YAN Staff
The Hamtramck Board of Education recognized several community partners at their last board meeting.
Abdulmalik Algahaim, Board President of Hamtramck Public Schools says the board is honoring partners who have shown generosity to the students and Hamtramck community.
“Each of the recipients we recognize tonight stepped forward not because they had to, but because they believe in the power of giving back. Their contributions have warmed our students, fed many families, expanded opportunities, and reminded our children that they are seen, valued, and supported,” he shares.
Community partners were given a plaque to recognize their work.
Among those recognized is the organization Mittens for Detroit, which provided over 30,000 mittens and gloves to students in the district for the past 13 years.
Mittens for Detroit began working in the district over a decade ago, when a Hamtramck Public Schools teacher reached out for assistance for his students.
Chris Wilinkski is a resource room teacher at the Tau Beta School. He says cares deeply about his students.
One year he noticed some students did not have proper winter gear. He reached to Mittens for Detroit Executive Director Wendy Shepherd to request donations of mittens and gloves for his classroom.
Shepherd was able to do more.
“At that point she says, well, let’s help all the kids at your school. And then all of a sudden it was like, let’s help all the kids in the whole district,” he says.
Algahaim says Mittens for Detroit, “ensured that little hands stayed warm through Michigan’s coldest days,” he says. “Something as simple as a pair of mittens can make a child feel cared for, and you made that possible.”
The last donation distribution was in February, accompanied by volunteers.
Wilinski is a lifetime Hamtramck resident. He’s also been teaching for 43 years.
He says Mittens for Detroit expanded its program last year in Hamtramck by connecting students with the Royal Oak Golf Center. They were able to create a new golf team with golf coaches, equipment and practice time.
Algahaim says this created new opportunities and experiences.
Lt. Gregory Brown, Jr. and Lt. Jason Ryska are part of the Hamtramck Police Reserves.
They helped organize the Feed Hamtramck community program to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in the city.
Brown says Hamtramck Police Reserves collected donations and worked with local partners and businesses to give back to those in need.
“We provided food to families inside of our housing commission as well as the families around the local high school community center, and just in the general neighborhood,” he explains.
They provided 200 dinner meals to families during the holiday season.
“It was our first annual event, and then we look forward to doing it every year,” Brown expresses.
Ryska says the reserves help the Hamtramck Police Department. They provide volunteer services to maintain public safety. They also like to get involved with the community.
“Our true passion is to be at community events. That’s our main goal, is to help out with events to make sure they stay safe and everybody gets to enjoy them as they should,” he says.
The Hamtramck Federation of Teachers was also recognized.
Toni Coral is the president of the Hamtramck Federation of Teachers, “which represents paraprofessionals and teachers making sure that they have the best pay and the best and safest working conditions.”
The federation provided coats for students. The Hamtramck Fire Department also provided winter coats.
Algahaim says the community partners have made a “meaningful difference.”
“Your generosity doesn’t just meet a need—it inspires. It teaches our students what community looks like, what kindness feels like, and what it means to show up for one another,” he says.
