fundraising

Giving Tuesday is December 3rd!

On October 1st of 2023, The United Way of Washtenaw County ceased being an entity unto its own. It merged with, and was rolled into, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. At the time, leadership said it would not only maintain staff and services in Washtenaw County but expand them. WEMU's David Fair discussed where the merger stands one year later with chapter president and CEO, Dr. Darienne Hudson.

For any parent, there is nothing worse than the thought of losing a child. There are far too many dealing with such loss. Julie Halpert is among those living that life but also working to make sure the loss of her son is not in vain. Garrett Halpert died by suicide at the age of 23. Since then, she and her husband Scott Halpert have been developing a safe place to help young adults in need. It’s called "Garrett’s Space" and will be located on 77 acres in Superior Township. Julie Halpert joined WEMU's David Fair to provide an update on its progress.

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be a featured speaker at a Republican fundraising dinner next week. We have more from Rick Pluta.

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.”

The number of people who will turn 65 years old this year will exceed the number of people who turn 18. Aging services face a looming crisis around the country and here in Washtenaw County. Monica Prince is the executive director of the nonprofit Ypsilanti Senior Center. She sees the struggles on a day-to-day basis and is among those trying to create a stable source of funding for aging services in Washtenaw County. She discusses the challenges with Rylee Barnsdale on this week’s #OTGYpsi.

Underground and not listed on concert calendars, Johnny’s Speakeasy has hosted bands in a little venue down the road since the late 1990’s. That is, until last year, when a fire destroyed both the venue and Johnny Williams’ home. Hear how and why local musicians have launched a campaign to "Save Johnny’s Speakeasy" when Johnny joins host Deb Polich on this edition of 89.1 WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor has started a new political action committee aiming to support local, progressive campaigns and policies. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more details.

Our one day fund drive is a spooktacular event and we need your help please.

There are a number of firsts this year in the United Way of Washtenaw County's Justice Fund allocations. The aim is to put money in the hands of more nonprofits and organizations that are working most closely with those in need—particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). WEMU's David Fair is joined by Bridget Herrmann, UWWC's vice president for community impact and advocacy, to discuss the refocused lens being used to shape community investment moving forward.