Other noteworthy Social Action/Justice programs

We invite TBE members to submit information on organizations in our community, nationally, or abroad that work towards fulfilling the mission of Tikkun Olam and we will select a few to feature every few months. Those listed here are from our own SAC members

MISSION and Camp Take Notice

http://sites.google.com/site/camptakenoticea2/Homeless/about-mission is a not-for-profit partnership between homeless and “homeful” Washtenaw County residents collaborating to support self governing tent communities in Michigan during the ongoing housing and employment crises.  They work to provide a voice to the homeless, and to make tent communities safer and better connected to services so that their citizens can more quickly make their way into more permanent housing, if that is what they want for themselves.  In Ann Arbor MISSION supports the efforts of Camp Take Notice to build and strengthen a community through self-governance and accountability. Camp Take Notice is presently located off of the M14 near Wagner Road.  Bob Milstein milsteinfamily@comcast.net.

Camp Take Notice Wish List

1. One pound propane cannisters (dark green in color), available at Lowe's, Home Depot and other stores.  Prices vary widely, so it makes sense to shop carefully for these.  Each camper is given a 4 pack of these cannisters each week, at the Sunday meeting.  The cannisters are used to power heaters used in individual tents.

2.  AATA bus tokens.  Our aspiration is to give each camper 14 tokens (two per day) at the weekly Sunday meeting.

3.  New or used winter weight (20 degrees or colder) sleeping bags.

4.  Hand sanitizer.  Large containers are best, because they're less easy to get misplaced in the community tent, but any size would be gratefully accepted.  There are no hand washing facilities or running water at camp, so this is very important, particularly in cold and flu season. 

5.  Two kinds of garbage bags:  (a) large clear bags, used to hold recyclables (we recycle as much as possible): (b) extra heavy duty, contractor weight extra large garbage bags, available at Lowe's and I believe Home Depot as well.

6.  Firewood, to fuel the wood burning stoves in the community tent. 

The propane and firewood are winter needs.  All other items are needed throughout the year.

Groundcover News is a grass roots not-for-profit founded by Susan Beckett, SAC former Chair that continues to thrive and grow in our midst. The newspaper exists to create opportunity and a voice for low-income people while taking action to end homelessness and poverty. It is the first such paper in Michigan. Vendors purchase the papers for 25 cents each and sell them for 1 dollar. The 75 cents profit is used to invest in their product and the opportunity and building of job skills is leading many to a much improved quality of life and procuring secure housing. Volunteers are needed to staff the office, help with accounting, writing, and other areas. www.groundcovernews.com Contact Susan Beckett, susanlbeckett@gmail.com

The Reform Movement and Nothing but Nets joined efforts four years ago on Sukkot to combat the spread of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Today, Nothing But Nets is launching a special campaign to provide life-saving bed nets to refugees affected by a widespread drought, living in the Horn of Africa. With a $20,000 gift, the Reform Movement is proud to help launch this initiative. Read about their efforts or join them in assisting these refugees by sending a net and saving a life.  Submitted by Shoshana Mandel

Sindyana of Galilee is a women-led non-profit that operates in the Arab population of the Galilee region in northern Israel. They produce award-winning fair trade organic olive oil, za'atar spice mixes, carob syrup, honey, olive oil soaps and baskets woven using traditional methods. They strive to strengthen the economy of the Arab-Palestinian population in general and to enhance the empowerment of Arab women in particular. The organization is a unique Arab-Jewish cooperation which shows that a solution to the Middle East conflict begins with creating real economic opportunities. http://www.sindyanna.com/ Submitted by Irene Butter