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Eastpointe
Hero Story
Melvenna is a Community Champion Hero because of her unwavering dedication to uplifting her community, her tireless efforts to advocate for positive change, her exceptional leadership in fostering unity and empowerment, her selflessness in serving others, and her inspiring commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her through her non-profit, 501(c)(3) called WHEAT (WOMEN HEALING ETERNALLY AND TRANSFORMING). WHEAT is a community-based nonprofit organization that provides case management and support services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, as well as youth and families experiencing homelessness. WHEAT has been serving as a beacon of hope and assistance for individuals and families facing adversity in our community for almost 20 years. In addition to WHEAT, Melvenna is on the board of an organization called Sara’s House/Place. Sara’s House/Place is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works with homeless women and children in transition throughout Wayne County. Melvenna helps Sara’s House/Place families that are amid significant life-altering changes. The families she serve often come from backgrounds wrought with domestic violence, divorce, unemployment, low-income, and situations that require immediate assistance or intervention. As an organization, she helps people move from a time of stress and strife to one of empowerment. She works with people in their quest to live and thrive. Melvenna also does these same actions for another nonprofit organization called Champ Life, where she works both work as a mentor and minister to battered and abused children. She loves helping her community like this and being a Champion for them because for years she was abused, and she went through the very same transitions as the people she helps, and she also lived in a shelter for years with her son. If you just google her name you will see her story and how celebrated she is and her accomplishments. When Melvenna pleas for help were ignored she decided then that she always wanted to be a Community Champion and a Hero for Women and Children who experienced pain like she did, rape, abuse, and hurt just like she did. She loves to help people in the Community who are also homeless just like her and her son. Therefore, from her Eastpointe home Melvenna puts on “Back to School Rallies” as well as a beautiful 4th of July display that her neighborhood loves and gives her appreciation for every year. Melvenna along with Sara’s House/Place conduct a yearly Community Baby Shower for homeless/low-income women and pregnant teens. They give away car seats, strollers, diaper bags filled with diapers, wipes, bottles, lotion, baby powder and two outfits, are given to each mother. Each mother also receives a gift bag prepared especially for them. During this event, lunch is included for all participants. Next, she gives away Thanksgiving Baskets complete with a full meal for the holiday to low-income families. Additionally, she also sponsors low-income families during the Christmas Holiday and provide toys, clothes, shoes, books and other items. Furthermore, with Champ Life she along with the organization take battered and abused children away to a week-long camp where they are able to love on them, and mentor to the children who are just trying to navigate life. Melvenna has done a great deal of work in the community for almost 20 years, always working behind the scenes long before she started WHEAT. In the last year, WHEAT has provided case management support services to over 33 survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, helping them secure safe housing, access essential resources, and rebuild their lives. WHEAT has also been able to demonstrate community impact and lasting change through strategic partnerships with local shelters, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups, which has allowed WHEAT to be able to provide survivors with a continuum of care, ensuring seamless access to support services and resources. WHEAT’s work has contributed to breaking cycles of violence, empowering individuals and families, and creating a safer, more resilient community. WHEAT has a great commitment to producing lasting change and fostering positive transformation in the community. Melvenna and WHEAT are worthy of this award!
Eastpointe
Hero Story
Melvenna is a Community Champion Hero because of her unwavering dedication to uplifting her community, her tireless efforts to advocate for positive change, her exceptional leadership in fostering unity and empowerment, her selflessness in serving others, and her inspiring commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her through her non-profit, 501(c)(3) called WHEAT (WOMEN HEALING ETERNALLY AND TRANSFORMING). WHEAT is a community-based nonprofit organization that provides case management and support services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, as well as youth and families experiencing homelessness. WHEAT has been serving as a beacon of hope and assistance for individuals and families facing adversity in our community for almost 20 years. In addition to WHEAT, Melvenna is on the board of an organization called Sara’s House/Place. Sara’s House/Place is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works with homeless women and children in transition throughout Wayne County. Melvenna helps Sara’s House/Place families that are amid significant life-altering changes. The families she serve often come from backgrounds wrought with domestic violence, divorce, unemployment, low-income, and situations that require immediate assistance or intervention. As an organization, she helps people move from a time of stress and strife to one of empowerment. She works with people in their quest to live and thrive. Melvenna also does these same actions for another nonprofit organization called Champ Life, where she works both work as a mentor and minister to battered and abused children. She loves helping her community like this and being a Champion for them because for years she was abused, and she went through the very same transitions as the people she helps, and she also lived in a shelter for years with her son. If you just google her name you will see her story and how celebrated she is and her accomplishments. When Melvenna pleas for help were ignored she decided then that she always wanted to be a Community Champion and a Hero for Women and Children who experienced pain like she did, rape, abuse, and hurt just like she did. She loves to help people in the Community who are also homeless just like her and her son. Therefore, from her Eastpointe home Melvenna puts on “Back to School Rallies” as well as a beautiful 4th of July display that her neighborhood loves and gives her appreciation for every year. Melvenna along with Sara’s House/Place conduct a yearly Community Baby Shower for homeless/low-income women and pregnant teens. They give away car seats, strollers, diaper bags filled with diapers, wipes, bottles, lotion, baby powder and two outfits, are given to each mother. Each mother also receives a gift bag prepared especially for them. During this event, lunch is included for all participants. Next, she gives away Thanksgiving Baskets complete with a full meal for the holiday to low-income families. Additionally, she also sponsors low-income families during the Christmas Holiday and provide toys, clothes, shoes, books and other items. Furthermore, with Champ Life she along with the organization take battered and abused children away to a week-long camp where they are able to love on them, and mentor to the children who are just trying to navigate life. Melvenna has done a great deal of work in the community for almost 20 years, always working behind the scenes long before she started WHEAT. In the last year, WHEAT has provided case management support services to over 33 survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, helping them secure safe housing, access essential resources, and rebuild their lives. WHEAT has also been able to demonstrate community impact and lasting change through strategic partnerships with local shelters, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups, which has allowed WHEAT to be able to provide survivors with a continuum of care, ensuring seamless access to support services and resources. WHEAT’s work has contributed to breaking cycles of violence, empowering individuals and families, and creating a safer, more resilient community. WHEAT has a great commitment to producing lasting change and fostering positive transformation in the community. Melvenna and WHEAT are worthy of this award!