Archives for March 2020

COVID-19 Update #2 to Polonia from Polish Consulate in Detroit

Dear Friends of Polonia!

I hope this message finds you and your family in good health. I am writing to update Michigan’s Polonia of some useful information in these challenging times.

As promised, I am providing some information for our Polish and Polish-American businesses, in order to spread the word how they should take advantage of the huge amounts of money that our federal government and state and local governments have made available to businesses and to pay their employees during this time.

Please excuse the fact that I am including certain information I authored from my law firm, but I am providing this to Polonia as a free of charge resource to make sure we take advantage of what is available to us. I am happy to answer any questions from any Polish or Polish-American business free of charge, to assist in applying for money (but don’t tell my other clients).

  1. Federal Government Financial Assistance. The U.S. Congress passed, and the President signed, the “CARES Act”. This provides two, very substantial financial aid programs to small business (under 500 employees). One program provides money that does not even have to repaid under certain conditions for businesses to pay their workers, rent, mortgage, utilities and debt interest. The other program offers very low interest rate long-term loans for businesses to pay working capital. Again, this is almost like getting free money to pay 2 months’ worth of a company’s operating expenses. Importantly, it is also available to sole proprietors, independent contractors, startups and very small businesses.  Polonia needs to take advantage of this!  Attached is memo in Polish and English that explains the two programs and how to apply.  Applications can be done online and through participating lenders and banks.
  2. State and Local Financial Assistance.  There are also smaller programs available through the State of Michigan (MEDC) and certain counties (e.g., Macomb and Oakland). The details of these programs are available on the website listed below.
  3. Website of Polonia Angels for Further Information.  Several of us have been in the process of launching an investor group to support Polonia businesses by providing investment funds. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak has forced us to pause this initiative, but in the meantime, we are building up a financial resource center for Polonia to understand the financial help they can apply for and receive. Please refer to: https://www.poloniaangels.com/small-business-relief-program-resourcesThis website will be updated on a regular basis.

Finally, let me also remind you of the items I previously wrote to you about, and make another special request that you feel free to bring to my attention any Polish citizens who may need special attention or assistance in these times:

  1. U.S. Census Update. While the deadline to complete the 2020 U.S. Census questionnaire has been extended somewhat, please encourage your friends to complete online now. Instructions are set forth below (in Polish and English). See below for more details.
  2. Polish Citizens Returning to Poland.  Polish citizens in Michigan seeking to return to Poland, can find details about the Polish Government’s program through Polish LOT Airlines to take them back. Details and arrangements can be found and made online at this website: Link to LotDoDomu
  3. Polish Citizens Wishing to Prolong their Stay in US. This website has details: link to website
  4. Polish Citizens Needing Urgent Assistance. We will be working with our Polonian organizations and churches to coordinate assistance programs to our elderly and most vulnerable. In the meantime, if you are aware of any elderly Polish citizens who have nobody to care for them, or become hospitalized, please let me know.

Remain safe and know that our prayers are with you all,

____________________________________________________________

Richard A. Walawender

Honorary Consul

Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Detroit
150 West Jefferson, Suite 2500
Detroit, Michigan 48226 (USA)

T +1.313.496.7600

_____________________________________________________________

This electronic message and all of its contents and attachments contain information from the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Detroit. which may be privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure.  The information is intended to be for the addressee only.  If you are not the addressee, then any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this message, or its contents or any of its attachments, is prohibited.  If you have received this electronic message in error, please notify us immediately and destroy the original message and all copies.  To unsubsribe to emails, please reply with the message “unsubscribe”.

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U.S. CENSUS INFORMATION

Not much time remaining to complete and submit U.S. 2020 Census Questionnaire Online. Each home should have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census and to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire online, at https://2020census.gov/ and in Polish at https://2020census.gov/pl.html  Assistance is available in Polish or English by calling 1-844-479-2020. In completing the Census 2020 Questionnaire, remember to include your Polish ethnic origin.

Weź udział w Spisie Ludności online! Nie zostało dużo czasu! Kwestionariusz w wersji online jest już dostępny na stronie internetowej https://2020census.gov/pl.html  W celu uzyskania pomocy dotyczącej Spisu Ludności 2020 lub wypełnienia go telefonicznie zadzwoń pod numer 844-479-2020. Połączenia odbierane są także w języku polskim! Wypełniając kwestionariusz Census 2020, pamiętaj, żeby w odpowiedzi na pytanie numer 9 wpisać: POLISH. 

Polish American Congress Scholarship Application

PAC-MI Scholarships Application 2020-2021

POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC.

11333 Jos. Campau                                  Hamtramck, Michigan 48212-3038                    (313) 365-9400

APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS

 

GRANTS AVAILABLE (2020-2021)

MICHAEL & HELEN BEDNARCZYK GRANT

Available for Business Administration, Finance or Accounting areas of study.

 

CZECHOWSKI GRANT

Available for any major area of study.

 

FRANK & SOPHIA FILIPEK GRANT

No specific major area of study or criteria has been established with the donor.

 

JOZEF & REGINA MARCINIEC GRANT

Available for any major area of study, however, candidate must be proficient in the Polish language and actively participating in Polonia.

 

DANA WITKOWSKI GRANT

No specific major area of study or criteria has been established with the donor.

 

JOHN AND VICTORIA  KUSHEL GRANT

Available for a major study in the Nursing profession.

 

  1. STANLEY A. OZOG GRANT

Available for a major study in Osteopathic Medicine, pre-Medicine or the Nursing profession.

 

EUGENE KRESKA GRANT

Available for a major study in the Engineering profession.

 

WALLACE AND JOANN OZOG GRANT

Available for a major study in the Religious Formation profession.

 

POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND ACCOUNT

Grants are established by the Board of Directors as funds are available.

 

CRITERIA USED IN EVALUATING CANDIDATES

  1. Scholastic Average
  2. Polonian Involvement-include the last two years
  3. Community Service-include the last two years
  4. Financial Need of Student
  5. Thank you letter & Acceptance of Award

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • College freshman are not eligible for scholarship. Available for only full time students
  • All applicants must be residents of Michigan.
  • Application must be completed in its entirety.
  • Verification of current grade point average must be attached.
  • Verification of Polonian involvement must be included.
  • Verification of community service must be included.
  • Verification of financial need must be included.
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR TUITION AND BOOKS ONLY

Checks will be made out to the College or University.

Completed applications become the property of the Polish American Congress of Michigan Scholarship Fund. All information submitted on the application is considered confidential and will not be duplicated and only be discussed by the Scholarship’s designated judges and officers.

Your completed application is due NO LATER THAN APRIL 1 OF EACH YEAR

 

Completed application must be mailed or delivered to:

Polish American Congress of Michigan Scholarship Fund, Inc.

11333 Jos.Campau

Hamtramck, Michigan 48212-3038

 

A 501(c)3 Organization under the Internal Revenue Service

 

 

 

POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC.

11333 Jos. Campau                                  Hamtramck, Michigan 48212-3038                    (313) 365-9400

 

APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________

 

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________

 

CITY: ________________________  ZIP: ___________   PHONE: (_____)________________

 

COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY YOU WILL BE ATTENDING IN THE SCHOOL YEAR

 

____________________________________________    Location: ________________________

 

AREA OF STUDY: _____________________________________________________________

 

How will this scholarship grant help you in pursuit of your degree?

 

 

 

 

In the last two years, which Polonian organization(s) have benefited from your membership?      How?

 

 

 

 

In the last two years, which organized volunteer, community or other group(s) benefited from your service?  How?

 

 

 

 

Any additional information, which may be helpful in reviewing this application, may be added on the back on this sheet.  For example: Involvement with the Polish American of Michigan Scholarship Fund, Inc. or the Michigan Division of the Polish American Congress.

                                                                                                                                

Your “Application Check List” must be included with your application. Attach all necessary information needed to evaluate your request for a Scholarship Grant.

 

 

Applicant’s Signature: __________________________________________________________Date:_____________

 

A 501(c)3 Organization under the Internal Revenue Service

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION CHECK LIST:

 

In order to receive consideration for a PAC of Michigan Scholarship Grant, the following must be sent:

 

 

_____  1. Completed Application.

 

 

_____  2. Verification of acceptance or attending College / University (ex. letter of acceptance,

transcripts, etc.)

 

 

_____  3. Verification of scholastic average (ex. test scores, transcripts, report card, etc.)

 

 

______ 4. Verification of financial need (ex. completed financial aid form– FAFSA), federal income tax

return form(s), other scholarships, 1098-T Form, etc.)

 

 

______ 5. A letter of recommendation from an officer of at least one Polonian organization.

 

 

_____  6. A letter of recommendation from an officer of at least one volunteer or community

organization.

 

 

_____  7. If you are applying for the Jozef & Regina Marciniec Grant, verify your degree of

Polish proficiency.

 

 

______ 8. Acceptance & Appreciation of the award letter within six months of the notification

of the award and addressed to the Polish American Congress of Michigan Scholarship Fund,

Inc.