SWOT volunteers at The Parade Company

"Hats off Detroit"

On Saturday, November 17th students from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and members of the community volunteered with The Parade Company that sponsors the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22nd. Members from SWOT, C.H.I.E.F., Henry Ford Community College, Jumpstart, Volunteer Dearborn, and the community worked together to help pack a float with over 300,000 Mardi Gra beeds. With over 30 volunteers on this day, everyone worked together to produce an assembly line that would open the boxes, take out the beeds and load the beeds onto the float. With the fast production of these volunteers, the process was done within 3 hours and the volunteers had time to spare for lunch.

The theme for this year's 81st America's Thanksgiving Parade is "Hats off Detroit." It recognizes the rebirth of Detroit through the success of the downtown development and the amazing success of the professional sports teams in the city. This event was setup through SWOT and was nicely advertised by Volunteer Dearborn. Some volunteers brought their families and others were just excited about the opportunity.

Group photo at The Parade Company

So "Hats off" to all the volunteers that came out on Saturday to volunteer. It was a fun and exciting day to remember how the University and local community continues to make the "Metropolitan Impact" within the community of Southeastern Michigan. Happy Holidays to all!

-SWOT

SWOT Updates

-Message from Director

November has come and I would like to thank all the participants who have dedicated some of their past Saturday's to serving our community. We have put forth many hours in the local community in a means to "changing our world with every helping hand."

In this month of November, SWOT has an opportunity to volunteer with The Parade Company that puts on the Thanksgiving Day Parade every year for Metro-Detroit. This serves as a opportunity for students of The University of Michigan-Dearborn to see all the hard work that local volunteers do throughout the year, in maintaining and constructing these phenomenal floats that travel down Woodward Ave on Thanksgiving Day. As the Director of SWOT, I am very proud to be apart of this opportunity because I remember being a child wondering if one day I could be apart of the Thanksgiving Parade. Well here's the opportunity.

SWOT will be volunteering with the Parade Company on November 10th & 17th. The 17th however is National Family Volunteer Day and we encourage students to tell their families about this amazing opportunity. Please come out and join us in the spirit of the holidays to put a smile on someones face.

-SWOT Director

Make a Difference Day 2007

"A celebration of neighbors helping neighbors."

Thank you to everyone that participated in "Make a Difference Day 2007." This national day of service was founded by USA Weekend Magazine that brings neighbors together to volunteer in the surrounding community across the country. In 2005, more than 3 million volunteers participated in this national day of service to make this annual event the largest volunteer event in the United States.

On October 27, 2007 over one-hundred students from The University of Michigan-Dearborn were signed up to participated in Make a Difference Day with United Way for Southeastern Michigan. On this day there were two community agencies for the students to volunteer at: Greening of Detroit, and Vista Maria. Amongst those agencies were three projects: Beatification of Vista Maria, the Vista Maria Craft project and planting trees with Greening of Detroit.

Students at Greening of Detroit

This year students were really excited to go out and volunteer. With United Way joining in to help sponsor this national day of Service, there was a great sense of camaraderie amongst the different Fraternities and Sororities who came out to volunteer. Once again Students Working Onward Together was also present to continue the positive energy within the community. Again thank you for your time and service to make Southeastern Michigan a better place for everyone.

Tour of Detroit with United Way

Jeanette Pierce (Tour Guide for Inside Detroit)

Students Working Onward Together would like to thank United Way for Southeastern Michigan for the tour of United Way and the city of Downtown Detroit. On the tour were SWOT Executives and members of the Blueprints Leadership Program. Jeanette Pierce (tour guide) took the group to United Way's 2-1-1 Center and to Educational Preparedness, to expose the group to aspects of how United Way is impacting the community.

THE MISSION OF UNITED WAY

"The mission of United Way for Southeastern Michigan is to mobilize the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways."

Throughout the day the group was greeted by members of United Way and even the CEO Michael Brennan, who was holding the door for the group on the way to the tour. Some members of the tour had never been to Detroit, and after the tour were glad to know of the city's history. It was also fun to hear a joke from the CEO, for those who were shy to admit they had never been to the city.

So again SWOT would like to thank United Way and Jeanette Pierce for a day filled with memories and experiences.

"Changing our World with every helping hand."

Gandhi Day of Service 2007 Reflection

Leticia and Robert

To my S.W.O.T. Family,

My experience at the Gandhi National Day of Service was a lot of fun. The Greening of Detroit was awesome! To be able to get outside and make a difference to a community by simply planting trees was rewarding to me. The best part was just seeing the residents come outside with their cameras and tell us how excited they were, made it all worth while. One resident stated, “Our tree died so we had to have it cut down about ten years ago. I can’t wait to just watch it grow! Thank you for doing this for us.”

In addition to that I made some new friends that had the same passion for people and their community as I do. We were motivated by each others spirit and we definitely pushed each other to get the job done!!! Can’t wait till the next project.

Leticia Horry

Thank You for Participating!

Group photo at Greening of Detroit

Message from Director

I would like to thank everyone who participated in "Gandhi Day of Service". This year there were four places that students could volunteer at: Greening of Detroit, World Medical Relief, Gleaners Community Food Bank and Arts and Scraps. It was very gratifying to see the number of students coming on a Saturday to provide a service for the Metro-Detroit community.

This year students from Michigan Health Academy were out volunteering with University of Michigan-Dearborn students to help plant trees with Greening of Detroit. Many of the students were fulfilling their requirement of volunteer hours for High School but most of them left with an understanding of the importance of volunteerism and service to the community.

"Gandhi Day of Service 2007"

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." -Gandhi

I would like to thank all the members of SWOT who participated in this day, as we continue to spread the message of making the difference through our actions. I hope everyone had a great day because I truly did.

-SWOT Director

Volunteer Dearborn Service Plunge Reflection

Quentin Simmons

This weekend, I was a part of the United Way’s Day of Caring. We built a wheelchair ramp for an elderly woman in Detroit. During this experience, I felt good that I was able to help someone who was in need of this necessity. By being a part of this volunteer project, I was not only doing something positive, but I was making a difference. I enjoy doing community service in which I get to see the reactions of those who I am helping out. One of my goals in life is to make a difference in society, and I believe that in doing this volunteer project, I did so. I hope to continue to do projects like this to continue to do positive and difference-making things for the community.

~Quentin Simmons

Volunteer Dearborn Service Plunge Reflection

Quendale Simmons

I had a wonderful experience while participating in the United Way Day’s of Caring. We built a wheel chair ramp for an elderly lady in a wheel chair. By doing this as a part of the United Way, this woman and her family saved thousands of dollars. It brought joy to my heart to see the smile on her and her son’s face as we were building the ramp. They were so grateful. I am glad that I volunteered to be a part of this project. Any time someone volunteers it brings everyone down to the same playing field. Although, we may all come from different paths of life and different standards of living, for that project, we are all there for one reason—to help make a difference. Knowing that you made a positive difference in someone’s life is a difference that we should all try to make.

-Quendale Simmons

Establishment of SWOT

Message from the Director

I am happy to announce that Students Working Onward Together (SWOT) was officially established as a Student Organization on September 11, 2007 at 7:30pm. This comes as a great excitement to me and to other people who have planned really hard throughout the summer months, on how to engage more students in service projects throughout the community. With the strong partnership of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, SWOT moves forward knowing that we will make a difference to the area of Southeastern Michigan.

To all the members of SWOT currently, I would like to point out that this is only the recognition of Student Government establishing SWOT as an organization but however SWOT was established the day we decided to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. I would like take this time to thank you for your dedication and determination on being active participants in the community to make a difference.

And thank you to United Way for Southeastern Michigan!

-SWOT Director

Rainy Day for 59th Annual Kickoff

From left to right: Tammy, Nour, Adam, and Daniel

On Saturday, September 7th at 6:30am, four members from the SWOT Executive Board went to Detroit's Hart Plaza to attend United Way's 59th Annual Torch Kickoff. It was a rainy day for the executive members but however no rain could dim the light that would ignite the spirit of the community for the weekend of "Days of Caring". The executive members got a chance to speak with Michael Brennan, CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan after all the media interviews. Many other members of United Way attended the event and it was an encouraging and supportive way for the Metro-Detroit community to start off a new calendar school year.

SWOT would like to wish United Way best of luck in their effort to raise 59 Million Plus dollars this year, to support the area Southeastern Michigan.

Continue being engaged with SWOT because we supports the mission and strategic plan of United Way in their efforts to build a better Southeastern Michigan.

Personal Message: CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan

My father who is nearly 84 years old told me the other day --- "In order to have a good friend you need to be a good friend." He relayed that thought to me as I told him what an important person he is to many individuals.

I share that because the work that is going on at UMD captures that same spirit. That is, if you want a strong community, you have to be a strong contributor to community. If you want a positive campus life, you have to model the very essence of that. If you want to see others become involved in issues you care about, you must first become involved yourself.

I am struck that SWOT is about moving from being a spectator to a participant. Instead of always thinking that the "problem is out there", SWOT is about becoming an active participant for positive change. Not to go it alone, but to work with others in making tangible improvements. Not sitting in the stands and observing, but getting out on the field and making something happen.

I have never seen progress take place --- on anything --- without first an individual or group of individuals who begin to act on his/her convictions. There is power in that action which draws others in. SWOT is the expression of a conviction that volunteering matters.

It matters to community. To neighborhoods. To individuals. To the person giving of his/her time.

On behalf of everyone at United Way, I encourage you to make the work of SWOT count. Make it matter to you and those around you. I believe you are creating a model for others to follow. So be bold. Be optimistic. Be involved.

Thanks and God speed to you all.

Michael Brennan
President
United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Habitat for Humanity: Collegiate Build Day 2007

On Saturday, August 25 two of SWOT's Executive members participated in "Collegiate Build Day 2007" with Habitat for Humanity. An event coordinated by Volunteer Dearborn and Randy Dillard, it was a very fun day as The University of Michigan-Dearborn represented with over 20 volunteers. This was the last event for the summer that Volunteer Dearborn has listed and as the year approaches SWOT is ready to support Volunteer Dearborn and its events. Thank you Adam Harris and Regine Williams for your participation and to all the other volunteers. Check back for a personal blog from one of our Executive members during that day.

How did SWOT come about?

Watch: The Amazing Break (MTV)

Students Working Onward Together (SWOT) came about after my reflection on Alternative Spring Break (ASB) 2007. Taking a week off of school which was Spring Break for most colleges and universities around the country, I embarked upon an amazing experience. ASB 2007 was a program put on by United Way and thinkMTV for college students around the country to help rebuild from Hurricane Rita. Joining more than 150 students from around the country, I didn't realize how much of an impact this experience would change me while changing the area of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

After experiencing a week of hard work with students who carried the same passion to help the area of Lake Charles, Louisiana, I began to reflect on the Metro-Detroit area that needed just as much help. On my flight back home, I spoke with some of the ASB participants who traveled on this experience with me. We understood that something must be done. Whether it was spreading the word about our experience, initiating change by ourselves or engaging other students in our journey to make change.

So this is how SWOT came about. I wanted to start an organization geared toward volunteering because at times we can forget how much our two hands can help in making change. There are many positives in volunteering such as uplifting social change, people working together and positive change to the community. My experience at Lake Charles, Louisiana helped foster my perspective to realize that I am the difference maker as well as you. So I ask that you join me in this journey of college student caring about their community and making a difference to Southeastern Michigan.

Read About the Experience: UWSEM Blogs

-SWOT Director