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Thank you to our Advisory Board and Stakeholders!
You make all the difference.
by LaSonia J Forté on July 24
THANK YOU to John and Nancy for your generous donations!!! |
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Executive Director and Co-Founder of ZOOM
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Co-founder of ZOOM
Gayl Jones Professor Emeritus of English
and of Afroamerican / African Studies
University of Michigan
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NEW SPONSOR ALERT!
The Whitney - Iconic Detroit Restaurant
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We received some fantastic news today! The Whitney, an iconic restaurant in Detroit, will showcase ZOOM Transitional Housing for Foster Youth at its upcoming Annual Halloween Paranormal Experience this October. Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit ZOOM! Tickets will go on sale August 25.
"The Whitney is thrilled to begin a partnership with Zoom Transitional Housing for Foster Youth in an effort to both raise awareness of and assist in the growth and development of those with the most opportunity to potentially become the newest future leaders and pillars of our communities."
Max Ceaser
General Manager
The Whitney
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Building Support Networks for Foster Youth
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Foster Greatness (FG) focuses on building strong support networks through mentorship, education, and life skills training. By connecting foster youth with supportive adults and peers, Foster Greatness helps them overcome challenges, build
confidence, and reach their goals.
ZOOM has partnered with this FG to ensure every foster youth can achieve their full potential and lead a fulfilling life.
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Building Strong Advocates
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The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan works with underserved students and their families to help them remain in school, exercise their rights to a quality public education, and achieve personal growth and success.
Residents of ZOOM Transitional Housing will have the opportunity to connect with mentors from the Student Advocacy Center for educational planning, mentorship, and assistance in finding and applying for available scholarships.
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The NEW Center, located in Ann Arbor and a partner for numerous thriving nonprofits, is our fiscal sponsor. Assisting us in exploring opportunities for economic development and growth, including the launch of a comprehensive social enterprise aimed at helping the 1,600 youth who age out of foster care in Michigan each year find affordable housing.
Fundraising and Fiscal Sponsorship
Plans are underway for fundraising events, including cocktail parties and dinners, and an Amazon Wishlist has been established. The NEW Center will manage legal and financial aspects while the organization awaits the determination of its 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
DONATE to ZOOM Transitional Housing
MAIL a check out to our fiscal sponsor:
The NEW Center
1100 North Main St.
Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104
MEMO: ZOOM Transitional Housing
NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
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Our Partners at the Judson Center/Child Safe MI
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Life Skills Training
The program will teach youth essential life skills to prepare them for independent living. These skills include practical maintenance (like changing filters or tires), cooking and meal planning, budgeting (e.g., using coupons), and fostering good neighborly conduct (e.g., shoveling snow).
The goal is to provide the foundational knowledge often learned from parents, which many foster youth lack.
- ZOOM’s residents are ages 18-21
- Work with young adults to develop independent living skills
- Have a permanency goal of APPLA (Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement) and cannot/do not want to be reunified with family
- Young adults “rent a room” from a supportive adult or live on their own (if able)
The youth work with the Judson Center/Child Safe team to identify a safe and secure living arrangement. The options include an apartment, college dorm, staying with a friend or other supportive person, or renting from a host provider.
Essentially, a host provider is any adult dedicated to helping a young person become an independent and productive adult.
"Child Safe is beyond excited to partner with ZOOM [Transitional Housing] to help aid in overcoming the barrier of housing that so many young adults in foster care face! It has been so wonderful working with LaSonia and Michael. We can't wait to watch this organization continue to grow 🙂"
Courtney Carter, MA (she/her/hers)
Independent Living/Foster Care Supervisor
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City of Warren Zoning and Inspection Approval!
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We have obtained the necessary permits and received city inspection approval from the City of Warren. Our first three foster youth will be moving into the house soon. Stay tuned for the move-in date!
"Congrats on the progress, we're really excited to have you in the city.
The website/newsletter are looking great 😄Let us know if there's anything we can do to help."
City of Warren
Economic Development
Program Expansion and Replicability
There is a strong desire to expand the housing model, beginning possibly with more housing in Warren and then extending to Washtenaw County, where some board members reside. The ultimate goal is to inspire and encourage other communities and cities to adopt similar programs by developing a replicable model that others can use to address foster youth housing needs in their areas. |
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Poverty Solutions’ Policy Brief  |
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Neighborhood Integration and Resident Responsibilities Plans include having the youth host a welcoming event for the neighborhood, potentially with a barbecue, to encourage positive integration. Residents will be responsible for maintaining the property, including tasks like rolling out trash/recycling bins, cutting grass, and shoveling snow, to avoid blight tickets. Volunteers are available to teach gardening skills and cooking classes to interested youth.
Volunteer: mentorship, advocacy, host provider
Become a ZOOM Landlord (Host Provider) and rent to foster youth for $250
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ZOOM Summit on Tuesday, August 19!
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The first ZOOM Summit will take place on Tuesday, August 19, in Saline, MI, with our advisory board members in attendance.
At the Summit, we will celebrate our success over wine and hors d'oeuvres, discuss our partnerships, and share our ideas.
Please let me know if you are interested in joining our Advisory Board.
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During the pandemic, our puppy Kona and song requests to Alexa, a gift from our daughter Shan, brought us comfort. Each morning, we’d ask Alexa to play “ZOOM” by the Commodores, a song about dreaming of a better place. Lionel Richie’s lyrics provided hope during those bleak times.
Years later, when considering housing for young adults aging out of foster care, the song inspired our vision for ZOOM Transitional Housing. We aim to create a safe, attractive, and affordable space that helps these young adults feel clear-minded and empowers them to define their futures, reflecting the hopeful spirit of the Commodores’ song.
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|  www.youtube.com
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Key milestones include the property acquisition on May 30th. Future plans involve an open house and ribbon-cutting event at the house, intended as a kickoff before youth move in. The timeline is acknowledged as flexible due to ongoing learning and potential delays, with concurrent efforts in fundraising and website development.
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Pet Policy and Resident Requests
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We discussed a request by a prospective resident to be able to bring her cat with her. Although our initial response was positive, we then considered potential problems such as allergies, property damage, and the possibility of tension among residents. As a result, it was ultimately decided that the property will remain pet-free.
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- Partnerships with existing service providers are essential for program success, as ZOOM aims to rely on experts and avoid duplicating services.
- Youth must remain in the Judson Center’s Independent Living program to stay in the house. While the Judson Center supports youth aged 16-21, the ZOOM housing model specifically targets 18-21 year-olds.
- The rent is $250 per month, deemed affordable for the target youth based on their state support levels (around $750-$760/month) and the Judson Center's guidance.
- The Judson Center provides ongoing support and monitoring for residents, including regular mentoring and at least monthly (often weekly) check-ins.
- The house is in excellent condition, freshly painted, and fully prepared for youth residents, featuring three bedrooms, one level, free laundry, and no mortgage. Below is a picture of the living room taken on June 18th, which has new chairs, a couch, and lightly used tables awaiting the first Zoomers.
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About Us
ZOOM is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for unhoused youth transitioning out of Michigan’s foster care system at significantly less than the going rate. ZOOM addresses the most critical challenge facing a population that, due to the limited financial assistance they receive from the government, risks becoming homeless within months of their initial experience of independence. By relieving their housing insecurity as they become independent adults, ZOOM properties will empower youth to overcome obstacles to adult success, including limited education (fewer than half of youth in this population finish high school), incarceration (one-fourth of males who’ve been in the foster system have spent time in jail), and early parenthood (two-fifths of them are parents).
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DONATE to ZOOM Transitional Housing
MAIL a check out to our fiscal sponsor:
The NEW Center
1100 North Main St.
Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104
MEMO: ZOOM Transitional Housing
NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
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ZOOM Transitional Housing for Foster Youth
SALINE, MI
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No longer want to hear from us? Email: LJFORTE34@GMAIL.COM
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