Each spring TWA members select projects and determine the budget for the following year. Members decide which committees to join and work together to determine the best way to support each project. Below are some of the organizations and projects TWA supports.
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ADOPT A FAMILY
We “adopt” needy families in Troy using referrals from city agencies, church and school sources. We directly pay expenses they may be behind on or purchase items they may need. In the past, we have used the funds to pay for car repairs, furniture, clothing, utility bills, food, etc. BABY BASICS OF TROY MINISTRY Baby Basics of Troy is a non-profit organization that gives disposable diapers to the working poor who do not qualify for any other assistance. They also offer get-togethers for support to these struggling parents. They rely solely on donations from community organizations to provide assistance to low-income families. Clients living or working in the cities of Troy or Clawson are eligible for this program. TWA assists with the diaper distribution and client social activities as needed. BACKPACK MEALS FOR KIDS Budgeted dollars are used to supplement food supplies for needy children. BALDWIN CENTER The Committee uses the budget in several different ways to assist the Baldwin Center in their efforts to feed the needy, provide after school tutoring and enrichment activities, and provide people in crisis with clean clothing and bedding. BOTTOMLESS TOY CHEST This Troy organization delivers gift-wrapped toys to children, both hospitalized and outpatient, who are undergoing cancer treatment in Michigan. Some days toys are distributed to every child in the hospital. Hands-on opportunities are available. BOUND TOGETHER Bound Together is a non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to provide tutoring, individualized reading, writing, mathematics, art, and healthy dinners at no cost to Pontiac Elementary School students five days a week at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pontiac. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TROY Monies are be used to fund specific program areas such as outdoor education, health awareness and/or leadership training. We may also assist in offering financial aid for the summer program to sponsor children of needy families who might not otherwise be able to attend during summer vacation. CITY OF TROY This project supports the City of Troy either monetarily and/or with volunteer efforts. The primary past project was providing refreshments each year at City Hall for all City of Troy employees to show our appreciation for their support during the year. FOOD BANKS The Committee contacts and works with any of the agencies in the area; preferably “local” food pantries who provide food to those in need. JUDSON BERRY HOME TWA has adopted the Judson Berry Home located in Troy where handicapped residents and their caregivers reside. This project purchases and delivers items from their “wish list.” KNITTING FOR CHARITY Members meet monthly to knit various items for donation to local charities. LIGHTHOUSE SANCTUARY Formerly Common Ground Sanctuary in Royal Oak, they house runaway and homeless young people in two separate facilities. Their goal is two-fold: to resolve family conflict and return the child to their home and/or to prepare homeless youth to be independent productive citizens. We purchase items that go directly to benefit residents of their programs and those leaving the program to live on their own. In the past, items have included: mattresses, tickets for outings, computers, furniture, supplies, sheets, etc. PROJECT LINUS The mission of the National Project Linus Program is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, hospitalized, traumatized, or in need by providing hand-sewn blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” TWA can participate in the making of the blankets and by providing funds to the local group involved in this project. Members can also make blankets independently and donate them to the local group. SCHOOL PROJECTS The Committee determines how best to allocate funds to serve needs identified within the Troy schools (Elementary, Middle, and High Schools). In the past, funds were used to assist in reading and writing programs in Elementary Schools, speakers for substance abuse prevention or safety education in Middle Schools, and donations were made to All-Night Parties, peer groups, clubs, field trips, etc. in the High Schools. SEEDLINGS BRAILLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Seedlings is dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high quality, free and low-cost children’s literature in braille. SENIOR CITIZEN PROJECT The Committee decides ways to assist needy or homebound senior citizens. In prior years, we have given food, plants or secured items of personal need. Names may be obtained from Troy People Concerned, Community Housing Network, Oakland Park Towers, or local churches. We have also provided funds to SHARP (Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program) for Troy senior residents. |
SOUTH OAKLAND SHELTER (SOS)
TWA provides an evening meal for homeless, working people in this temporary shelter program housed weekly in different area churches. We provide and prepare dinner, serve the guests, share dinner with them, clean-up and pack lunches for the next day (the church provides the lunch items). SPECIAL NEEDS PROJECT The Committee identifies ways to provide services to children and/or adults with special needs. Past examples have included supplies and programs for teachers, the On My Own program, and Life Town. TROY COMMUNITY COALITION (TCC) The Troy Community Coalition for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse brings together different sectors of the community to achieve the goal of Troy being a healthy community in which to live and work. It promotes healthy lifestyles and educates community members and students on the dangers of addictive choices and alerts parents to illegal and dangerous substances available to their children. Our representative(s) may attend the Coalition’s meetings and report Coalition events, programs, and news back to our membership. In past years, we have sponsored Troy children needing special mentoring in the Rochester Villas Summer Program and purchased banners and/or ads for Coalition events. Funds can be used to assist Troy High School students - Teens Taking Action (TTA) who work within the schools to educate against the use of substances such as alcohol and drugs. TTA works in concert with the Coalition. TROY FREEDOM CENTER The Freedom Center in Troy is where recruits assemble before a bus takes them to the airport and off to boot camp. The Center provides snacks and beverages to the recruits and their families while waiting for the bus. TROY HISTORIC VILLAGE PRESCHOOL READING PROGRAM The committee uses funds to support the Troy Historic Village’s Cheddar’s Preschool Story Hour, a monthly program designed for children 2-5 years of age. TROY PEOPLE CONCERNED (TPC) We use these funds to assist Troy residents deemed in need as screened by Troy People Concerned. TROY POLICE PROJECT We work with the Troy Police Department (TPD) to identify a need where TWA can help, from items needed for children, or special holiday projects, or support of the animals within the TPD. TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY(TPL) BOOKMOBILE The Troy Public Library has launched a project to provide a Bookmobile for our community. The vehicle will bring books to children, adults and seniors promoting literacy and enrichment to our most vulnerable residents. The City Council approved the construction of the Bookmobile which will take about a year to build. Using funds raised and the library budget, the expectation is that it will be ready in 12-14 months. TPL will continue to fundraise, seeking sponsorships and donations. TROY YOUTH ASSISTANCE Troy Youth Assistance works in collaboration with the court system, school district, police department, and the community, providing counseling, mentoring, and other programs for “at risk” young people. TROYBERY READING PROJECT The Troybery program offers middle school students an incentive reading opportunity, culminating in being eligible to attend an award ceremony for “best” book voted by the students. With four middle schools participating, they need funds to purchase additional Troybery books for the school libraries. VETS RETURNING HOME Vets Returning Home (VRH) is a facility in Roseville providing housing for veterans who are homeless and want to turn their lives around. Counseling, job placement, health care, housing, and other services are provided. TWA identifies and delivers supplies and food as identified by VRH. WINTER WARMERS Artificial Christmas trees are put up at the Troy Public Library, Community Center and both Oakland Park Towers apartment buildings. Citizens are asked to either make or purchase scarves, gloves, mittens, hats, socks, etc. and pin them on the trees. Funds have been used to purchase additional men’s gloves, hats, scarves, etc. After Christmas, the items are distributed to several committee-chosen charities. WOMEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS The Committee is set up to promote awareness of women’s health issues. The Committee may plan once a year to invite a relevant speaker to a TWA meeting to discuss a topic related to women’s physical or mental health. They may donate the budget to the speaker’s organization or to a charity of their choice. WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND Our women’s scholarship budget is generally used for Troy residents trying to resume their education as well as graduating seniors. Applications are solicited each spring and reviewed by the Committee. Recipients are selected by the Committee and awarded at the General Membership meeting in May. |