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100 Years of Impact! United Way for Southeastern Michigan will celebrate its centennial this year with a series of community events and stories around its impact work. From funding treatments for childhood illnesses in the 1950s, to influencing policy changes around nutrition standards in the 2000s, United Way works to ensure that everyone has the education, economic prosperity and health they need to stand on their own and give back to their community. Read more about United Way’s results and how your company can make a difference. •
WHAT’S INSIDE: • How to get your employees to volunteer, S3 • 2-1-1 answers 300,000 emergency calls for help annually, S4 • How businesses can support career training for students, S5
100YEARS ®
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CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS // FEBRUARY 27, 2017
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Boost employee morale, make an impact in the community By Jessica Carreras
Business success is about impact as much as it’s about earnings: More than 90 percent of consumers say that corporate social responsibility matters to them when they choose where to spend their dollars. In Southeastern Michigan, businesses have historically focused on giving back to the communities they serve. But it was through United Way that corporate philanthropy grew to what it is today, uniting competitors for the common cause of creating a better community for all. In 1949, Detroit-area businesses “lit the torch” for the first fundraising drive for the nonprofit. Participation has grown over time. In 2016, more than 650 companies ran employee workplace campaigns to raise funds for United Way and volunteered to support its community programs. These corporate workplace campaigns are the lifeblood that fuel the organization’s work, ensuring that everyone in the
community has access to resources they need to succeed in life, like food, shelter, education and workforce opportunities. Employees can feel good knowing they’re helping the community and have fun in
hometown,” said Jim Vella, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services President and past United Way for Southeastern Michigan Board Chair. “And we’ve been with United Way from the start. We know that
Photo credit: Ric Batty
As part of their annual United Way campaign, Ford Credit hosts a tricycle race as a fun way for employees to help raise funds.
the process, creating engaging experiences — like ice cream socials, auctions and volunteer experiences — to boost morale and raise funds. “At Ford, we believe it’s important to give back to our
fundraising is important, but so is employee satisfaction. So we try a variety of ways to engage employees in the work of United Way through fun activities.” To learn more, visit www. LiveUnitedSEM.org/get-help
Mary Kramer Group Publisher, Crain Communications Inc.
A path to rebuilding a better future “Kids come to school to eat.” Not just to learn, but in many cases, to get their meals. Even though child poverty rates within Detroit are above 50 percent, two and a half times higher than the state average, according to the American Community Survey, I was stunned upon hearing this statement from a Detroit educator. And in the summer? What’s to eat? That’s the question many kids face. So United Way for Southeastern Michigan, with a handful of for-profit and nonprofit partners, stepped up in recent years with a “Meet Up and Eat Up” breakfast and lunch program. More than 1.3 million healthy meals were served last summer alone. That’s just one of the ways United Way, 100 years strong this year, continues to serve basic needs in our region. But there’s more. Aided by funding from various corporate sponsors, including a $27.1 million grant from the GM Foundation, United Way led the charge to increase Detroit’s graduation rates -- which were some of the lowest in the nation. Today, those schools reached an aggregate graduation rate just over 80 percent. This work has transitioned into College and Career Pathways in 15 schools, with plans to expand to more than 20. Earlier this month, I met a student from Cody High School who is eligible to become a Detroit firefighter after he graduates thanks to these efforts. To celebrate these and other wins for the community, Crain’s Detroit Business’ Content Studio worked with United Way to create the section you’re reading now. The logos of the companies on Page 1 of this week’s Crain’s Detroit Business and the ads in this section made this possible. And, as a proud board member of United Way, I’m pleased that Crain’s donated two of the eight pages to the cause. The 100th anniversary is reason enough, but we also wanted to recognize the ways United Way has transformed itself over the years to be more than a grant-making pass-through collector of funds. Today’s United Way focuses on specific issues and problems in our region, working with many partners to find ways to move the needle. More than 650 companies in metro Detroit participate in one way or another – either with a corporate gift, a workplace campaign (sometimes both) and days of employee volunteering. When FCA’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne, was considering the commitment of serving as chair during the 2012-2013 campaign, he visited the United Way office in Detroit and listened to 2-1-1 calls. And he brought his leadership team of 200 to listen, too. That proved to be a powerful reason to helm the campaign. United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline, which takes calls all day, every day, provides resources like shelter and food. Marchionne, who is now serving his second stint as campaign chair, said he likes United Way’s goal of tackling “systemic changes” by bringing public, private and nonprofit sectors together to focus on change. “Handouts are not the long-term solution,” he says. Marchionne compares some of the problems people face to the problems Chrysler faced. “No one can forget that we were doomed to fail, to disappear, causing a social disaster of unimaginable dimension. But someone gave us faith and hope. “We all, at Chrysler, have experienced what it means to get a second chance. When we look at United Way, the service it provides is fundamentally no different. It is devoted to giving people a chance to build or rebuild a future, a better one.” That’s a cause we can all get behind. This year. Every year.
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CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS // FEBRUARY 27, 2017
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Companies get employees involved with United Way By Jessica Carreras
Steve Sinclair and his but just as importantly, if you wife, Crystal, are committed want to do community service to making Southeastern or you want to participate in a Michigan a better community particular way, we absolutely and are instilling that sense of support you and we’ll make service within their son and sure we do everything we can daughter. That’s why in July to help you with those goals.” 2016, the South Lyon family So it’s fitting that more volunteered at a United Way for companies are turning to United Southeastern Michigan Meet Way to help create meaningful Up and Eat Up Block Party. volunteer experiences for their The outdoor summer events employees. serve free, healthy meals to “Corporations have become children and offer community increasingly interested in social resources to attendants. For responsibility, and giving the Sinclairs, Meet Up and their employees opportunities Eat Up provided a chance to to volunteer is a great way demonstrate to to do that,” their kids the said Angela “Having that impact they could Beckman, sense of make. United Way for “I wanted to Southeastern corporate show our kids that involvement in Michigan’s they can make a director of the community volunteer huge difference,” Crystal Sinclair is important to engagement. said. “It’s “Volunteering me and other important for my makes staff employees at kids to be able to feel more understand that.” connected to Lear.” The Sinclairs their community, Steve Sinclair were connected and like their to the volunteer company makes opportunity through Steve a difference.” Sinclair’s job at Lear Corp., Volunteerism has been a a United Way partner that part of United Way since the encourages employee organization’s inception in volunteerism. It’s a facet of his 1917. workplace that Steve Sinclair Now, the organization said he loves. leverages its corporate And it’s good for business, relationships to connect too. A Gallup poll on the State volunteers with the of the American Workplace community’s greatest needs, found that businesses that focus from collecting donations and on employee engagement saw serving meals to mentoring increases in productivity and students and providing free tax profitability. preparation. “The idea of giving back In April, the organization to the communities where we expects to substantially live and work started with our increase volunteer opportunities founders, and it’s always been through a new online platform a part of who we are,” says that will serve as a one-stop Ray Scott, vice president and shop connecting nonprofits, president of seating at Lear. volunteers and corporations. “Our employees have the To learn more, visit www. ability to give back financially, LiveUnitedSEM.org/volunteer.
Photo credit: Bruce Unwin
The Sinclair family attended a United Way for Southeastern Michigan summer Meet Up and Eat Up Block Party, where community members can enjoy a free meal and games while learning about community resources and volunteer opportunities. The Sinclairs are longtime United Way donors.
Eaton + United Way
100 years of shaping better tomorrows
Eaton has a proud tradition of employee giving that began over a century ago and has grown with our business. We are delighted to partner with the United Way to help build stronger communities. To learn more, visit the Community area on eaton.com/sustainability
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CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS // FEBRUARY 27, 2017
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2-1-1 offers help, hope all year long By Dave Phillips
Photo credit: Bruce Unwin
Donni Johnson was able to find shelter and get back on her feet with help from United Way’s 2-1-1 referral service.
utilities and other basic needs. “After my money ran out, I didn’t know what else to do, so I called 2-1-1,” Johnson said. DTE has been instrumental in both 2-1-1 and LSP, helping launch the local 2-1-1 service in 2005. “Not only did DTE Energy help bring 2-1-1 to Southeastern Michigan, but our company has been a champion of the services 2-1-1 provides to our customers and communities,” said Mark Stiers, president and COO of DTE Gas. “It aligns completely with our aspiration to be a force for prosperity with our community.” Annually, nearly 300,000 people contact 2-1-1, which is available 24/7/365. Utilities, financial assistance, food and shelter are some of the most requested 2-1-1 services. Like Johnson, two-thirds of 2-1-1 callers earn some
CONGRATULATIONS TO UNITED WAY
100 Years. 50,000,000 Lives. Immeasurable Impact. Yazaki believes in building a better world and shaping the human experience. We applaud United Way’s commitment to creating opportunities, empowering youth and inspiring wellness in communities across the world.
form of income, said Hassan Hammoud, director of 2-1-1 at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “These people are not looking for a handout — they’re underinsured and underemployed,” he said. “They have income, but it’s not a livable wage.” With the help of 2-1-1, Johnson found a shelter and was connected to housing services that allowed her to eventually find a new home. While Johnson’s story had a happy ending, not everyone’s does. In 2015 there were 16,040 homeless people in Detroit, according to the Homeless Action Network of Detroit. That’s why in addition to 2-1-1, United Way also advocates for public policies that invest in programs offering food, shelter and medical assistance. To learn more, visit www. LiveUnitedSEM.org/get-help.
Yazaki North America, Inc. | 6801 N Haggerty Rd, Canton, MI 48187 | 734.983.1000 | www.yazaki-na.com
Donni Johnson was blindsided when she found out she and her kids were being evicted from the home she had lived in for 30 years. Unbeknownst to Johnson, her landlord fell behind on taxes. Johnson had a low-paying job, and because of her limited income, her rental applications were denied. Johnson’s story is a common one, where one accident, illness or mishap can uproot an entire family. Johnson was familiar with United Way’s services, because she was a customer of the DTE Energy Low Income Self-sufficiency Plan (LSP), a program supported by United Way that offers utility bill assistance. Through that experience, Johnson learned about United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline, the region’s leading referral service for food, shelter,
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United Way ignites new educational standard, offers real-word experiences and certifications By Dave Phillips
Donning safety gear and wielding a fire hose isn’t the norm for most high school classrooms, but for students at Cody High School’s Medicine and Community Health Academy, it’s just one example of a new shift taking place in education. Thanks to funding from JPMorgan Chase, the Skillman Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the Ford Motor Company Fund, United Way for Southeastern Michigan is partnering with local schools to ensure that students not only graduate, but that they graduate prepared for a career or college. The schools focus on teaching students skills they’ll need to excel in a workplace environment, like critical thinking, communication,
collaboration and creativity as well as college preparatory courses. United Way brings in corporate partners to offer regional industry opportunities so that students can learn about advanced manufacturing, health care and engineering. “We want these diplomas to have power,” said Tanya Heidelberg-Yopp, COO at United Way. “When Linked Learning students graduate, they have skills employers want to pay for and they have the background needed to hit the ground running at a college or university or apprenticeship program.” At Cody, that power comes in the form of Firefighter I and II certifications, which are state requirements for firefighters, and which graduates of the
program will have by the time they receive their diplomas. Lieutenants from the Detroit Fire Department serve as instructors for the firefighting program, putting students through the same training any Detroit fire cadet would receive. They’re also mentors for the students, sharing advice about life, job interviews and the future over meals and during downtime in class. “For this group specifically, the amount of growth I’ve seen in them is just exponential,” said Detroit Fire Department Lt. Jamal Mickles, one of the instructors. “I’m blown away by it.” To learn how your business can support students, email LiveUnited@LiveUnitedSEM. org.
Photo credit: Bruce Unwin
Cody Medicine and Community Health Academy students train to become certified firefighters.
Driving a Brighter Future For more than 65 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has worked to improve people’s lives, investing $1.5 billion to support innovative programs in Community Life, Education, Safe Driving and the Ford Volunteer Corps.
Congratulations to United Way on 100 years of service. Ford is proud of our decades of collaboration in support of the community.
w w w.communit y.ford.com #fordgivesback @fordfund _
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CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS // FEBRUARY 27, 2017
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United Way equips parents with resources to prepare children for lifelong success By Dave Phillips
Life is controlled chaos for the Potts family of Rochester, according to parents Ayana and Paul. The duo never has a dull moment when it comes to parenting their three biological and three adopted children: Ajani, 13; Khamani, 11; Amari, 9; Anaya, 8; Jabari, 6; and Samaya, 5. Thanks to United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the family is getting some help through a tool called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, which gauges their children’s developmental progress. Available online, the questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete. It guides parents through an easy-tounderstand developmental checklist and covers ageappropriate communication,
motor skills, problem-solving and personal/social skills. A specialist sends results to parents and provides tips if a child needs help getting on track. It helped the Potts family identify and correct delays in Jabari and Samaya’s development, and thanks to an investment by United Way, is available to parents and caregivers for free in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. It’s just one example of how United Way is helping prepare children for lifelong success. United Way was awarded a $6 million Social Innovation Fund grant in 2011, which allowed the organization to increase its impact by partnering and funding local nonprofits that specialize in child development programs and methodologies.
Photo credit: Bruce Unwin
Paul Potts reads a story to his daughters. He and his wife, Ayana, use resources provided by United Way for Southeastern Michigan, like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, to make sure their children are hitting their developmental milestones.
As part of the Social Innovation Fund’s stipulations, United Way must match the grant, as do its partner sub-grantees, turning a $6 million investment into $18 million. The results of United Way and its partners on positively impacting the lives of children has been so successful that the organization was awarded a second $6 million SIF grant in 2016. United Way’s investment in Child Development has made all the difference for the Potts family. “Knowing that we have resources available, it gives so much empowerment to the parent,” Paul said. “We just hope that more parents learn about it, because it changed our family structure.” To learn more, visit www.bibtobackpack.org
Clark Hill Celebrates 100 Years of United Way for Southeastern Michigan Clark Hill has been a proud partner of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan for many years. We applaud their mission to mobilize the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways. Making a positive difference in the communities we serve is one of Clark Hill’s leading values. clarkhill.com
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Photo credit: Bruce Unwin
Volunteers create care packages for new mothers as part of a Women United-led volunteer event at the Feb. 2 Women Thrive Conference, an event celebrating women in leadership. The care packages include blankets and clothing for newborns, as well as United Way for Southeastern Michigan resources for new parents.
Women United Women United is a dynamic, philanthropic group comprising the region’s leading business women that supports United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Child Development work. Members give, advocate and volunteer in order to ensure that parents and caregivers have the tools they need to help
We are committed to making the community a better place to live, work and learn
their children be successful. Members of Women United can also participate in exclusive networking events. “I joined Women United because I know how powerful women can be when they come together to make a difference,” said member Aimee Argel. To learn more, email LiveUnited@LiveUnitedSEM.org
Visit us online
csr.bosch.us and bosch.us
The Bosch Builds team packs and sorts food at Gleaners Community Food Bank, an agency supported by United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
Bosch Legacy - Crain 6x6 FINAL.indd 1
2/14/17 12:44 PM
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CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS // FEBRUARY 17, 2017
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United Way thanks the following for their leadership United Way for Southeastern Michigan Board of Directors Lizabeth Ardisana - Chair ASG Renaissance
Mark Petroff - Vice Chair Marketing Associates LLC
Rick Blocker
Metro Detroit AFL-CIO
Beth Chappell
Detroit Economic Club
Mark W. Stiers - Treasurer
Mark Davidoff
Deborah Macon - Secretary
Andrew Echt
Tonya Allen
Frank W. Ervin, lll
DTE Energy
Community Leader
The Skillman Foundation
Elizabeth A. Alvarez EY
Deloitte LLP
Arbor Investments Group LLC Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
David Foltyn
Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn
Bryan Barnhill
City of Detroit, Mayor’s Office
Lisa V. Ford
Community Leader
Charles E. Hall
Leslie A. Murphy
UAW, Region 1
Murphy Consulting Inc.
Ed Siaje
Brian Harlow
Heather Paquette
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
KPMG LLP
Srikant Inampudi
Sandra E. Pierce
Clark Hill PLC
McKinsey & Company
Huntington National Bank
Hassan Jaber
Michael Ritchie
ACCESS
Comerica Bank
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
James Jacobs
Lynda Rossi
U.S. Trust - Bank of America Private Wealth Management
Reginald M. Turner James G. Vella Ken Whipple
Consumers Energy, Retired
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Blue Care Network
Macomb Community College
Steven Kiefer
Ray Scott
General Motors Company
Lear Corporation
Mary Kramer
Crain’s Detroit Business
United Way for Southeastern Michigan Campaign Cabinet Sergio Marchionne - Chair
Cathy Cornell
Norwood Jewell
John Rakolta, Jr.
Mark W. Stiers
Scott Adams
Charles Crews
Jeff Kalinowski
David Sanders
James Verrier
Olga Alavanou
Kenneth Dallafior
Gordon Krater
Raymond Scott
Rick Westenberg
Sheela Manyam
Aaron Sikora
Dennis Williams
Brad Simmons
D. Scott Winchip
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Eaton
Comerica
CMS Energy
Yazaki
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Blue Care Network
Lizabeth Ardisana
Joe Fadool
ASG Renaissance
UAW
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Plante Moran PPLC
Jeffrey Aughton
BorgWarner Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Blue Care Network
David Girodat
Walt Bartels
Fifth Third Bank
Neil Marchuk
Rick Blocker
EY
John Bridge
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Deloitte LLP
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Metro Detroit AFL-CIO General Motors Company
Adient
Regan Grant
Mark Petroff
Brian Harlow
Barbara Pilarski
Lorron James
Christopher Preuss
James Group International
Marketing Associates LLC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Delphi Automotive LLP
Walbridge
DTE Energy
EY
BorgWarner Inc.
Lear Corporation
General Motors Company
PwC
UAW President’s Office
Ford Motor Company
Robert Bosch LLC
Matthew Simoncini Lear Corporation
Bill Smith
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.
Lisa Smith
Ford Motor Company
Thank you for making this special issue possible AAA Michigan AAA Life Insurance Company Adient American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. Applebaum Family Foundation ASG Rennaissance Bank of America Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Blue Care Network BorgWarner Inc. Clark Hill PLC CMS Energy Cooper Standard Deloitte LLP DTE Energy Eaton Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Fifth Third Bank Ford Motor Company Lisa & Bill Ford Gallagher-Kaiser General Motors Company Kelly Services Inc KPMG LLP Lear Corporation Marketing Associates LLC Miller Canfield MSX International PwC Robert Bosch LLC United Auto Workers Yazaki North America Inc
BACK COVER -- --
THANK YOU “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success!” - Henry Ford Nearly 5 years ago, we assembled a dynamic group of volunteers to accomplish an unprecedented goal for United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Our task: to drastically increase individual supporters in the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. Starting at 37th in the national membership ranks, we are now at 11th and on our way to a top 5 ranking by June 30th. We salute your extraordinary spirit and dedication in pursuit of this lofty goal.
You are truly the best and we thank you!
Lisa and Bill Ford
Co-Chairs, Alexis de Tocqueville Initiative Elizabeth A. Alvarez & Joe Klecha Jill Bryant & Robert Coury Margie Dunn & Mark Davidoff Kerry Doman Regan Grant
Marcia Holland-Turner & Reginald Turner Anke & Hans-Werner Kaas Rebecca Kress & David Sanders Carey Oven & Deven Ross Eileen & Mark Petroff
Bobbi & Stephen Polk Barika & Jonathan Quarles Michael Shields Mel Stephens Gwen & Evan Weiner
100YEARS ®