Dear Neighbor,
I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season and joyous start to the 2026 new year! I’m looking forward to continuing to represent our community and working together on the issues that matter most to you. In this newsletter, I have included resources and events to help aid you in having a great start to this year.
Featured in This Newsletter:
- Celebrating and Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- East Side Community Network HOPE Program
- Michigan DNR is Hiring Hundreds of Seasonal Park Workers
- Rx Kids Program Launching in Detroit
- Warming Centers Available in District
- Protect Yourself from Illness
As always, it is an honor to represent you. If you would like any assistance with state-based issues, please feel free to reach out! You can email me at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-8360.
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Celebrating and Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day
This Monday, Jan. 19, we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who championed nonviolent resistance against racial segregation. His leadership during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and March in Washington in 1963 helped pave the way for landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to advance justice and equality.
The campaign to establish MLK Day began shortly after his assassination in 1968. After years of advocacy — including efforts by Congressman John Conyers and Coretta Scott King — the holiday was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and first observed nationally in 1986. Today, it stands as one of the few federal holidays honoring an individual, reminding us that the fight for civil rights reshaped America’s moral framework. I encourage you to explore events in district to celebrate this holiday!
Events in and near District:
Sterling Heights – Dr. Martin Luther King Unity Walk.
This event will take place at The City of Sterling Heights City Hall on Monday Jan. 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The event will include opening remarks from guest speaker Bishop James Williams, a reading from poet Zig Zag Claybourne, light refreshments, and a short walk through the community, beginning and ending at City Hall. Nonperishable food donations will also be collected in honor of Dr. King’s commitment to community service, with all donations benefiting the Macomb County Community Food Bank.
All residents are invited to join. This event is free to attend! Register online.
Detroit – Special Henry Ford Museum Exhibit
The Henry Ford Museum features an exhibit dedicated to civil rights called “With Liberty and Justice for All.” Some of the highlights in the exhibition include the Rosa Parks Bus and several items related to Martin Luther King, Jr. Those include a memorial button, posters, a record album, pins, and more.
To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Jan. 18-20, events include a full lineup of onsite programming, musical performances, guided tours, and more. Admission and parking to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation are also free on Monday, Jan. 19 in recognition of the celebrated day of service.
To learn more, please visit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Events – The Henry Ford.
East Side Community Network HOPE Program
The Homeowners Property Tax Exemption (HOPE) provides an opportunity for homeowners to be exempt from their current year’s property taxes based on household income or circumstances. Eligibility for the HOPE is based on whether you own and occupy your home as your primary residence and your household income or circumstances.
Eastside Community Network aides’ residents applying for HOPE through their “HOPE Days”— which takes place every Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Residents may schedule an appointment by calling (313) 571-2800 or walk-in during the identified hours to receive assistance. East Side Community Network, we also connect residents with other resources aimed at foreclosure prevention.
To qualify, you must own and live in your home as your primary residence and meet income or hardship requirements. If approved, homeowners are still responsible for certain fees. The solid waste fee is reduced to $125 for HOPE-approved single-family homes.
Please note: The HOPE application is an annual application, and homeowners must reapply every year to continue receiving the exemption.
For more information, please contact please contact Lawanda Villard at lvillard@ecn-detroit.org.
Michigan DNR is Hiring Hundreds of Seasonal Park Workers
If you or someone you know is looking for a summer job, The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources is hiring hundreds of seasonal park workers! This opportunity allows you to spend time in some of Michigan’s most beautiful locations, while making some extra money. This job would include helping answer visitor questions, registering campers, cleaning park buildings, mowing grass, maintaining trails, and more.
About the position:
- Starting hourly rate: $15.50
- Flexible scheduling (up to 1,040 hours between April and Oct. 2026).
- Position may qualify for academic or internship credit (applicants should contact their academic advisor for eligibility requirements).
- 18 years of age or possession of a high school diploma (or equivalent) is preferred.
- Required to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
To learn more please visit, Summer park workers.
City of Sterling Heights Christmas Tree Recycling Program and Decoration Disposal
The City of Sterling Heights will be continuing their 33rd annual Christmas Tree Recycling program. Christmas trees left out on the curb from Jan. 5 through 31 will be picked up and turned into wood chips and returned to the earth in an environmentally friendly manner.
If interested in participating, please place your trees at the curb with regular refuse by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled trash collection day. Please be sure the tree is free of all ornaments, tinsel, decorations, lights, and is not in a bag.
GFL also asks that you do not place the following items in your recycling bin:
- Christmas/holiday string lights — this item will tangle and create problems in the machinery.
- Holiday yard decorations: such as candy canes, blow up displays — think snowmen or Santa, reindeer, extension cords, bows, etc.
- Tissue paper
- Artificial Christmas trees
- Ornaments and hooks of any kind
- Anything with glitter — if a card or wrapping paper has glitter on it, it has to go in refuse collection
- Bows, ribbons, gift bags with glitter or fabric
Rx Kids Program Launching in Detroit
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has announced that the City of Detroit will be partnering with Rx Kids to help meet the needs of vulnerable children. Rx Kids is a program of Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly that provides parent and infant cash prescription programs and life-changing financial security to families during the critical period of pregnancy and infancy.
Eligibility
- For families residing in the city of Detroit
- Pregnant moms and babies
- Visit the Rx Kids website for more eligibility information!
Rx Kids Benefits
- $1500 during pregnancy
- $500 per month for baby’s first 6 months
Partner Resources
- Free transportation to appointments;
- Utility assistance;
- Wraparound pregnancy services;
- Detroit ID;
- Free tax preparation;
- And more!
Warming Centers Available in District
As the temperatures begin to drop, it is vital to your health and safety that you stay warm. If you do not have a place to stay with sufficient heat, there are a multitude of warming centers available in our district. I have listed the heating centers by city below.
Detroit
- Cass Community Social Services
(313) 833-2277
11850 Woodrow Wilson St.
Open overnight
- Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
(313) 331-8990 and (313) 993-6703
11037 Mack Ave. and 3535 Third Ave.
Both locations open overnight
The City of Detroit is providing respite locations in their recreational centers as well as their public library branches. They are available during normal operating hours during the day. To search for warming centers in Wayne County, please click here.
Center Line
- Center Line City Hall
(586) 757-6800
7070 Ten Mile Rd.
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sterling Heights
- Sterling Heights Public Library
(586) 446-2665
40255 Dodge Park Rd.
Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sterling Heights Senior Center
(586) 446-2750
40200 Utica Rd.
Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sterling Heights Community Center
(586) 446-2700
40250 Dodge Park Rd.
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Warren
- Macomb County Health Department
(586) 465-8090
Southwest Health Center, 27690 Van Dyke Ave.
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Macomb County Winter Shelter
Trinity Lutheran Church, 8150 Chapp Ave.
Open 7 days a week
Protect Yourself from Illness
We are amidst cold and flu season, which means it is more common to pick up illnesses and viruses. Common illnesses include COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Below I have included some tips to prevent and protect yourself and others from unwanted illness.
Take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs:
- Staying up to date with immunizations.
- Practicing good hygiene by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, using and teaching children proper handwashing technique, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs.
- Taking steps for cleaner air for respiratory virus prevention.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
When you may have a respiratory virus:
- Use precautions to prevent spread, such as remaining at home for at least 24 hours when respiratory virus symptoms are present.
- Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.
Treatments include:
- Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
- If you are sick with flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness.
- Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, or inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter.
- Flu antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
- For people at higher risk of serious flu illness, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness and having a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
- Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person is at higher risk of severe flu illness or is very sick from flu.
Additional prevention strategies:
If you are interested in outbreak data of reported viral infections in Michigan, please visit Respiratory Disease Reports.