Groups Coming Together For The World Games at No More Sidelines July 27th

Everyone looks for the ideal fit.  How do you seem to manage to accomplish more than one thing when quite often, it seems that everyone is getting pulled in so many different directions and so many different agendas are "the most important"?  Well, believe it or not, it happens and when the puzzle pieces all come together just the right way, really great things happen on more than one level, and change happens for good. 

Click Here for west MI Works

Let's start off with the place.  The Folkert Community Hub.  The Home of No More Sidelines.  They have an expansive area in the back of the building which used to be a fabrication area for prototype machines when the building was owned by General Dynamics.  When No More Sidelines took ownership, however, that gigantic area became the gym.  It's also used as an expansive expo center from time to time and during the day, any time of the year, kids who frequent the building know it as a playground where they can shoot hoops, ride bikes, play games and burn off energy.  To hold the "World Games" at the gym at the Folkert Community Hub makes perfect sense!  Trophy's were all out, competition stations were all centered and the work force at each game was ready in their "Live United" shirts to assist and keep track of how each participant did. 

Visit the DTE Energy Foundation Online

Did he say United Way? Yes, he did.  This came about with collaboration of the United Way of the Lakeshore, Michigan Works and The DTE Energy Foundation.  Remember how we talked about the pieces all coming together?  It goes like this.  In the summer, area students ages 15-18 go to work helping out at local non profits after they apply and go through the hiring process at Michigan Works.  The DTE Energy Foundation funds the program so the students can get the much needs real life work experience as well as getting some more hands on deck in the busy months for our area non profits.  The students earn a paycheck while learning real life, and essential soft skills that will benefit them as they move on out of school and into the work force.  Their week consists of working Monday through Thursday and Friday's they meet up to discuss and debrief as to how the week went and what they learned.  This particular Friday, instead of the recap, up to 50 of the students volunteered to put on the games for the kids of No More Sidelines.  A remarkable, multi-leveled approach to getting many things accomplished by incredible agencies dedicated to making the future of Muskegon, better for all.

Just as the games were getting underway, I was joined by Jana Routt and Kathy Rohlman.  Jana is with the United Way and Kathy is with Michigan Works and we talked about how all of this comes together to benefit so many people!  Take a listen!

Collaborative efforts.  Amazing how much can get done, and what an impact they can have when people genuinely work to make things happen.  Students learned and earned.  Kids had a fun day of competition and our community was strengthened by connections being made in both the working world and the service sector.  This is the kind of thing at Positively Muskegon we LOVE to be a part of telling you about.  Thanks to Jana for the invite out to cover the story and to West Michigan Works, The DTE Energy Foundation and of course, The Folkert Community Hub and kids and families of No More Sidelines.  This is how the foundation for a next generation is laid.  If you'd like to know more about the United Way, click on their logo below!

Muskegon Pregnancy Services Welcomes Dr. Alveda King October 4th

It's a ways out, but getting the word out about an event that's as big as this, well, it might take a little advance planning. So...here we are.  Muskegon Pregnancy Services is welcoming in the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is the Pastoral Associate and Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn.  She will be speaking at the Frauenthal Center on October 14th.  The topic will be "Redeeming the Dream - Defending the Unborn"



Muskegon Pregnancy Services has been around for 34 years now.  From their website, - "Muskegon Pregnancy Services is a relational organization that leads with love, grace, and compassion.  As a client of MPS, you are precious and valued and we are here for you first.  We want you to know, you are not alone. This is a safe place and confidential environment for you to share your feelings, fears, and dreams.  Our compassionate, non-judgmental care and support will help you in your time of need and will give you hope for the future. We know, when all is said and done, ultimately it is Your Choice, Your Body, Your Future but we would like to empower you with accurate information so that you do not look back on this time of need and wished you knew more information. You will not receive any pressure-just caring advice.  We will mentor to the well-being of the whole person emotionally, physically, and spiritually."

Follow Dr. King on Facebook

As part of their work, they are bringing in Dr. King to talk about how she sees the Pro Life movement as a continuation of the Civil Rights movement her uncle started so many years ago.  She will discuss her experiences with the subject and as an opening to the evening local students will have a chance to deliver their essay that they write sponsored by Youth for Truth and Life.  Not too much up on essay's?  Well, good news!  Youth for Truth and Life will be holding a workshop Friday July 6th at Fricano's on Muskegon Lake.  Doors will open at 1:30 and the workshops will get underway at 2.  The first will be "The Art of Persuasive Writing" followed by "The Art of Public Speaking".  After the seminars, you can enjoy delicious Fricano's pizza for $5 bucks!  The seminars will be hosted by Dr. Paul Jehle.  There will be some cash prizes involved for the essay contest so why not get a little head start on the competition by enjoying the seminars and learning a little about how to do something better?

Learn about Youth for Truth and Life Online

I was able to sit down with Debbie LaNore and Arline Helms to talk all about this weeks events and a lead up to Dr. King's arrival in Muskegon in October.  Take a listen to our chat from the deck at Fricano's and learn about this two part event.

It's an important message and an important event.  If you'd like to know more about Dr. King's appearance in Muskegon you can click on the photo below to visit the event page and get your tickets or maybe you'd like to be a part of the private dinner before the event?  The details for that are there too!  Many thanks to Debbie and Arlene for taking a few minutes to talk and save the date for October 4th at the Frauenthal!