Ginsberg Center E-Newsletter
2006 Monthly E-Newsletter Archives
December 2006SPOTLIGHT: Graduate Student Grace Kotre and STAND
After only having been in Ann Arbor for three months, Master of Social Work student Grace Kotre is already a campus leader in the world of international activism.
Making the Big Apple Affordable
Sponsored by the Ginsberg Center, University alumnus and AmeriCorps graduate Josh Sirefman shared career experiences focused on balancing social and economic issues in New York City.
Promoting Social Justice Coursework
The Ginsberg Center's Project Community organized the biannual Social Justice Course Fair. This year's event was the most successful yet.
A Timely History
A few offices hosted a showing of a documentary about the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. The film was a launch pad for discussion about the connection between past and present civil rights movements.
November 2006
A Site for Change
A new University website connects students with courses and co-curricular experiences with a social justice bent.
Making Math Equal
The University helped host a conference featuring Bob Moses and his Algebra Project. The conference kicks off the University's interest in addressing the math achievement gap.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
The Ginsberg Center's new on-site community garden is part of a larger initiative to bring sustainable food systems to the University.
Declaring Citizenship
Coordinated by the LSA Dean's office, this academic year will host many events and speakers exploring the concept of citizenship in today's modern world.
June 2006
Scrambled Stories Makes Sense
America Reads tutor Sheena Darty developed a reading strategy that helps students with reading comprehension. The strategy involves retelling a story through jumbled pictures.
Knit Wits are Quite Smart
The community organization known as "Knit Wits" has a large and widespread membership that provides winter clothes to under-resourced communities through the Ginsberg Center's Alternative Spring Break Program.
Transformation of a Playground
Inspired by a service-learning class, University of Michigan student Marisa Resto-Langlois took action to improve a Detroit school's playground.
A Poster Child for Social Justice
The 1st Annual Bridging Art and Awareness Poster Contest successfully combined students' artistic expression and zeal for raising social awareness.
Healthy Competition
The first Quito Project Essay Contest allowed students to express their passion for global health.
April 2006
The Art of Making Reading Fun
Youth participating in the University of Michigan's America Reads Program came to the University to display and celebrate their artwork.
A Weekend to Last a Lifetime
A mini-course, focusing on transforming social activism into career choices after college, was offered to graduating seniors through an intensive weekend mini-course.
An Extraordinary Pledge Class
Through an electronic oath, graduating seniors promise to uphold the values of social responsibility acquired at the University into their professional lives.
Advancing and Showcasing Partnerships
The fourth annual Ginsberg Center Symposium, an event designed to bring attention to the myriad University-community partnerships, also allowed students to reflect on social justice issues and to display their many accomplishments.
March 2006
The Gulf Region Poor and Hurricane Katrina.
As a part of the University's MLK Day Symposium, the Ginsberg Center hosted a panel discussion on displaced families and urban poor in the Gulf region after Hurricane Katrina.
Connecting Students and Community-Based Organizations.
"Volunteer Connection" is a searchable website listing service opportunities and facilitating student voluntarism.
Just Courses
The Social Justice Course Fair, an event highlighting courses with a social justice focus, will take place March 30th in Haven Hall.
A Different Humanities Education
Human Rights Through Education is a student-led organization that seeks to teach human rights awareness through the utilization of University resources. Aided by a grant from the Ginsberg Center's Ronald and Eileen Weiser Fund, the group will continue its educational mission.
SPOTLIGHT: People's Community Services of Metro Detroit
People's Community Services of Metro Detroit, aided by numerous student volunteers from the Ginsberg Center, serves communities in Detroit.
February 2006
Beyond the Law
The Family Law Project provides legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence, and after receiving a grant from the Ginsberg Center's Ron and Eileen Weiser Fund, will provide assistance beyond just legal aid.
Above the Law
A fellowship from the Ginsberg Center allowed third-year U-M law student Sarah Bookbinder to provide legal services over two weeks in Shreveport, La. and New Orleans.
A Call for Art
To sustain interest in what Hurricane Katrina revealed about social inequities in our nation, the Ginsberg Center is sponsoring the 1st Annual Bridging Art and Awareness Challenge: "Katrina in Our Lives."
6th Annual John Dewey Lecture
This year's John Dewey Lecturer is Professor Charles Payne of Duke University.
Difficult Dialogues
The Ginsberg Center is one of a number of University units funded by the Ford Foundation for efforts contributing to "Religious Diversity in the Public Research University."
A Team Where Everyone Wins
Providing service expeditions across the globe every summer, SERVE's World Service Team offers invaluable service to developing communities and expands students' cultural understanding.
January 2006
Home Schooling
America Reads' collaborative family literacy initiative makes reading fun for youth and their parents as well as U-M student participants.
A History of Mexicantown
Equipped with a Ginsberg Student Fellowship, Anna Camacho is archiving personal stories of southwestern Detroit's rich Hispanic history.
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT: Natasha Coulouris
Natasha Coulouris is one of the youngest public health officers in Michigan history, and she ascribes some of her success to the lessons she learned as a volunteer with the Ginsberg Center.
The Future of the Arts of Citizenship Program
A group of faculty is investigating the future of the Arts of Citizenship Program.
Advocating Activism
The Ginsberg Center hosted Advocacy Day, an event helping students move from service to advocacy.
First Social Justice Course Fair is a Success
The first social justice fair introduced students to academic courses with a social justice focus.
Benefit Concert Raises Funds and Student Awareness
Students in a section of Project Community raised $300 for the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County by hosting a concert and film documentary.