United Way for Southeastern Michigan

The school year is winding down, and a lot of the kids in the area are going to be headed to one camp or another. But for some, camp is too expensive, making access difficult or impossible. That’s where Washtenaw Camp Placement comes in. It connects those kids with the opportunity to participate in sleep-away summer camp and build a relationship with nature, increase self-esteem and expand personal horizons. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director Matt Tarver-Wahlquist about this year’s opportunities and whether changes in federal policy and funding programs will have an impact.

Who exactly is welcome in America and here in Washtenaw County? The answer is becoming more difficult to provide. There are refugees from other countries that feel a great deal of uncertainty. Washtenaw Refugee Welcome is helping those who have located here find their way. Learn more in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and the organization's co-founder and board president, Emmeline Weinert, on this week’s "Washtenaw United".

It can be difficult to ask for help. For some, there is needless and harmful stigma or shame. And that should never be the case. Michigan Ability Partners continues to work to create pathways of self-sufficiency for veterans and those with disabilities. The transformations for those the organization work with are self-directed and, therefore, personal and more rewarding. Learn more in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Disability Partners Chief Executive Officer, Jan Little.

Affordable housing continues to be a significant problem in Washtenaw County, particularly in Ann Arbor. The good news is, more units will come online this year and next, and work continues to increase inventory throughout the area. Aaron Cooper, the executive director of the nonprofit Avalon Housing, is working at the fore of these efforts. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the successes and the challenges that remain.

In November of last year, Alyshia Dyer became the first woman to win election to the office of Washtenaw County Sheriff. She took over in January of this year and is now a few months into the first year of her first term. WEMU's David Fair talked with Sheriff Dyer about her career in law enforcement, the women that helped shape her life and career and her ambitions for breaking more glass ceilings and opening more doors for the young women to follow.

Washtenaw Community College President Rose Bellanca has been named as the United Way of Southeastern Michigan's "Power of the Purse Woman of the Year." She will be formally feted at a ceremony in April. As we mark Women's History Month, WEMU's David Fair talked with Dr. Bellanca about the challenges for women in higher education and how her story can pave the way for the workforce of the future.

The tax season has arrived, and there are a lot of people in the area that need some assistance in making sure they file accurately and on time. In fact, about 20% of those eligible don’t file taxes and miss out on the valuable credits they are entitled to. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan makes free tax assistance available to those in Washtenaw County earning $67,000 a year or less. WEMU's David Fair talks more about the program with the United Way’s Megan Thibos for this week's "Washtenaw United."

Mental health is not just an individual issue to deal with. It is a family and community issue. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a Washtenaw County chapter. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director, Judy Gardner, about its innovative efforts to support families in the quest for greater mental health throughout the community.

Since 1972, the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale has performed throughout the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. But it is not just a singing group. It is an educational institution aimed at serving the youth in the region and their families, and at the fore is the commitment to ensuring the African American concert spiritual remains a viable part of the community's artistic landscape. Donna Smith and LaVonte’ Heard from the Chorale joined WEMU's David Fair for this week’s "Washtenaw United."

In the last couple of years, the nation’s shelters and rescues have seen a decline in the number of dog adoptions. Our Washtenaw County community is no different. 2024 was a 10-year low in dog adoptions at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. President Tanya Hilgendorf joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the problems with dog adoptions and what is being done locally.