Sometimes, we struggle to find ways to give back to our community — for example, we might not have extra money to contribute or time to volunteer. But what if you could give back by doing your shopping as usual, with no extra cost to you? Chances are, you've ordered from Amazon at some point in your life. With items ranging from books to groceries to clothing and everything in between, there's a reason that they're one of the biggest companies in the world. And if you're from here in Michigan, you've probably shopped at Kroger, too (that is, if you don't buy  all  your groceries there). The HIGH Program has partnered with two different company programs that help shoppers give back to their community just by shopping like normal — Amazon Smile and Kroger Community Rewards. Both programs only require a quick one-and-done setup, meaning that once you've registered to have part of your purchases benefit the HIGH Program, you won't need to remember to do...

In the past week, the story broke about an Arkansas legislator who proposed cutting lunch funding for school districts that struggle with improving their reading skills. This would cut national funding for districts that are unable to show improvement after "a period of time," serving as an incentive and a push towards improving. However, many parents and caregivers are outraged, and understandably so. Many students rely on their school lunches — according to No Kid Hungry , over 13 million youth come from food insecure households, meaning that they may not have regular access to food at home. Over the years, schools, organizations such as No Kid Hungry and Feeding America, and federal programs have worked together to fill in the gaps that students face outside of regular school hours. Services such as school breakfasts, after-school meals, and summer meals help assure that these food-insecure students are able to receive the food that they need. Aside from food being...

Here at the HIGH Program, our office family is made up of a wonderful team of staff, interns, and volunteers. Each individual is a vital part of our operation, and we want to showcase those who have dedicated their time and efforts with the program! Today's feature is someone whose time at the program is coming to a close, but has made a lasting impact. Alecia Burke joined the HIGH Program in September 2018 as our YouTube Specialist, creating videos on homelessness and other relevant topics for our digital signage around Wayne State's campus. She shortly transitioned to our Communications Specialist, using her phenomenal research and writing skills to create scripts and help develop the Go HIGHer podcast, a podcast focused on tackling issues commonly faced by college students. On top of this, Alecia co-lead the #SarnaikChallenge , creating a campaign to help the HIGH Program raise $25,000 in donations.  Here's what Alecia had to say about her time here at the pro...

If you keep up with us on social media, chances are that you've seen at least one of our countdown posts this past week, leading up to today. Now, we here at the HIGH Program are so excited to announce the #SarnaikChallenge ! In 2017, Drs. Ashok P. and Sharada Sarnaik — both of whom are professors at Wayne State's School of Medicine and pediatricians at Children's Hospital — created the Sarnaik Endowment benefiting the HIGH Program to “support these individuals during the times of their greatest needs, helping them reach greater heights.” The husband and wife duo pledged to match each donation to the endowment dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. Now it's up to us! The #SarnaikChallenge seeks to raise $25,000 to match the most recent generous donation by the Sarnaiks. So, why donate to the Sarnaik Challenge? Since 2013, the HIGH Program has helped over 150 Wayne State University students who are homeless, precariously housed, or facing other significant finan...

This past week, a polar vortex slammed the Midwest with historic frigid temperatures with some places dropping as low as -61°F. While temperatures here in Detroit only reached a low of -37°F, the bitter cold still proved dangerous; in Michigan alone, four people were reported as having frozen to death during the cold snap. Though these conditions are considered dangerous for everyone, the homeless population is especially at risk for exposure to the elements. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless , homeless individuals are "at risk for a variety of conditions caused by exposure to the cold, including frostbite and hypothermia, both of which can be permanently damaging to one’s health and can sometimes be life-threatening.  Many of the chronic problems faced by the homeless people, including inadequate clothing, malnutrition, and underlying infection, further increase the risk of developing and dying from hypothermia.  In addition, many homeless people stru...

Winter in Michigan is certainly no laughing matter — between the tendency for unpredictable weather and the proximity to the Great Lakes, winters are frigid and brutal more often than not. That uncertainty, however, also means that some years are warmer than others (this year included). While this winter might seem unseasonably warm for most, it's another story for homeless or precariously housed individuals. According to the National Weather Service , even 40°F temperatures can feel below freezing with winds as low as 20 MPH. When you also take into account that temperatures drop significantly at night, that winds are intensified by tall buildings in urban areas (where many homeless individuals stay), and that these individuals often don't have access to weather-appropriate clothing, it's no surprise that the homeless population is one of the most at-risk when it comes to exposure-related conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. For Wayne State student...

Sean Anderson — or as he's known to most, Big Sean — is a Detroit native and rapper who rose to fame after being discovered by Kanye West in 2005. Though he's found a good deal of success in music, Big Sean has also dedicated himself to the vision of helping to improve the quality of life for young people and their families — a mission that has no doubt made an incredible impact here in his hometown. Sean has been an active part of the recent Detroit renaissance, making plans to bring an Emagine Theatre to the city, founding the Detroit's On Now (DON) Weekend , and even trying his hand at producing with the documentary film Detroit Comeback City . Sean also founded the Sean Anderson Foundation with the help of his mother, with the mission to "assist in the education, health, safety and well-being of Detroit area school aged youth as well as disadvantaged youth in other areas across the nation." Since its institution in 2012, the Sean Anderson Foundation...