Category Archives: Non-Profits

Local First Sponsors Forum 2014 – The Power of Economic Opportunity

Local Business, Non-Profits

maggie_anderson

Morning keynote Dr. Maggie Anderson will speak about the economics of how black buying power can impact black communities!

 

By Samantha Vanderberg

 

Local First is sponsoring Forum 2014, an event held by the Partners for a Racism-Free Community.

 

Dr. Maggie Anderson will be the morning keynote speaker. In her recent book Our Black Year, she delves into racial equity issues in her community by chronicling her family’s year-long effort to shop at only black-owned businesses.

 

Dr. Anderson’s work is values-aligned with Local First’s mission in that both consider the role locally-owned businesses (and individual purchasing devisions) play in creating jobs, building a vibrant community, and maintaining a high quality of life. Dr. Anderson’s thesis shows that spending money at black-owned businesses allows money to circulate in black neighborhoods, which would in turn strengthen the community and create jobs. Local First similarly knows that when people in Kent County spend their money at locally-owned businesses, that money stays in our community at a rate of 73% and directly impacts job growth.

 

In her book, Dr. Anderson reveals shocking statistics about black buying power. On average, black businesses receive only 2% of the $1 trillion of black buying power, which is two cents of every dollar. A dollar circulates among banks, shopkeepers, and other businesses for nearly a month in some ethnic groups, whereas in the black community: six hours. Black businesses are also the greatest private employer of black people, thus the lack of support impacts unemployment in the black community. Dr. Anderson frames these issues as opportunity for change: small shifts in purchasing habits toward black businesses can improve the current situation.

 

“We are so glad to be sponsoring this event. We are a community that understands the significance of ownership. Maggie’s work spotlights an issue that is important for us to understand and address in order to achieve racial and economic equity in our community. Her personal examination of the role of local ownership within the black community will expand our perspective,” said Emily Loeks, Vice-Chair of both the Local First Board and the Local First Educational Board, and Director of Education & Community Partnerships at Celebration! Cinema. Loeks will be introducing Dr. Maggie Anderson at Forum 2014.

 

Forum 2014 will be held on Friday, February 21 at the Eberhard Center at GVSU Downtown Campus. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:00am. Tickets cost $55 and are available at localfirst.com/events/forum-2014 or prfc-gr.org.

The Dove Foundation – Wyoming’s Hidden Gem

Non-Profits, Our Cities

dovesite-775px_01By Colleen Pierson

 

Parents are concerned about what their children watch.  Whether it is a movie, video, or DVD,  there seems to be a lack of family-friendly films and programming elements.

 

Enter Dick Rolfe, cofounder and CEO of the Dove Foundation.  He first started the Dove List in 1990 which had parents review and assign their own ratings to films.  Family-friendly is the name of the game.

 

“We wanted to find clean, pure wholesome entertainment.  We started the Dove List and circulated it.  Before we knew it an AP reporter got a copy of the list.  The Wire service picked it up and our beginnings were written about in 165 newspapers nationwide.  We had over 2,00 phone calls,” he explained.   dick-rolfe-ceo

 

And from there, the project exploded.

 

The list was such a hit that they decided to expand the idea and created the non-profit Dove Foundation dedicated to advocating for families and moving Hollywood in a more family-friendly direction. The Dove reviews, posted online at www.dove.org, are based on traditional Judeo-Christian values. There is a content chart and descriptions that gauge six criteria: Sex, Language, Violence, Drug and Alcohol use, Nudity and Other.

 

The Dove Seal  is what the non-profit is probably best known for.  Motion picture studios strive to be endorsed by the Foundation as it leads to bottom line improvements in video rentals and movie tickets.

 

The non-profit runs with three people on staff.   Rolfe said that people are constantly asking them where their national corporate offices are.  “We are right here in West Michigan–Wyoming to be exact.   We have grown through a series of divine mistakes,” he laughingly said.

 

Dick said that they review about 40 films and DVD’s a month.

 

The Dove website is visited by parents like Vickie Vermeer. She logs on to www.dove.org for guidance when it comes to choosing which movies her kids can see. Ten times out of ten she says she’ll trust Dove’s scorecard review over one written by a film critic in the general media.

 

“When we read a review in our local paper or in the NY Times, the reviewers are coming from a different perspective,” says Vermeer. “They’re looking more at the quality or artistic value of the film. They have more tolerance for the violence or language or sexual content for the movie; whereas The Dove Foundation’s guidelines are more in line with our own family’s values and that makes us feel comfortable when choosing our entertainment.”

 

Plans for the future, according to Rolfe, are to have the general public become more aware of the Dove Seal and what it means.

Local Non-profit makes a difference for Women at Risk

Local Business, Non-Profits, ,
By Jessica Rowland
Women at Risk
 The WAR Chest Boutique is a non-profit store-front operated by Women At Risk, International giving people a permanent location to shop a variety of unique gifts made by the precious rescued and at-risk women who flow through our programs in over 40 countries around the world, including the United States.
Come in and be an active participant in our mission statement of creating circles of protection around women and SHOP WITH A PURPOSE!
The store is also open upon request for PRIVATE PARTIES where you and your family/friends/co-workers can come in and learn more about the programs of Women At Risk, International and support our cause!

 

WAR Chest Boutique Wyoming
(616) 530-1234
info@warinternational.org

2790 44th St
Wyoming, MI 49519
WAR Chest Boutique Rockford
(616) 863-0100
info@warinternational.org
25 Squires St. Square NE
Rockford, MI 49341

 

Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) is a U.S.-based, non-profit organization. We currently work in over 31 countries creating havens of safety and healing for at-risk women and children. Our purpose and passion is to give voice to the silenced cries of the oppressed, wrap arms of love around them, and whisper messages of purpose and dignity into their brokenness.

 

Through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and programs, WAR, Int’l offers these women and children an opportunity to live life with dignity. Although specifically known for our fight against human trafficking and rehabilitating work with trafficking victims, WAR, Int’l addresses 14 different risk issues facing women and children today.

 

This is what we would like to tell you about how your shopping helps us:

 

Dear Precious Fellow Soldier (really shopper):

 

Each time you buy a gift (for another or yourself) made by a rescued or at-risk woman or even a WAR, Int’l book where the sales go to helping a woman, you are a fellow soldier.  You just jumped in the trenches with me and grabbed a baby, a woman, a child who is  hiding there waiting for us to sneak with them to a safe place. 

 

I have been at this battle long enough to know that if we do not give a woman a way to make a living, she will crawl out of the trench looking for food for her  family.  If she doesn’t, her family or some trafficker will come find her, pull her out, and demand she make them a living.  Rescue is not enough.  Please hear this  clearly.  Those who rescue and do no more, do nothing.  Ninety percent of those rescued in a police raid in Cambodia and sent home without job training get resold.  Rescue is ONLY the start. 

 

So every time you buy a piece of jewelry, know  with certainty that you just made the process work!  You just helped  not only rescue but restore and empower a woman or child to survive with dignity.  It is that simple.  One safe house grew 500% when we started carrying their jewelry and product. 

 

Buying the work of their hands gives life and freedom and dignity.  They are not  asking for a handout, only that you enjoy the beautiful works of art they are making. There is dignity for you. You did not give them something for  nothing.  There is greater dignity for them.  They earned the fruit of that beautiful necklace around your neck.  This brings two women together in a very powerful,   primal way.  I have seen women stand and cry as they try on our jewelry.  It is not because the jewelry is high end, excellent quality, and low priced.  It is because of the woman who made it and what the purchase will mean in her life.

 

When you buy a WAR, Int’l product, you are truly a fellow soldier in the battle of a lifetime to set women and children free from the chains of bondage and slavery. This Christmas when you buy a gift, you just gave the gift of freedom. Imagine that you are handing back to God one of his own who is crying for dignity and worth that he created them to enjoy. 

 

We are giving the gift of life, hope, and dignity to wounded women with the promise of a future that we will walk beside them in their journey to recovery.  Thank you for being that army!  Shop with joy and purpose!

One Wyoming 1 on 1 needs Mentors-Attend event on 1-16 to learn more!

Area Education, Local Business, Non-Profits

By Laura Kuperus

carmody-Copy-21One Wyoming 1 on 1 is an initiative in the City of Wyoming. The goal is to place 1,100 mentors in the 4 public school districts in Wyoming (Godfrey Lee, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, and Wyoming). We are currently about halfway to our goal, with 558 mentors meeting with their mentees.

 

Our mentors include local business leaders and employees, school staff and administrators, church members, and community leaders. All mentors complete an application, receive a background check and attend a training session before meeting with their mentees. We ask mentors to commit to meeting with their mentees for one hour each week.

 

More information and a mentor application is available on our website: www.onewyoming1on1.org 

 

Email: info@onewyoming1on1.org   Wyoming One on 1

 

Phone: 616-528-0706

 

Our Next Event:
Thursday
January 16
6:30-8:30 pm
Godwin Heights High School
50 – 35th St. SW

 

Celebrating National Mentor Month and the exciting progress of One Wyoming 1 on 1

 

Opportunities for current mentors to share stories about their mentoring experiences

 

Training for new mentors and additional tools/ideas for current mentors                                                                                        Mentoring

Opportunities for current mentors to share stories about their mentoring experiences

Training for new mentors and additional tools/ideas for current mentors

 

2014 Eclipse Awards Open for Entries

Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Our Cities, WKTV Projects

Looking for the Best of West Michigan’s

Film, Video, and Television Work

_DAN5148The third annual Eclipse Awards are calling for entries now until March 14, 2014. The Eclipse Awards showcase the best in West Michigan’s  film, video, and television community.  Sponsored by WKTV with the West Michigan Film Video Alliance, an Eclipse is awarded to locally produced media for outstanding work in the crafts and several primary categories. The mission of the Eclipse event is to inspire and enhance the West Michigan “voice” in mediums of television, film, sound, and web, and to be recognized for excellence among international, national, and regional judges.

 

An Eclipse in a particular category is awarded after nominees for that category have been chosen. To reach nomination level in the first round, judges in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and London screen each submission and decide by a process of scores, which work receives a nomination for the 2014 Eclipse.

 

In Categories, judges nominate based on the overall excellence of the work submitted, such as the technical excellence, but also on the treatment of the content. In other words, if the subject matter presented in a manner that is above the ordinary.

 

After the Nominees announcement on April 14, all nominated works are eligible for the Eclipse People’s Choice Award. These will be available on the Facebook site for viewing and voting by the General Public. The Eclipse People’s Choice Award is new this year and will have one winner.

 

In the second round, the nominees in each category are selected by the judges for the final award. The results of the tabulation from all judges are kept secret until the night of the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2014. The “Excellence in Craft” Awards Ceremony will be televised live by WKTV from City Flats Ballroom on Monroe Center in Grand Rapids.

 

Visit www.theeclipseaward.com for categories, entry forms, rules, FAQs, payment, and additional information.

 

Home page photo by Dan Irving

Event Discusses the Latest Technology and Privacy Rights

Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events,

Upcoming Eyes in the Sky event focuses on your rights

Join the Western Branch of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan for a discussion on privacy rights.  From drones to NSA hacking, the ACLU is dedicated to ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology.  The ACLU’s mission is to expand the right to privacy and increase the control that individuals have over their personal information.

Don’t miss Eyes in the Sky on Monday, January 13 at 7:00p.m. at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts– 2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids, MI. 49503.

Joe Marogil, coordinator of the event, stresses the importance of the public’s right to know. “Specifically, we hope that people will come away more informed on what their privacy rights are, and what is being done to undermine those rights.  We want people to learn what options they have available to protect their rights, and we want to provide a forum for them to learn.  We want them to know that the ACLU is working on a local and national level to protect the right to privacy, he explained.”

Panelists Include:

Mary Wheeler, a journalist specializing in national security and civil liberties who regularly contributes to The Guardian, Daily Kos, The Huffington Post and Michigan Liberal as well as her own website Empty Wheel.

Ronald G. DeWaard, an attorney with vast experience in civil liberties.  DeWaard is a partner at the law firm Varnum, LLP and previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami as well as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Shelli Weisberg, the legislative director of the ACLU of Michigan.  Weisberg has worked to persuade policy makers to enact or amend legislation consistent with civil liberties principles and educate the public on the importance of legislative processes in the protection of our rights and liberties.

“We chose the panelists because they are all specialists in different aspects of privacy rights.  Marcy Wheeler has extensive experience following the national security aspects of privacy rights.  Ron DeWaard worked as a prosecutor and can speak to the local level, and police protection issues.  Additionally, he can speak to the question of whether corporations like google and facebook are too invasive in their collection of data, and where the line is draw.  Shelli Weisberg is one of our resident experts on all aspects of ACLU policy, and we are hoping she can help formally address the ACLU position on the issues, while also explaining how to best help create change through legislative and other means to help protect our privacy interests,” Marogil concluded.

The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, check: www.aclumich.org/westernspeakers

The Importance of Spending Time with Family and Volunteering

Area Education, Community Health, Non-Profits


At this time of year, it is vital to reflect on the importance of family. Did you know that healthy relationships with family leads to better health? Most Doctors will advise that blood pressure has been decreased when fences have been mended.

It is considerably easier for children to develop and learn with the support of families. Educational statistics prove that school performance is linked to involvement from home. Family is very important part of our everyday life. It helps us in improving our personality and shaping our life. It teaches us the value of love, affection, care, truthfulness and self-confidence and provides us tools and suggestions which are necessary to get success in life.       Famiily 2

This New Year consider giving TIME to others by Volunteering. So many non-profits are in need. I had the opportunity to volunteer with the American Red Cross after a tornado hit Jackson Mississippi. What I got from this experience is that without our volunteer help that community would not be around.

I also mentor young athletes to serve as a role model in teaching them life traits such as teamwork or as I call it the TEAM approach—Together Everyone Achieves More. It’s important for these young men to learn integrity and purpose for elements of success.

Sometimes Mentoring can be as simple as volunteering for any time you can lend. Even lending a smile can help out a person in need.

Non profits that need help are American Red Cross, One Wyoming One on One, YMCA,  Hospice,  DeVosChildren’s Hospital, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, ELE’s Place, and  Homeless organizations—just to name a few.

Consider lending your time. It is a gift to someone that really needs a helping hand.

Welcome Sights for the Holidays

Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Doubles as Goodwill Central

 Photos by Pat MollSONY DSC

Thanks to Santa, Catholic Charities of West Michigan and the Patriot Guard Riders, West Michigan , soldiers returning home for the holidays were greeted with warmth and generosity. While the event was free to the public, airport officials requested the public to bring two non-perishable items  for the Loaves and Fishes food bank operated by Catholic Charities of West Michigan. It was a win/win situation all around!

SONY DSC

SONY DSCSONY DSCSONY DSC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SONY DSC

Coping with Grief During the Holidays

Non-Profits

candle for Ele's placeEle’s Place is a healing center for grieving children & teens with facilities in Lansing, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.   Executive Director Gerilyn May provides some helpful hints on how to cope with grief during the holidays:

 

Light a candle to remember the person

 

During family gatherings, talk about memories of the person who died

 

Know that it’s okay to have fun

 

Make an ornament or decoration for the person who died–or one that reminds you of that person.

 

For more ideas, please visit www.elesplace.org.

Bigger, Better, and More Bargains!

Local Business, Non-Profits, Our Cities

New Goodwill Store Opens in Wyoming

By Janice Limbaugh

The new and improved Goodwill in Wyoming is still on 28th Street, just east of its previous location.
The new and improved Goodwill in Wyoming is still on 28th Street, just east of its previous location.

 

If you’re hoping to optimize your holiday spirit by saving time, money and doing good deeds, then you’ll want to be at the Goodwill grand opening on 28th Street this Saturday! A 9 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce will officially open the doors to Wyoming’s newest store.

 

According to Jill Wallace, chief marketing officer for the Grand Rapids area stores, the spacious 14,600 square foot facility is a major upgrade over the old Wyoming Goodwill store located just down the street.

DSC00466
An employee unpacks from the move.

 

“We’re proud to say that this store is LEED certified. Since we are all about reusing, recycling and repurposing, this effort shows that we can ‘walk our talk’,” says Wallace.

DSC00472
Fast Signs employee adds last minute touches with window graphics.

 

The new store offers more natural lighting, an open floorplan, large fitting rooms and a covered drive-thru donation drop off on the side of the building. “We want to make shopping here as enjoyable an experience as possible,” she says, adding that it has more of a boutique feel to it than the former location. The store’s layout, colors and graphic wall designs work comfortably together to attract bargain shoppers.

DSC00479
New displays add boutique flair.

 

“When people shop Goodwill they feel good about getting great deals, but they’re really doing something good for the community. And that’s a great feeling to walk away with too,” Wallace says.

DSC00468
Perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Claus will spend this Christmas at your house?

 

If you’re coming to Saturday’s grand opening, you can expect free refreshments and snacks along with donated new goods at Goodwill prices as a special purchase incentive. And wouldn’t you know that the hottest items right now at most Goodwill stores are holiday decorations – and this store has its share to offer.

 

Wallace says the new Wyoming location on 28th Street (between Rogers Plaza and Duthler Foods) will ultimately employ 20 people. Goodwill is not only hiring at this location, but at all other locations as well. Pay starts at $8 per hour. Wallace encourages anyone looking for a job to check them out!

Homes for the Holidays

Local Faces, Non-Profits

  Habitat for Humanity embraces loss

   By Shelby Pendrowski

shelby-1 shelby-2

As the crisp lake effect cascades throughout Kent county, the toasty sanctuary  of a home numbs the mind into a place of reflection. A time to reflect on the good and bad times of the past year. A time to remember the sorrow of death and the gift of new life. A time to reconcile all that weight heavy on the heart.

 

Last year the Grand Rapids community lost many members, but two in particular will forever be embedded in the cracked concrete of the city through the builds of Habitat For Humanity Kent County.

 

Habitat For Humanity sets to announce two new homes to the community, said member Philip Zoutendam. The homes are “tribute builds from families who lost loved ones and wanted to sponsor houses.”

 

Although the charity is working on many projects this holiday season, these two homes are the only ones to reach completion for the month of December.

 

Almost a year since the tragic loss of James D. Kirkwood family, friends and community members unite to unveil the Jim Kirkwood Tribute Build. The celebration for this home, located at 953 Kensington SW in Grand Rapids, commences on Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

 

Andy Angelo lost his life this past summer, but his 25 years of printed word at The Grand Rapids Press will not be his only legacy. A home in Angelo’s Grandville neighborhood now sits as a reminder of all his work and charity. The family, loved ones and members of Habitat for Humanity turn the key to this holiday gift on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Habitat for Humanity and the family of the deceased invite everyone to the events not just to remember those who have passed, but also to welcome two new families into their forever homes. Those unable to attend are encouraged to donate or volunteer, for tis the season good tidings.

 

The charity is just looking for individuals “always happy to help and looking to give back.”

Healing Improv Channels Grief

Community Health, Local Faces, Non-Profits,

brett_wiesenaurBetter for the Soul than Chicken Soup

For Bart Sumner, October 9th turned out to be a double-edged sword. Not only was it the inaugural meeting of his recent labor of love called Healing Improv, a potential non-profit for grieving individuals, it was also the fourth anniversary of the death of his 10 year old son, David. Sumner created Healing Improv to help himself and others learn how to channel grieving energy into healing fun by doing improvisational comedy. Perhaps the aligning of the dates were not a coincidence after all. .

“Our goal is not to forget those we lost; our goal is to learn to move on and still find joy in life,” explains Sumner. “It’s been a long journey up to this point.”

Healing Improv offers an alternative way of moving through grief.
Healing Improv offers an alternative way of moving through grief. Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

In addition to Sumner, 14 other people came to the session; more than he expected. The workshop started out quietly. Attendees were apprehensive, yet open-minded, and treated their fellow patrons warmly. Sumner began the evening by simply asking the group: “So, why are we all here tonight?”

For the next 45 minutes, individuals bared their souls talking about their spouses, children, parents, and dearest friends who they had lost. As the group of strangers poured out their pent-up grief,a heaviness settled in the room. But just when the timing was right, Sumner smartly redirected the morose ice with the perky suggestion of, “Let’s have some fun, now!”

What pursued was the group’s engagement in five improvisational games, starting with Superhero Circle. It went like this: First, players presented the name of their unlikely super-powered alter-ego, such as, The Lone Ranger, Barbra Streisand, Burger-Eating Guy, and The Jelly! Next, attendees were encouraged to memorize everyone else’s super-names and modify it into a game of Hot Potato, tossing names and gestures back and forth to one another at a ridiculous pace. Soon, much needed laughter and smiles filled the room and the atmosphere began to lighten up.

The second game played was called “One Word FairyTale,” with participants retelling the story of the “Three Little Pigs,” one word per person at a time. As the rest of the games were explained and played out, so did the laughter and the smiles. Sumner couldn’t have been more pleased with how the first session turned out. Joy was experienced and shared out loud. It was one mission accomplished for Sumner.

In the meantime, he awaits his second mission to be accomplished: getting Healing Improv qualified by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit charity. If approved, all donations to this cause would be considered tax-deductible. So far Sumner has raised over $6600 to get the program started. The next session of Healing Improv will be Tuesday, December, 17 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater.

Local Businesses Help Fight Human Trafficking

Local Business, Non-Profits, Our Cities

by Dani McDonaldTree2

Local businesses are selling Women At Risk’s hand-blown glass ornaments to combat modern day slavery in our state and abroad.

The U.S. government estimates 300,000 American children are currently at risk of being sold into sexual slavery, and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that Michigan ranks 13th in the U.S. for the number of sex trafficking victims. On November 6th Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced an “agenda for action” to combat human trafficking in the state of Michigan, calling for harsher penalties for “johns,” safe harbor provisions for underage victims, and a greater crackdown on internet sites facilitating trafficking.

 

In order to support local anti-trafficking efforts, 150 Michigan businesses are partnering with Women At Risk, International, a Michigan-based non-profit dedicated to ending trafficking in our neighborhoods and around the world. These businesses are hosting Christmas trees adorned with one-of-a-kind, hand-blown glass ornaments from the Middle East. Proceeds from ornament sales go toward providing scholarships to at-risk women in the Middle East, as well as providing safe havens, counseling, education, and vocational training for survivors of sexual slavery in America and abroad.

 

WAR’s annual ornament campaign began in 2009 and has since reached over 500 local businesses in the West Michigan and Chicago area. Last year, over $40,000 was raised through the ornament sales. The ornaments are available for purchase at the participating businesses for $15.00 each.

About Women At Risk, International

WAR, Int’l is a non-profit organization that works in nearly 40 countries creating circles of protection and hope around at-risk women and children through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects. Their purpose and passion is to give voice to the silenced cries of the oppressed, wrap arms of love around them, and whisper messages of purpose and dignity into their brokenness.

 

For a complete list of participating businesses, further information on Women At Risk, International’s Ornament Campaign, or how to get involved, please contact Women At Risk, International

Wyoming Nonprofit Protects Women Worldwide

Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities

Women At Risk, International

Works Miracles on 44th Street

Right now, between 114 and 200 million women are “demographically missing” due to infanticide, sexual slavery, dowry deaths, domestic violence and all manner of risk (UN Secretary General). The Economist calls it a hidden “gendercide,” with a victim scale reaching that of Hitler’s Holocaust every 2-4 years. WAR logo

This is why Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) works in nearly 40 countries, creating circles of protection and hope around at-risk women and children. Headquartered in Wyoming, MI, WAR, Int’l exists to give voice to the silenced cries of the oppressed, wrap arms of love around them, and speak messages of purpose and dignity into their brokenness.

Through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and programs, WAR, Int’l offers these women and children an opportunity to live life with dignity. Although specifically known for our fight against human trafficking and rehabilitating work with trafficking victims, WAR, Int’l addresses 14 different risk issues facing women and children today.

This holiday season our WAR Chest Boutique on 44th St. brings opportunities to get involved right to your own neighborhood. This is the perfect time of year to “shop for a purpose,” and our boutique carries beautiful products handmade by at-risk or rescued women in America and abroad. Know that your purchase for yourself or a loved one empowers a woman to live in safety and work with dignity.

Rhonda's crocheted flowers inspire awareness.
Rhonda’s crocheted flowers inspire awareness.

Stories, Healing and Ministries

Rhoda’s Roses

Stories of rescue are powerful, yet simply raiding brothels or removing women from risk is never enough. Like a trampled rose, rescued women require tender, loving care in order to heal and blossom. When WAR, Int’l first met Rhoda, she had experienced “rescue,” but no safe place or people to help her recover from her past trauma and abuse. As WAR, Int’l wrapped arms of love around her and created a safe haven of healing, Rhoda and her ministry began to thrive. Now, Rhoda sings of healing and wholeness and crochets these beautiful roses to support other women at risk. Each handmade rose tells her story—how beauty can be knit from brokenness, how hope exists for those rescued yet longing for restoration.

 Rhoda’s Story

Rhonda Kershaw turned her tragedy into a ministry.
Rhonda Kershaw turned her tragedy into a ministry. Photo courtesy of WAR

Ever since she was a little girl, Rhoda Kershaw wanted to sing. After much local success, Rhoda thought she caught her big break when a talent agent promised a vocal tour in Japan. Though her first visit proved successful, on her second trip, traffickers took her papers and forced her to serve drinks at a bar. One night a co-worker lured Rhoda to a “dance club” filled with the Japanese mafia. After drugging and abducting her, mafia members repeatedly brutalized and raped Rhoda for three days. She eventually escaped, but the Japanese police blamed her, and a counselor even advised suicide as the only way to preserve her dignity. Even after returning home to America, help was nowhere to be found. Finally, Rhoda discovered a community of healing and support at WAR, Int’l. Now she no longer numbs her pain with substance abuse and self-mutilation. Instead, she has transformed her suffering into a story of survival and hope. Rhoda uses her passionate voice to share this story, singing at benefit concerts, speaking out against human trafficking, and whispering words of hope and encouragement to vulnerable teens and wounded women.

Ladies Night Out

2790 44th Street, Wyoming, Mi, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Event RSVP is appreciated but not required. RSVP via Facebook, Email or Phone with party size and email address. *The first 50 purchasers will enjoy a beautiful flower to take home courtesy of Posh Petals. Shopping Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This! kmcneil@warinternational.org/(616)530-1234

Breast Cancer Awareness

Non-Profits,

American Cancer Society Fights to End Breast Cancer

OnPink ribbon cancere in every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the Society for help

by Evelyn Barella

Did you know that  an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2013 – including 8,140 Michigan women or 28 women in the state every day?

 

The American Cancer Society offers help and support to those diagnosed with breast cancer and their loved ones 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  In fact, one out of every two women turns to the Society for help and support following their breast cancer diagnosis.

 

“The American Cancer Society encourages all women to put their health first. We want women to understand the benefits of eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol intake, and the effect those healthy habits can have on lowering their cancer risk,” said Jenni Beamer, American Cancer Society senior manager, community events for Greater Michigan.

 

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer.  The Society reminds women 40 and older to have a yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam. Women ages 20 to 39 should receive a clinical breast exam at least once every three years. The American Cancer Society offers a Michigan Mammography Facility Guide that compares services, price and other information to help women choose the mammography facility best suited for them. The Michigan Mammography Facility Guide is available for free online at cancer.org/michiganmammogram. Continue reading Breast Cancer Awareness →