MOTHER'S FRIEND

MOTHER'S FRIEND FOR A CALM
MOM AND HEALTHY BABY

For most expectant mothers, birthing a business is the last thought that comes to mind. For Cynthia Jones, mother and entrepreneur, the summer of 2001 presented a double blessing. After five and a half months of doctor recommended bed rest Jones gave birth to a healthy baby boy and, soon after, Mother’s Friend & Beyond. Jones describes Mother’s Friend & Beyond as a full-service support system for a calm mom and a healthy baby.

The housekeeping and errand service offers new and expectant moms household chore assistance, meal preparation, pampering service and errands. Jones, who has been a childcare provider for more than twenty years, says, “Throughout my pregnancy my husband was my rock, but as hard as he tried, he wasn’t used to doing the chores that I normally did. I can remember feeling frustrated that I was unable to do everyday tasks like shopping. It was then that the idea of Mother’s Friend & Beyond was born.”
The insured and bonded service runs the gamut from spur of the moment ice cream runs to shopping for maternity clothes; even leasing laptops to minimize the boredom that accompanies weeks of bed rest! Mary Ford, mother of four and Mother’s Friend & Beyond client says, “I am truly blessed. I was able to have Mother's Friend & Beyond to help me during my pregnancy as well as provide child care for me at the partnering day care center.”

Jones says, “When the doctor puts you on bed rest every day is scary--‘Is this the day I’ll go into premature labor?’ At Mother’s Friend & Beyond we do all that we can to make your pregnancy easier. The stress of housework and daily errands shouldn’t be a burden. We are here to focus on the chores so that mom can focus on the baby.”

Mother’s Friend & Beyond offers reasonable pampering packages, baby shower specials and free service for mothers who qualify. For more information call (313) 718-1960 or visit http://www.mothersfriendandbeyond.com/.

Father’s Day Gift to Last a Lifetime

Danielle Smith

Special to the Michigan Citizen

Samuel Tarver isn’t a father, but he’s already planning for his children’s future. Samuel, a 21 year old Detroiter, has been on his own since he was 17, however, many could agree that he began raising himself long before he was even eligible for a driver’s license. Samuel’s mother left when he was only 14, leaving him and his 16 year old brother to maintain the household while his father worked long hours to provide for them. He says, “I was basically on my own. When my father wasn’t working he would come home, drink and sleep. I had to learn things on my own and deal with situations the best way I knew how.”

Samuel attended high school until his father’s untimely death his senior year. At that time, depression had stripped him of his drive to graduate and he stopped short of a diploma by a few months. Not long after graduation day had come and gone, he lost his 20 year old brother and was left without the only constant he’d ever known. “Losing my brother and father made me stronger. I learned that my survival depends on me and I will just keep stepping higher until I can’t go any higher,” he says.

Samuel was forced to move into a shelter, living hand-to-mouth for years. Knowing that there was something better, Samuel used his experiences to navigate a new path for himself and his children. Samuel began studying for the GED and seeking a job. Dressed in a jersey and gym shoes and equipped with a desire to learn, Samuel went from employer to employer only to be denied. He says, “I went everywhere and they all said, ‘We’ll call you’. At the time I didn’t understand why I wasn’t being hired.” Then Samuel found Jackets for Jobs, Inc.
Jackets for Jobs, Inc is a nonprofit corporation and Michigan WORKS! Affiliate whose mission is to empower economically disadvantaged individuals by enhancing their employment opportunities. Jackets for Jobs, Inc provides participants with professional clothing and training seminars to build self-confidence and prepare them to successfully enter the work force. The organization helped Samuel to trade his interview jerseys for interview suits, complete with new skills and a new outlook.

Samuel was hired as a housekeeper for the Samaritan Center, located on Detroit’s East side, within a week of his Jackets for Jobs, Inc experience. The management was so impressed with his work ethic and presentation that he was quickly promoted to security guard. Samuel, who plans to attend Community College in the Summer and begin at Wayne State University I the Fall, credits Jackets for Jobs, Inc. for his new start, “ Before I was introduced to the Jackets for Jobs program I had never worn a suit or thought about what professionalism really means. I’ll do anything to repay them because they made me feel comfortable and professional. I am so much more confident now and it will only get better!”

Alison Vaughn, founder and executive director of Jackets for Jobs, Inc. says, “I founded Jackets for Jobs, Inc. to fill a void in the city. There was an unmet need that we strive to meet.” Samuel agrees, “Jackets for Jobs didn’t just give me a suit, they took me off the streets and taught me a new way of life. Nobody had ever taken the time to teach me.” With his ever growing skills set, Samuel plans to instill career-focused values in his children, “My work ethic becomes stronger every day and I realize that in order to be a good father I have to work hard now. The thought of giving my children more than I had inspires me to move forward.”

Jackets for Jobs, Inc has helped more than 4,500 men and women to acquire and maintain careers. To make a donation or to become involved call (313) 579-9160 or visit http://www.jacketsforjobs.org/.

Bigger Than Basketball: Detroiter Saving Lives On & Off The Court

Danielle Smith
Special to the Michigan Chronicle

Bigger Than Basketball: Detroiter Saving Lives On and Off the Court

It’s a rare 80 degree afternoon in Detroit and Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey are watching five excited teens and ‘tweens give them a run for their money on the blacktop. While one of the players, Tresvon Vandergrift, eyeballs the net from the center court Pistons logo, the man responsible for making it all happen is just yards away—in his garage.

The 25’ x 50’ basketball court, emblazoned with larger-than-life sized images of Pistons team members and sporting a new electronic scoreboard, sits behind the home of Willie Johnson, founder of Johnson’s Full Court Hoop-De-Do; a youth sports mentoring program. The court, which began in 1979 as a 10’ x 10’ slab of concrete and a haven for his young sons, has become a saving grace for most of the 250-300 boys who play there each week.

Johnson, a Louisiana native and father of three, says, “We do more than play basketball. We teach them life skills, monitor their grades and offer mentoring and tutoring. Athletics come and go but, education and support lasts forever.” Johnson is accustomed to double-takes as passers-by scope out the scores of kids that regularly fill the impressive hoops court on the corner of Greenfield and Pembroke, just north of Seven Mile.

The charismatic Johnson adds that the court isn’t the only thing that has sparked a second look. He and his wife, Norma, have been selling Georgia Pecans from outside their home each summer for the last 25 years, enabling them to offset the cost of running the court that many youth attribute to improving their confidence and saving their lives. “If you want to grow as a person and gain respect for others this is the best place for you,” says Nicholas Rutledge, 16.

Hoop-De-Do has not only attracted the attention of the Pistons who sponsored the newly revitalized court, but has received support from sponsors such as Pelle Pelle, CBS Sports, National City, Belanger, AARP and many others. The program, which works with Oakland Avenue Missionary Baptist Church to provide free academic assistance to students in need, was recently featured on CBS Sports during the NCAA Final Four where Johnson challenged President Obama to follow the Pistons’ lead and visit Hoop-De-Do. With growing support from local legislators and community residents, a nod from the president is not far behind.

According to participating sponsor, Dennis Washington, “I’ve heard adults and children say that if it weren’t for this court they’d be dead. Mr. Johnson took them off the street and kept them out of trouble. Now they are bringing their children to the court. This is bigger than basketball.”By 5PM two half-court games are in full swing. The younger players have migrated to the side nearest the bleachers while their peers watch, wait and cheer. 16 year-old new-comer, Jerrell Simmons comments, “These guys really welcome you. It’s not just any court. For some guys it’s this or the streets, and maybe jail; they’re making sure that we make the right choice.”

Hoop-De-Do is open seven days a week for youth of all ages. The court is open for ages eight to 15 from Monday through Saturday from noon to 7PM. Sunday from 3PM to 8PM is designated for youth and young adults ages 16 and over. On July 4th Hoop-De-Do will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a Roundball Tournament. Winners will receive championship trophies and, of course, bragging rights. Anyone interested in participating in the upcoming tournament can call (313) 861-2725 or visit the court on the corner of Greenfield and Pembroke in Detroit.