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The Piast Institute is proud to announce it has been awarded $125,000 through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to support youth substance use prevention initiatives serving Wayne County and surrounding communities.
The funding, made possible through Michigan's opioid settlement investments, will support prevention programming through the Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC), a program of the Piast Institute that has been working to prevent youth substance use since 2007. The grant is part of a statewide investment of nearly $3.75 million awarded to 12 organizations focused on helping young people build healthy futures through prevention, education, mentorship, and positive community engagement.  As summer arrives and children celebrate the end of another school year, many families face a less visible challenge: replacing the breakfasts and lunches their children typically receive at school. For households already struggling with rising food costs, those extra meals can place a significant strain on family budgets. That's why the Piast Institute and its Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC) program are inviting residents to help ensure local children have access to a simple but important start to their day—a healthy breakfast. Throughout the summer, the Piast Institute will be collecting unopened boxes of cereal, along with dry milk and shelf-stable milk, for distribution through the "Little Free Library" located outside the Piast Institute office. The concept is simple: neighbors helping neighbors. A single box of cereal may seem small, but for a family facing food insecurity, it can provide several breakfasts and one less worry. Community members can drop off donations at the Piast Institute (Mon.-Thurs.) or order items online and have them shipped directly to the organization. Amazon wishlist list: tinyurl.com/2026Cereal With a little help from the community, we can make sure more Hamtramck families have the support they need during the months when school meal programs are unavailable or inaccessible. After all, hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, and neither does the compassion of our community. Donations may be delivered or shipped to: Piast Institute (include your name) 11633 Joseph Campau Hamtramck, MI 48212 Contact the Piast Institute at (313) 733-4535 or email at: [email protected] and let them know of your donation. Small individual sizes, regular or family size accepted. Consider donating dry milk/shelf-stable milk options that can be included as well. According to hunger advocacy organizations, summer is one of the most difficult times of year for families experiencing food insecurity. Contact the Piast Institute at (313) 733-4535 or email at: [email protected] and let them know of your donation. Small individual sizes, regular or family size accepted. Consider donating dry milk/shelf-stable milk options that can be included as well. According to hunger advocacy organizations, summer is one of the most difficult times of year for families experiencing food insecurity. Without access to school breakfast and lunch programs, many households must stretch already limited budgets to provide additional meals each day. Your donation can help individuals of all ages in our community. People in need of food assistance this summer can call 2-1-1 for local resources, visit area food pantries (Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest post schedules online), access summer meal programs for children, or utilize the Little Free Library (sharing books and other resources) located outside the Piast Institute. Get Active and Stay Healthy at the Hamtramck Health Hike Hamtramck, Mich. – Join the Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC), a program of the Piast Institute, for its 17th Annual Hamtramck Health Hike. This fun-filled community event promoting health and wellness will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Led by this year's Grand Marshal, Michael Young, a long-standing and dedicated member of the Hamtramck Fire Department, this year’s hike highlights the strength and spirit of community leadership in Hamtramck. The Hamtramck Health Hike invites residents of all ages to come together for a morning of outdoor activity and enjoyment. Rain or shine, participants will take on the 5K course through city streets, beginning and ending at Zussman Park, in front of Hamtramck City Hall. Participants can run, jog, or walk the course at their own pace. The 5K will be officially timed, and participants will be able to look up their bib number online to view race results and compare times within their age group. As an added incentive, the first 400 people to register and attend will receive free giveaways, so be sure to sign up early and secure your spot. Following the hike, participants are encouraged to stay and enjoy activities at the park while learning more about healthy, drug-free lifestyles. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to learn how to save a life. Participants can receive on-site training in the use of Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan), a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Those who complete the training will receive a free naloxone kit to take home, empowering community members with the knowledge and tools to respond in an emergency. “We’re grateful for the continued support of our community leaders, partners, and volunteers who make this event possible,” said HDFCC Director Shannon Schafer. “Together, we are promoting healthy lifestyles and working to prevent substance abuse among our youth.” Don’t miss this opportunity to come together as a community, take steps toward a healthier future, and gain the tools to make a life-saving difference. Register today and join us for a morning of fun, fitness, and connection. The Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC) was founded by the Piast Institute in 2007 to address issues of substance abuse among Hamtramck youth. Committed to prevention activities, HDFCC works year-round with community leaders to tackle substance abuse involving alcohol, tobacco, opioids, and marijuana. Make a difference, join the coalition online or in person (11633 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck) monthly every second Thursday of the month. Place 3401 Evaline Street Hamtramck, MI - 48212, U.S.A Race Contact Info For questions or additional information, contact Shannon Schafer, the race director, at [email protected] and follow along on our socials: Facebook or Instagram. Get in on the fun by registering yourself and your family and join us on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Click The Link Below To Register https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Hamtramck/HealthHike Click The Link Below To Donate https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JA25FABF8M378 Publishing About The 2026 Hamtramck Health Hike On The Hamtramck Review(1st Page)
Quality Improvement Committee Meeting dates will be held on Wednesdays for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026.
The meetings are scheduled from 2:00pm - 3:00pm unless otherwise noted. Wed. November 12, 2025 at 2:00 Wed. February 11, 2026 at 2:00 Wed. May 6, 2026 at 2:00 Wed. August 5, 2026 at 2:00  The Piast Institute has long been a gathering place for Polish Americans in our metro-Detroit region. As one of the few Polish organizations still active in Hamtramck, we carry a special responsibility to serve our community, preserve our heritage, and provide essential resources for families and youth. Our building is more than just an office—it has become a necessity for community life. The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago holds passport and documentation services here, giving local residents direct access without traveling hundreds of miles. Community events hosted within our space bring people together to meet, plan events, host lectures, share traditions, and inspire the next generation to preserve Polish culture. Through our Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC), young people gain opportunities to learn, lead, and make healthy choices for their future. To meet growing needs within the Hamtramck community and surrounding catchment area, the Piast Institute is undertaking a much-needed renovation to create a modern, welcoming community space. Plans include installing new flooring, upgrading the electrical system (there are currently two outlets in a room that size), and adding blinds for large windows for privacy & better viewing during online/hybrid meetings. The room will be furnished with flexible tables and storage, making it suitable for small gatherings as well as large meetings, lectures, Polish language testing and trainings. Technology upgrades—including an interactive smartboard and tablets—will ensure that the space can be used for educational programs, youth activities, and community collaborations. This project is not just about improving a room; it is about building a home where Polish Americans and community partners can come together to learn, connect, and celebrate. It is about ensuring that events provided by the Consulate, programs led by youth, Polish Scouts, and initiatives like HDFCC have a strong foundation in our community.
We invite you to join us in this effort. Your donation will directly support the renovation and technology upgrades needed to bring this vision to life. Together, we can create a vibrant space that serves our community today and preserves our Polish heritage for generations to come. Please consider making a gift to support this important project. With your help, the Piast Institute will continue to be a home for Polish Americans and a beacon of community in Hamtramck. Sincerely, Virginia Skrzyniarz Malgorzata Tulecki CEO/Co-Founder Executive Vice President Piast Institute Conference Room Feedback Have you heard?! The Piast Institute Conference Room is getting an update! We want you to be apart of the remodeling process! Take this two-minute survey to share your feedback about things you'd like to see available in the room, style you'd like to see incorporated and, any other ideas you have!  Book Sale & Office Hours
Reviewing inventory, Piast Institute still has Polish books available for sale! Stop by during our open office days between 10 AM – 3 PM: Tues, Sept. 16 Wed, Sept. 17 Thurs, Sept. 18 Mon, Sept. 22 Tues, Sept. 23 Wed, Sept. 24 Thurs, Sept. 25 No Friday or weekend dates available. Come find your next great read at the office, 11633 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck MI 48212! |
