Student Advocacy Center 2019-2020 Annual Report

Gratitude
^

In this together
Our SAC family was so generous this year, allowing
us to help families navigate this pandemic with care
and respect. Thanks to support from YOU, the United
Way of Washtenaw County, Jackson Community
Foundation, Skillman Foundation, Bethel AME Church
and others, we were able to buy and deliver food,
secure PPE for our staff and families, secure school
supplies and computers and much more.
Our team worked so hard, meeting with students
outside to finish required classes, making home
deliveries, and even connecting through video games!
We even transformed our annual storytelling
event, Telling Tales, into an online experience (we
loved the outdoor watch parties).
Thanks for all your support through this!

Racial Justice Now
SAC's advocacy didn't slow down this year —
but it definitely looked different. Thanks to
supporters like you ...
We joined our partners in Lansing for a car
protest in May, successfully demanding the
governor settle the right to literacy lawsuit.
We joined partners in successfully
demanding justice for "Grace," a teen in
Oakland County detained for truancy during
COVID.
Staff participated in Black Lives Matter
protests across the state.

Ruth Zweifler Legacy
One of SAC's key founders and champions,
Ruth Zweifler, turned 90 in September 2019
and we celebrated her legacy in style.
Her large and fun family (many who helped
plan the bash) traveled from all over the
country to join us. Her grandson spent months
creating a powerful documentary.
Rep. Rebekah Warren honored Ruth, as did
SAC Board Vice-Chair, Rossi Ray-Taylor (former
AAPS superintendent). Zingerman's donated
cake. It was a festive evening with so many
connections made.
Thanks to our supporters for helping
establish the Ruth Zweifler Policy & Advocacy
Fund (www.studentadvocacycenter.org/ruth).

Education Justice
SAC has a history of advocating for policies in
Michigan that work to ensure ALL YOUTH get the
support they need in school.
This year we took it a step further by collaborating
deeply with the Michigan Education Justice Coalition.
Collectively, we intensified our work to increase
revenue for our schools by kicking off a ballot
initiative that was foiled by COVID, but many
passionate activists signed up to keep fighting for
equitable and fair school funding. We won't give up!
Starting in the summer, we held 5 listening
sessions with 19 people to learn about hopes and
fears concerning COVID. These sessions, along with
60 others, informed our statewide platform.
And now we are calling on you to stand with us
and commit to being an Education Justice Activist. It's
time for our communities to prioritize education and
we know with your help, we can turn things around
for our schools in Michigan.
Sign up here:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/miedjustice?
source=sac

Lives Changed
Marina overcomes
tragedies to graduate
Did you miss Marina telling her story at this
year's Telling Tales? Be sure to check out our
YouTube channel!
I first met my mentor at the Student Advocacy
Center when I was 18 and still had 13 classes
left to graduate. It was fall of 2018.
I finally had hope to be the first person in my
family to graduate, but the journey to get to that
point had been tragic.
In September 2009, my mom died. I had to
grow up. I had to take care of my siblings. Then, I
failed 3rd grade.
At age 11, I got back from school and found
out my dad had been deported.
They took us to my maternal grandma. She
treated us like her slaves. She would withhold
food. She would hit us. We didn’t even have
beds. We weren't allowed outside to play.
I went to go live with my aunt after three
years but had a total breakdown. I ended up in a
psychiatric hospital several times over the next
2-3 years and started getting suspended.
I got expelled in 10th grade for being
intoxicated at school and selling drugs and
ended up at a bootcamp.
I came home with my aunt but was expelled
from a second school for my mouth. That is
when I enrolled at Covenant House Academy
and tried to get back on track. I was struggling
with motivation and that's when I met Kristina,
my SAC mentor.
We talked about my barriers and I told her I
couldn’t do my work at home, so she got me a
laptop. She helped me make realistic goals, not
far away goals. I would accomplish that and
we’d make a different goal. She gave me hope.
She had faith in me when others didn’t.
She just kept pushing me. She believed in
me. She was the consistent one, there every
week. Ultimately, I completed 13 classes in a few
months and was the first in my family to
graduate high school. And now I'm in college!
One person can make you have so much
hope and belief in yourself. I hope you have faith
in students like me. There is light and hope. We
just need someone to believe in us and walk
with us.

Education
Advocacy
W h e n h e w a s g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e e x p u l s i o n ,
I s a w a b a d d e c l i n e i n h i s d e m e a n o r . . . . W h e n
y o u s t a r t e d w o r k i n g w i t h h i m , h e p e r k e d u p .
T h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t i s m o r e a w a r e t h a t
p a r e n t s w o n ’ t b a c k d o w n a n d t h e t h i n g s t h e y
a r e d o i n g a r e w r o n g a n d t h e r e a r e a g e n c i e s
l i k e S A C t h a t a r e w i l l i n g t o s t a n d w i t h t h e
p a r e n t s a n d f i g h t f o r t h e i r s t u d e n t s .
T h e p a r e n t s d o n ’ t f e e l s o a l o n e i n
f i g h t i n g f o r t h e i r c h i l d , t h e y f e e l h o p e a n d
s u p p o r t i n g e t t i n g w h a t t h e y n e e d f o r t h e m .
I f e e l m o r e e m p o w e r e d , v e r y h o p e f u l
t h a t y o u d i d e v e r y t h i n g y o u c o u l d f o r m y
s t u d e n t . . .
- A P a r e n t
Your Impact
& Check
Connect
to Bridges
School
B e f o r e I s t a r t e d w o r k i n g w i t h m y M e n t o r , I
w a s n ' t a t t e n d i n g s c h o o l . N o w t h a t I h a v e y o u
g u y s , I ' m a t t e n d i n g s c h o o l m o r e o f t e n .
I ' v e a l s o b e e n o n t h e h o n o r r o l l b a c k t o b a c k .
I f e e l t h a t I ' m m a k i n g m o r e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a n d
a c h i e v i n g m o r e g o a l s .
I h a v e c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h m y m e n t o r a n d h e
h e l p s m e s e e t h e b i g g e r p i c t u r e i n l i f e , w h i c h
h e l p s m e m a k e k e y d e c i s i o n s i n m y l i f e .
A t f i r s t I f e l t l i k e I c o u l d n ' t c o m e t o s c h o o l
a n d b e a g o o d s t u d e n t , b u t n o w I ' m a c t u a l l y
d o i n g i t .
T h a n k y o u f o r h e l p i n g m e b e a b e t t e r m e .
- 9 t h g r a d e r
T h i s p r o g r a m h e l p e d m e t o b e m o r e
u n d e r s t a n d i n g t o m y c h i l d r e n . I w a n t m y c h i l d
t o h a v e a g o o d e d u c a t i o n . I r e a l i z e d h o w h i s
a b s e n c e s w e r e a f f e c t i n g h i s e d u c a t i o n .
I e n j o y h a v i n g t h e e x t r a s u p p o r t f r o m S A C
a n d t h e s c h o o l s e e m t o h a v e a d i f f e r e n t a t t i t u d e
w h e n w o r k i n g w i t h m e . W e n o w h a v e t h e l u x u r y
o f m e e t i n g w i t h e a c h o t h e r w i t h o u t t h e a t t i t u d e
a n d s t r e s s i n v o l v e d .
- P a r e n t

Thank you!
Program
Numbers
Education Advocacy
146
Check & Connect
84
Bridges to School
18
Helpline
450
Impact
G O A L S M E T
Your
8 7 % o f c l o s e d a d v o c a c y c a s e s m e t
t h e g o a l e s t a b l i s h e d b y f a m i l y
S T U D E N T S A T T E N D
M O R E S C H O O L
6 6 % o f a d v o c a c y c a s e s
i m p r o v e d o r m a i n t a i n e d a t t e n d a n c e
Cases Served
698 students
515 unduplicated
S T U D E N T S I M P R O V E
D I S C I P L I N E R E C O R D S
6 0 % o f a d v o c a c y c a s e s i m p r o v e d o r
m a i n t a i n e d d i s c i p l i n e
COVID
Help
Adults
Helped
Children
Helped
Total
deliveries
What was
delivered?
March-June
2020
140 311 130

2019-2020 STAFF
Peri Stone-Palmquist, Executive Director
Danielle Flint, Assistant Director
Tina Jurries, Programs Manager
Amy Wilhelm, Programs Manager
Kimberly Brown, Advocate
Jacorey Brown, Mentor
Dom Cooper, Mentor
Al Correa, Mentor
Kristina Cosgrove, Advocate
Julia Gilbert, Accountant
Myron Hardy, Mentor
Jordan Jones, Office Coordinator
Brianna Slavins, Office Coordinator
LaKeya Martin, Advocate
Jill Perticone, Family Advocate
Kristen Satchel, Advocate
Ben Murphy-Smith, Advocate
Jenna Pickman, Advocate
Shakel Raiford, Advocate
B O A R D M E M B E R E M E R I T U S
J a m e s H a w k i n s , C a l v i n W i l l i a m s ,
R u t h Z w e i f l e r
The Team
2019-2020 BOARD
Peri Stone-Palmquist, Executive Director
Francisco Sánchez, Board Chair
Rossi Ray-Taylor, Vice-Chair
Craig Hernandez, Treasurer
Claudette Braxton, Secretary
Faye Askew-King
Brittney Barros, Youth Member
Robyn Cook, Youth Member
Alicia Davis
Max McNally-Hodgson, Youth Member
Keisha Blevins
Amy Frontier
Karey Henderson
Katie Hoener
Nicole Johnson
Jane Langeland
Maria Montoya
Elizabeth Paurazas
Michael Steinberg
Domonique Weston
Dwight Wilson
V O L U N T E E R H O U R S + V A L U E
I N T E R N 5 , 2 7 3 H R S $ 1 3 1 , 8 2 5
V O L U N T E E R 2 7 0 H R S $ 6 , 7 0 9
A D V O C A T E
P R O B O N O 1 5 2 H R S $ 4 8 , 4 8 0
Volunteer
Tutors
As schools shut down and students struggled, YOU responded to our calls for
help. Our team developed an online training portal, recruited 51 volunteers
and quickly completed background checks. 17 tutors worked with 22 students,
sometimes outside. One helped a student pass her SAT! THANKS!

ARBOR TEAS
Profiles Supporter
Why does your business keep supporting SAC? Why do you think our work matters?
Arbor Teas is a supporter of SAC for many reasons. We wholeheartedly agree that a robust public
education is a human right and essential to a thriving democracy. SAC provides the hands-on, hyper-local
support that is needed to help and empower some of the most disadvantaged students in our community.
Additionally, SAC provides critical support to the teachers and administrators of our public schools,
putting a high value on respect so that all parties can collaboratively work together. If we have
learned anything from 2020 it is that we are all connected.
Supporting our next generation requires the collaborative approach that SAC has fostered in our families,
schools, and communities.
How has COVID impacted your business and how can our supporters support you in this
moment?
Like all small, family-owned businesses, Arbor Teas has been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic. As a food processor and an online retailer, Arbor Teas is in a unique and dutiful position to be
able to continue to provide healthy organic teas and herbs during this challenging and stressful time.
As more people turned to online shopping during the lockdown we experienced a huge increase in order
volume almost overnight. Keeping up with demand while also addressing increased regulations, health
concerns and supply chain disruptions created many challenges.
Through it all, we are grateful to remain in business. While our small store front remains closed to the
public for the foreseeable future, Arbor Teas continues to accept orders online at www.arborteas.com or
by phone at 734-994-7698. For all orders, Arbor Teas offers UPS and USPS shipping to any US address, free
local delivery within the City of Ann Arbor, and free in-store pick up at our Ann Arbor warehouse.

LYNCH & SONS
Profiles
Supporter
Why does your business keep
supporting SAC? Why do you think our
work matters?
Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors continues
to support the mission of SAC of Michigan
because we value education deeply and
believe that every student deserves a
promising future.
Why does your business keep supporting SAC?
Our business continues to support SAC because we
believe strongly in the value of education and that every
person has a fundamental right to a quality educational
experience. Education is especially important for the most
vulnerable members of our community.
We believe that a successful, thriving local business
depends on a successful, thriving local community. This belief
drives our mission to give back and support local programs
that align with our values of education, cultural diversity, and
wellness for the community.
How has COVID impacted you and how can we help?
At the beginning of the pandemic, we were forced to layoff
a significant portion of our staff. We were able to hire back
some, but continue to operate with a smaller staff and
budget. Community support has allowed us to remain open
and offer health care coverage, paid sick-time, and a
matching retirement to our staff.
You can best support us by ordering carry-out directly
(online or by phone) versus third-party vendors (i.e.
DoorDash), dining in if that feels safe for you,
and by purchasing gift cards.

Funders 2019-2020
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, The Arc of Michigan, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice (The
National Youth Alliance on Boys and Men of Color), Asha-Jyothi, Ballmer Group, Bethel AME Church, Enterprise ,
Gerald Beckwith Constitutional Liberties Fund, Charles Stewart, Mott Foundation, Children’s Trust Fund,
Department of Health and Human Services, Dignity In Schools, First Unitarian Universalist, Freudenberg Group,
Jackson Community Foundation, John George, Jr. Student Loans Fund, Kiwanis, Michigan Medicine,
Supporters
Martin
Family Family Foundation, Oakland County Bar Association, Old National Bank, Edward F. Redies Foundation,
Inc., Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation, The
Tides Foundation, Trinity Health, United Way of Washtenaw County, United Way of Jackson County, Washtenaw
Coordinated Funders, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health,
Washtenaw County Trial Court, Wayne County
Telling Tales 2020 Sponsors
Academic All-Star
Kris and Dave Denzin
Neil and Annmarie Hawkins
Michigan Medicine
Nancy Wheeler
Ruth & Andy Zweifler
Honor Roll
Anonymous
Bank of Ann Arbor
Joan Binkow
David & Jennifer Haines
Graduate
Ann Arbor Chapter of the NAACP, Arbor Teas, John Austin, former President of the State Board of Education and
Donor from Austin Memorial Foundation, Brendernitz, Wagner & CO., P.C., Climb Marketing, Maggie Gibbons,
Dykema Gossett, PLLC, Dr. Percy Bates, Angelos and Kathy Constantinides, Lidia and Aaron Kraft, Geoffrey
Larcom, Ethel Lee, Laborers Local 499, Michigan Virtual, Judy Martin and Lynn Jondahl, NewFoundry, NSF
International, Marianne Udow-Phillips and Bill Phillips, Rhyan Zweifler – Noetic Search, The Oginsky Family,
Layton and Daicia Price, Retirement Income Solutions, Spring-Nichols Family, Denise Tanguay & Jonathan Dean,,
Chuck Warpehoski and Nancy Shore, and Dwight Wilson.
Empty Chair Sponsors
Brewed Awakenings, Bunek Dental Studio, Mary Jo Callan, Found Gallery, Francisco Sanchez, Ginsberg Center,
Sen. Jeff Irwin, Andy LaBarre, Rep. Donna Lasinksi, MAIZ Mexican Cantina, Rep. Ronnie Peterson
Story Soiree 2019 (Detroit)
Valedictorian
Delta Dental
Honor Roll Sponsors
Patti Aaron
Ruth and Andrew Zweifler

Rising Scholar
Joel Fortgang and Jillian Gross
Cynthia Maritato
Supporters
Schick
Pep Squad Sponsors
Anonymous, First Children’s Finance, Beverly A. Baroni Ph.D, LMSW, Ned and Annie Staebler, Education Trust-
Midwest, Craig and Carrie Hernandez, Roosevelt Stewart (Ardagh Group), Julia Cohen, Initial Brands Incorporated,
John and Nasseem Tafelski and Mark Wallace.Star StudentPaul Salah, Faith and Gerald Flint, Kerri Zuck, Eladott
LLC, The Schvitz, Dana Thompson, Katie Fraumann, Shanita Scott, Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors
Happy Harvest Hour 2019 (Jackson)
Rising Scholar
American 1 Credit Union
CP Federal Credit Union
Henry Ford Allegiance Health
Pep Squad
Old National, Keisha Blevins
Star Student
Christoff & Sons Floor Covering, Inc.
Monthly Givers
A special thank you to our monthly donors who have committed to regular and ongoing support:
Jessica “Decky” Alexander & Bruce Kutinsky
Faye Askew-King & Richard King
Anonymous
Amy Frontier
Carrie and Greg Hammerman
Katie Hoener
Marjorie Kauth-Karjala
Jeralyn Lowe
Francisco Sanchez
Peri and Matt Stone-Palmquist
Brian Wheeler
Gail Wolkoff
Jennifer Haines
Megan Stembridge
Anna Monkmeyer
James & Sally Roach
Legacy Society
We are thankful for our Legacy Society who include SAC in their Will or Charitable Trust!
Peri and Matt Stone-Palmquist

Special thanks to these other supporters:
Community Resource Limited, Lynn Baldwin and Tim McIntyre, William and Sara Benedetto, Karen and
Charles Chapell, Mark Chesler, Alicia Davis, Esther Floyd, Helen Fox, Daniel & Jill Francis, Julia Gilbert, Grace
Family Charitable Endowment Fund, Mary Gray, Jack and Jill of America, Inc Ypsilanti Chapter, Tonya
Supporters
Kneff-
Chang, Gail Lanphear, Ronald Ozminkowski, Cynthia Maritato Schick, Olivia Maynard, Mike Merrick &
Catherine McClary, Jim & Heather Monkmeyer, William Peterson, Eydie Reynolds, Heidi Ruud, Lee
Schlesinger and Lisa Klopfer, Cynthia Strang, Ann Taber, Dr. Richard Tolman and Naomi Woloshin, United
Health Group, Ambassador Ronald and Ms. Eileen Weiser, Erick Williams and Margaret Nielsen, Marrow
Detroit, Alma Wheeler Smith, John Zweifler, Liz Zweifler & Steve Downes,
Mark and Donna Zweifler, Natanya Zweifler
And many thanks to everyone who supports our work!
F I N A N C I A L S N A P S H O T
R E V E N U E
G R A N T S
C O N T R I B U T I O N S
S P E C I A L E V E N T S
O T H E R R E V E N U E
F E E S F O R A D V O C A C Y
T O T A L
$ 8 7 6 , 0 7 7
$ 8 1 , 6 7 8
$ 9 4 , 5 0 3
$ 3 , 6 6 5
$ 1 , 0 9 0
$ 1 , 0 5 7 , 0 1 3
E X P E N S E S
P R O G R A M S
M A N A G E M E N T
F U N D R A I S I N G
T O T A L
$ 8 3 6 , 7 6 4
$ 1 1 6 , 6 6 5
$ 5 8 , 7 4 2
$ 1 , 0 3 9 , 1 7 1
N o t e : T h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n r e v e n u e a n d
e x p e n s e s i s d u e t o t h e t i m i n g o f g r a n t s .
Contributions
7.7%
Special events
8.9%
Management
11%
Fundraising
6%
Grants
82.9%
Programs
83%