Washtenaw United

Many K-12 students live with food insecurity, housing and transportation issues, and, too frequently, physical or emotional abuse.  That presents a barrier to positive educational outcomes.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair talks with student advocate and Adverse Traumatic Experiences master trainer Jason Gold about how best to identify and deal with the issues to change life trajectories.

A recent study concluded that Washtenaw County does not provide equal opportunities in health, education, and other life essentials to its Latino citizens.  Out of that study, the Buenos Vecinos collaborative was formed to make such things more available.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks about the program with its leader Charo Ledón and the UWWC's director of community impact, Bridget Healy.  

Food insecurity and hunger is more pervasive in Washtenaw County than you might think.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair finds out what is being done, in both the short and long term, to eradicate the problem.  In this conversation, Food Gatherers president and CEO Eileen Spring and United Way of Washtenaw County president and CEO, Pam Smith, discuss the progress made and the work still to be done.

To paraphrase, it takes a village to create a full-service child care and early childhood development center.  A group of like-minded partners combined resources and created 'The Collaborative'-Ypsilanti YMCA Child Development Center.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair talks with Eastern Michigan University Director of Student Engagement Decky Alexander and EMU doctoral candidate Veronica Konglim about the creation, purpose, and impacts of 'The Collaborative.'

It is Earth Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than volunteering your time to make our planet a little more eco-friendly.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks to the Huron River Watershed Council's Jason Frenzel and Amanda Reel of the United Way of Washtenaw County about the importance of volunteerism.

Today is Tax Day.  As many people rush to file their returns, there are a few who can't afford to have someone file their returns for them.  That's why the United Way of Washtenaw County formed the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  UWWC representatives Andrew Johnson and Patrick Helman talk all about the VITA program with WEMU's David Fair in this week's "Washtenaw United."

In this week's "Washtenaw United," hear from the man who founded and co-owns the popular Boober Pedicab company in Ann Arbor.  From drug and alcohol addiction to community service and entrepreneurship, you’ll find inspiration and motivation in Kevin Spangler’s story.  

Implicit bias plays a big role in how we collectively go about our lives.  It can shape personal viewpoints, public policy, and it often creates inequities that limit access to opportunity.  In this week’s, “Washtenaw United,” WEMU’s David Fair explores these issues with the incoming board chair of the United Way of Washtenaw County, Yodit Mesfin Johnson. 

WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area.  And, as part of this ongoing series, you’ll also hear from the people benefiting and growing from the investments being made in the areas of our community where there are gaps in available services.  It is a community voice.  It is 'Washtenaw United.'