 Piast Institute and Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition Seek Project Director to Advance Community Prevention Effort HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — The Piast Institute and its Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC) are seeking a passionate, community-minded professional to serve as Project Director, helping lead substance use prevention initiatives that strengthen the health and well-being of residents throughout the Hamtramck community. The Project Director will coordinate evidence-based prevention programs, engage youth and families, collaborate with schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community partners, and support grant-funded initiatives that address emerging community needs. The position also includes program planning, evaluation, public education, and grant development.  "We're looking for someone who is passionate about making a difference through prevention, education, and community collaboration," said Lara Girdwood, Executive Director of HDFCC. "This is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact while working alongside dedicated partners committed to building a healthier community." Candidates with strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills, along with an interest in public health, prevention, or community development, are encouraged to apply. Grant writing experience and public speaking skills are preferred. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to obtain professional prevention certification through the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP). Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected].  The Piast Institute is a national nonprofit research and policy organization dedicated to serving the Polish and Polish American community while advancing education, public health, and community development initiatives. HDFCC, a program of the Piast Institute, works with residents and community partners to prevent youth substance use and promote healthier, safer communities through education, collaboration, and evidence-based prevention strategies.
As financial scams targeting older adults continue to increase across the United States, the Piast Institute is helping local seniors protect themselves through free educational presentations focused on Medicare fraud prevention, identity theft, financial scams, and emerging cyber threats.
Over the past several months, the Piast Institute has hosted fraud prevention workshops for older adults throughout the community, providing practical tools to recognize scams, safeguard personal information, and report suspicious activity. These educational sessions brought together seniors to learn about today's most common fraud schemes while fostering social engagement through interactive discussions and community activities. The need for this education has never been greater. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Report, adults age 60 and older reported $7.748 billion in losses from 201,266 complaints in 2025—a 59% increase in reported losses compared to the previous year. The report underscores the growing financial impact of fraud on older Americans. "Education is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent fraud before it happens," said Malgorzata Tulecki, Executive Vice President of the Piast Institute. "Scammers are constantly changing their tactics, using phone calls, emails, text messages, artificial intelligence, and social media to target victims. By teaching people how to recognize these scams and respond appropriately, we can help protect their financial security and independence." During the workshops, participants learned how to identify and avoid a wide range of scams, including:
The presentations emphasized practical steps everyone can take to reduce their risk, including verifying the identity of callers by contacting organizations directly, never sharing personal or Medicare information with unsolicited callers, using strong passwords and multifactor authentication for online accounts, and consulting trusted family members or financial professionals before making significant financial decisions. Because many fraud victims never report scams due to embarrassment, fear, or uncertainty about where to turn, experts believe the true financial impact of fraud is significantly higher than official reports indicate. This makes public education and awareness essential components of fraud prevention. Although older adults often experience the greatest financial losses, fraud affects people of every generation. The Piast Institute encourages individuals and families to stay informed, discuss common scams with loved ones, and remain vigilant against evolving fraud tactics. These educational presentations reflect the Piast Institute's ongoing commitment to improving the health, financial well-being, and quality of life of the communities it serves. By partnering with local organizations and bringing trusted information directly to residents, the Institute continues to empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence needed to protect themselves from fraud and financial exploitation. About the Piast Institute - The Piast Institute is a national nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to serving communities through research, education, outreach, and public service. Through its health education, prevention, and community engagement initiatives, the Institute works to improve quality of life, promote healthy aging, and connect individuals and families with trusted resources that strengthen communities. Congratulations to our very own, Franciszek Buciek! We are proud to celebrate Franciszek as he will be receiving the MCRUD 2026 Rising Star Award (Youth Under 21) at the 30th Anniversary for MCRUD Annual Meeting & Award ceremony (Southfield, Michigan) in recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to making a positive impact in our community. Franciszek Buciek joined the Piast Institute as a high school intern during his freshmen year. Five years later, his work in the community with the Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC) is being celebrated by others. Frankie's commitment, participation and feedback as a minor was crucial for projects such as State of Michigan Synar checks, community scans, and substance misuse prevention activities. Frankie, your hard work and passion inspire those around you, and we couldn't be more proud of this well-deserved achievement. Keep shining and making a difference—we can't wait to see all that you'll accomplish in the future! #RisingStarAward #CommunityLeadership #YouthLeadership #PiastInstitute #HamtramckDrugFree #MakingADifference #Congratulations  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)
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