Our MissionThe Davies Project

spearheads collaboration across

the capital area to provide community-based, non-medical

support to local families facing

serious, long-term health challenges

with a child.

Contents From the Executive Director 2

About Us 3

How to Access Services 4

How It Works 4

How to Volunteer 5

People Who Make a Difference 6

Support Our Mission 6

Board of Directors 7

Upcoming Events 8

How to Find Us 8

What We DoThe Davies Project (TDP) provides transportation to subspecialty

medical appointments for children with serious or chronic illness and

their families. Over time, we will explore other services, such as long-

term tutoring, communication assistance to non-English speaking

families, respite and counseling support for family members, access to a

support hotline, participation in an adopt-a-family program, and more.

How We Do It With your help! The Davies Project depends upon passionate and

devoted volunteers to drive a child (and family members) to his or her

subspecialty appointments in Lansing. The process involves completing

an application, an interview, a mandatory background check, and auto

insurance verification. A two-hour driver training program is the last

step—then you’re on your way.

Local kids, local care...getting them there.Fall 2015 Issue 1:1

Photo courtesy of Terri Shaver

Dear Friends, I’m delighted to share this inaugural issue of The Davies Project newsletter with you. To me, it represents a real milestone, and serves as a true symbol of TDP’s growth and outreach.

Our experience providing rides to local medical appointments for Lansing area families with seriously ill children indicates we are on the right track. Our families are grateful beyond words, our volunteer drivers are enjoying the time they spend with the children and their parents, and more and more families are reaching out to us as they learn about The Davies Project. While the rides we provide are an important health care access tool, they are also proving an excellent way to break through the significant isolation families experience when caring, long-term, for a sick child. As the mother of a cancer survivor, this is something I can relate to—and it is the true impetus behind my decision to found this organization. Everything we do at The Davies Project, now and in the future, is geared toward making the journey easier for each family that finds itself in the mind-boggling and unanticipated position of having a seriously and/or chronically ill child. By providing rides to medical appointments now, and providing other kinds of support later, we are fulfilling a serious need in our community. I hope this newsletter shows you how far we have come and convinces you of the importance of taking this work much, much further. Please consider joining The Davies Project on its significant journey. Volunteer your time as a driver or make a donation. Most of all, spread the word about who we are. Together, let’s make our community one that rallies around The Davies Project. Together, let’s provide both traditional and innovative forms of support to Lansing area families as they learn to cope with the reality of caring for children who are seriously ill. All the best,

Pam Miklavčič, Ph.D.Founder and Executive DirectorThe Davies Project for Mid-Michigan Children

From the Executive Director

Project Honors H. Dele Davies, M.D.Distinguished Pediatrician Continues to Inspire

A Distinguished CareerDr. Davies was the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University (MSU) for more than nine years. During this time, he provided a strong set of personal values of service, love of children, and administrative and mentorship skills. By promoting these values, he made invaluable contributions not only to his department, but also to the College of Human Medicine and to the community at large.

It has been noted that, among Dr. Davies’ skills, outstanding is his ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders. He has an especially strong passion for bringing disparate groups together around a common vision, thereby enhancing each member’s value to the group.

Dr. Davies always recognized the outstanding faculty and staff he worked with for their admirable commitment and dedication to the field of pediatrics. He was also passionate in engaging the community—including Sparrow Regional Children’s Center and lay and business groups within the Greater Lansing region—to come together around a common, shared vision of a more integrated, coordinated, multi-disciplinary outpatient system of pediatric care for local children.

Personal Journey Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Davies has lived in England, Canada, and the U.S. since age 15, and has traveled to more than 20 countries. At each stage of his journey, he has learned that a clear vision, hard work, and respect for others are the fundamental building blocks of both individual relationships and organizational success. Dr. Davies and his wife, Arike, have three children—Daniel, Joshua and Hadassah.

This project was named in honor of Dr. H. Dele Davies, distinguished pediatrician, academic, and humanitarian.

At each stage of his journey, Dr. Davies has learned that a clear vision, hard work and respect for others are the fundamental building blocks of both individual relationships and organizational success.

The Story of Our LogoAs a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa (1987-89), I had the good fortune to travel a bit. While visiting a marketplace in Ghana, I was drawn to a wood sculpture of a boy pushing another boy up into a tree. Its significance was:

“If you set out to do something good, somebodywill come along to give you a boost.”

I brought the statue home and, years later, I chose this maxim as the inspiration for TDP’s logo design, along with the Pan-African colors. This symbol expresses my faith in community, and, ironically, looks a lot like a traffic light—something we didn’t notice until just recently. How perfect, given that our first area of concentration is transportation.

— Pam Riley Miklavčič

TDP

About Us

Become a Davies Project Family to Access TransportationSchedule Rides for Your Child

Every family with a chronically ill child in need of subspecialty medical care is eligible to join The Davies Project and receive rides to doctor appointments as needed. All you have to do is tell your doctor or nurse that you are interested, then sign a release allowing us to contact you. We will take it from there.

At The Davies Project, we know that not everyone has access to a car and that taxis and buses are not the best option for transporting children who are ill. Co-pays add up quickly, reimbursable expenses take way too long, and the number of family members who can accompany a child may not be flexible. Also, transportation to last-minute appointments is difficult to arrange.

How It Works—At No Cost to You

1. You request a referral at your clinic.

2. You sign a release for us to contact you.

3. We call you to find out more about your family andappointment transportation needs.

3. You call as far in advance as possible with the time and locationof your child’s upcoming appointment for which a ride isneeded. You can plan ahead for multiple appointments, too.

4. We arrange for trained volunteers to drive you and your childto appointments as needed.

5. We call ahead to confirm pick-up time.

6. Our drivers transport you and your child to destinations 30minutes prior to scheduled appointment time to ensurepunctuality.

7. When your appointment is complete, our drivers take youhome.

Volunteer Drivers Provide Key Services

Interested in making a difference in your community? Do you have a place in your heart for children? The Davies Project is looking for compassionate individuals to drive a child (and family members) to subspecialty medical appointments in the Lansing area.

The Davies Project seeks volunteers who:

• Can interact compassionatelywith all Davies Project families

• Are reliably available atscheduled times and punctual

• Can drive confidently in allweather conditions

• Understand and strictly observethe confidentiality of their riders’personal, health, and medicalcare provider information andlocations

• Respect different cultures

Required:• Valid driver’s license

• Safe driving record

• State required liability insurance

• Working mobile phone

• Mandatory background check

• Completion of required trainingon procedures, including diversitytraining and proper installation ofchild car seats

• One year commitment,renewable upon evaluation

• Minimum three (3) hours timecommitment per appointment

To start the process, please visit www.thedaviesproject.org/volunteer-drivers.html. We will contact you to schedule an interview, after which a mandatory background check and verification of car insurance will be conducted. A two-hour volunteer driver training program is the last step. Then you’re on your way.

How to Access Services How to Volunteer

Elaine Michener-Israel Provides Transportation to Ensure Children Timely Access to Medical Care

Elaine Michener-Israel was listening to WKAR on October 1, 2014, when an interesting interview caught her attention. That day, WKAR’s Current State program featured a discussion with The Davies Project Founder and Executive Director Pamela Riley Miklavčič and Dr. Roshni Kulkarni, Director of Pediatric and Adolescent Hematology and Oncology at MSU’s College of Human Medicine and a board member with The Davies Project.

The conversation about the transportation needs of chronically ill children in our community drew Michener-Israel in for several reasons. As a teacher, she was naturally sensitive to the needs of children; as the spouse of a pediatrician, she was aware of children’s health issues and their effect on families; and having used the local bus system, she knew how challenging it could be —even under the best of circumstances—to get around without a car.

This volunteer opportunity appealed to Michener-Israel, who was retired from a fulfilling career as an East Lansing elementary school teacher. She wanted to share the new blessing in her life—time—which translates into availability. She decided to get involved in what she considered a unique and special way to help families and the community, without being intrusive.

In her experience, Michener-Israel has observed that shepherding children to appointments is often a real family affair. If both parents are available, they usually attend, sometimes with additional family members. Having a driver to depend on can be much more than “just a ride.” Stakes are often high, health issues and other challenges can affect the entire family—healthy siblings included—often snowballing and taking over. So, not having to even think about making arrangements for transportation can relieve a great deal of stress.

Michener-Israel finds providing reliable transportation richly rewarding. Timely care, therapy, procedures, tests, etc., are critical to successful treatment, good outcomes, and continuity of care. Missed appointments or late arrivals can interrupt or impede positive progress. She does everything she can to see that families arrive on time, if not early. She finds that helping relieve just one layer of “her families’” burdens is truly gratifying. She enjoys getting to know her families, chatting in waiting rooms, seeing even a slight sense of relief on their faces after an appointment, and, of course, those smiles from the children she drives.

Michener-Israel typically volunteers one to three times per week, and invites anyone wishing to help families in our community to join The Davies Project.

People Who Make a Difference

Volunteer Elaine Michener-Israel appreciates building connections in the community

For more information, visit: www. thedaviesproject.org or contact Mary Jo Weigel at 517-899-2425 or maryjo@thedaviesproject.org.

TDP

The Davies Project for Mid-Michigan Children is a registered non-profit organization. Donations are 100% tax deductible. Your generosity can help improve the quality of life for local children with serious health challenges.

Did you know that:• 1 in 5 mid-Michigan families has a child with a serious

medical condition

• 70% of the children who use Lansing’s subspecialty clinicsare on Medicaid

• As many as 60% of their medical appointments are missed,frequently due to poor transportation options

Davies Project volunteer drivers provide rides and build relationships with families, thus facilitating medical care and breaking through the significant isolation families experience when caring for a chronically ill child.

Donations are used in numerous ways, such as to:• Recruit and train drivers

• Provide IT, logistical, and material support for the ridesprovided by our drivers

• Cover the cost of printed materials, informing families aboutour services

• Share our story with the community

Remember, your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Annual giving reports are mailed in mid-January, including your total monetary donations for the previous year.

TO DONATE ONLINE: Visit www.thedaviesproject.org to donate via PayPal for a safe, secure transaction. A PayPal account is not required.

TO DONATE BY CHECK: Please make your check payable to The Davies Project for Mid-Michigan Children and mail to:

The Davies ProjectC/O Grace Lutheran Church528 N. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd.Lansing, MI 48915

Your generosity can improve a child’s health outcomes.

Thank you for your kind support!

Your Donations Support Our Mission

TDP

The Davies Project Board of Directors2015-2016

Pam Riley Miklavčič, Founder and Executive DirectorMSU-trained agricultural economist. As the parent of a cancer survivor, Pam recognized some critical issues in the community. In 2012, she established The Davies Project to respond to the transportation needs of Greater Lansing families who struggle to access medical care for their seriously ill children.

Tammy Averill, President Former social worker, founding member of Virginia Tech’s Habitat for Humanity, small business owner, and current Sparrow Hospital Women’s Board of Managers member. Tammy is passionate about The Davies Project because she has personally experienced the fears and uncertainties of raising and loving a seriously ill child.

Julie Franklin, TreasurerAccountant, Greater Lansing Association of Realtors.

Janet Chegwidden, SecretaryAcademic advisor for MSU College of Education, chair of the Children’s Health Equity and Access task force for Action of Greater Lansing, head advisor to the Chi Omega sorority at MSU, active member of All Saints Episcopal Church. Janet has a passion for outreach and social justice ministries.

Jenny AlvarezEarly Childhood Interventionist, retired from Early On.

Stephen R. Guertin, M.D.Medical Director of the Sparrow Children’s Center, Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Sparrow Hospital, and an Emeritus Board Member of the Sparrow Health System, Lansing, Michigan. Dr. Guertin is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, a past founding board member of Ele’s Place (Children’s Grieving Center) in Lansing, and is on the board of the Ronald MacDonald House of Mid-Michigan.

Tara Mahaney LaCross, MA,CCC-SLP Certified speech language pathologist with Ingham ISD who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of myofunctional disorders. Tara is the proud parent of a child with a rare chromosomal abnormality. Their life journey has been filled with inspiration, motivation, and perseverance.

Chelsea LewisCommunication Director at Michigan Consumers for Healthcare.

Janet QuiringDevelopment officer, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, retired; former school administrator; former owner/director of Quiring Associates, a mission based fundraising business; former executive director of MSU CHM Children’s Health Initiative 2006-2011.

Brett WilliamsOneida Township Board of Trustees member.

Theresa WilliamsBenefit consultant at Michigan State Medical Society Physicians Insurance Agency with over 30 years experience working with individual and employer groups selling and servicing health insurance plans.

Honorary Board Members (non-voting)Dr. H. Dele DaviesVice Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Pediatrician, humanitarian, and inspiration for founding of The Davies Project.

Jack C. DavisDistinguished attorney and partner at Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C. since 1972. A lifelong advocate ofthe arts and local charities, Mr. Davis hasdistinguished himself through his tirelessdedication to and support of education andcommunity improvement.

Visit our website at: www.thedaviesproject.org

Contact:Pam Miklavčič Executive Director 517-775-7457pam@thedaviesproject.org

Mary Jo Weigel Office Administrator 517-899-2425maryjo@thedaviesproject.org

Send an inquiry to:The Davies Project 528 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Lansing, MI 48915

How to Find Us

Help Drive Change 2015In support of The Davies Project

Friday, October 30, 2015 5:30-7:30 PM

Lansing Country Club - 2200 Moores River Drive, Lansing MI

Keynote: H. Dele Davies, MD - Vice Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Hors d’oeuvres and Cash Bar $35 per person

Visit www.thedaviesproject.org to purchase tickets!

Celebrate the Spirit of The Davies Project MissionJoin Our Circle of Friends October 30

“Help Drive Change” is the first official “Friend Raiser” for The Davies Project, which was established in 2013 to build and deliver a strong, effective safety net and support services for mid-Michigan families with chronically ill children. We believe the way to accomplish this mission is to bring together community leaders, activists, and visionaries to partner with us. Together, we’ll work toward our goal of providing needed support systems for these mid-Michigan families. Currently, we are helping 36 children and their families. Our year-end goal is to be helping 70 children. We need YOUR support to do this.

Doctors and healthcare professionals confirm that far too many chronically ill children in the Greater Lansing area do not receive adequate medical care because their families are simply unable to transport them to medical appointments. These families need our help now. Lack of transportation to medical appointments is a major problem—and it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Over time, we hope to address some of the other challenges families with chronically ill children may face. We’d like to provide:

• Communication assistance for non-English speaking families

• Education liaison support for the chronically ill school-age child

• Respite and counseling support for family members

• Coordination of other available community resources for bothchild and family

YOU are invited to HELP DRIVE CHANGE and create a healthier community for all. Please join us!

Upcoming Events