United Way of Washtenaw County

Food pantries in Washtenaw County, and around the state, are struggling to meet demand. The United Way is providing some financial assistance to help them help those in need. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

Low-income taxpayers often miss out on helpful exemptions because tax preparation help can be costly. A program is now available to address those concerns in Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran explains.

Historically speaking, women have been undervalued and have lacked equal opportunity and pay. As we mark Women's History Month, we explore the importance of being financially literate and articulate as the quest for equity and equality continue. Melissa Joy from Pearl Planning, in Dexter, joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss running a woman-owned business and helping prepare a generation of women for their financial futures.

There is a long and storied tradition of philanthropy in the Black community. It is a tradition that is alive and expanding. Because Black philanthropy is underrecognized, an exhibit and educational opportunity will soon appear in Washtenaw County. It's called, "Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited." WEMU's David Fair takes a look at how that is playing out in Southeast Michigan and Washtenaw County with Colin Mays, co-chair of the Soul of Philanthropy Michigan, and Janet Haynes, chair of the African American Endowment Fund in Washtenaw County.

Mental health and building a foundation of support is crucial to overcoming a number of community issues. Creating strong families and connecting those in need to the resources to take that journey is the mission of the Family Empowerment Program in Washtenaw County. For those with low or no income, the hurdles become higher and the personal growth more daunting. Christa Hughbanks is Ypsilanti-born and raised and is among the mental health counselors in the empowerment program. She joins WEMU's David Fair with a look at the program, the people it serves, and the lives that are changing.

The agricultural industry is a tough business under the best of circumstances. Add in systemic barriers to get underway, and it adds up to a lack of diversity in small, family farming. Kathy Sample is co-owner of Argus Farm Stop and is committed to increasing opportunity for minorities interested in agriculture. Because of her work in that realm, she has been named the United Way of Washtenaw County’s 2023 Power of the Purse Woman of the Year. Learn more in Sample's 'Washtenaw United' conversation with WEMU’s David Fair.

It is Black History Month, and not everyone is on board. There are some in the Black community that are upset that Black History is relegated to one month a year, noting that Black history is American History. How do you feel about it? We're going to look at that and the historical bias in education. WEMU's David Fair discussed it with activist, poet, and co-founder of "Black Men Read," Yodit Mesfin-Johnson

We continue to mark Black History Month with a look at overcoming inequities in education by exploring local efforts at improving literacy and accessibility to diverse literature in Washtenaw County. Margy Long is director of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District's Success by Six-Great Start Collaborative. She joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on progress made and progress yet needed.

'Tis the season, as they say—tax season, that is. For many, it’s a stressful time of year, particularly if you can’t afford assistance in getting those taxes filed accurately and on time. That’s why the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program was developed, and it has more than 80 volunteers to help those in need in Washtenaw County. This year, there are some tax changes as some of the pandemic programs end and new tax breaks are offered. WEMU's David Fair discusses the program and how to access it with the United Way of Washtenaw County's vice president of development, Susan Smith.

Despite the fact Democrats won control of the state Legislature for the first time in four decades in November, there are ongoing efforts at voter suppression. WEMU's David Fair is joined by first-term state representative Jason Morgan of Ann Arbor to discuss how best to legislatively combat those efforts in the new session.