community service

Founded in 2001, the nonprofit Girls on the Run Southeast Michigan has provided high-quality, research-backed programming that blends physical activity with life skill development for over 24,000 girls in Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. With nine locations in Ypsilanti, Girls on the Run aims to help participants realize their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale shares more about the program with one of the Ypsilanti site leaders, Estabrook Elementary teacher Cheri Cottrell, on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

The price of food is forcing some people to make some difficult decisions. The level of food insecurity among college students is increasing dramatically. Swoop's Food Pantry at Eastern Michigan University has seen the level of service it provides increase in recent years, and the projection is that the need will only grow. WEMU's David Fair talked with Swoop’s Pantry graduate assistant Colton Ray about what it takes and what it’s going to take to help a growing number of EMU students.

As you might imagine, those who are returning to the community after a period of incarceration face a good deal of prejudice and discrimination. That makes finding a job difficult and can result in higher recidivism rates. Billy Cole and Bryan Foley are working to not only change that but are trying to de-escalate community violence by addressing trauma and other factors that lead to incarceration. Billy and Bryan head an organization called Supreme Felons, and they share their personal stories that led them to professionally try and keep people out of the cycle of incarceration with WEMU's David Fair.

For more than 100 years, the Girl Scouts has worked to help turn young girls into strong, productive women. March is Women’s History Month, and the evolution of the Girl Scouts as an institution continues. JoAnna Roach is adult education and enrichment director for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. She was a scout herself and now dedicates her professional life to working with girls and volunteers in what she calls “the best job in the world.” JoAnna joined WEMU's David Fair as the first guest on a month-long Women’s History Month series on "Washtenaw United."

Today, those at the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County are working to provide free meals to those in need over the holiday. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more.

The fight for equality and inclusion for all continues. Nationally, there is an ongoing debate over "drag culture" and its impacts on community. As we begin to wrap up Pride Month, WEMU's David Fair spoke with the CEO of the Ypsilanti-based "Boylesque Michigan" drag troupe. Jadein Black discusses her personal mission and the nature of the troupe's mission to create greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We often talk about the concept of giving back and paying it forward. That is precisely the idea behind the upcoming National Days of Action. Between June 12th and 16th, United Way branches across the country, including here in Washtenaw County, put hundreds of volunteers to work in their respective communities to improve local quality of life. United Way of Washtenaw County corporate giving manager, Ben Thompson, joined WEMU's David Fair with all you'll need to know.

Food insecurity is growing in Washtenaw County, and your local postal worker is doing something about it. On Saturday, May 13th, letter carriers in our community will participate in "National Stamp Out Hunger Day." When delivering your mail, postal workers will pick up the non-perishable food items you leave out and turn it all over to Food Gatherers for distribution. John Odegard is president of Local Branch 434 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the program and why letter carriers are working to make a different kind of difference for the people they serve.

Helping beautify Washtenaw County and contribute to preservation and sustainability: those are among the functions of Ann Arbor Farm and Garden. WEMU's David Fair is joined by board member Martha Lowry. Together, they discuss Ann Arbor Farm and Garden’s mission and growing investments in creating educational and environmental opportunities throughout Washtenaw County.

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are a number of events taking place throughout the community. It is also a day that reminds us that the work for racial equity and social justice is a year-round task. On an MLK Day edition of "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair is joined by Ypsilanti District Library community relations coordinator, Sami Killian for a look at what’s happening on the holiday, and throughout the year.