A New Play Structure for Auntie Na's Village!
The University of Michigan Medicine Class of 2024, in partnership with the Student Council and Black Medical Association, are coming together to fundraise for Auntie Na’s Village. In this time of pandemic and economic crisis, Auntie Na has been leading the fight against inequality and racial injustice and now, more than ever, she needs your help.
The Project!
Our goal: Build and cultivate a safe outdoor environment for smaller children and children with special needs. We aim to transform a vacant lot into a community park with a new play structure!
Without a nearby park or any open community centers, many kids turn to Auntie Na's Village for an after school hangout. COVID-19 has disrupted our regular programming and we are now encouraged to spend time outdoors and maintain social distancing when possible. With limited indoor space and only one play structure, we need your help to make sure the kids have adequate space to have fun outdoors.
Currently, much of the programming at Auntie Na’s Village takes place inside the main house, making social distancing difficult. We are in need of a second smaller play structure to complete their playscape. This play structure will cater to the needs of smaller children and children with special needs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 5-10% of funding will be used for consistent cleaning of the play structures and hand sanitizer stations for the children and any supervising adults.
The University of Michigan Medicine Class of 2024, in partnership with the Student Council and Black Medical Association, are coming together to fundraise for Auntie Na’s Village. In this time of pandemic and economic crisis, Auntie Na has been leading the fight against inequality and racial injustice and now, more than ever, she needs your help.
The Project!
Our goal: Build and cultivate a safe outdoor environment for smaller children and children with special needs. We aim to transform a vacant lot into a community park with a new play structure!
Without a nearby park or any open community centers, many kids turn to Auntie Na's Village for an after school hangout. COVID-19 has disrupted our regular programming and we are now encouraged to spend time outdoors and maintain social distancing when possible. With limited indoor space and only one play structure, we need your help to make sure the kids have adequate space to have fun outdoors.
Currently, much of the programming at Auntie Na’s Village takes place inside the main house, making social distancing difficult. We are in need of a second smaller play structure to complete their playscape. This play structure will cater to the needs of smaller children and children with special needs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 5-10% of funding will be used for consistent cleaning of the play structures and hand sanitizer stations for the children and any supervising adults.
Your amazing donations will go towards safe structural components including:
Why is this so important?
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, pediatricians across the country have been highlighting the importance for children to continue to learn and socialize with other children. Socialization is critical for supporting healthy child development and preventing social isolation related depression
- Smaller play-structures for younger children
- Safety-zone equipment for children with special needs
- Fall-safe foundation/bedding
- Sanitation (ie: clorox wipes, hand sanitizer stations)
- Rubber chips as opposed to wood chips
- Plastic play structures as opposed to wood or metal
- A bandstand for outdoor student performances and musical learning
Why is this so important?
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, pediatricians across the country have been highlighting the importance for children to continue to learn and socialize with other children. Socialization is critical for supporting healthy child development and preventing social isolation related depression
More affluent communities have more easily adapted to the current pandemic by transitioning most schools’ extracurricular programming online. Children are able to continue learning and interacting with their friends by using computers and high-speed internet. However, due to financial limitations, Detroit Public Schools does not have the option to provide complete remote learning this fall and plans to resume in-person classes. With students’ return to school and parents returning to onsite work, the children need a safe place to go after school.
Currently, Auntie Na’s Village is accommodating these children to the best of their abilities, but they recognize that there are improvements to be made for the sake of these children’s development and the community's public safety during the pandemic. Currently, the majority of space for the children to congregate after school at Auntie Na’s is indoors. By adding additional outdoor playground and sanitizing equipment, the children will have a safer place to socialize with other children and pursue healthy physical activity.
How can you help?
You can support us by donating here! Also, sharing this campaign with family and friends on social media has a huge impact!
As aspiring physicians, our goal is to promote the health of members of our community. With the eyes of the world on the Black Lives Matter movement, it is essential that we address the systemic racism that Detroit and Black communities all across this country face on a regular basis. These disparities extend to the health care system, and it is therefore incumbent upon us as future physicians to be the solution. We should not only work towards eradicating racism and other disparities within our healthcare systems, but offer support to our neighbors.
We firmly believe that our role as future physicians extends beyond the hospitals and clinics. Fostering healthy, safe, and sanitary environments for children in communities where parks, schools and vital services have been defunded is vital to tackling our nation’s health disparities and social injustice. We are therefore excited to collaborate with Auntie Na’s Village and support their vision for a place of learning, loving and healing.
If you have questions or concerns please contact:
Auntie Na - 313-808-8940 auntienashouse@gmail.com - Founder and Director of Auntie Na's Village
Sanaya Irani - 248-292-1665 sanaya@med.umich.edu - Medical Student at the University of Michigan Medical School
Currently, Auntie Na’s Village is accommodating these children to the best of their abilities, but they recognize that there are improvements to be made for the sake of these children’s development and the community's public safety during the pandemic. Currently, the majority of space for the children to congregate after school at Auntie Na’s is indoors. By adding additional outdoor playground and sanitizing equipment, the children will have a safer place to socialize with other children and pursue healthy physical activity.
How can you help?
You can support us by donating here! Also, sharing this campaign with family and friends on social media has a huge impact!
As aspiring physicians, our goal is to promote the health of members of our community. With the eyes of the world on the Black Lives Matter movement, it is essential that we address the systemic racism that Detroit and Black communities all across this country face on a regular basis. These disparities extend to the health care system, and it is therefore incumbent upon us as future physicians to be the solution. We should not only work towards eradicating racism and other disparities within our healthcare systems, but offer support to our neighbors.
We firmly believe that our role as future physicians extends beyond the hospitals and clinics. Fostering healthy, safe, and sanitary environments for children in communities where parks, schools and vital services have been defunded is vital to tackling our nation’s health disparities and social injustice. We are therefore excited to collaborate with Auntie Na’s Village and support their vision for a place of learning, loving and healing.
If you have questions or concerns please contact:
Auntie Na - 313-808-8940 auntienashouse@gmail.com - Founder and Director of Auntie Na's Village
Sanaya Irani - 248-292-1665 sanaya@med.umich.edu - Medical Student at the University of Michigan Medical School