community outreach

It’s been a busy and productive year for the Ypsilanti-based food justice nonprofit Growing Hope. It has expanded existing programs, updated its farm, renovated its incubator kitchen and received several awards. On top of all these changes, the organization has also found time to focus on advocacy work. Lee Van Roth talked more about these many achievements with Growing Hope's Executive Director, Julius Buzzard.

Since 1975, the SafeHouse Center has worked to provide advocacy and support through crisis intervention, housing assistance and community education for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor talked to SafeHouse Center Executive Director Christine Watson about Wednesday's 50th Anniversary Evening Celebration, which will bring together supporters, partners, advocates and community members to reflect on SafeHouse Center’s history and invest in its future.

The leading cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing, and that's especially true here in Washtenaw County. Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor works to solve this problem by building more supportive housing communities. The group's co-executive directors, Scott Ellis and Molly Smith, joined Decky Alexander to talk about Avalon's ongoing mission and what may lie ahead for the organization.

The local community came together Sunday to honor and remember Ann Arbor food visionary Tommy York. WEMU's Ana Longoria reports.

Lori's Hands is a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships between college students and community members with chronic illness. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor spoke with local student volunteers Grace Yuan and Jillian Retzler to hear about the practical assistance they provide in return for budding relationships that benefit the student’s long-term learning.

The Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services has worked diligently to help those facing homelessness with all available resources. Yet, completely solving the homeless epidemic in Washtenaw County remains a lofty goal. Decky Alexander discussed SOS's latest work with its Executive Director, Rhonda Weathers.

For many years, the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County has provided food, shelter and hope for those who need it. And yet in recent months, the number of resources the association provides our community has lessened. Decky Alexander discussed this new reality with the association's chief development officer, Versell Smith Jr.

"Students have a right to learn—no matter what." That is the motto of the Ypsilanti-based Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. The center stands up for K-12 students who deal with suspensions, face racial barriers, and get denied access to special education. Decky Alexander shared more about the center's ongoing work with its Co-Executive Director, Anell Eccleston.

Those reentering society after incarceration face numerous challenges, including addressing their own health. Yet, access to quality health care, housing, and other necessities can be exceedingly difficult. In response to this, Packard Health has partnered with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department to create the "Beyond Incarceration" program. Lee Van Roth talked all about this amazing initiative with Packard Health reentry coach Jessica Slone.

School is a month away for many students here in Washtenaw County. Ypsilanti Community Schools (YCS) are helping them get the supplies they need. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.