Help Send a Reporter to Washington DC for Housing Conference
(Editorial, Crystal A. Proxmire, March 6, 2015)
Hi there. I’m Crystal Proxmire, publisher of the local online news site Oakland County 115 News Hub ( www.oc115.com), and I’ve got a fundraiser going on at www.gofundme.com/oc115.com.
I have been the only reporter digging into ethical and legal issues in the Ferndale Housing Commission.  Because of my work I’ve been accepted to go on scholarship to the NCRC Housing Conference at the end of March.  This conference will give me a wealth of knowledge to help me better cover these issues for Ferndale an in other cities that oc115 serves.  This is an incredible opportunity to bring what I know back to the community.
I am looking to raise $500 for travel and other expenses. Any amount over the $500 will be used for (first) purchase of a tablet to replace a broken laptop so I can have a way to write while on the road, and (then) for other oc115 expenses like promotional materials, paying other writers, business expenses etc.
The oc115 is an independent, grassroots, community-driven journalism project that has grown from one city to a framework for covering the entire county.  Stories on the oc115 have not only connected people in the community, but the award-winning journalism has exposed wrong-doings and led to change.  Now the oc115 is making a direct impact on the lives of Ferndale’s most vulnerable residents- the seniors, disabled, and low-income people who deserve the best housing program possible, and the best journalism possible.
Thank you to everyone who supports getting me to DC for this training to do even better work. Donate directly on www.oaklandcounty115news.com/readersupport or through the campaign at www.gofundme.com/oc115.
Crystal Proxmire
editor & publisher of oc115.com
PS: Here are the previous housing stories that have prompted me to take this journey:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/06/19/protesters-claim-racism-in-ferndale-housing-commission-dispute/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/11/06/housing-director-arrested-on-suspicion-of-entering-apartment-stealing-pills/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/11/20/seniors-hope-to-regain-their-voice-as/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/12/22/directors-arrest-just-tip-of-housing-commission-problems-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/01/21/hud-review-coming-and-changes-happening-at-ferndale-housing-commission/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/01/22/former-ferndale-housing-director-pleads-no-contest-to-home-invasion-drug-possession/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/18/after-drug-and-home-invasion-plea-ferndale-housing-director-gets-130000-payout-from-commission/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/26/housing-director-convicted-of-entering-seniors-apartments-stealing-medication-gets-probation/