved with NASA's Moon to Mars missions," explained NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. "It is an exciting way to engage with a rover that will likely serve as the first leg of a Mars Sample return campaign, collecting and caching core samples from the Martian surface for scientists here on Earth to study for the first time."

The Mars 2020 rover is a 2,300-pound robotic scientist that will search for signs of past microbial life, characterize the planet's climate and geology, collect samples for future return to Earth, and pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet.

"Our Mars 2020 rover has fully taken shape over the past several months, as the project team installed various components onto the chassis: the computer brain and electronics; wheels and mobility system; robotic arm; remote sensing mast; the seven science instruments; and finally, the sample caching system," added George Tahu, Mars 2020 program executive. "All that's missing is a great name!"

To enter the contest, students must submit their proposed rover name and a short essay, no more than 150 words, explaining why their proposed name should be chosen. The essays will be divided into three groups, by grade level - K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 - and judged on the appropriateness, significance and originality of their proposed name, and the originality and quality of their essay, and/or finalist interview presentation. The deadline for all submissions is November 1.

52 semifinalists will be selected per group, each representing Michigan and the other states and territories. Three finalists then will be selected from each group to advance to the final round.

As part of the final selection process, the public will have an opportunity to vote online on the nine finalists in January 2020. NASA plans to announce the selected name on February 18, 2020, which is exactly one year before the rover will land on the surface of Mars.

For complete contest and prize details, visit https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/.

Detroit is the most stressed city in USA

Alone - Image by Grae Dickason/Pixabay

According to a report that was released earlier today by WalletHub, Detroit is the most stressed city in the United States. The three key driving factors in our stress levels according to their research is our poverty and divorce rates as well as Detroiters not getting enough sleep. A below average amount of job security in the Detroit area also plays a role in our stress as does traffic congestion in the region.

As part of my Tip of the Week feature, therefore, I would like to pass along some advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on healthy ways one can better deal with stress.

• Take care of yourself. This includes eating healthy, well-balanced meals, exercising on a regular basis, and getting plenty of sleep.
• Talk to others. The CDC recommends sharing your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These may seem like they are helping with stress. However, in the long run, they are creating more problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.
• Take a break. If news events are causing your stress then take a break from listening or watching the news.

Readers may find additional advice on dealing with stress in a healthy manner - including advice specifically for parents, young people, and school personnel by visiting their website here.

With this advice, I can only hope that Detroit will not be the most stressed city in the United States in 2020.

These tips are brought to you by the Warrendale (Detroit) Blog as part of our semi-regular Tip of the Week feature. Please check back every Monday for more advice on your home, money, and life.

Also, be sure to follow the author, Frank Nemecek, on Twitter and Instagram as @fnemecek for more great information.

Detroit to use speed humps to deter speeders

Speed humps on a street in Detroit - City of Detroit photo

One of the most frequent complaints that I hear is about cars traveling through residential streets in Warrendale at a high rate of speed. Those speeding on residential streets cause collisions and endanger residents, especially young children.

One way to solve this is by installing speed humps to calm the traffic. The Department of Public Work has begun installing these speed humps in Detroit's neighborhoods. Priority is given to locations that are near an active school. Residents who would like to have one installed on their street to deter speeding cars can request to have one installed.

More details about this traffic calming program are available on the City of Detroit's website. The application that you will need to complete is online here.

Please share this with any residents who might be interested.

Grant opportunity for healthy kids

Leadership Prep Academy - Photo by Action for Healthy Kids/Flickr

Since the program began in 2009, Action for Healthy Kids has provided $8.7 million in grants and technical support to help schools achieve their student wellness goals. Now through April 5, schools and parents are invited to apply for a series of grants.

These grants will be available for the 2019-2020 school year. Grant opportunities fit into three basic categories:

• Game On Grants. These grants will secure funding and resources for your school to introduce or improve nutrition and physical activity programs. With a grant of $1,000 or more utilizing AFHK’s flagship program, Game On, you can build a school garden, jump-start active recess, purchase physical education equipment, host taste tests, kick-off an after-school activity club, and so much more.
• Parents for Healthy Kids Grants. This program is a chance for parents to make their mark on school health! Parents and parent-led groups (such as PTAs and PTOs) can apply for a $1,000 school grant to provide funds and resources to introduce or improve fitness or nutrition programs and engage families in health at school and at home. This opportunity helps to ensure that all students have access to healthy choices.
• School Breakfast Grants. This is a grant opportunity to expand access to school breakfast for hungry and undernourished kids. Grants from $1,000 to $3,000 can support equipment and other resources needed to implement or expand Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab-and-Go Breakfast, or other alternative breakfast programs that help students start their day right.

Parents and educators are invited to visit http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/grants for more information and to learn how to apply. The deadline for all applications is April 5, 2019.

Cody High: A Life Remodeled Project

I watched Cody High last night. This is a documentary about the Detroit public high school that people from the Warrendale neighborhood would attend. The film itself focused on what happened when students there went through the Life Remodeled Project a few years ago.

The Life Remodeled Project was an ambitious philanthropic project that was conducted in the area. It attempted to identify challenges and opportunities in every aspect of a students life at Cody High; not just those that directly impact their academic performance. For example, if a student is experiencing serious problems at home then it's inevitable that those problems will bleed over into their schoolwork regardless of how much teachers may try to isolate them.

The Life Remodeled Project sought to address the challenges that these students face on a holistic level. Moreover, since this was shot during some of Detroit's darkest days, there were a lot of problems for them to work with.

A lot of problems.

I like that this documentary had enough grittiness in it to be authentic yet still captured the hope that permeates Detroit. I highly recommend watching it.

I found Cody High on Amazon Prime. However, it is probably available elsewhere as well.

City of Detroit looking for young adults to help plan the future

The City of Detroit is seeking people between the ages of 15-25 to participate in meetings with them about the city's future. Young adults in that age range who live in the Warrendale area are invited to apply. There is a stipend that will be paid to those who participate.

Those residents who are interested should contact Lindsay Barrett at (313) 207-3696 or email her at barrettl [at] detroitmi [dot] gov.

A flyer from the City of Detroit with more details is available below.

9 year-old receives citation for saving her grandmother

A 9-year-old resident Jada Anderson, who is a third-grade student at the Warrendale Charter Academy, received a citation for saving her grandmother's life. She was at home with her grandmother on August 13 of this year when she collapsed.

Jada Anderson could have panicked like most 9-year-old would have done in such a situation. However, she remained calm, called 9-1-1, and administered CPR on her grandmother.

WXYZ-TV has more on this story in the video embeded above.