Club Meeting Featuring Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop and Cafe

The Meeting was opened by President Dave with the Invocation by Victoria Haltom. Birthday wishes were sung, and visitors were introduced to the group. It was a lively, noisy, and enthusiasticopening, soo much so that the newsletter notetaker missed hearing specific names of people to add to the newsletter. We are happy that so many were in attendance and so joyful to be there.

Dave and Bill Friske gave a recap of our club’s presentation at the 6400 District Assembly at St. Clair College in Windsor this past weekend. Dave Stechholz, Nancy Darga, Erin Dobbins, and Bill Friske presented a session titled "Collaborative Club Projects". Tammy Bonifield presented a session for "Club Treasurers". Our newest member, Tom Martin, was there to support us.

Steve Alexander reminded us that Cherry Blossom trees will be planted along the right side of the entrance to Rotary Park on Saturday, and help is needed.

Dave Stechholz mentioned a 17-day International mission trip that is a possibility and will be explored in the near future.

Nancy reported on the Rebuild Rotary Park activities. She shared that Bill Joyner made a 10 foot banner that will be used for publicity and media spots. Flyers are being distributed in a variety of ways and places. Donations are beginning to come in.

Great news and relief: Pat Zucal shared that our Rotary Carnival is alive and well for another year, beginning May 19th at the Sears parking lot location, and will run for 19 days.

Susan Paluchniak is again involved with the Passport To Safety event on June 7th from 10:00 - 2:00 PM, at the Livonia Police Department & Fire Department Headquarters, and is looking for volunteers to measure kids’ heads for a free bike helmet.

Please keep checking the Newsletter for other important activities and events that are on our club’s calendar.

Today’s speakers began their presentation by providing us with delectable muffins and coffee from their establishment: Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop and Cafe located at 19215 Merriman Rd, Livonia, MI 48152, (248) 957-8019. Co-founder, Kelly Rockwell, defined their cafe as a non-profit activity that is part of Mi Work Matters. Its mission is to provide education, outreach, advocacy, and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The cafe is a community-centric social enterprise that provides training and employment for people with disabilities. They are proud that they just celebrated 5 years in business and in 2021 received Livonia’s Community Enhancement Award.

Besides being a full-service cafe with sandwiches, the cafe also caters events.

Ian, one of the cafe’s employees (age 31) gave a brief description on how his job at the cafe has changed his life. Having been diagnosed with Hydrocephalus in utero, Ian is grateful that he has had a place to work, learn new skills, and be an important part of a caring team.

Other employees are adults with various disabilities such as Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism.

At the end of the presentation, Livonia AM Rotary Club presented MiWork Matters with a grant check for $1,500.

Meeting ended on time followed by a Board Meeting.

(Please excuse this writer’s inability to capture the names of all the people who were present today—Just come back—it was wonderful to see and hear all of you talking, sharing, laughing and enjoying each other!)

Victoria Haltom