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Breaking Barriers for Livonia Kids and Families

Empowering Children and Families in Michigan

When you read about "Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families," it's easy to see why the name resonates with so many. The projects that define their community engagement are all centered around this theme of overcoming obstacles. The community, as depicted in the emblematic picture above, shows appreciation and support. Here they assisted a local neighborhood by providing baseball equipment for their league. More than 50 volunteers gathered one Saturday morning to prepare the field, set up team benches, and organize the equipment for the season's final tournament. Thank you Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families.

Breaking Barriers is a dedicated non-profit organization, recognized as a 501(c)(3), committed to enriching the lives of children and families in our community. They bring together civic-minded business and educational leaders to support families in need within Wayne and Oakland Counties, particularly those qualifying under Title One or ALICE. The efforts are channeled through six food pantries, ensuring vital resources reach those who need them most.

They firmly believe in equality and inclusivity, embracing all individuals regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, physical attributes, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation and identity.

Humble Beginnings

Their journey began as a grassroots initiative, aiming to supply local students and their families with essential daily necessities crucial for learning and growth. Recognizing the impact of basic needs on academic and social success, they initially collaborated with local teachers to identify and fulfill these needs. This initiative has since evolved into a year-round program, extending support beyond the school calendar.

Breaking Barriers Food Pantry

At Breaking Barriers they are dedicated to serving the Livonia community through a comprehensive food pantry program. They provide year-round access to essential items and nutritious food for qualifying families. The initiative is centered around six strategically located food pantries, ensuring that support is within reach for those who need it. This year a partnership was formed with the Rotary AM Club for a walk-in cooler at Clarenceville.

Impactful Program

They currently serve over 500 families, impacting approximately 2,500 adults and children, through the six food pantries. Since December 2015, they have proudly partnered with Gleaners as an approved food associate. The reach has expanded to 16 schools, focusing on families eligible for Title One support.

Embracing STEAM Education

At Breaking Barriers MI, they are passionate about supporting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) as a fundamental educational discipline. The goal is to ignite a lifelong interest and love for the arts and sciences in children from an early age. They believe in the power of STEAM to tap into children's innate curiosity and creativity, fostering a learning environment that is both engaging and inspiring.

Milestone Achievement

In 2023, they marked a significant milestone by partnering with AlphaUSA and Masco to inaugurate a $50,000 STEM technology lab at Clarenceville High School. This state-of-the-art facility is a testament to our commitment to providing top-notch educational resources to our community's youth.

The efforts don't stop there. They are actively working to introduce STEAM opportunities to elementary and middle schools. By integrating these disciplines early in education, they aim to create a robust foundation for lifelong learning and exploration. This expansion is crucial in ensuring that younger students also benefit from the innovative and interdisciplinary approach of STEAM education.

Support for the Arts

When one school needed musical instruments BBLKF arranged a partnership with the Livonia Symphony Orchestra to help outfit the students with needed instruments, new, used and refurbished. They also spearheaded a drive to raise funding for marching band uniforms at Clarenceville High School.

Major Projects you may have heard of or about to hear about define Breaking Barriers for Livonia Kids and Families

Sunday, September 7th 4rd Annual Tour de Livonia

Join the neighbors for the third annual Tour de Livonia, a homage to the famous Tour de France. In a non-competitive setting, there are two courses to choose from; the Adult course measuring about 20 miles, and a family course at 7 miles. The Tour will wind the way through Livonia, taking in parks, golf courses, and some of Livonia’s most famous venues.

Immediately following the Tour de Livonia is the 8th Annual Good Old Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast featuring corn roasted by the Livonia Lions and over 35 community organizations ready to meet and greet Livonia residents.

Saturday, June 14th, 1st Annual Tour de Kids

This first annual event will feature fun activities promoting safety and fun biking which can be had for our young Livonia residents. Hosted on the campus of Madonna University the morning, from 9:00 - 12:00, will include bike decorating, safety courses, a parade, and lots of biking fun. Watch for details as events are announced over the next several months.

Sunday, January 26th, Detroit Red Wings Alumni Versus Livonia All Stars

A fun-loving, sell-out crowd gathers at the Eddie Edgar Ice Arena to watch Livonia All Stars skate against Red Wing Alumni.

More engaging community-minded events sponsored by Building Bridges for Kids and Families include the Annual Blankets for a Cause, Greenhouse Project at Garfield Elementary School, potential community food pantry at Garfield, and potential Shop/Auto repair class at Clarenceville High School.

Dan MacIver, headline sponsor of Hockey fund raiser, Breaking Barriers for Livonia Kids and Families Board members, Veronica Cruz, Jane Muszynski, Maegan Sprow, Ann Owen, and founder of the Annual Hockey Game Brandon McCullough which has now raised over $40,000 in three years for BBLKF, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the organization.

Detroit Red Wings Alumni versus Livonia All Stars January 26th

Tickets are available through the QR code. Perfect stocking stuffers.

Last year the tickets sold out with ticket sales cut off the week of the big game and organizers are expecting this year to be no different. These tickets make perfect stocking stuffers and at $10 a real bargain.

Since its inception, as depicted in this photograph featuring city officials Mayor Maureen Brosnan, Council Members Brandon McCullough, Jim Jolly, and Laura Toy, alongside former Clerk Susan Nash and Veronica Cruz, the event has maintained a partnership with Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families, dedicating all proceeds to the their community initiatives.

In keeping with tradition, a canned food drive will be held, and attendees are encouraged to contribute to the food pantries endorsed by Breaking Barriers for Kids & Families.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.