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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 26-July 2, 2013
Page A-5
Her message, her mission mattered
By Elnora Austell and Jackie Berg
mick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill and, later, being ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ.
Michele Edwards elevated the aspirations of everyone around her.
In January 2013, Rev. Michele Edwards was named associate minister of the Illinois-based University Church, Chicago in Hyde Park, in addition to being named director of communications at her alma mater, McCormick Theological Seminary, by Rev. Dr. Frank Yamata.
Her infinite contributions made a lasting impact on many Detroiters, who will miss her infectious laughter and boundless enthusiasm. Her life was characterized by a series of remarkable achievements which captured her 35year communications career and logical migration to leadership posts. Edwards, who was named the National President of Women in Communications in 1991, began her career at PBS Detroit (WTVS). Her talent led to immediate promotions within PBS affiliate stations in Miami and Atlanta, as well as a leadership role in public relations at the University of Miami. And her superior skills were noticed by some of the nation’s largest corporations — including AT&T, Burger King and the Girl Scouts — who hired Edwards to lead public relations initiatives. Edwards may have been best known for her highly visible role as press secretary to the
Michele Edwards general superintendent of Detroit Public Schools, which was at the time the eighth largest school district in America, as well as her stint as senior public relations manager for GlobalHue (formerly Don Coleman Advertising). A devoted daughter, sister and aunt, Edwards founded H.H. Edwards Companies, Inc., in order to remain close to her family, particularly her mother who passed in 2003. Her mother’s death made a profound impact on Edwards, leading to a lifetime commitment to community service supporting the elderly and shut-ins. One of her proudest achievements was earning a Master of Divinity degree from the McCor-
From her post, Edwards launched a communications strategy credited for the seminary’s global recognition and reach. This remarkable woman, who touched and improved the lives of so many, will be missed deeply. Editor’s Note: Michele Yvonne Edwards, the daughter of Harry and Sallianne Edwards and sister Sherry Jo, leaves behind sister Yolanda Edwards and adopted sister Barbara Bailey, as well as nieces, Jolanda and Christie, two grand-nieces, Shanise and Shyanne, and four nephews, Calvert, Calvin, Schamarr and Shakir. Edwards was a lifetime member of the Plymouth United Church of Christ in Detroit.
Just an ordinary graduation By Dr. Chad Audi Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries held its 11th Annual Graduation ceremony for 441 men and women this past week. Their achievement was that they had completed transitional or permanent housing, substance abuse treatment or vocational programs this year. The banquet hall where the event was held buzzed with all the usual fanfare of a graduation ceremony. Graduates had already busied themselves with getting new outfits and fresh hairdos and were receiving well-deserved compliments for their efforts. Television cameras and photographers studied the scene and recorded memorable moments. Family members ranging from grandmothers to babies came to celebrate and rustled in their seats to see their loved ones. Busses dropped off people who have not yet completed their own programs but look to the day they too will be honored. Dignitaries gave heartfelt encouragement to the graduates. The choir sang. Finally, members of the DRMM graduating class gave commencement addresses or, as they are known in Rescue Mission language, their testimonies. Just another graduation ceremony. But it was not just another graduation ceremony. What kind of achievements were celebrated? As graduates wrote their names on index cards, to be read by the presenter, they also recorded the accomplishments that mattered to them. “14 months sober.” “2 years sober and getting my own place.” “Clean – and staying clean!” “Certified by Marygrove College in Peer Support Counseling.” “Servsafe certification.” “Nominated for an award by Gateway East.” “Microsoft Office certification.” “CPR certification.” “Culinary Arts.” “Welding at Macomb Community.” “Life Support Training Institute.” “GED.” “Associates degree and just hired.” “DRMM choir member and 90 days sober.” Southwest Solutions Green Works certificate.” “Staff aide.” “Working for a roofing company.” “Machining Essentials and Technical Training at Focus HOPE.” “On my own again and doing fine.” Dancing down the aisle and dancing for joy. Does seeing someone celebrate the accomplishments of a heart-felt dream ever get old? I don’t think it does. As over 600 people gathered for the event knew, there was electricity in the air, a stirring of deep satisfaction as people were publicly recognized for a job well done. I know from my own experience that I don’t have to personally know a person to feel good about what they have achieved. All I need to do is see them hug their counselor or teacher — tears streaming down their faces as they rejoice together over the achievement. All I need is to watch their loved ones, seated quietly but attentively, as they wait to see or snap a photo at the moment a diploma is handed out. All I need to do is see the smiles as graduates pose for photos, holding their diploma and their heads high. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano came for the eleventh year in a row to give encouragement to the graduates. “Give yourselves a hand. You have come a long way. But know that no one ever does it alone.” Kandia Milpon, aide to Representative Gary Peters, a first-time speaker, said, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. You began your first steps when you went through Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries’ doors. Don’t stop here. Keep going!” Greg Roberts, the faith-based director for former governor Jennifer
DTE Energy Foundation to fund 600 summer and year-round jobs for youth The DTE Energy Foundation has announced plans to partner with the City of Detroit and other agencies to fund up to 600 summer and yearround jobs for youth. The Foundation’s expanded Youth Employment Initiative includes a $1-million commitment to support city of Detroit recreation centers over the next four years. The summer and yearround jobs are filled and will begin in early July. “Young talent will drive Michigan’s growth,” said Joyce Hayes Giles, assistant to the chairman and senior vice president of Public Affairs for DTE Energy, and chair of the DTE Energy Foundation. “We want to make sure that when these young people are ready to enter the work force, they have the experience necessary to get — and keep — a job.” She added that the jobs help tackle the problem of high youth unemployment in Detroit and other struggling communities. At the announcement Giles was joined by Alicia Minter, director of the Detroit Recreation Department; Dierk Hall,
president and CEO of City Connect Detroit; Pamela Moore, president and CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC); Rebecca Salminen Witt, president of Greening of Detroit; and participating teens and young adults. The Foundation’s Youth Employment Initiative consists of three components. New this year, the Foundation is partnering with the city of Detroit to provide up to 100 year-round, parttime jobs at city of Detroit recreation centers. The foundation will provide $250,000 per year, for four years, to the DESC to manage the program. “Our $1 million commitment is part of a public-private partnership to support the city’s recreation centers and the families that they serve,” Giles said. “The program is significant because it provides young people from struggling neighborhoods with jobs as well as mentoring, tutoring and other support services to help them succeed.” In addition to the recreation center jobs, the foundation will once
again provide $750,000 to fund nearly 500 summer jobs in Detroit and also in Highland Park, Inkster, Muskegon, Pontiac and Ypsilanti. The grant supports the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program run by City Connect Detroit, and also funds a similar program in Muskegon. The foundation worked with about 30 community partners to place teens and young adults in meaningful jobs at their agencies. The summer jobs program runs for six weeks. The third part of the Youth Employment Initiative is a new partnership with the Greening of Detroit. The Foundation made a smaller grant to the Greening of Detroit to hire 20 young people to plant trees in city neighborhoods. “Summer and part-time jobs also help to deter crime by keeping young people productive and focused during the idle summer months,” Giles said. For further information about Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program, visit City Connect Detroit at http://www.growdetroitsyoungtalent.org.
Dr. Chad Audi Granholm and a former DRMM program director as well, said, “You are breaking the chains holding you back. Keep breaking those chains. Listen, you can hear those chains fall!” Highland Park’s Mayor DeAndre Windom quoted Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and said, “Don’t forget the long line of men” ranging from Martin Luther King to our own Greg Mathis to President Obama “who didn’t quit.” Martha Scott, Wayne County commissioner, talked intimately about the God who gives her strength every day and of her father who taught her to always be ready for change. “Make sure for those who come after you that you let them know you stood up for them.” We want to see people do well. We have a deep-seated need to applaud, encourage and praise when we see them overcome great obstacles that have stood in their paths. We draw strength from seeing people rising again after disasters or tragedies and seeing ordinary people achieve everyday victories. At the ceremony, the audience heard from a man who had been “hit by two cars, run over by a tractor, and been on fire from head to toe.” He described how he had battled “three months just to hold my hands steady” and how, when he entered our Christian Guidance Center substance abuse treatment program, he found encouragement and professional support. He movingly described how he came to his personal decision to serve Christ and listen to those around him who were trying to help him. Then the audience heard from a 65-year-old grandmother who proudly introduced her own faithful and supportive 86-year-old grandmother in attendance. Describing a life of 47 years of heroin addiction, heartache, loss and shame, she told how she came to the end of her resources when she took on the responsibility of raising her five grandchildren whose mother (her daughter) had died from a violent murder. After naming classes she took when she came to our programs that ranged from Crime and Consequences, 4th Step, Computer Skills, and Exercise, she said, “Addicts, my heart goes out to you. We are not bad people. We just make mistakes. But we have to forgive ourselves.” People in the room cried as she spoke. Some of us know the song, “I love the old, old story of Jesus and His love.” In just that way, telling the old, old story of our graduates at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries fills me with delight and encouragement. It may be an old, old story, but it is never ordinary. It is never less than a taste of heaven. To those celebrating a graduation in their own lives, I congratulate you.
Loretta V. Davis
National HIV Testing Day is a local health priority
By Loretta V. Davis MSA, President and CEO, Institute for Population Health While every day presents an opportunity to get tested for HIV, on June 27 the Institute for Population Health (IPH) will recognize National HIV Testing Day (NTD). In our mission to maximize positive health conditions in populations and communities of Southeast Michigan, the IPH supports President Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce new HIV infections, increase access to HIV/AIDS treatment and reduce barriers to HIV prevention and treatment. Recognizing NTD will help us move closer to these goals right here in Detroit. As the largest HIV test site in the state of Michigan, the IPH stands with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommends annual testing for anyone ages 13-64 years old. Although there have been significant gains in HIV testing and treatment over the years, the threat of new infections is still very real, especially in Detroit. Just within the month of May, the IPH has unfortunately seen 11 positive HIV tests. In the United States there are 1.2 million, in Michigan 19,800 and in Detroit 12,970 people living with HIV. One in five people living with HIV do not even know of their HIV positive status. By getting tested early, those who need treatment can get access sooner. Unquestionably, early treatment is necessary to preserve the immune system and manage the disease. In fact, those who adhere to medical treatment for HIV have similar life expectancy to those living with diabetes or high blood pres-
sure. But residents have to get tested to get treated. The IPH can help with both. On June 27, from 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m., the staff of the IPH will be on hand to administer HIV tests, in addition to syphilis, blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol testing. Substance abuse support services will also be on hand. The day will include a lot of fun, of course, with massages, giveaways and snacks provided for those who have been tested. NTD is a day of not only personal responsibility, but celebrating all Detroiters’ health. With a full day dedicated to HIV testing, we hope to test 125 Detroit residents on our on-site mobile unit. The testing unit contains private, sound-proof counseling rooms. The overall confidential counseling and testing experience takes about 30 minutes. The IPH tests 5,000 to 8,000 individuals each year. Currently, our HIV testing program is at 90% of its testing goal for the year. The IPH can also help those tested positive for HIV, uninsured, and making less than $45,000 a year receive free HIV treatment and medication – with no waiting lists for access to care. The IPH has three additional testing sites at our family planning centers and a local juvenile detention center to help make sure residents can get tested without barriers. The IPH regularly provides free HIV and STD testing and treatment Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On June 27, we’ll meet you on the picnic grounds of Herman Kiefer Health Center at 1151 Taylor to “Take Control, Take the Test” for a healthy Detroit.