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Oral History

Mary Ann Humphries

Mary Ann Humphries 700 525 Hannan Center

humphries_and_carter_1-paint-editedAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Being a septuagenarian has not slowed down Mary Ann Humphries a bit. The life-long Detroiter has worked with a multitude of volunteer groups in the Metro area. Humphries continues her service to this day as an advocate for who else… other seniors.

Catherine Barthwell

Catherine Barthwell 700 525 Hannan Center

catherinebarthwell-1As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Catherine Barthwell had never worked with the United Way, but that all changed when she was asked to join the volunteer council of…The United Way.  Since then Barthwell has been “hooked” on volunteering and has continued to help out in various ways, including establishing a clothing boutique that offers free clothing for women seeking employment.

Don Vest

Don Vest 525 700 Hannan Center

donvest-editedAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Don Vest loves helping out and views it as a way of helping to solve problems.  He started a CO-OP program through Highland Park High School that helped to give black young men (and eventually women) opportunities to get trained and enter work forces that were thought to be closed to African-Americans.

Jon Villa

Jon Villa 700 525 Hannan Center

vanessa_and_john_villa-editedAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Jon Villa retired in 1983 and he didn’t have a hobby, didn’t want to watch television, but made a promise to go to Southwest Detroit to help out. Now volunteering is Villa’s hobby. He started his path of volunteer work with Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development and has served as a member of the board of directors for The American Red Cross.

Suesetta McCree

Suesetta McCree 700 665 Hannan Center

suesetta_mccreeAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Susetta McCree is a true Detroit native. She aspires to help out in the city in which she was born, grew up, and attended school. She has had several volunteering roles throughout her time spent in the city, including serving as a director of volunteers at the Rehabilitation Institute. Although volunteering is one aspect of helping out Detroit, McCree feels that there are other things that can be done and implemented to help clean up neighborhoods and combat drug problems—specifically on the Westside.

Maggie Mooney

Maggie Mooney 150 150 Hannan Center

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Maggie Mooney is an outspoken advocate of women’s rights and racial equality. During her lifetime Mooney challenged assumed social norms and the status-quo of the mid to late 20th century on multiple levels. She began her role as a civil rights advocate after she starting questioning one her most revered institutions… the church.

Gary Kenyon

Gary Kenyon 150 150 Hannan Center

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Returning to Detroit after serving in Vietnam… Gary Kenyon found himself becoming disillusioned and jaded. His experiences in the war left him questioning society and the government he served. But when Kenyon began volunteering, his whole outlook on life changed.

Dorothy Kispert

Dorothy Kispert 700 500 Hannan Center

michelle_and_dorothy_kispertAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Dorothy Kispert… with the exception of a few years in Africa… has lived in Detroit her entire life. After a successful career in child development, Kispert focused on volunteering. Working with numerous organizations… including the Detroit Zoo, the United Way and her church’s nursing home outreach program… Dorothy Kispert can personally attest to the power of personal connections through volunteering.

Norris Turner

Norris Turner 700 525 Hannan Center

norristurnerAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, Detroit Public Radio’s Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Norris Tuner is a life-long resident of Detroit. Throughout his life volunteering has been a constant. In additions to his duties as a deacon for his church… Norris donates his time to Hospice as a volunteer coordinator. Mr. Turner says volunteering runs deep in his family.

Betty Lawson

Betty Lawson 483 700 Hannan Center

betty_lawsonAs part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Detroiter Betty Lawson is a born volunteer. She has contributed her time and energy for more than 70 years to many organizations including the Red Cross, the A.A.R.P., and her church. Lawson considers volunteering is an essential for the community.