Mi Work Matters

THE PURPOSE OF MI WORK MATTERS IS TO CREATE, SUSTAIN AND ADVOCATE FOR MEANINGFUL, COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MICHIGAN INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

MI WORK MATTERS IS AN ORGANIZATION MADE UP ENTIRELY OF PARENTS, FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS AND ADVOCATES OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. OUR WORK IS FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS AND GRANTS. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY FEDERAL OR STATE ENTITIES. ANASTASIA AND KATIES COFFEE SHOP & CAFE THE COFFEE SHOP IS A UNIQUE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE; COMBINING THE BEST OF A FRIENDLY, INDEPENDENT NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE SHOP WITH A MISSION OF PROVIDING JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AND LEFT OUT OF THE WORKFORCE. IN 2022 THE COFFEE SHOP EMPLOYED 13 PEOPLE, 8 OF WHOM HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. THE COFFEE SHOP ALSO HOSTED MULTIPLE COMMUNITY EVENTS THE GOOD & STRONG CAR SHOW AND THE LIVONIA COMMUNITY SUMMER SOCIALS. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE MI WORK MATTERS EMPLOYMENT AMBASSADORS SELF- ADVOCACY PROGRAM, AND THE GOOD & STRONG CLUB SOCIAL PROGRAM. THIS EMPLOYMENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM THIS INITIATIVE CENTERS AROUND A DIVERSE GROUP OF SELF-ADVOCATES WHO MODEL THE INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH I/DD IN THE WORKPLACE, SHARING THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE AS AN EMPLOYEE THROUGH FORMAL PRESENTATIONS TO BUSINESS LEADERS AND PEERS. THE PROJECT COMBINES SELF-ADVOCACY WITH EMPOWERING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS. THIS PROGRAM WAS MET WITH LARGE INTEREST FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HIRING, AND RESULTED IN OUR FIRST EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH A LARGE CORPORATION BASED IN NOVI, MICHIGAN. MI WORK MATTERS PROVIDED SUPPORT TO HELP THEM SUCCESSFULLY HIRE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY IN JUNE, 2021. THE GROUP HAS PRESENTED TO A NUMBER OF LOCAL BUSINESSES. LIVONIA COMMUNITY SOCIAL PROGRAMS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LIVONIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, ANASTASIA AND KATIES COFFEE SHOP HOSTED A SERIES OF SUMMER SOCIAL PROGRAMS IN 2022. THESE EVENTS CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION TO LIVONIA RESIDENTS. THE LIVONIA COMMUNITY SUMMER SOCIALS THESE EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS MUSIC, FOOD, OUTDOOR GAMES AND ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CARDIO DRUMMING, CORN HOLE, AND FACE PAINTING. INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTING WAYS TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES IS DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. SOME EXAMPLES OF THIS INFORMATION ARE: USING PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE, ENDING THE USE OF THE R- WORD, INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AND BENEFITS OF EMPLOYING PEOPLE WITH I/DD. GOOD & STRONG CLUB THIS IS A SOCIAL CLUB FOR TWEENS, TEENS AND ADULTS WITH I/DD TO HANG OUT AND SOCIALIZE IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL ENCOURAGE SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE COFFEE SHOP WILL BE OPEN FOR GOOD & STRONG CLUB PARTICIPANTS TO PURCHASE FOOD AND DRINKS. THERE ARE STRUCTURED, THEMED ACTIVITIES ONSITE, SUCH AS BOARD GAMES, KARAOKE AND CRAFT PROJECTS.