Featured Image: CAN students doing homework in the backyard area at Bryant Community Center |
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Hello Friends,
Fall is officially here! While many things feel familiar about this fall- the crisp air, the colorful leaves, and the apple cider- we all know that this has been a year of change. Many of CAN's educational programs have resumed but we are taking every health and safety measure possible to protect CAN families and our local community from the spread of COVID-19. Virtual learning is new territory for CAN students and staff. Together we are figuring out the best way to support students as many of them start out the school year online. So far, outdoor classrooms and socially distanced learning opportunities have been a big hit with students who are eager to be near the community centers again. We continue to support students' academic success by providing in-person or virtual support all while our food & basic need programs continue to see high volumes of traffic. We are incredibly grateful for the support that our CAN family has shown us over the past six months and anticipate another successful year.
Thank you,
Your Friends at CAN
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What Is Happening at CAN? |
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Solar Powered "Resilience Hub " at Northside |
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Top: Ann Arbor Mayor, Chris Taylor, and CAN's Executive Director, Derrick Miller, at the ribbon cutting ceremony
Below: Mayor Taylor talking with attendees of the event, Northside Community Center solar panels
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Readers with a good memory might recall our January announcement that CAN signed onto Ann Arbor’s A2Zero plan, which will transition the city to a carbon-neutral future by 2030. Part of this plan is the creation of five “resilience hubs:” facilities designed to support residents before, during and after natural hazard events. Well, we’re proud to tell you that as of September our own Northside Community Center is on its way to becoming the very first resilience hub!
Ground-mounted and rooftop solar panels have been installed at Northside, meeting nearly 100% of the center’s electrical needs and providing backup power for up to three days. This installation will help move the entire city toward carbon neutrality, teach people about the importance of clean, renewable and local energy, and as previously mentioned, serve as a resource for surrounding areas in an emergency.
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Bryant Community Clean Up |
On August 22nd we hosted our annual Bryant Community Clean-Up. CAN provides access to large community dumpsters and families in the neighborhood are able to get rid of some of their larger garbage items. This year, Thomson Reuters sponsored the event by renting the community dumpsters and funding our snacks for volunteers and community members. We always have a great turnout for this service.
Volunteers from Express Pros, SLATE mentors, and many community members helped with curbside trash pickup and even used their vehicles to transport larger garbage items to the dumpster. Thank you all!
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Above: Volunteers help carry trash from homes to the dumpster
Left below: Colette DeRaud helps distribute snacks to volunteers and community members
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Barrier-Free Garden at Hikone Community Center |
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Hikone Community Center has a brand new barrier-free community garden! The HBFCG Renovation Team (John Clark, Sam Bernardy, and Desiree Cushing) worked hard to remove weeds, add a weed barrier, repair the raised garden beds, and clean out both the shed and the greenhouse. Now we have a beautiful and functional gardening area that is accessible for individuals with limited mobility. Thank you so much to the HBFCG Renovation Team for your amazing work! |
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Above: CAN staff and Hikone residents trying out the new barrier-free garden |
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CAN Art & Design Collaboration |
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A collaboration between the Ann Arbor Art Center, the artist WC Bevan, and the children of CAN’s Bryant Community Center has gone up in the Ann Ashley Parking Structure. The Detroit-based painter WC Bevan, who was tapped by the Art Center for their A2AC Murals project, used shapes designed by several creative 5th graders and middle schoolers from the Bryant neighborhood in his intricate black and white mural. A “shape key” in one corner of the mural helps onlookers identify the silhouettes and the children who made them.
CAN participants are so proud of their work and we know that this mural will help them feel better represented in their community. Artistic enrichment will continue to be prioritized and highlighted at CAN, and our kids will continue to leave their marks on the city. Bravo, artistes – we can’t wait to see what you create next!
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Left: The "shape guide" features the work of CAN students from the Bryant neighborhood
Right: WC Bevan paints the mural, a full shot of the mural in the Ann St. parking structure
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2nd Place Winners: $3,000 from Bouma |
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Above: Derrick Miller posing with Martin Bouma |
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Thanks to so many of you, CAN came in second place in the annual "100th Home Closing Charity Donation" from The Bouma Group Realtors! Your daily votes and support helped us win a check for $3,000 which will be used to support CAN's general operations which include our after school program, food pantries, and many other basic need services. Thank you! |
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School Supplies for CAN Students |
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Left to right: Rose, Mary, and Ben picking up school supplies; Zakiyah posing with her backpack; Zionna, Zakiyah, and Azjanae posing with their backpacks |
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We just wrapped up another successful back to school drive! The kids were still eager to get brand new school supplies even though they will be using them at home instead of in school. They loved picking out a backpack and getting some popsicles and seeing CAN staff. Thank you to every one who dropped off supplies, held a drive, or sent donations via amazon. We appreciate you! |
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Looking for Ways to Get Involved? |
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Your donation will help fund much needed educational programs for over 300 K-12 students, all while ensuring that each CAN family has access to nutritious food, stable housing, and a safe, nurturing neighborhood.
As always, please consult your tax advisers or the IRS to determine if a contribution is tax-deductible.
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Community Action Network
PO Box 130076, Ann Arbor, MI 48113
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Community Action Network partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods to create better futures for themselves and improve the communities in which they live. |
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