Washtenaw United

Back in November 2017, Washtenaw County voters approved a millage to increase funding for mental health services and public safety.  In the last two years, those funds have been allocated to 11 new programs.  Derrick Jackson from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department and Lisa Gentz from Washtenaw County Mental Health Services join WEMU's David Fair for a conversation about how these vital services have improved and what lies ahead in this week's "Washtenaw United."  

For the last five decades, Ozone House has been a place where troubled young people can go for shelter and guidance.  Bara Youness was one of many kids who benefited from this organization, and, now, he acts as one of its advocates and volunteers there as well.  Youness and Ozone House executive director Krista Girty join WEMU's David Fair for a conversation about Ozone House's work and legacy in this week's "Washtenaw United." 

There are many ways to work towards equity and opportunity in our community, but urban farming might not be the first thing that comes to mind.  Melvin Parsons saw the trade as a way forward for himself and is now expanding and giving back through his "We the People Growers Association" and the "We the People Opportunity Center."  Parson joined WEMU's David Fair for this week's installment of "Washtenaw United."

Access to health care at a young age can prove difficult sometimes.  Fortunately, the Corner Health Center makes it possible in a high-quality, judgement-free environment.  The center's executive director, Versell Smith, Jr., joins WEMU's David Fair for a conversation about what the center is all about in this week's "Washtenaw United."

Washtenaw County is one of the economically vibrant communities in southeast Michigan.  Yet, there are socio-economic and racial disparities to work through.  That is why the county has created the position of Racial Equity Officer.  Alize Asberry Payne is the first person to take the title and joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the "One Community" initiative in this week's "Washtenaw United."

Providing affordable housing for low-income residents can be difficult, especially those who are senior citizens.  Fortunately, Michigan Medicine created the HomeShare program, which allows seniors to share housing with other individuals.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair has a conversation about this amazing program with Janet Hunko, director of the Housing Bureau for Seniors at Michigan Medicine, and Judy Slater, who volunteers regularly with HomeShare.

For 50 years, the Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor has been providing opportunity to those facing social and economic challenges.  The work continues today with services, such as the Alternatives for Youth (AFY) program.  The center's executive director, Bonnie Billups, Jr., joins David Fair for a conversation about creating opportunity and working toward equity in this week's "Washtenaw United."

The way we’ve developed the world isn’t always fully accessible. For those with challenges, accessibility remains an issue. WEMU's David Fair introduces you to two men who are helping open doors for those who often felt locked out. Alex Gossage is interim executive director for the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living and Will Purves is director of planning and program development.

In rural communities, services, such as grocery stores, medical facilities, and access to public transportation, can be seriously limited.  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) was created by the Corporation and National Community Service (CNCS) and housed within the Senior Services department at Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County. The RSVP program seeks out community partnerships who are in need of volunteers to help support their mission and goals. Manchester Community Resource Center director, Laura Seyfried and local RSVP volunteer Delores Notten talk about the program's efforts and goals with WEMU's David Fair in this week's "Washtenaw United."

If you’ve been convicted of a crime, getting a job can be far more difficult.  That is particularly true for felons but even those with misdemeanors run into employment barriers.  That’s the idea behind an upcoming expungement fair in Washtenaw County.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," attorney Michael Kiehne and Michigan Works! Washtenaw County Service Manager Johnny Epps discuss the societal benefits of helping the convicted fully reintegrate. 

Opioid addiction is ravaging all parts of the country, and Washtenaw County is no exception.  Packard Health has launched a new Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to help the addicted.  On "Washtenaw United" this week, WEMU’s David Fair will talk with Packard Health medical director, Dr. Ankoor Soni, about the shift in perspective, from addiction as a crime issue to one of public health.

Bill Manns' initial career plan was to become a doctor.  While working toward that goal, he recognized health administration was the better path to make the differences in health care services he thought necessary.  Now, Manns is president of the St. Joseph Mercy Health Systems hospitals in Ann Arbor and Livingston.  Manns shares his journey and discusses the future of health care in our community on this week’s "Washtenaw United."

Childhood trauma takes time to heal.  It also requires resources that may not be easy to find.  Deb Gordon-Gurfinkel decided to use her experience in drama education to create a program called "Telling It."  It uses arts as a means to help troubled youth in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.  Gordon-Gurfinkel joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss "Telling It" on this week's "Washtenaw United."

The school year is right around the corner for Washtenaw County K-12 students.  Unfortunately, all too many will head to class without the supplies that better prepare them for academic success.  That’s the purpose of the “Stuff the Bus” campaign that begins today.  89.1 WEMU’s David Fair gets the history and mission of the “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive in this “Washtenaw United” conversation with the Ann Arbor Schools' Nancy Shore and United Way of Washtenaw County’s Susan Smith. 

Once people age out of the foster care system, they face many uncertainties.  That is why the 'Our House' program was created.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair is joined by Our House volunteer Rose Putler and client Alexis Deese-Romberg to discuss what this program brings to the community.

Bhuvna Murthy has performed more than 700 hours of community service through her high school career.  Service work is a passion that formed early in her life and has manifested in great works to the benefit of many.  That’s why the United Way of Washtenaw County awarded Bhuvna’s efforts with a “Varsity Letter” in Community Service.  WEMU’s David Fair met with Bhuvna and UWWC Director of Development Susan Smith to discuss the Varsity Letter program and the past, present, and future of an outstanding young woman. 

Get a personalized look at the work of the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan.  It’s been around since 1975 and now has offices in Ypsilanti, Jackson, and Detroit, and there can be no question it is a community resource that is changing lives.  Anell Eccleston is programs manager for the Student Advocacy Center and Jakobie Pillar is one of his mentees who just graduated from ACCE High School in Ypsilanti.  Their story comes to you through WEMU’s partnership with the United Way of Washtenaw County in this week’s edition of "Washtenaw United."

The New West Willow Neighborhood Association was formed in 2015 and, ever since, the future of the Ypsilanti Township neighborhood has become brighter.  Long-time resident, association member, and neighbohood watch activist Janice Williams provides a look at living in West Willow and building to something greater. 

The mission of the Ypsilanti-based 'Black Men Read' program is clearly stated: "We exist to promote the power of stories, storytelling and literacy to children in order to normalize the historical and cultural contributions of Black people throughout the diaspora, uplifting Black men and all of the ways that they engage in their families and communities while disrupting tropes of Black father absenteeism."  In this week's 'Washtenaw United,' you'll find out why the program is changing dynamics throughout the entirety of the community.  

It is said, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  That is particularly true if you live near or below the poverty line.  Foundations Preschool has a mission to support at-risk children and their parents to create opportunities of prosperity.  As a non-profit, the school can’t do it alone.  That, too, takes a village.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," you’ll hear from the school’s executive director, Sandy Williams, and from United Way of Washtenaw County "Volunteer of the Year" Jessie Schlanderer as Foundations Preschool gets set to celebrate it’s 85th anniversary. 

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.'