by Ingrid Nova | May 22, 2017 | Uncategorized
Laura E. Swanson, the Director/Producer of Break the Chain, a documentary about Human Trafficking, gave a stirring presentation at the East Lansing Rotary Club on Monday, May 22. 
About the Film
Produced and Directed by Michigan documentary filmmakers, Laura E. Swanson and Kirk Mason, ‘Break the Chain’ is an award-winning feature-length documentary film that addresses the often “hidden-in-plain-sight” issue of Human Trafficking within Michigan communities and the United States. The film chronicles two survivors of Human Trafficking – providing a detailed look at how trafficking goes unnoticed within our backyards. Kwami, a child survivor of Labor Trafficking, was enslaved for nearly five years with three other children in Ypsilanti, Michigan before anyone noticed. Debbie, a survivor of Sex Trafficking, takes us through her experience of being sold for sex around the Detroit-Area between the ages of 13 and 18.
Accompanying the stories of these survivors are nearly 20 interviews with researchers, Senators, non-profit organizations, legal service agencies, law enforcement officers and several artists actively working to raise awareness for this global issue. The film teaches us that what we see in the media about human trafficking is one small sensationalized form – that it occurs anywhere and everywhere within our world. More importantly, viewers will learn how we are all connected to this extremely profitable business and that we have the power to choose what we support, and ultimately, how we break the chain.
HOW THE FILM IS USED
Break the Chain was developed to provide an accurate and educational entertainment resource that can be utilized in trainings and community awareness events throughout the United States.
Currently, we are partnering with police, public schools, universities, state courts, child-services, shelters and nonprofit organizations for Public Screenings and Private Trainings on the issue of Human Trafficking. http://breakthechainfilm.com/
by Ingrid Nova | May 5, 2017 | Uncategorized
Get ready to CATCH and EAT your Pancakes at the Park on Saturday, June 4 from 9:30- 12:30 at Patriarche Park in East Lansing (1100 Alton Street, across from St. Thomas Aquinas Church). The annual community service fundraiser, a signature event for the East Lansing Rotary Club, will include (flying!) pancakes, sausage, grilled apples, coffee and juice. Tickets are $8.00 each and kids 5 and under are FREE!!
This year will feature Chris Cakes– high flying fun for all!! See them in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-PyazEoqds
The Rotary of Club of East Lansing puts on the Pancakes in the Park event each year to raise funds to benefit community projects. For 2017, Haven House (http://www.havenhouseel.org/) and Helping Hands Respite Care (http://www.helpinghandsrespite.care/) will be the featured beneficiaries.
A big THANK YOU to our wonderful sponsors of Pancakes in the Park for 2017!!
Gamberini Women & Children Health Initiative
Lansing Board of Water & Light
The Willows at East Lansing & Okemos
The 2015 Pancakes in the Park benefited the following organizations:
The Weekend Survivor Kit Program coordinated by Many Hands Foundation
The Okemos Band Boosters for new uniforms
Helping Hands Respite Care to support a Music Therapy program
Donley Elementary School received funds for books for their library
Parkwood YMCA for Summer Camp Scholarships
East Lansing High School for their after Prom Party
Funds for the East Lansing Library for the Literacy Program
Support for the new East Lansing Pickle Ball Court at Patriarch Park
Support for Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center
A contribution to East Lansing Parks and Recreation for the Art and Ceramic Studio at the Hannah Community Center for all.
by Ingrid Nova | Apr 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
Brianne Feldpausch and Alissa Moody presented to the East Lansing Rotary Club on April 17, discussing the implementation plans of Michigan State University’s Rotaract “Street Medicine” program. Spartan Street Medicine would provide care for members of our community who are not in a stable housing condition (shelters etc). The presentation was very informative and inspiring!
“Spartan Street Medicine: Going to the People”
Spartan Street Medicine Co-Founder Brianne Feldpausch
Brianne Feldpausch
After graduation from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Biology, Brianne Feldpausch deferred her acceptance to medical school to serve on the streets of Pittsburgh as a case manager with the father of street medicine, Dr. Jim Withers, and his Operation Safety Net street medicine team. Upon returning to Lansing to begin medical school, Brianne felt called to bring these experiences home by spearheading the Spartan Street Medicine program.
Definition of street medicine (from the Santa Barbara street medicine website): Street Medicine is the term used to define a collaboration of professionals who deliver health care and related services directly to people living and sleeping on the streets and in austere environments.
Alissa Moody
Alissa Moody, of Spartan Street Medicine
Alissa Moody graduated from York University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology and Psychology. Prior to commencing her medical education at Michigan State University, she worked as a clinical research assistant and residency program assistant at the University of Toronto. Alissa is passionate about serving the community, particularly those who are vulnerable and underserved. She spent two years as a pediatric hospice volunteer and has travelled to rural Nepal, Kenya and Zimbabwe to directly provide her assistance to underserved communities. Alissa feels honored to be part of Spartan Street Medicine and to serve the homeless individuals of Lansing.
Spartan Street Medicine Mission Statement
Spartan Street Medicine is dedicated to bridging the gap in health care for the homeless and disenfranchised people of Lansing, Michigan. We will battle the epidemic of indifference by going to the streets and shelters to meet the people on their terms. Through regular and direct outreach, we plan to foster a relationship built on dignity and respect, so that we may break down the psychosocial barriers preventing access to quality care. In doing so, we hope to instill the qualities of trust, empathy, and humility in the next generation of healthcare providers and the people they serve.
by Ingrid Nova | Mar 20, 2017 | Uncategorized
The deadline for voting online in this year’s Big Bang-Quet Community Charity Challenge is almost here.
Please cast your votes online by Tuesday, March 21 @ 5:00 pm at www.universityclubofmsu.org/theclubwithaheart
Once you are at the University Club’s website, please click on the Big Bang-Quet Community Charity Challenge link, then scroll to:
The East Lansing Rotary Foundation supports The “Weekend Survival Kits” program
Select the number of votes ($5 each) you wish to cast and follow the instructions from there. A receipt acknowledging your contribution will be emailed to you.
Every $5 you contribute helps the Weekend Survival Kits program fill a “kit” with enough food for 7 meals and 2 snacks to feed a hungry child.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
by Ingrid Nova | May 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Project Overview
The Rotary Club of East Lansing, in conjunction with the City of East Lansing, is in the process of finalizing the design for the new playground at East Lansing’s Patriarche Park. Input from the community meetings held earlier this spring is being incorporated into an updated design that will: 1) make the playground more accessible to everyone, including children with physical disabilities; 2) utilize equipment that helps build physical fitness, 3) comply with the latest safety standards and 4) be built with eco-friendly materials.
Pancakes-in-the-Park
Sunday, June 10 is the date for this year’s annual Pancakes-in-the-Park breakfast (pancakes, sausage, apples, O.J. and coffee) which will be served from 7 am to 12:30 pm at the pavilion in East Lansing’s Patriarche Park, nearby the playground. Funds generated by the pancake breakfast are used to support the Rotary Club’s community service projects. MSU Women’s Basketball Coach Suzy Merchant and honorary chair for the playground project will be flipping pancakes at this year’s event as the Rotary Club’s “Guest Chef.” Playground sponsors – Meijer, MSUFCU, and Summit Community Bank – have also been invited to participate in this year’s event.
Playground Support Growing
$10,000 from the MSUFCU and $2,100 from the Community Relations Coalition (Taste of East Lansing) are the latest donations in support of the new playground at Patriarche Park. Meijer and Summit Community Bank have also committed to being sponsors for the playground project and grant requests are currently pending with both the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund ($300,000) and the Capital Region Community Foundation ($20,000). East Lansing Rotary Club members have donated or helped secure over $50,000 – including a $10,000 pledge from East Lansing Lodge 480 of the Freemasons – to support the playground project.
In addition, talks are underway with television celebrity and Traverse City native Carter Oosterhouse about supporting the playground project. He’s the host of HDTV’s Carter Can home improvement show and founder of Carter’s Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America’s youth.
by Ingrid Nova | Sep 30, 2011 | Speakers for the Month, Uncategorized
We have some exciting programs scheduled for our Monday meetings in October. Check them out:
October 3 – Tom Anastos, head coach, MSU Hockey.
October 10 – Dean Sienko, Medical Director, Ingham County Health Department. He will be speaking on “The Ingham County Health Plan.”
October 17 – Suzy Merchant, head coach, MSU Women’s Basketball.
October 24 – Jim Proebstle, President of Prodyne Consulting. He specializes in management and strategic planning. Jim is a member of the Barrington, Illinois Rotary Club and is an author of two books. He also played football for MSU and was on the 1966 National Championship team. He will be talking about his Rotary experiences and his latest book Fatal Incident.
October 31 – Coach Dane Fife, the top assistant for MSU Men’s Basketball.
