Dear Neighbor,
I hope this newsletter reaches you and your family safe and healthy. As the weather continues to be sunny and warm, I hope that you can find the time to be outside and enjoy yourself.
Featured in the newsletter:
- Gov. Whitmer Proclaims May 8–12 as Teacher Appreciation Week
- AARP Ask the Doc Series
- Gov. Whitmer Proclaims May as Military Appreciation Month
- Umoja Debate Summer Camp
- Summer 2023 Job Market Forecast for Michigan Teens (Ages 16–19)
- Applications Now Being Accepted for the Fostering Futures Scholarship
- Skip Waits on the Phone for Tax Refund Statuses
- City of Detroit begins implementing Gratiot/7 Mile improvements as part of Strategic Neighborhood Fund
If you have any questions, want to comment on pending legislation, or resolve any issues in state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-8360 or by email at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims May 8–12 as Teacher Appreciation Week
On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed May 8–12 as Teacher Appreciation Week.
“Teachers help our kids learn and grow into their best selves and are the foundation of a high-quality education from preschool to postsecondary,” said Governor Whitmer. “Every child in Michigan deserves a high-quality public education, and I am proud that my fifth proposed budget includes the highest per-student funding in Michigan history—for the fifth year in a row. The budget will continue our work to support current educators and grow the profession, by funding scholarships, paying student teachers, and supporting retention efforts. During Teacher Appreciation Week, let’s thank the teachers who made a real difference in our lives and work together to help them succeed in the classroom.”
Governor Whitmer’s fifth budget recommendation continues historic public education investments. Her budget includes the highest per-student investment in Michigan history without raising taxes and free breakfast and lunch to all Michigan public school students, making it easier for students to learn and educators to teach in classrooms.
AARP Ask the Doc Series
Introducing AARP Michigan’s first-ever interactive virtual health series taking place every Tuesday in June from 12-12:45 p.m. health and medical professionals sharing practical advice and answering questions on specific health issues that so many of us face.
DreamZzz: Reclaim the Night
Tuesday, June 6 | 12-12:45 pm
Discover the secrets to a revitalizing night’s sleep with the first session in our Ask the Doc series. Gain practical tips so you can say goodbye to sleep deprivation and realize the benefits of a good night’s sleep to overall well-being and brain health. Join us to reclaim the night!
Register here or call (877) 926-8300.
Pain Points: Ease the Ache
Tuesday, June 13 | 12-12:45 pm
Don’t let joint pain limit your mobility. Join us for Session II of our Ask the Doc series for practical strategies to reduce joint pain and improve joint health, including exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. Regain your mobility and improve your quality of life!
Register here or call 877-926-8300.
What You Need to Know About Gut Health
Tuesday, June 20 | 12-12:45 p.m.
Did you know a healthy gut is crucial for overall well-being? Join us for Session III of our Ask the Doc series as we explore gut health. We’ll discuss common issues and practical strategies addressing conditions like leaky gut, food intolerances, and microbiome imbalances.
Register here or call 877-926-8300.
Gotta Go Right Now!
Tuesday, June 27 | 12-12:45 pm
Tune in for Session IV of the Ask the Doc series on urinary incontinence and accompanying pelvic and low back pain. Gain valuable insight into the causes, symptoms, and treatment options along with practical tips to improve your quality of life. Join us and take control of your health!
Register here or call 877-926-8300.
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims May as Military Appreciation Month
Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed May as Military Appreciation Month in Michigan, honoring military members and their families throughout the state by recognizing their sacrifices and celebrating their successes.
Michigan is committed to making the state the premier choice for military service members, veterans and their families to live, work, serve, and play. In support of this effort, the MVAA helps connect veterans with federal, state, and local benefits and resources they earned for their service. To learn more about employment, healthcare, education, and quality-of-life benefits, veterans can contact the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET or visit www.michigan.gov/MVAA.
For more information on upcoming ceremonies and activities to honor veterans and military families, please visit the MVAA events calendar at www.michigan.gov/mvaa/events.
Umoja Debate Summer Camp
The Umoja 2nd annual Debate Summer Camp kicks off on June 21, 2023!
The 8-week summer camp consists of a summer full of fun, focus, and fundamentals, giving all children ages 11-14 the opportunity to gain skills in the areas of confidence, self-expression, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and leadership building.
This year, the organization has partnered with the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where we will host our program Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Our program starts June 21, 2023, and runs through August 18, 2023. Registration is free.
Register online at www.umojadebateteam.org.
The registration deadline is June 9th so make sure to register as soon as possible!
Summer 2023 Job Market Forecast for Michigan Teens (Ages 16–19)
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget’s Michigan Center for Data and Analytics released its summer (June–August) teen employment forecast for 2023. For more information, including resources for finding summer employment, click here.
Applications Now Being Accepted for the Fostering Futures Scholarship
Young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
The priority deadline for the Fostering Futures Scholarship application for academic year 2023-24 is August 1, 2023. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university may now apply to receive scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies.
Fostering Future Scholarship Applicants with questions should contact the state Treasury Department’s Student Scholarships, Grants, and Outreach area at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or call toll-free at 1-888-447-2687.
Skip Waits on the Phone for Tax Refund Statuses
Try Treasury’s eServices Today!
It’s that time of year when many want to know about the statuses of their income tax refunds. Most taxpayers do not need to wait in long call lines to check their statuses.
By using information from their tax returns, look up your refund status quickly and easily online at eServices: eServices Individual Income Tax (michigan.gov)
Unlike Treasury’s call lines, eServices is ready 24/7 and is always at your fingertips. It can save constituents a huge amount of time and frustration. With this important resource, taxpayers can also write directly to the Department with questions, change their addresses, and more.
City of Detroit begins implementing Gratiot/7 Mile improvements as part of Strategic Neighborhood Fund
The City of Detroit’s Planning & Development Department (PDD) announced it has begun implementing a series of improvements in the Gratiot/7 Mile Strategic Neighborhood Fund (SNF) planning area, the first of millions of dollars in investment coming to these east side neighborhoods.
PDD unveiled the final, resident approved SNF plan in June 2021, and has spent the last year meeting with the community and preparing for deployment. Like the other SNF neighborhoods, the private-public investment in Gratiot/7 Mile represents a vision of a healthy and beautiful Detroit, built on inclusionary growth, economic opportunity, and an atmosphere of trust and cooperation between residents and the City.
The plan is focused on four key areas – parks and greenways, mixed-use and multi-family development, commercial corridor improvements, and neighborhood stabilization. The plan builds upon existing strengths of the neighborhood and aligns resources to marshal a significant and holistic neighborhood revival. The Gratiot/7 Mile plan will see at least $5 million invested into the community, but the final number will likely be higher. The improvements are being rolled out over a five-year implementation window.
The boundaries of the 3.4-mile target area are E. 8 Mile Road to the north, Houston-Whittier Street to the south, Schoenherr to the west and Kelly Road to the east, and include the neighborhoods of Franklin, Mapleridge, Mohican Regent, and Regent Park. The Gratiot/7 Mile neighborhoods are located in City Council Districts 3 and 4.