Shelter Association : All posts

Report: Washtenaw County's chronically homeless population doubled in last two years

The number of chronically homeless individuals in Washtenaw County has doubled over the past two years, according to the latest report from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance.

More after the jump…

Seeking out Washtenaw County's homeless for census leads workers to bridges, woods, parking lots

“Hello? Is anybody here?” called out Sara Silvennoinen, who works with the Project Outreach Team of Washtenaw County’s Community Support and Treatment Services. More after the jump…

Ann Arbor's homeless seek refuge from winter weather at Delonis Center overnight warming shelter

• Related article: Washtenaw County taking census of homeless as part of nationwide count

Single-digit temperatures have led dozens of homeless people in Ann Arbor to seek refuge at the Delonis Center's overnight warming center, but no one is being turned away.

"We have not had to turn anyone away so far this winter due to capacity," said Ellen Schulmeister, executive director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, which runs the Delonis Center homeless shelter at 312 W. Huron St. near downtown Ann Arbor.

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Washtenaw County taking census of homeless as part of nationwide count

• Related story: Ann Arbor's homeless seek refuge from winter weather at Delonis Center overnight warming shelter

Washtenaw County is joining more than 3,000 communities across the United States this month in participating in a national effort to measure the scale of homelessness.

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You can't text to end brain freeze, but you can text to end homelessness in Washtenaw County

Got a cell phone? Know how to text?

If you answered yes to both questions, you can easily make a $10 donation to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County now.

In conjunction with this week's Ann Arbor Art Fair, the association is kicking off its first text-to-donate campaign to end homelessness in the area.

More after the jump…

Occupy Ann Arbor leaders on a mission to open new 24-hour warming center before winter hits

From meager beginnings as a group of tent-dwelling protestors in Liberty Plaza, the Occupy Ann Arbor movement has evolved and its leaders are now on a mission.

Their goal: to open a new 24-hour warming center for the homeless by December. They're out collecting petition signatures, holding fundraisers and lobbying the city for support.

More after the jump…

Delonis Center warming center will stay open this winter amid overall funding cuts

The Delonis Center's overnight warming center will be able to stay open this winter after the Ann Arbor City Council agreed Monday night to chip in $25,000 in funding.

Up until now, it had been uncertain whether the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, which operates the homeless shelter, was going to be able to keep the program going.

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Lack of funds threatens overnight warming center for homeless in Ann Arbor

Dozens of homeless people in the Ann Arbor area could be left to fend for themselves during bitter cold nights this winter if the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County cannot find private donations to run its overnight warming center.

“We’ve experienced a number of cuts,” said Don Austin, chief operating officer. “We don’t have the money in our budget to be able to run it.”

More after the jump…

Ann Arbor DDA agrees to provide $218,050 for improvements to Delonis Center

The Delonis Center homeless shelter in downtown Ann Arbor will see $218,050 in upgrades soon, thanks to a grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

The DDA's governing board voted 10-0 today to approve the grant, giving a boost to the nonprofit Shelter Association of Washtenaw County's plans to make energy efficiency upgrades and improve service delivery to the local homeless population.

More after the jump…

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with video: 'Blank Generation' benefit screening to revisit early history of punk rock

A rare screening of the landmark film “Blank Generation,” which documents the rise of punk rock in New York in the 1970s, will be held at the Michigan Theater Thursday as a benefit for the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.

Filmmaker Ivan Kral, a Czechoslovakia native who lives in the Ann Arbor area, will be on hand to introduce to movie and answer questions. The film includes rare footage of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Television and others performing at legendary nightclub CBGB.

More after the jump…

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"Blank Generation" screening at Michigan Theater will raise money for The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County

The Michigan Theater is teaming up with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County to present a very special event for rock music fans on Thursday, July 29: a screening of "Blank Generation," a film documenting the rise of punk rock in New York in the late 1970s, at 7 p.m.

The film includes ultra-rare footage of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Television and others performing at legendary nightclub CBGB.

More after the jump…

Shelter Association of Washtenaw County offers Second Chance poster for donations

This holiday season, you can celebrate the spirit of giving and get a piece of Ann Arbor history in return. Inspired by the 35th anniversary of the opening of legendary Ann Arbor venue Second Chance (a space now occupied by the Necto club), the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County is giving away a limited-edition poster that recalls the club's rich musical legacy.

Donors who contribute $50 or more — most of which is tax deductible — receive a hand-numbered, 22" x 30" print emblazoned with the names of the artists who performed at Second Chance during its 17-year run. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator Howard Kramer said of the club, "When you look really closely, it becomes obvious that a place like Second Chance will never happen again" — and having hosted concerts ranging from legends like Chuck Berry, to local favorites like Ron Asheton, to edgy acts like the Feelies, it's almost impossible to think of a similar venue in Ann Arbor, or anyplace else, for that matter. And like the club itself, once the allotted 1,182 posters are gone, they're gone for good. More after the jump…