Poverty

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.

A new report on children in Michigan is revealing a mixed bag when it comes to measures of child well-being. Colin Jackson has more.

The increasing costs of housing, transportation and groceries have been taking an increasing toll on a good number of people in our community. WEMU's David Fair discusses the latest ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report for Washtenaw County with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Bridget Herrmann. They offer you a look at data and the work being done to offset some of the impacts.

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.”

A recent study by the University of Michigan shows Washtenaw County has one of the highest median income levels in the state. But as WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, that's only part of the story.

Educators, community activists and government officials kicked off a program on Sunday to promote literacy in Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

A county official has been appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court’s commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more.