March 15, 2022
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
I’m still feeling energized after delivering my State of the County speech last night to an audience at the Berman Center for Performing Arts in West Bloomfield.
It was not only a presentation of the great things we’ve done in the last year and plan to do in the coming months, but a statement of our foundational values at Oakland County and how we are achieving our goals by living those values.
Community: Remembering the power of community – as safe and supportive places – that allow us to build a life and prosper.
Respect: Demonstrating through our actions, respect for ourselves, for those who have come before us and for those with whom we may disagree.
Inclusion: Taking steps to ensure that all people are not just included but feel like they belong.
Gratitude: A value that many don’t take the time to practice. But when a mind is focused and a heart holds on to gratitude, there is little to no room for negativity.
Let me give you a few examples of how we’re living our values.
Through our Oakland80 initiatives, we are building community by assisting hundreds of residents and with education, training and resources that are helping them succeed and thrive.
Our Business Forward team also is building community and working to include small businesses, especially ones owned by women, veterans and minorities, on the path to success.
Through our Health and Veterans’ services departments, we are respecting our veterans, our elders and the most vulnerable among us with resources that are connecting them with benefits, health care and improved and expanded access to mental health care, regardless of their ability to pay.
We have also made an unprecedented investment in improving and expanding access to mental health care services and are leading an effort to create an Integrated Urgent Care Clinic in Pontiac to offer emergency mental health care services to people in crisis.
Through our Equity Council and DEI office, we’re making sure that all our employees feel valued, supported and included. Our public and vocal support for expansion of protections for the LGBTQ community against discrimination and the #ShineALight campaign against the rise in antisemitism also shows our commitment to inclusion.
And a new program I announced last night – Acorn2Oak, which will provide mini-grants to Oakland County residents between the ages of 8 and 18 to pursue their passions, their talents and their futures – acknowledges the gratitude I feel for our young people who are already doing remarkable work in their communities. This program shows our young people that we are confident and optimistic about their future.
Even our choice of holding the speech at the Berman Center, which is housed in the Jewish Community Center, is a testament to our values. It allows us to reiterate our condemnation of antisemitism and all forms of hate speech while lifting up the example set by Mandell and Madeleine Berman. They were not only instrumental in getting the lovely facility built, but they used their time, resources and passion to enrich the lives of the people of Oakland County, the region and the state.
We can all benefit from their model of selfless generosity.
If you didn’t catch my State of the County speech live, you can watch it at: oakgov.com/SOTC.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter Oakland County Executive
Oakland Thrive Celebrates Launch with County Executive Coulter and Business and Community Leaders
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter joined business and community leaders to announce the formation of Oakland Thrive, a nonprofit organization that will help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Oakland County with a special focus on businesses owned by women, minorities, and veterans. Watch the press conference here.
Oakland County Upgrades Senior Centers and Activities with $5 Million American Recovery Plan Act Investment
Twenty-nine senior centers across Oakland County will share $5 million in grants from the county's American Recovery Plan Act (ARP) funds to provide improved services and facilities to older residents. County Executive Dave Coulter announced the grants, which range from $25,000 - $250,000, from the site of the Madison Heights City Hall renovation which includes a new senior center under construction.
|