Our Commitment to Making A Difference In Washtenaw County
Donate to Ozone House’s Front Door Campaign via our secure donation link!
Piper Partners Core Values and KW Cares
The Piper Partners Real Estate team has a strong commitment to our core values, one of those being; “when we help others we help ourselves. Goodwill is contagious!” Giving with a grateful heart brings a feeling of gratitude and joy-filled contentment for having helped others that are in the midst of difficult, painful struggles. We do this without any expectation of reciprocation. While “give to get” and the law of abundance are fundamental truths, our desire to give also springs from the example set by Keller Williams Realty International and through the organization KW Cares.
KW vice-chairman Mo Anderson has always led with the mantra of helping people experience the higher purpose of business: caring, sharing, and giving. Keller Williams Realty created KW Cares in 2003 and this organization has given thousands of dollars to families of KW real estate agents in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area in times of need. KW cares also has raised millions of dollars for communities, families, and individuals in need across the country.
Choosing Ozone House: A Long Term Commitment
Youth Homelessness in Washtenaw County
In choosing how Piper Partners would contribute to this spirit of giving, we decided to consolidate our efforts toward one organization in order to make the biggest impact in our community. While there are many great organizations that we could have chosen, we chose Ozone House as our sole focus of financial support after reflecting on what it is that we know best: homes!
We know the value of a home. We understand that “home” means more than just a roof over someone’s head and protection from the elements. A home is a place of safety, security, and love. It is a place where we learn, grow, and make plans for our future.
Yet, there are many among us that do not have homes, and most shockingly there are nearly 1,300 youth everyday in Washtenaw County alone that do not have a home. These numbers contribute to the nearly 2.5 million homeless youth in America. These young people are often fleeing mistreatment and abuse, are kicked out for becoming pregnant or being LGBTQ, or have aged out of the foster care system with nowhere to go and no support system to speak of. They are threatened by many dangers including physical and sexual abuse at rates of nearly 71%, early parenthood, PTSD, substance abuse, and a high vulnerability of becoming a victim of human trafficking.
What Is Ozone House?
That is where Ozone House comes in! They are an organization founded in 1969 in Ann Arbor in part as a response to the growing number of runaway youth migrating to “hip” towns following the Summer of Love of 1967. During this time, Ann Arbor was among the top 20 cities in the U.S. with a high influx of runaways.
The organization takes its name from the Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen song, “Lost in the Ozone” owing to its roots as a drug-counseling program. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to “meet the needs of runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families.”
What Do They Do?
They address their objectives through a variety of services and venues, including a 24-hour youth crisis hotline, emergency youth shelter, transitional living programs, a drop-in center, and street outreach. They are a state-licensed Child Caring Institution and a Substance Abuse Prevention provider.
Ozone House offers support throughout the state of Michigan, but they are focused more directly in the greater Washtenaw County area. They have provided nearly 21,000 hours of life skills and job training, over 4,000 hours of professional counseling, provided refuge to over 800 youth, and are creating success stories everyday through their culture of care and safety for every child that comes through their doors. They have a 97% success rate of students leaving their center and heading into safe and stable homes, whether that is out on there own or back with their families.
Looking Toward The Future: A “FOREVER Home” For Ozone House:
The Front Door Campaign
Most recently Ozone House has started a new endeavor, creating a “FOREVER Home” that will consolidate and expand their facilities. Through their Front Door Campaign they are raising money to build a new campus with a 19,000 square foot facility that will include 12+ safe and private bedrooms, 7 private bathrooms, 17 private counseling rooms, 8 group training rooms and much more! The facility will also be ADA compliant and will have access to public transportation so the youth can make it to school and work each day.
How You Can Help!
This year Piper partners is taking part in a matching campaign alongside Ozone House. We will match every donation up to $1,250 with a goal of raising $2,500 by July 30th! Every cent counts and will contribute to helping better the lives of struggling youth in Washtenaw County.
If you feel that you have something to contribute please donate here via our secure donation link!
You can also reach out to Ozone House directly through their website: www.ozonehouse.org
We would love to hear from you if you have questions or ideas for raising money or building awareness for Ozone house. Give us a call at (734) 845-9700 or fill out the form below.
