United Way Justice Fund

Washtenaw County has, what many consider, a surprisingly high rate of poverty. There are day-to-day needs to be met, but the bigger picture is to stop managing poverty in the area and eliminate the systemic barriers to escaping poverty. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Sarah Thornburg, executive director of the Ypsilanti-based service organization, "Friends In Deed," to discuss what that change looks like and the plan to get there.

Policing in our community and across the nation remains under scrutiny, and reforms are being called for at every level of government. There are a good number of different approaches to re-imagining public safety. Dr. Lisa Jackson is working toward that end as chair of the Ann Arbor Independent Community Oversight Commission, a member of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, and co-founder of the Coalition for Re-Envisioning Our Safety. She joined WEMU's David Fair to share her perspective.

A good number of systemic obstacles remain as work towards equity and opportunity in Washtenaw County continues. The Interfaith Council of Peace and Justice is making efforts to build community power and the practice of democracy by adding more diverse voices to leadership positions throughout the area. The organization's co-director, Eleanore Ablan-Owen, joined WEMU's David Fair to share the plan for progress.

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.