Club Meeting Featuring Dennis Howie, The Living & Learning Enrichment Center

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation by Peter Dale; Happy Bucks followed.

President Erin Dobbins reviewed the club’s current projects and upcoming events. Work on the Greenmead gardens is progressing, and several other community groups are getting involved. Garden work is every Tuesday from 9:00–11:00 AM. Livonia Connections magazine is considering doing an article on the work being done to create pollinator gardens—one of this year’s major goals for our Livonia AM Rotary Club.

Bob Carris obtained a gift card and passed around a thank‑you card to be sent to Joanna Hardesty, in recognition of her arranging the carnival for the past 11 years, the club’s biggest fundraiser.

Bob also reported on last‑minute plans for the Touch‑a‑Truck event on Saturday at Greenmead from 8:30–2:00 PM. Hard to believe it is already that time of year.

Tammy Bonifield is still interested in being involved in the Kids Coalition Against Hunger on October 24 and is hoping to bring the Stephenson HS Interact Club on board. Club members Susan Paluchniak and Victoria Haltom will help Tammy with correspondence to obtain sponsors.

Congratulations to member Marlene Katafias on her recent purchase of the former Book Connection business. She will be moving the store and its contents to a new location: Illumination Books Connection, 17126 Farmington Rd, Livonia 48150.

You can tell fall is coming as our Rotary Club revs up for some very important fundraisers, events, and social activities. In the works is our picnic at Rotary Park with the Livonia PM Club on Tuesday, August 25 from 4–8 PM (with a joint meeting at 6 to discuss future Rotary Park projects), our very first Open House on August 26 at 7:30 AM.

Enjoy an evening of food and fun at Bill Friske’s house on August 27 at 5:00 PM (BYO and a dish), our ongoing Rotary Schoolcraft social night on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5:00 PM in the Craft Grill, the District Governor’s Golf Outing at Lakes of Taylor on Sept. 11, and ending the week with Livonia’s Corn Roast at Bicentennial Park on Sept. 13 from 11:30–3:00. Whew… and that’s only the calendar through September 13. Check our website for more events posted on our club’s calendar.

Today’s speaker was Dennis Howie, Director of Development for the Living & Learning Enrichment Center located in Northville, MI at 801 Griswold St. (in the old Don Massey building). The Center was established 11 years ago by former school teacher Rachelle Vartanian. It’s a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of participants (18 and older) with cognitive disabilities, such as autism. The purpose is to help participants achieve their highest level of independence—teaching vocational skills, employment training and placement, behavior and mental health support, and caregiver support for their families.

The Center has successfully placed 250 members in meaningful employment and helped over 600 individuals. They have developed 135 job partners throughout the State of Michigan in 30 different cities. The Center relies on grants and fundraising to support its programs but also maintains a farm stand on the grounds, selling eggs, honey, and vegetables. They also have a few alpacas. Right now the Center has 20 prospective members on the waitlist in Livonia and is in need of job coaches and people to transport members to job sites.

Reminder: No Zoom meeting on August 26 or Sept. 2.

Victoria Haltom

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