You are probably familiar with the facility commonly known as the W. You are also probably aware of Community Hand-UP’s efforts to reopen and improve long-term sustainability of the facility for community benefit. In less than a year Community Hand-UP has developed a Michigan non-profit, established 501c3, begun fundraising and community awareness activities, obtained GLCYD-SOSY award, obtained bids for energy efficiency renovations, submitted for Senate & House Appropriations, and is developing Community Partnerships and other grant opportunities.

The navigation menus on the site now include a Volunteer link. A list of volunteer opportunities can be found by clicking the Volunteer menu item. Volunteers are integral in our effort to reopen the "W".

Looking for updates on the status of the effort to reopen the "W"? Watch for our quarterly newsletters. Read the August 2010 Newsletter now to stay informed!

Donate your returnable cans and bottles to help us raise $$ to re-open the 'W'! For more information click here

I've had several requests from people who want to ask their physician to help since The W is essential in helping them to maintain their health. Click here to get a printable Letter To Your Physician you can give to your physician. Fill in their name and hand to them at your next visit.

For the SENATE (Levin & Stabenow), our project has been assigned to the Rural Housing Service (RHS) Committee. It is called South County Community & Fitness Center Renovation Project. Even more than I've asked people before it is important to contact your Senator and Congressman. The more voices they hear from constituents requesting their support for this project the more likely they are to support it.

For the CONGRESS (Stupak) Our project has been assigned to the Agriculture Committee and is referred to as the Community Hand-UP Community Center.

We received notice that we will be one of the SOSY Grant funding recipients!!

The SOSY (Superior Organizations Superior Youth) grant is provided through a grant to Great Lakes Center for Youth Development for the purpose of UP Non-Profit Capacity Building.

We have submitted for Senate & House Appropriations For Energy Efficiency Renovations For the Facility known as The W. It is titled "South County Fitness & Community Center, Marquette County".

Please Let Our U.P. Representatives Know that this is an Important Project & You Would Like It Funded.

Click here to see what's happening with the 'W'. To get a "What's Happening" printable flyer, click here.

Please take our 'Let's Re-Open The W' Survey. This survey is completely confidential and is in no way connected to your name or personal information. You can only complete the survey once from an individual computer, so please consider answering for your whole family, including what all family members participated in. Thanks for your help!

GREAT NEWS!!
We have received approval of our 501(c)(3) tax exempt status! 501(c)(3) means contributions to Community Hand-UP are tax exempt and deductable on annual taxes. This will also allow us to move forward with requests to foundations and grant opportunities.

Find us on Facebook .... Search "W @ KI"