community outreach

United Way of Southeastern Michigan has earmarked $5.2 million to support households in need, over $1 million of which will benefit Washtenaw County nonprofits. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

Pride Month is about to conclude, and important community conversations have been taking place. It's a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on their contributions, achievements and the ongoing fight for equality. WEMU's David Fair wraps up Pride month with Joe Halsch, president of the Jim Toy Community Center in Ann Arbor.

Current Ypsilanti Police Chief Tim Anderson took the reins from former Chief Kirk Moore who retired earlier this year after just two years in the role. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor recently sat down with Anderson to talk about his goals for the community moving forward, as well as police morale after several years of upheaval in the department.

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are under fire from the new federal administration. The impacts reverberate through the community in a variety of ways. Ypsilanti-based Ozone House has been empowering young people in the community for 55 years. There have been challenges before and there will be more in the future. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Outreach and Pride Zone coordinator Brie Nikora about overcoming the challenges in the effort to continue establishing equity and inclusivity for runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth.

Many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling under attack as President Trump's first 60 days in office have brought a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ actions. But Ypsilanti-area organizations and community members are supporting their LGBTQ+ neighbors in a variety of ways. That includes supportive health care and queer takeovers of public spaces around Ypsilanti. Rylee Barnsdale spoke with Cheers to Queers (C2Q) co-founder, Danya Youssef-Agha, who organized the recent "Queer Prom."

In the wake of voters approving the Older Adults Millage, Washtenaw County has applied to join the World Health Organization/AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

We the People Opportunity Farm has been giving formerly incarcerated and returning residents in our community a new path forward for years. The work continues, and now the nonprofit is in the process of expanding its outreach with a new café. WEMU's David Fair talked with founder and director Melvin Parson and about expansion and impact.

An organization known as Women on the Move will celebrate the strength and unity of women at its 2nd Annual Gala this coming Saturday. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

The mission of the Ypsilanti-based nonprofit A Brighter Way is to provide mentorship to formerly incarcerated individuals as they return to society. Now, the organization is creating a new housing program for its mentees. A Brighter Way's executive director, Adam Grant, talks all about it with Rylee Barnsdale.

When tragedy befalls a family, the grief never goes away. We all deal with it in different ways. Sometimes, loss gives birth to an action plan to spare others similar pain. That is where the Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation in Ann Arbor comes from. Kristen and Jeff Roberts are parents who continue to mourn the loss of their son Miles. He took his life in 2017 at the age of 15. Through the tears, and with purpose and dedication, the Roberts began a foundation aimed at empowering youth athletic communities to promote mental well-being and suicide prevention. They talked about their work with WEMU's David Fair.