COVID-19 Update: Rehmann to Host Michigan Cybersecurity Conference, Flagstar Bank Commits $1M in Grants to Minority-owned Businesses, and More

Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
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graph of daily coronavirus cases in Michigan
Courtesy of Bridge

Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Rehmann to Host Annual Michigan Cybersecurity Conference
Rehmann, a leading financial services firm in Troy, announced today it will host the 2020 Michigan Cybersecurity Conference on Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as a virtual event.

The seventh annual conference, in partnership with the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan, the West Michigan Cyber Security Consortium, and the Michigan Small Business Development Center, brings industry leaders and cybersecurity specialists together to address the latest challenges and best practices organizations should follow to help prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.

“Due to the shift online, this year’s conference is open to participants from across the state and the country for the first time,” says Randy Rupp, CEO of Rehmann. “While our adoption of technology has evolved rapidly in the last seven months, in many ways, businesses’ cybersecurity practices have not.”

The conference’s keynote speaker is Corey Nachreiner, chief technology officer for WatchGuard Technologies Inc. In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to interact with a panel of professionals, participate in live Q&A sessions, and join a variety of business and technical track sessions on topics such as navigating the 2020 cyber threat landscape while working from home, steps for boosting an organization’s cybersecurity readiness, inclusion in cybersecurity, and the future of the purple team.

To register or for more information, visit here.

Flagstar Bank Commits $1M in Grants to Minority-owned Businesses
Flagstar Bank in Troy is committing $1 million in grants to help small businesses owned by Black, indigenous, and people of color whose operating expenses are impacted by COVID-19.

Businesses owned by people of color have been especially hard hit by COVID-19, with nearly half of black-owned businesses shuttered by the pandemic.

Qualifying small businesses can submit applications now through Nov. 20 for grants of $5,000. Flagstar has partnered with BIPOC nonprofits in its key banking markets to vet and administer the grants. Qualifications include diverse ownership, revenues of no more than $1 million, and a location within Flagstar Bank’s footprint of Michigan; Fort Wayne and South Bend, Ind.; and the High Desert of San Bernardino County, Calif. Additional qualifications, grant uses, and other information are available in the application.

“We have a commitment to our communities and to keeping our promises to them,” says Alessandro DiNello, CEO of Flagstar Bank. “Reversing decades of systemic inequities is a marathon, and we are in it to the finish. These grants are an important milestone along the way to making our communities and our company better and more equitable for all.”

Dwan Dandridge, CEO of Black Leaders Detroit, one of the program’s nonprofit partners, says,

“We hope to combat the narrative that there is no assistance for minority-owned businesses. We were founded to serve the entrepreneurs to do more with less. We are proud to team up with Flagstar to help these businesses survive, thrive and enhance the vitality of our communities.”

All business information submitted with the applications will be confidential. Businesses selected to receive grants will be notified Dec.4, with funds disbursed a few days later.

Beaumont Hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy, Grosse Pointe Enact COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions
As COVID-19 cases in the region and state continue to rise, Beaumont hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe are limiting the visitation of family and friends starting today.

“We’ve had a notable rise in COVID-19 cases in metro Detroit,” says Dr. Nick Gilpin, medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology for Beaumont Health. “Community positivity rates have jumped to 8-11 percent in the area. Last spring, we took care of the most COVID-19 patients in the state and we know that taking difficult steps like restricting visitors will help us keep our patients and our staff safe.”

All of Beaumont’s hospitals are safe and remain open to all patients needing health care including emergency visits, testing, and surgery. Patients should continue to go to any Beaumont Emergency Department for medical issues that need urgent attention.

The visitation restrictions in effect for the Beaumont campuses in Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe, and Troy campuses include: No one will be allowed in rooms of patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests except for individuals who are approaching the end-of-life, patients under 21 years of age, women in labor, or other extreme circumstances where the benefits of presence outweigh the risk of COVID-19 exposure.  All exceptions must be approved by clinical leadership.

For patients who do not have COVID-19, one family/friend may be present in the following situations:

  • Person who is in serious or critical condition or in hospice care.
  • Person at end-of-life. Additional family may take turns at their loved one’s bedside. (Two people are permitted at the bedside)
  • Adult with cognitive, physical, or mental disability requiring help with the provision of medical care or activities of daily living, speaking for the patient, and keeping patient safe.
  • Person undergoing a surgical procedure.
  • When required for support and arrangements are made in advance, person having an outpatient test or procedure.
  • Person receiving care in the Emergency Center.
  • Person who must exercise power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for a patient.
  • Mother in labor or with pregnancy complications. A doula in addition to the designated partner is permitted.
  • Children who are 21 years of age or under. Two parents are permitted.

Exceptions only apply if a family member or friend screens negative for symptoms of respiratory infection. Any visitation request that differs from these guidelines will be reviewed by clinical leadership. Anyone under the age of 16 is restricted from visiting, except under extreme circumstances.

After a visit is complete, everyone must leave the hospital and cannot remain in waiting areas, public areas, or cafeterias.

“We recognize that engaging families is a critical part of the healing process,” says Susan Grant chief nursing officer at Beaumont Health. “We made our decision to restrict visitors after thoughtful conversations with our physicians, nurses, and staff. We have plenty of personal protective equipment, frequently clean our facilities, require daily health screening for all staff, and routinely perform COVID-19 testing for our patients to keep our hospitals safe. It’s troubling to see the virus on the rise again in our community. Please wear a mask when you are in public and take all of the CDC’s recommended precautions to help us stop the spread of the virus until a vaccine is available.”

Partnership to Address Shortage of Mechatronics Technicians in Region
Macomb Community College and Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program (MAT²) are partnering to expand MAT² mechatronics technician apprenticeships in southeast Michigan to address the lack of technicians in the area.

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary branch of engineering technology that combines electrical, computer, and mechanical theory and practice.

“The employers we work with are telling us that there is a real shortage of qualitied mechatronics technicians in the area,” says Vikki Gordon, apprentice coordinator at Macomb Community College. “Our partnership with MAT² will support companies in finding quality candidates for their mechatronics apprenticeship programs and help them build a sustainable talent pipeline while providing residents with a pathway to an in-demand career.”

The program combines company-specific knowledge, theory, and hands-on learning with students earning while they learn. Students complete the three-year, employer-paid program with a debt-free associate in applied science degree from Macomb and a base of knowledge and skills applicable to many roles within advanced manufacturing.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to work with Macomb Community College, especially given their leadership and long experience in teaching mechatronics,” says Virginia Rounds, director of the MAT² apprenticeship program. “Expanding our network of community colleges benefits companies and apprentices alike.”

For more information on becoming involved in the MAT² Apprenticeship Program at Macomb, contact Vikki Gordon at gordonv@macomb.edu or Darlene Bidwell at bidwell@mat2apprenticeships.com.

Little Caesars to Hire Thousands Nationwide
Detroit-based Little Caesars and its franchise-owned stores across the country are looking to fill thousands of jobs at various levels, including hourly crew members, assistant managers, managers, and manager trainees. In addition, distribution centers are hiring warehouse team members and drivers with commercial driver’s licenses.

“Right now, many people across the country are looking for part- and full-time work,” says Dave Scrivano, CEO of Little Caesars. “We want those people to know that Little Caesars welcomes them. We provide a positive and fast-paced work environment with plenty of growth opportunities.”

To apply for a position or to learn more, visit here.

Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll Opening Night to Benefit Jay’s Juniors
Canterbury Village in Lake Orion has announced that opening night for Holiday Stroll 2020, will take place Dec. 3 and benefit Jay’s Juniors, a program dedicated to supporting chronically and terminally ill children.

“We are proud to partner with Jay’s Juniors to help children and their families have a memorable holiday,” says Keith Aldridge, CEO of Canterbury Village. “The holidays are a time for giving and we are hopeful that our wonderful community will come together to help support such a great cause.”

Each year Jay’s Juniors takes children and their families on an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World. The hopes for these trips are that these families are able to make some wonderful memories, while experiencing a trip of a lifetime. This year the trip to Orlando will be postponed to December 2021. As a result, Jay’s Juniors has launched “Jay’s Juniors At-Home” to help metro Detroit families by granting Christmas wishes throughout the 2020 holiday season.

“I am thankful for Canterbury Village and the community for coming together to help these children,” says Jay Towers, founder of Jay’s Juniors and morning show anchor on WJBK-TV and host of Jay Towers in the Morning on WNIC-FM 100.3. “Being able to bring joy and happiness for all these children and their families and take their minds off everything else, is why I started Jay’s Juniors.”

Other Holiday Stroll dates include Dec. 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20. Tickets are $9.99 each and children under 2, military, and veterans are free.

A contactless ticketing system will be in place with all tickets available here and for advance purchase only. Limited capacity sessions will be offered with timed tickets available starting at 6 p.m. each night and every half hour, through 9 p.m. The grounds have additional sanitization and safety measures in place in accordance with the state of Michigan’s current guidelines and restrictions. Masks are required.

Museum of Design to Feature Couture Fashion in Detroit Culture
The Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit is presenting an exhibition titled Couture 313 from now until January 2021 featuring the history of couture fashion in the Motor City.

The museum is housed in Collected Detroit, an art gallery at 2439 Fourth St. in Detroit.

The Couture 313 exhibition features designers are Aki Choklat, Boswell Hardwick, Donovan Dewberry, Eric Beamon, Tina Tomicic, and Tom Carbone along with artists Artis Lane and Steve Tobin. Pairing the designers and artists together demonstrate the cross-over of couture fashion and art, which is woven into the fabric of Detroit culture.

For more information, visit here.

Kevin’s Song Planning Virtual Conference on Suicide Prevention
Kevin’s Song, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention based in Grosse Pointe Farms, says registration is open for its Fifth Annual Virtual Conference, “Suicide: Equity and Equality in Suicide Prevention,” which will take place Jan. 21-23.

The event, which will be produced by Detroit Public Television, can accommodate up to 1,000 participants from across Michigan, the U.S., and internationally compared to last year’s in-person event that was sold out with approximately 450 registrants.

“Like most nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin’s Song has pivoted to offer its annual conference on suicide in a virtual format,” says Gail Urso, co-founder and vice president of Kevin’s Song. “Despite these challenges, we will continue to provide meaningful programming with access to a prestigious roster of leading mental health professionals, educators and experts in the field of suicide. We encourage anyone who has been touched by suicide to join us for our event as we collectively work to achieve a world without suicide.”

The cost to attend the three-day conference is $150 for registrants prior to Jan. 1, 2021. Afterward it is $175. The cost for the Thursday School Summit program is $75 for early registrants and $100 after Jan. 1. If purchased separately, the Saturday morning Survivor program is $25. Student rates are available. There are also group rates available for the School Summit.

The program breaks down as follows:

  • 21-22: Equity and Equality in Suicide Prevention.
  • 21: The School Summit.
  • 23: The Saturday Program – Surviving Suicide.

This year’s conference also will feature a virtual Resource Gallery, a bookstore courtesy of the Self Esteem Shop, a Memorial Forest honoring those who have died by suicide, and a special presentation on Saturday morning, of the 2021 Kevin’s Song “Save a Life” award to Sojourner Jones, community liaison for law enforcement for the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.

For more information and to register, visit here.

Nurse Organization to Host Holiday Toy Drive
Plymouth Township-based Nurses Inspire Nurses is staging a four-week toy drive to benefit children aged 2- to 18-years-old whose wishes are being granted by Make-A-Wish Michigan.

Starting Nov. 16, people will be able to donate small, new, unwrapped toys or gift cards at the Nurses Inspire Nurses warehouse (15087 Northville Rd. in Plymouth Township), as well as at Bird Bee (1228 Griswold St. in Detroit), Kiloh + Co. (689 N. Mill St., Ste. 101 in Plymouth), and Mint Hair Crafting (510 S Center St. in Royal Oak).

“Nurses see firsthand the magic and joy these gifts bring to a child when they need it most, and help to keep them focused on their wish rather than their illness,” says Cat Golden, founder of Nurses Inspire Nurses. “Nurses Inspire Nurses is fortunate to have so many compassionate members who not only give so much day in and day out in the workplace, but also unite to make a difference in their own communities.

“I encourage our members, their family and friends and community at-large to participate in our toy drive in an effort to help make a significant impact and bring smiles to wish children in our community who are battling a critical medical condition, especially during this holiday season.”

For more information, visit here or email questions to support@nursesinspirenurses.