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Blog Post

The 54th Ann Arbor Film Festival is Here!

by valerieclaires

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is here again, and with it comes another year of films, events, and community partnership. AADL will once again be an official AAFF community partner, this year for Films in Competition 5, on Saturday March 19 at 11 am in the main auditorium. This screening features films especially for viewers and filmmakers age 6 and up.

You can see the festival's entire schedule and buy tickets on the Ann Arbor Film Fest’s website. Make sure to enter the code AAFF54_AADL for a dollar off your advance ticket!

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. The 54th AAFF takes place March 15-20, 2016 and presents over 200 films from across the world with dozens of world premieres. For more information, please visit the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s website.

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Blog Post

Does Addiction Treatment Work?

by Beth Manuel

You’re invited to Dawn Farm’s free Educational Series. All programs are presented in the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center auditorium, at 5305 Elliott Drive in Ypsilanti. The Education Series schedule can be found here.You can also contact Dawn Farm at 734-485-8725 or info@dawnfarm.org. All are welcome to attend! Registration is not required.

Recent publications claim to define research-supported definitive truths about the root causes of addiction and efficacy of treatment modalities; however conclusions are conflicting and have been subject to divergent interpretations. Feel confused? Dr. Carl Christensen, M.D. PhD, will review the recent criticisms of treatment for addiction including Twelve Step, residential, and medication assisted therapy, the scientific studies that do and do not support their use and other controversial issues. This program is Tuesday March 15, 2016; 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

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Blog Post

Free Workshop Series for Seniors, People with Disabilities, and Advocates

by Sunny29

Together the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (CIL) and Partners in Personal Assistance (PPA) have compiled a series of free workshops for seniors, people with disabilities and their advocates.

All of the workshops are free, but it is recommended you call ahead to either the CIL, (734) 971-0277, or PPA, (734) 214-3890, to reserve a spot as there is limited seating. Free parking is also available to attendees, as well as light refreshments.

The following workshops will take place from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor CIL at 3941 Research Park Drive:

- Thursday April 7, 2016 -
What Happens If I Can’t Live on My Own Any More?
Experts will let you know about independent, assisted and other living options.

- Thursday May 5, 2016 -
Menu Planning and Cooking for Health
Anna Dusbiber-Gossage will provide a workshop based on her experience with cooking classes.

- Thursday June 2, 2016 -
Preparing for End of Life
An attorney will address legal matters such as advance directives and durable power of attorney for health care and a social worker will address funeral planning and other steps to make the dying process a little easier for grieving families.

The following workshops will take place from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, RM 150 in the Liberal Arts and Science Building:

- Wednesday March 16, 2016 -
Self-Advocacy for Government Benefits
Bring your frustrations and we’ll troubleshoot!

- Thursday April 14, 2016 -
What Happens If I Can’t Live on My Own Any More?
Experts will let you know about independent, assisted and other living options.

- Thursday May 12, 2016 -
Preventing Abuse and Exploitation
Learn how to prevent physical and other abuse of elders and people with disabilities.

- Thursday June 9, 2016 -
Preparing for End of Life
An attorney will address legal matters such as advance directives and durable power of attorney for health care and a social worker will address funeral planning and other steps to make the dying process a little easier for grieving families.

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Blog Post

Join the Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues

by iralax

If you are an advocate for equal opportunity for people with physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities you may want to serve as a commissioner on the Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues. Public meetings are held at City Hall on the third Wednesday of every month starting at 3:15pm. Meetings are open to the public and can also be viewed on Community Television Network (CTN)-Comcast Cable Channel 16. You can also view CTN videos On Demand by going to a2gov.org.

If you would like an application to apply for a seat on the Commission contact the Mayor’s Office 734-794-6161 or visit our Resource Page. If you desire more information about being a commissioner e-mail us at a2disabilityissues@gmail.com

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Blog Post

Furnace Test and Tune Program

by monkk

Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, you may qualify for a free tune-up of your furnace and free installation of energy saving measures. If your furnace is unsafe or un-repairable, you may qualify for a replacement furnace at a significantly reduced cost. You can find the eligibility requirements here. Following verification of eligibility, Habitat will have an approved HVAC contractor schedule a tune-up of your furnace. Pending appropriate analysis by the HVAC contractor, repairs exceeding the scope of a normal diagnostic tune-up may be eligible. Click here to enroll. If you have questions, please call 734-730-9441 or email furnace@h4h.org.

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Blog Post

Small Business Funding Workshop at Washtenaw Community College

by monkk

Join Kory Scheiber from the Small Business Development Center and Harriet Hughes from the University of Michigan Credit Union for Money Talks – Do You Speak Its Language? The Legends and Myths of Small Business Funding on Thursday, January 28 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the WCC Business Education Building, Room BE270. This presentation gives current or prospective entrepreneurs insight into different types of funding used by small businesses including loans, lines of credit, and crowdfunding. Also discussed will be the criteria used by loan officers to evaluate a loan request. A team of experts will demystify the lending process, discuss the importance of personal credit history, debunk the myths about grants, and share real life examples of successful funding applications across the different platforms. Register now!

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Blog Post

Money Smart Classes for Adults

by monkk

Through partnership with United Way, Washtenaw Literacy is offering free classes that include financial literacy curriculum professionally prepared by FDIC and presented by a staff member from United Way of Washtenaw County. Sessions will be 1-2:30 on Wednesdays, February 3 through April 6 at the Community Opportunity Center Computer Lab (1301 S. Harris in Ypsilanti). The curriculum will be presented 1-1:45, then, tutors will be available to help folks review materials, complete graphic organizers, and more. This is a great opportunity to improve your Money Smart knowledge! To register, or for more information, call 734-879-1320.

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Blog Post

Dawn Farm's Education Series Continues...

by Beth Manuel

The public is invited to Dawn Farm’s free Educational Series. All programs are presented in the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center auditorium, at 5305 Elliott Drive in Ypsilanti. The Education Series schedule can be found here. You can also contact Dawn Farm at 734-485-8725 or info@dawnfarm.org. All are welcome to attend! Registration is not required.

On Tuesday January 19, 2016 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Dr. Kevin T. McCauley, MD; co-founder of the Institute on Addiction Study; writer of the award-winning DVD Pleasure Unwoven will present a free program on “The Brain and Recovery: An Update on Neuroscience of Addiction .” The last twenty years produced an explosion of understanding not only about addiction but how our brains enable our most human capacities such as hedonic valuation and decision-making. This talk will summarize the most current neuroscientific research about addiction - research that explains how the brain constructs pleasurable experiences, what happens when this process goes wrong, and why this can have a dramatic impact in our ability to make proper choices. There will also be a free reception from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, with snacks, beverages, and an opportunity to meet and socialize.

On Tuesday January 26, 2016 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Professor Stephen Strobbe, PhD, RN; Clinical Associate Professor, University of Michigan School of Nursing, and the Department of Psychiatry will present a free program on Telling Our Stories: Narratives for Recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. Storytelling has always been an important part of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Dr. Strobbe examined 24 new personal stories in the 4th edition of the Big Book of A.A., and found that these accounts shared certain elements and structures. Dr. Strobbe will describe a model to help us better understand and appreciate these transformative narratives.

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Blog Post

Encuesta Buenos Vecinos Latino Health Survey

by iralax

The Encuesta Buenos Vecinos (EBV) Community Leadership Team is pleased to share the results of Washtenaw County's first, comprehensive Latino health survey. The report is available in English and Spanish. The EBV report is the result of an innovative, multiyear collaboration with the Latino community. Over 500 Latinos in Washtenaw County participated. The report describes the process, results and future goals. For more information about the EBV collaboration, please contact Adreanne Waller at wallera@ewashtenaw.org or 734-544-3057.

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Blog Post

PIT Count 2016

by Sunny29

Every January, Washtenaw County takes part in the Point-in-Time count, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Point-in-Time count, or PIT count, is the night when homeless service provider staff and volunteers will canvass the streets of Washtenaw County to count the number of persons who are unsheltered on one night in our community. Our community's 2016 unsheltered PIT count will occur between 4 a.m.- 8 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2016. If you are interested in volunteering as part of a street canvassing team, please complete this form.

*For social service providers: if you know of someone who is currently sleeping in an unsheltered situation (on the streets, in car, etc.), please contact Heather Nash, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance’s Communications & Administrative Assistant as soon as possible, at nashh@ewashtenaw.org or (734) 222-6544. Include the number of people, and details about their location.

If you or someone you know is in an unstable housing situation, please contact Housing Access of Washtenaw County at (734) 761-1999 to speak with a housing specialist.