United Way for Southeastern Michigan

For as long as we’ve been discussing advancements in mental health care and the work to destigmatize mental health issues, there is still a lot of work to be done. One of the efforts in Washtenaw County is the “#wishyouknew” campaign. It is put forth by the Washtenaw County Health Department. WEMU's David Fair talked with the county's communications coordinator, Lisa DeRamos, about the program, who it is helping and how it can connect you with available resources.

Tax season is in full swing now. Not many people love paying taxes, but for low-income individuals and families, it can be a hardship just finding the money for someone to prepare the taxes. Here in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan, there is expert, IRS-certified tax preparation assistance available, and there is no cost to any individual or couple earning less than $69,000 a year. Last year, in Washtenaw County alone, it saved residents over $2 million. WEMU's David Fair got the details in this conversation with the United Way’s Megan Tybos.

Research shows that having early childhood education produces better outcomes. Access and affordability are still issues for a great number of families. For parents of infants and toddlers, finding high quality and affordable day care has become increasingly difficult. Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County has been working in this arena since 1934 and is the oldest, continuously running childcare center in Michigan. Here in 2026, it is still working through these issues with local families. WEMU's David Fair talked about access and affordability and the future of early education with executive director Sandy Williams.

We’ve been through a stretch of bitter cold and wintery conditions. It has been inconvenient for most of us. For the unhoused, it has been potentially deadly. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Shelter Association of Washtenaw County executive director Nicole Adelman about the work and increased costs of helping those in need.

As winter continues in Washtenaw County, monthly heating bills may be a source of sticker shock for some residents. WEMU’s Ana Longoria shares ways to save money while staying warm.

Grocery prices are higher, the cost of clothes and school supplies is higher, just about everything we buy for our households is more expensive than a year ago. Affordability is a political issue, but for all too many, it’s a personal crisis. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan is providing aid for these everyday items through its Community Fulfillment Center. WEMU's David Fair finds out more about the center’s growing role from UWSEM community engagement and outreach associate director Chris Taylor.

Affordability is one of the major issues in 2026, and it has exacerbated food insecurity throughout the country and here at home in Washtenaw County. There are resources to help, but not everyone knows what is available. That is particularly true when you move beyond the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas. One such support service organization is the Manchester Community Resource Center. WEMU's David Fair spoke with executive director Carol Wotring about what is available and how increasing demand is impacting that part of our community.

In 2025, there was a significant increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Washtenaw County. Federal immigration policy has created fear and uncertainty among the community's undocumented and documented immigrants. Federal funding changes have impacted some of the organizations that support immigrant people and families. That includes the Michigan Immigration Rights Center (MIRC) in Ypsilanti. What will the new year bring from ICE in Washtenaw County and Michigan? WEMU's David Fair put those questions before the MIRC's policy engagement and communications manager, Christine Sauve, on the first "Washtenaw United" conversation of 2026.

For more than 40 years, the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum has filled the space of a former firehouse at 220 E. Ann Street in Ann Arbor. As we close out 2025, we can look forward to another fascinating and intriguing year. Susan Westhoff is President and CEO of the Museum and of the Leslie Science and Nature Center. She joined WEMU's David Fair to reflect on the current year and let us know about all of the new things we’ll get to learn in 2026!

Alpha House East is now open and providing shelter to the unhoused. The majority are Black women who are heads of households. WEMU's David Fair talked with Shonagh Taruza, the executive director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House, about housing insecurity, homelessness and the systems that make it difficult to improve the situation.