friends in deed

The income gap continues to widen in Washtenaw County. The number of people with housing, food and transportation insecurity continues to climb, and there are enough gaps in social services that some are falling through the cracks. That’s where Ypsilanti-based Friends In Deed steps in. Joye Clute and Elisa Guyton from Friends In Deed joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about the work being done and measures being taken to address what is a worsening level of poverty in portions of our community.

Some inspired volunteers will soon go “Over the Edge” on the Eastern Michigan University campus. On August 17th, you’ll see some folks rappelling down the side of Hill Hall. They’re raising money for the Ypsilanti-based non-profit, Friends In Deed, which works to reduce poverty and help people that fall through the cracks. Organization executive director Tania James and volunteer rappeler and event co-chair Ken Fischer joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on pushing the organization's supporters “Over the Edge.”

Combatting poverty is difficult, particularly when you work against systemic issues that have been in place as long as the country. Ypsilanti-based "Friends In Deed" offers immediate and direct assistance to those in need but also invests in programming and mentorship that helps people build the tools and support community needed to get out of poverty permanently. Tracey Hoesch and Amtheyst Floyd from "Friends In Deed" joined WEMU's David Fair to share the progress being made to better address local poverty.

In this edition of "On the Ground Ypsi," WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media reporter Rylee Barnsdale take a look at a new concept for youth in Ypsilanti Township. It is called a "makerspace". It is intended to give area youth a purpose and some income at the same time. They discuss the makerspace further with community activist Elisa Guyton, who has been a driving force in this project.

Washtenaw County has, what many consider, a surprisingly high rate of poverty. There are day-to-day needs to be met, but the bigger picture is to stop managing poverty in the area and eliminate the systemic barriers to escaping poverty. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Sarah Thornburg, executive director of the Ypsilanti-based service organization, "Friends In Deed," to discuss what that change looks like and the plan to get there.

Each week, WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Sarah Rigg, project manager for "On the Ground Ypsi," about an online story from Concentrate Media focusing on the…

For several decades, the Ypsilanti-based organization "Friends In Deed" has been a major asset to Washtenaw County residents. It has provided everything…

For over three decades, Friends In Deed has provided assistance for those living at or below the poverty line. One of the newest programs operating under…