Blog Feed

Nov23

OLHSA Head Start receives book donations for students’ personal libraries

In October, OLHSA Head Start held its first ever Run to Read fundraising campaign. The goal of the event was to promote exercise at Friendship Park in Lake Orion, but more so to encourage monetary and book donations for our 1,700 Head Start students in Oakland County.  While the event was a success thanks to Orion Township’s donation of their park, the Orion Township Fire Department and other thoughtful sponsors, OLHSA is still seeking book donations.


With close to 1,500...

Nov23

OLHSA recognized at DTE Energy’s Excellence in Energy Efficiency Celebration

On November 5, OLHSA was recognized by DTE Energy for helping to run successful programs:  the Refrigerator Replacement Program and the Test and Tune Program, provided as part of DTE Energy’s Residential Energy Efficiency Assistance. Through these programs OLHSA and DTE Energy are helping low-income families reduce energy costs in their homes. 


So far in 2015, OLHSA has processed thousands of refrigerator replacement applications and 1,122 people received new, ENERGY...

Oct22

Guest post: Have a safe, fun Halloween in Pontiac

By William Jackson, Superintendent and CAO, Pontiac Academy for Excellence

Halloween is right around the corner. As you’re helping your kids decide what they want to be, and thinking about how you’ll celebrate, consider taking a few simple actions that will ensure a wonderful holiday. We encourage everyone to make the choices that will lead to a festive, safe environment for some old-fashioned Halloween fun in Pontiac. 

Have the happiest of Halloweens with...

Oct07

OLHSA’s summer food program serves more than thirty thousand meals in 2015

This summer OLHSA teamed up with United Way of Southeastern Michigan to promote healthy living among children and individuals with disabilities in Pontiac through the Meet Up and Eat Up program.

With the primary focus on making fresh, nutritious food choices easily accessible, OLHSA provided meals at a total of 37 locations. Breakfasts and lunches were available at seven sites that included that included...

Aug24

Getting Ahead program gives those in poverty the tools they need to be successful

Deana Smith saw a vast amount of opportunities in front of her after completing the “Getting Ahead in a Just- Getting-by-World” class based upon the book with the same title.  She was visiting OLHSA to receive assistance with her propane bill when she learned about the class. After attending the class she had hope for her future. By being involved in the course she was also informed of job openings and is currently employed part-time here at OLHSA.

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Aug24

Summer Youth Employment Program continues to grow in its fourth year

For the fourth year in a row, OLHSA was award funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to administer the Summer Youth Employment Program.  This year 80 Pontiac young adults were given the opportunity to build their resumes while gaining valuable employment-related experience. Participants are provided with the experiences needed to develop the attitude, skills and commitment necessary to succeed in today’s workforce.

During...

Aug24

Head Start and Pontiac Academy for Excellence hold community, health and enrollment events

Head Start and Pontiac Academy for Excellence held two community events this summer. Summerfest was held in July and a Back to School Rally in August. Both events had an excellent turnout and we were excited to partner with PAE to support the families in our community. During Summerfest, families enjoyed free food, bounce houses, musical entertainment, a rock wall and more. The Back to School Rally provided free health screenings, food donated by Gleaners, a bounce house...

Aug24

OLHSA and the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic host family walk

On June 6th, the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC) and OLHSA hosted a family walk to promote healthy living within the community. Special guests Glenda and Diana Lewis from WXYZ were in attendance to rally the crowd. Over $3,000 was raised and 100 percent of the proceeds went back into the nonprofit funds for GBCHC and OLHSA. It was a wonderful community event that both organizations hope to grow and build on each year.

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Aug24

Past Walk for Warmth t-shirts donated to children in Africa

Every February, OLHSA’s Walk for Warmth helps thousands of members in the community by keeping their homes warm during the frigid winter months. Residents of Livingston and Oakland Counties benefit from the Walk for Warmth as funds are donated to the Emergency Utility Assistance Program. This year, over 100 t-shirts leftover from past Walk for Warmth events were donated to students in Gambia, West Africa at the Bijilo Lower Basic School.  This opportunity came about...

Aug24

Pontiac Head Start receives grant to promote health and wellness

This past June, OLHSA received a $20,000 Champions for Healthy Kids grant from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Foundation in collaboration with General Mills. The funds will be used to improve health and wellness initiatives for children in OLHSA’s Pontiac Head Start program. Only 50 nonprofit organizations in the United States were chosen for the grant, including OLHSA, which was selected due to its healthy eating and physical activity initiatives that have...

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