The 2019 Staff Retreat brought staff members to Detroit on June 5 for a day of service, reflection, and fun at the old Tiger Stadium site. In the morning, staff volunteered at Bennett Elementary School through U-M’s Readers & Best program and Gleaners Community Food Bank. The Bennett group read to students in the pre-K through fourth grade classrooms, and then talked to the kids about themes in the book. The Gleaners’ crew, along with other volunteers at the shift, sorted food that would go on to feed an estimated 29,541 people.
After the service activities, staff gathered at Detroit PAL’s Corner Ballpark facility the afternoon. Fred Hunter, director of program administration at Detroit PAL and an alumnus of LSA, welcomed the Ford School staff and shared about the organization’s mission and connections to the Ford School, including two current MPP students who are interning there this summer. Raven Jones with U-M’s Ginsberg Center led the staff through a reflection about the morning’s service.
Three staff members, Peter Vasher, Corey Stork, and Eric VanDeventer, were awarded with the Staff Recognition Award, which recognizes high standards of professional service and outstanding contributions.
Before heading back to Ann Arbor, staff got to enjoy one another’s company and the field with rousing games of kickball and softball.