ASB 09

Hey Everyone,

I hope you guys have been doing great. I've been taking classes and working, playing rugby and staying busy on campus, at the wonderful, University of Michigan - Dearborn.

I was excited when I heard the ASB 09 applications were available, so spread the word, and apply!

Hopefully I'll see you again.

Live United,
Muhi

Help United Way win the Facebook Cause Challenge and $2500!

United Way for Southeastern Michigan is one of 48 United Way branches competing nationwide in a Facebook Cause Challenge. If we recruit the most members to our Facebook Cause by June 27th, our national sponsors will award us $2500 to use towards youth and campus programs.

If you are a Facebook member, please download the Cause Application and join 10,000 Strong for ASB Detroit 2009! Cause at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/94852?recruiter_id=7882801.

If you are not already a Facebook member, now is a good time to get on the band wagon! Join now at www.facebook.com.

Please make sure to invite all you Facebook friends and colleagues as well.

All Smiles

Hello All,

I'm proud of my ASB'ers that go to UofM-Dearborn, we have made a true community of service. Since ASB, we have spent countless Saturday mornings around Detroit, at old ASB sites, and taking part in beautification projects.

I'm proud of my ASB'ers country-wide, they have been making a positive difference with their experiences. Keep it up.

A little on myself since ASB ended - finished off my term as president, finished my semester, still playing rugby, got staples in my head from a nice hit...lol, and got them taken out today. I also got my wisdom teeth removed the other day.

So, I'm not sure whether the smiles are from reflecting on times at ASB, or coming from the heaps of Vicodin, but either way, I miss you all.

Go Detroit :)

Much Love,
Muhi

Alternative Winter Break

Alternative Spring Break alumni, Zehra Imam, has been inspired to take her volunteer work global. Watch this video and learn more.

ASB 09...(Are We There Yet?)

First off - I miss you all.

Second - things back in Antioch are good. I've been in touch with the United Way out here and they have been wonderful. I met with the senior team and discussed my experiences in Michigan and what I'd like to see happen. I heard (through facebook) that Zehra was wanting to do an Alternative Winter Break out in Michigan. WHICH I THINK IS AWESOME! I mentioned that to the United Way out here and we may do one here in Lake County this winter. So I've been working here and there with them and love it. I've been really busy doing a whole bunch of different service projects. I have Relay for Life, Day at the Races, and The Cradle Adoption Agency projects approaching fast!!

AND OF COURSE I've been booked with pageant prep. I'm competing for my towns title of Miss Antioch in the middle of June. I'm definitly nervous but excited to share my experience about ASB with everyone! I pretty much eat, sleep, and breathe pageants right now. (even more than I did before if that's possible...?) So far all of my pageant gals are excited to apply for next years ASB!

Congratulations to all you new grads!!

I hope everyone else kicked off to a fantabulous summer as well. :)

Lastly - I miss you all terribly.

4 months later...

It's been awhile since Detroit now and for a few months I forgot about the blog. This morning at a staff meeting we watched the tape of Brian Gallagher speaking about the new LIVE UNITED campaign. Many of our staff at first were hesitant about the new campaign and weren't really sure how to sum up what it means. A dynamic speaker, Gallagher does a great job of getting the point across and I encourage anyone who's interested to watch the video (which I think you can find on United Way of America's website...). Anyways, it made me think of all of you when he mentioned Alternative Spring Break Detroit and a picture of people I met there (Henda and Jason!) flashed behind him. So here I am once again. Lurking in that one corner of the country most of you haven't seen (although I am pleased to announce that Amanda will have a chance soon!).

I am so proud to see how many of you have moved forward. Thanks to Facebook I think we all know Amal is raising money to go to Kenya. Jessica and Tammy have both kept ties with the groups they worked with during ASB and I applaud them for that. Raechel spoke up and gave Detroit a voice against slander (and was heard!) Leticia made it down to LA for round two. I just saw Adam Harris on liveunited.org- he was the first face I clicked on. (Small world, huh?) I just want to say bravo to all of you continuing to strengthen your communities. Great job!

Me, I'm wrapping up my first Americorps year- only to sign up for a second! I'll be working with Louisiana CASA in Baton Rouge as a team leader. Hopefully while I'm down there I can do ASB in Louisiana, too! Hope everyone's summer is off to an awesome start.

Tammy is remembering ASB!!!

So, I'm sitting here in the last few weeks of my senior year at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. As we all know, the last stretch is always hectic and stressful. As graduation approaches I sit and I think to myself about all of the things that I need to get done in the next 20 days or so...

Study for my test on Monday, get ready for my presentation on Wednesday, finish my report for my internship by Tuesday, put my group paper together and e-mail it out for MKT 488, go to my friend's wedding, Study for finals, mail out graduation announcements, and get things ready for a graduation party. All while working 20 hours a week waiting tables, 20 hours a week at my internship, and 4 days a week in the classroom. Not to mention trying to maintain SOMEWHAT of a social life... AHHHHHHHHH!!!

But, then I stop! As all of these things cycle through my head, and I lose countless hours of sleep, I take time to reflect. I take myself to a place that is like no where else in this world. A place where the needy are helped, the diverse are the same, the weak are strong, the deprived are empowered, the weary finds hope, and the scared find courage. I take myself to a place where the able are willing, the shy are sociable, the arrogant are humble, the lost are found, the struggling are saved, and the lonesome can find a friend. I take myself to a place where homework doesn’t matter, deadlines don’t exist, grades are not relevant, and as long as you showed up you got an A+!!! I take myself to a place where I can find peace, I can find a friendly face, I can find people helping people, I can find no one passing judgments, I can find myself!!!

I take myself to a place where people Live United. I take myself to ASB!!!

For those of you who are living with stress and strains in your life just take time to reflect. Remember the good things in life, and the memories that we all share. Remember those that we have helped. Remember each other. Remember me. Remember ASB!!

No matter how thin I am stretched for time, I will never be too busy for you. I remember ASB everyday. ASB is not just that, a memory, it is embedded in me. It is a way of life for me now. I am continually trying to find ways to take what ASB has taught me, and imply it in my community and in my life. I have continued my involvement in Vista Maria by becoming a mentor, and it is something that I can never thank ASB enough for. It is my stress relief, and volunteering is now my escape!

I love you all!!!!

Your friend,

Tammy :-)