Michigan Civil Service Commission’s Post

Want to make a tangible difference in our Las Vegas community? Consider volunteering your time with Room Redux Nevada! We're on a mission to transform living spaces for those in need, and your help can play a crucial role in achieving this goal. By volunteering with us, you have the opportunity to be part of incredible room transformations that improve the lives of individuals and families facing various challenges. Here's how you can get involved: Join Our Team: Become a part of our dedicated team of volunteers who share a passion for making a positive impact. Your skills and enthusiasm can help turn outdated or uncomfortable rooms into safe and welcoming spaces. Hands-On Room Makeovers: Get ready to roll up your sleeves and work alongside our skilled volunteers and professionals. From painting and decorating to installing accessibility features, your efforts will directly contribute to transforming homes. Share Your Expertise: If you have specific skills, such as carpentry, interior design, or project management, we can put your expertise to good use. Your knowledge and experience can help us execute room transformations efficiently and effectively. Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about Room Redux Nevada's mission. Share your volunteer experiences on social media and encourage others to join our cause. Volunteering with Room Redux Nevada not only allows you to give back to the community but also provides a sense of fulfillment as you witness the immediate impact of your efforts. Together, we can continue to create safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing living spaces for those who need it most. Ready to get involved? Contact us today to learn more about how you can volunteer your time and skills to support Room Redux Nevada. Let's make a difference, one room at a time! #VolunteerWithPurpose #LasVegasCommunity #RoomReduxNV

** Applications are now open for Basildon Borough's UK Shared Prosperity (UKSPF) Landscape Maintenance and Volunteer Programme Fund ** What do we mean by landscape maintenance and volunteer programme work? As part of Basildon's UKSPF objectives there is a need to create and improve our public realm and green spaces. Some of the UKSPF funding is being used to improve the public realm, introducing new planters and planting beds to create urban green spaces - but that is just the first step. For our green spaces to be successful they need stewardship. The best green spaces are those that are cared for, used and respected by the community. The work proposed under the title of this fund is twofold: Outcome 1: Landscape Maintenance - to improve and maintain green spaces. Outcome 2: Volunteer Programme - to develop and engage with a volunteer group to support the maintenance and long-term stewardship of green spaces. Further details: https://lnkd.in/eTRP_HWP

Planning and Designing for All As planners and designers, building and strengthening routes to meaningful participation should be a foundational goal and lasting benefit of our work. Listening is vital to this process— from strong sentiments about specific design options, to nostalgic stories that convey community character and values. This listening typically takes place at a public meeting, or through an open-ended response to a survey. However, planners and designers must also have regard for the voices that we can't or don't hear during the public outreach portions of our work. Like many places, Vermont has been experiencing catastrophic flooding, and many people are now staying with families elsewhere, at shelters, or in hotels. These are people who are in a tough spot with a lot on their minds. We can understand that they're not thinking much about the new draft Town Plan. However, there's a lot in that document that will affect flooding in their community the next time around. And there will be a next time around. So we're planning for these people too. The veteran who sits on that same downtown bench all day— he didn't go to the open house last year for the Memorial Garden he's sitting in. But he can still put a face with many of the names on the big polished stone in the middle. So we're designing for him too. Long hours at work, long drive home, taking care of mom, dad, kids. There were other priorities a couple of years back; filling out a survey about the town's Main Street renovation project wasn't one of them. But those new roadside plantings bring a welcome smile on the daily drive. We're working for that smile. We may actively seek out all available input, but there will always be voices that remain quiet or concealed. Some people still don't feel welcomed into the public arena, believing that their ideas and opinions haven't been, and won't be, valued. We are planning and designing for these people too. In our own day-to-day, how do we get from A to B, moving from these (perhaps) worthy concepts, to our own workday deliverables, meeting funding obligations and client expectations? Is it simply a matter of bringing greater humility and empathy to our work, recognizing that some voices are harder to hear? Is it an "all of the above" approach to participation that means meeting people where they are, in that shelter, on that bench, or at the local store? Let me know what you think. 

Tapping into the importance of “home” is what I do as a designer. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, an organization that understands home ownership is the key to so many families’ stability and inter-generational wealth, was organic. #HomeIsTheKey is all about the impact affordable housing has on building equity in wealth, education, health, and opportunity through homeownership! That’s something we can all get behind. The chance to own a home is life-changing, and there’s no better feeling than making your space feel tailored to your lifestyle. I’m in the process of completing my own home, and I thought I’d give you a few tips on decorating your spaces without exorbitant price tags. First, prioritize. Need a space for the kids more than a dining room? Nothing wrong with that! The decisions you make should reflect your needs and wants. Next, nix perfection! If you don’t have all the furniture when you first move in, don’t be afraid to improvise with things like baskets, rolling racks or hampers for storage. Finally, lean into colors that bring out the best in your space and the way you feel when you interact with it! For me, that’s using fun prints and patterns with wallpaper and fabrics. I couldn’t be more excited about all the amazing work Habitat and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles are doing in our communities. Join me in supporting the Home is the Key campaign by donating at habitat.org/homeisthekey. Let’s help Habitat for Humanity unlock equitable homeownership today! #HITKambassador

Here is a great case of #EIFS in action in #affordablehousing. Recently, Marc Cota-Robles of ABC7 Los Angeles published a news story about a large, new #affordablehousing project in the City of Los Angeles. Developed by The Weingart Center , constructed by Swinerton, designed by AXIS Architecture with backing by Chelsea Investment Corporation, the Weingart Tower is a 19-story, 278-unit Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) development located in #SkidRow. The recent grand opening celebration featured many influential politicians, including: * Mayor Karen Bass * Senator Kevin Murray (ret), President and CEO of the Weingart Center * Congressman Maxine Waters This new center appears to be an innovative and "take the bull by the horns" approach for the Los Angeles Housing Department to combat #homelessness. Rather than just providing shelter, the Weingart Center's provides a variety of services, such as: Case Management • Medical & Mental Health Services • Personalized Client Plan Development • Substance Use Counseling • Legal/Benefits Counseling & Advocacy • Financial & Budgeting Guidance • Life Skills & Wellness Classes • Employment Assistance • Job Training • Educational Support • Pet & Service Animal Services. Interestingly, the article and news clip focus on amenities, such as a gym complete with treadmills, rowers, bikes and a cable machine, communal patio area for residents to congregate, an art room, a soundproof music room, a computer room, a library and a cafe. According to the Los Angeles Times, $165M project cost, which turns out to be just under $600,000 per unit, is at the high end of Proposition HHH projects (understandably) but well below the most expensive. https://lnkd.in/gM9sB7eR One reason that the costs were probably not significantly higher is that #EIFS typically save millions of dollars over other #exteriors on buildings of this scope. EIFS not only include #continuousinsulation in the wall system, but they also have a tremendous cost advantage over other #commercial #cladding systems. The 2Q, 2024 cost data from RSMeans Data from Gordian shows the following on new construction: $127+M, 15-story, 450K sq ft hotel in Los Angeles: * #Brick Veneer over hashtag #reinforcedconcrete costs 73% more than an EIFS wall on the same building * #Stone veneer over reinforced concrete costs 126% more than a comparable EIFS-clad building $40+M, 15-story 145K sq ft apartment building in Los Angeles: * Brick veneer on steel studs costs 66% more than a comparable EIFS-clad building * #Curtainwall system over steel studs costs 63% more than EIFS and windows on steel studs on the same building Learn about EIFS-clad case studies at https://lnkd.in/eidm8q8Z and see how architects use EIFS with #Drainage today at https://lnkd.in/ddjUwqxS www.eima.com #eima #abc7 #losangeles

Here is a great case of #EIFS in action with #affordablehousing. Recently, Marc Cota-Robles of ABC7 Los Angeles published a news story about a large, new #affordablehousing project in the City of Los Angeles. Developed by The Weingart Center , constructed by Swinerton, designed by AXIS Architecture with backing by Chelsea Investment Corporation, the Weingart Tower is a 19-story, 278-unit Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) development located in #SkidRow. The recent grand opening celebration featured many influential politicians, including: * Mayor Karen Bass * Senator Kevin Murray (ret), President and CEO of the Weingart Center * Congressman Maxine Waters This new center appears to be an innovative and "take the bull by the horns" approach for the Los Angeles Housing Department to combat #homelessness. Rather than just providing shelter, the Weingart Center provides a variety of services, such as: Case Management • Medical & Mental Health Services • Personalized Client Plan Development • Substance Use Counseling • Legal/Benefits Counseling & Advocacy • Financial & Budgeting Guidance • Life Skills & Wellness Classes • Employment Assistance • Job Training • Educational Support • Pet & Service Animal Services. Interestingly, the article and news clip focus on amenities, such as a gym complete with treadmills, rowers, bikes and a cable machine, communal patio area for residents to congregate, an art room, a soundproof music room, a computer room, a library and a cafe. According to the Los Angeles Times, $165M project cost, which turns out to be just under $600,000 per unit, is at the high end of Proposition HHH projects (understandably) but well below the most expensive. https://lnkd.in/gM9sB7eR One reason that the costs were probably not significantly higher is that #EIFS typically save millions of dollars over other #exteriors on buildings of this scope. EIFS not only include #continuousinsulation in the wall system, but they also have a tremendous cost advantage over other #commercial #cladding systems. The 2Q, 2024 cost data from RSMeans Data from Gordian shows the following on new construction: $127+M, 15-story, 450K sq ft hotel in Los Angeles: * #Brick Veneer over #reinforcedconcrete costs 73% more than an EIFS wall on the same building * #Stone veneer over reinforced concrete costs 126% more than a comparable EIFS-clad building $40+M, 15-story 145K sq ft apartment building in Los Angeles: * Brick veneer on steel studs costs 66% more than a comparable EIFS-clad building * #Curtainwall system over steel studs costs 63% more than EIFS and windows on steel studs on the same building Learn about EIFS-clad case studies at https://lnkd.in/eidm8q8Z and see how architects use EIFS with #Drainage today at https://lnkd.in/ddjUwqxS www.eima.com #eima #abc7 #losangeles

Building a Bushcraft Shelter in Your Suburban Backyard Bushcraft Shelter’s built in your backyard makes for an experienced bushcrafter. Practice makes perfect. This guide aims to inspire and equip you with the knowledge to start your bushcraft adventure right in your backyard. Embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and revel in the satisfaction of building something with your own hands. Key Takeaways: Adaptability: Bushcraft shelters can be adapted to various suburban settings, utilizing both natural and man-made elements available in your backyard. Skill Development: Building these shelters is an excellent way to develop practical skills, such as knot-tying, woodworking, and creative problem-solving. Family Bonding: Engaging in shelter-building projects can be a fantastic way for families to bond and teach children valuable life skills in an enjoyable and hands-on manner. Table of Contents Introduction to Bushcraft Shelters Tools for Making Bushcraft and Survival Shelters Making Use of Your Surroundings Types of Bushcraft and Survival Shelters Building Techniques for Suburban Bushcraft Shelters Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions Introduction to Bushcraft Shelters Bushcraft shelters are more than just survival structures; they are a testament to human ingenuity and a connection to nature. Building these shelters in a suburban backyard brings the essence of wilderness survival into our everyday living spaces. This fusion of the natural and suburban environments creates a unique learning and recreational experience for individuals and families alike. By adapting traditional bushcraft techniques to a backyard setting, we open up a world of creative, fun, and educational opportunities. Tools for Making Bushcraft and Survival Shelters Constructing a bushcraft shelter requires a set of basic tools. These include: Axe: A crucial tool for cutting and shaping wood. An axe can speed up the process of preparing the structure of your shelter. Knife: Essential for finer cutting tasks and can be vital in emergencies. [...]

You see them on the side of the crawl space, openings, not just to give you access to get under the house, but also to allow for airflow. John Murphy with Olson Foundation Repair explains. #MAREI #RealEstateInvestors #KansasCity #LearnRealEstateInvesting #Networking #Community

🏡 It's More Than a Birdhouse🏡 🗓 Why have multiple groups contribute to one project? Because it's not just about the birdhouses; it's about the journey and the sense of togetherness it brings. When diverse groups work together, they: 👫 Foster Community Bonds: It strengthens the sense of community as residents collaborate and get to know each other better. 🦖 Celebrate Diversity: Each group brings unique skills and perspectives, making the project richer and more interesting. 🏆 Achieve More: Multiple hands make lighter work, and the end result is often more impressive when many talents combine. 😍 Promote Inclusivity: It encourages participation from all residents, no matter their interests or abilities. So here is how you can turn ONE PROJECT into 5 separate groups to add to your calendar and to include more residents: 🎨 Art Club: Why not ask your Art or Craft Groups to sketch out their vision of the ultimate birdhouse? It's a creative exercise that sparks imagination. 🛒 Shopping Trip: Take your resident shopaholics on a bus trip to Home Depot to pick up the supply list. Shopping with a purpose can be incredibly fulfilling! 🪚 Woodworking Group: Consider scheduling two separate programs – one for sanding the wood and another for building the houses. It's teamwork in action! 🎨 Paint Club: Host a special birdhouse painting hour. Don't forget to shellac the houses to weatherproof them and make them shine. 🦜 Birdwatching Group: Identify residents who are interested in birds and have them responsible for filling the feed and documenting our feathered friends' visits. It's a birdwatcher's dream come true. This project exemplifies the strength of community collaboration. Everyone's unique abilities can come together to create something beautiful. 🤝 Have you tried a community project like this? What was it and how did it go? 🐦🏡 #CommunityCollaboration #MoreThanABirdhouse #DiverseTalents #recreationtherapy #seniorlivingcommunity

Happy lazy Sunday everyone ☕️🥐☺️ Please take a minute to read why I started #NofloornomoreCIC and if you can resonate on any level, please sign my petition it’s for anyone concerned with needless, #excessivelandfill. Thank you. …. The archaic, gung ho actions of UK Councils and most housing associations are rapidly filling up landfill. Overuse of skips (carbon footprint and pollution) properties are completely stripped before being handed over to the tenant. All floors are removed. Even those in perfectly good condition. Curtains, poles, even toilet roll holders. This causes unnecessary stress and hardship to new tenants, not to mention a slap in the face for #sustainability and #austerity. Tenants should be given the option to ‘keep or clear’. This is their new home after all. They are very often on benefits, so how are they supposed to furnish a home and be able to keep it warm with concrete floors and wooden floorboards! No basics curtain poles, everything skipped then landfilled. Not even charity shops or a reclamation yards. If the council just created a disclaimer, absolving all responsibility for these items with no obligation to maintain, at least tenant would’ve chosen. Very often tenants have had to wait years before they can afford flooring. Concrete floors, bare floors, trying to keep it warm, with young children running around. This all causes mental complications, stress and anxiety, poverty and unnecessary debt. (Extra pressure on NHS and benefit system). This cycle all needs to end. https://chng.it/FW7MZt99FQ (You’ll need to bounce back their email to confirm you aren’t a robot). https://lnkd.in/exPyvt96 https://linktr.ee/piahoney [email protected]