FP Proposal Work – WMCAT Newsletter Spring 2019

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FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM

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WE HAVE OPTIONS

CREATIVE AGING SERIES: STORYTELLING WITH WATERCOLORS

June 3, 10, 17 and 24, 9:00–11:00 AM WMCAT, 614 First St. NW Suite 300

ADULT CAREER TRAINING GRADUATION

Thursday, June 13, 6:00 PM Richard DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium at GVSU 401 West Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49504 ARTS + TECH SUMMER CAMPS

Weeks of June 17, June 24, July 22 and July 29 WMCAT, 614 First St. NW Suite 300 More details inside

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THE FUTURE IS CALLING

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A STEP IN A NEW DIRECTION Photography by WMCAT Teens

CA LE N DAR

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM In the startup, entrepreneurial space the phrase “fall in love with the problem not the solution” has become a mantra. While I think there is room for real debate about the role that entrepreneurship plays in the complicated landscape in which we work, the focus on truly understanding the problem and working to discover the “thing behind the thing” can lead to more thoughtful and equitable innovation.

Nonprofit work is messy. People are complicated. Together with you, our friends and donors, we are tackling some pretty thorny problems: income security, living wage employment, college and career success, equity, systems change. There is an impulse to solve, to find solutions, and to move on to the next problem.

But by jumping to solutions, we rob ourselves of creativity, exploration, resilience, and truly delightful and innovative ideas that are rooted in the needs of people.

Take a look at some recent work of Public Agency, WMCAT’s Human-Centered Design consultancy.

We are in the midst of a ten-month engagement with partner West Michigan Works! through which Public Agency is facilitating the reimagining of their customer service experience for employers and job seekers.

Falling in love with the problem for us means being unapologetically focused on people. Public Agency is leading the team from West Michigan Works! through capacity building in Human-Centered Design, exploration work to identify challenges, and a design cycle to address those challenges.

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Public Agency leads a Human-Centered Design session with staff from West Michigan Works!

We don’t enter into this work with prescribed solutions, we don’t hand over a “how-to” document. Rather, Public Agency will build fluency and comfort of the design process, and help West Michigan Works! identify pain points and the best ways to work through transitions. It’s one of many projects through which Public Agency is advancing WMCAT’s mission of equitable access to opportunity.

If we neglect to fall in love with the problem and jump to solutions, we also diminish the journey and the transition to new opportunities. This is true for WMCAT’s support of adult learners, high school students and young adults. The work made possible by your contribution.

It’s graduation season and in the pages of this newsletter you’ll meet three WMCAT students and graduates who are on journeys to income security, career and college. While at WMCAT they learn to harness their authentic selves to navigate transitions, to apply creative thinking to problem-solving, and to leverage social capital. Thank you for giving our students a space to fall in love with the journey; to creatively work through the problems towards just and equitable solutions.

Daniel Williams, EdD PRESIDENT + CEO

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1 Jasmine works as a Medication History Technician at Spectrum Health 2 Jasmine and her twin boys at iBall 2019 3 Jasmine and her family in their new home

WE HAVE OPTIONS Jasmine Hayes, a graduate of WMCAT’s Adult Career Training

Her transition to income security and meaningful employment

Program, radiated with excitement from the stage at this year’s

meant she could pursue new goals and dreams. Just last fall

iBall gala that took place on March 21. She stood with her

Jasmine became a first-time homeowner with the help of

nine-year-old twin boys who were dressed in matching tuxedos,

Habitat for Humanity. Jasmine often talks to her boys about

as she received the WMCAT Award for Inspiration. The room

what this all means for their family.

of 375 guests erupted in applause over her hard work and dedication to build income security for her family through a career in the healthcare industry. But the most inspiring reaction was from her twin boys who were beaming with pride for their mom and their family.

Insecure housing and unstable income led Jasmine to WMCAT to pursue a new career as a pharmacy technician.

She wanted a better more stable life for her sons. Today, after six years of employment that included promotions, Jasmine is

“We have options,” she shared. “I talk to them about the future and we think of creative ideas together. We now have a garden; we’ve never had a garden!”

When you make a gift to WMCAT, you are making an investment in the journey. You are telling students like Jasmine that they can pursue big goals; that they can create lasting income security for their children. Begin or grow your journey with WMCAT by making a contribution at wmcat.org/donate.

a Medication History Technician at Spectrum Health, working in a career she loves.

THE ADULT CAREER TRAINING PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY

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Viviana Farfán, Step Year student (above) Our current Step Year team (right)

A STEP IN A NEW DIRECTION Transitions are scary, exciting, full of new opportunity, and

fraught with uncertainty. The transition from high school to post-secondary career and college is one of the biggest we face. It’s why many young people with resources take a gap year to explore and grow. At WMCAT, our take on a gap year is Step Year, our innovative approach to helping young adults explore post-secondary opportunities while diving deep into their personal agency and leadership. It’s meaningful work

STEP YEAR IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY

you are advancing through your support of WMCAT. For Viviana Farfán, a current Step Year student, the first years after high school were hard and unfulfilling. She quickly realized that the low-wage jobs she was working after high school were leading to burnout.

“I’m a first generation student and it’s not as easy as my parents thought it would be for me to get a four-year degree,” shared Viviana. “I financially support my family and the weight of debt from a degree is something I wouldn’t be able to carry. So I went to work after high school.”

After job burnout started settling in, Viviana arrived at WMCAT for Step Year. She is rediscovering her passions and interests, while exploring career and educational pathways that can lead to income security.

“I didn’t realize when I came into the program that I would be invigorated to pursue other goals as well,” she said, referring to the breadth and depth of WMCAT’s Step Year curriculum.

Viviana is currently applying for internships in fields where she is passionate, such as illustration and design. She is meeting potential employers and mentors, while exploring options.

Make or renew your gift to WMCAT today to provide a Step Year experience to young adults like Viviana. Together we can make this transition a journey with meaning and purpose.

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TEEN ARTS + TECH

SUMMER CAMPS It’s that time of year when the weather is

warm (finally!), days are long, and WMCAT Summer Camps are back. WMCAT opens its new state-of-the-art studios to students in grades 6–11 in the region. Camps are held mornings and afternoons over four-day sessions the weeks of June 17, June 24, July 22, and July 29. Sessions include:

Erin Cameron at iBall 2019 showing her award-winning fashion design piece

beatmakers, ceramics, game design,

THE FUTURE IS CALLING

illustration, sewing, live sound engineering, and more. Details and registration can be

found at wmcat.coursestorm.com.

It’s graduation season. And at WMCAT, we’re celebrating our graduating

seniors who have shared their creativity in our studios over the last four years.

We’re proud that WMCAT has been a place where they shaped their interests, explored creativity, and elevated their voices.

Erin Cameron, a graduating senior, took full advantage of exploring different creative outlets during her four years at WMCAT. “WMCAT is home. It has always been my safe space. My time here has helped me come out of my shell as a person – I am more confident in myself.”

She explored her inner fashionista in our Fashion Design studio, and then found her calling in our Video Game Design studio. Erin will be attending Ferris State University in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Digital Animation and Gaming Design.

Thank you for helping Erin find her voice and discover her creative talents at WMCAT. Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors.

THE WMCAT TEEN ARTS + TECH PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY

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Creativity Unleashed You unleashed creativity at iBall 2019! Three hundred and seventy-five friends

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gathered at our sold-out 8th annual gala on March 21 at 20 Monroe Live to share their commitment to our collective work to provide equitable access to opportunity.

Congratulations to our WMCAT Award honorees – Consumers Energy, Carbon Stories, Gorilla, Mosaic Film Experience, and Jasmine Hayes – and thank you to the sponsors and guests who made another year of innovation, imagination, and inspiration possible through their support. Want to unleash creativity all year long? Visit wmcat.org/donate to make your gift today.

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Last Gasp Collective entertains the iBall crowd Live screen printing with Ambrose The Mercy Health team WMCAT Teen Artists Juan, Erion, Trina, and Erin showcase their work in a mini gallery. Pictured here with Director of Creative Programs Trudy Ngo-Brown.

5 Guests at iBall create a one-of-a-kind, collaborative string art piece

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR IBALL 2019 SPONSORS, INCLUDING

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NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI

614 first street nw suite 300 grand rapids michigan 49504 wmcat.org

PERMIT #552

CONGRATS TO THE ONE AND ONLY PUNKY! After 40 years in the nonprofit sector, Louise

“WMCAT has a unique culture of compassion and

“Punky” Edison retired from WMCAT in January.

creativity. It is a mind-set that helps people flourish –

Punky graced us with her leadership and

something I have not seen in other nonprofits.”

development expertise for the last eight years as our development director. A career fueled by her commitment to high professional standards and continued learning, Punky is still inspired by the generosity she sees in our community daily.

We know we are lucky to have Punky in our WMCAT family. But we are happy to see her spend more time with her actual family, including her 10 grandchildren. And she’s not going far. Punky is continuing to serve

“I am so proud to call WMCAT donors my friends

nonprofits, including WMCAT, as a volunteer

and colleagues,” shared Punky. “They are doing

and professional consultant.

good work for a broader community. I’m so thankful to have been a part of that work.”

When asked what she will miss most about WMCAT, she quickly responded with “culture.”

Thank you, Punky. We are forever grateful.

Love, your WMCAT Family.

Punky and her family at iBall 2018