Poverty

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Michigan worst in the Midwest for overall child well-being. Colin Jackson has more.

People who receive traditional public benefits are often met with scrutiny, distrust and suspicion. A new traveling art exhibit called "No Strings," curated by University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions, is working to flip that narrative. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor talked with U-M Poverty Solutions Director of Communications and Public Engagement Lauren Slagter about the project.

Food, housing, transportation, health care, education—the price of everything is going up and putting a strain on greater numbers of people. The hardship is worse for those who are already living at or under the poverty line. Combating poverty and the challenges that perpetuate poverty through generations is at the heart of the work performed by the Ypsilanti-based non-profit, Friends In Deed. While the need for assistance is growing, so is the resolve to address poverty and related issues. For Friends In Deed Executive Director R. Tyrone Kelsey, the mission is personal. He explains why in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Washtenaw County officials and volunteers are preparing to accept funding requests from local organizations that are working to address social issues. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

As national policy changes continue to reshape access to housing, food, health care, and other basic resources, more people are turning to local nonprofits for stability and support. Here in Ypsilanti, that increased need is being felt every day by organizations working directly with individuals and families in crisis. Tyrone Kelsey is the executive director of Friends In Deed. He joined Lee Van Roth to discuss his organization's ongoing mission to serve the public and the challenges they will face in the near future.

Over 60 community leaders and service agencies got together Monday to talk about racial disparities and how federal budget cuts could affect Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development will be awarding grants of $40,000 each to eight local community organizations. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

When we talk about poverty in Washtenaw County, we often divide the county into east and west. Ann Arbor is the haves on the west side of US-23, and Ypsilanti is the have-nots on the east side of the county. But that is an oversimplification. There are people in poverty throughout the county, include further south along US-23 in the Milan area. The organization Aid in Milan is helping meet the needs of over 100 families a week with needs like housing, transportation, employment, childcare and cost of living. WEMU's David Fair talked with its executive director, Andrew Felder, about Aid in Milan’s work and the prospects for a better future.

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.

The only contested Ypsilanti City Council general election race this fall is in the 2nd Ward. Incumbent Democrat Steve Wilcoxen is being challenged by independent candidate Peter Church. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.