United Way of Washtenaw County

Many K-12 students live with food insecurity, housing and transportation issues, and, too frequently, physical or emotional abuse.  That presents a barrier to positive educational outcomes.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair talks with student advocate and Adverse Traumatic Experiences master trainer Jason Gold about how best to identify and deal with the issues to change life trajectories.

A recent study concluded that Washtenaw County does not provide equal opportunities in health, education, and other life essentials to its Latino citizens.  Out of that study, the Buenos Vecinos collaborative was formed to make such things more available.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks about the program with its leader Charo Ledón and the UWWC's director of community impact, Bridget Healy.  

Food insecurity and hunger is more pervasive in Washtenaw County than you might think.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair finds out what is being done, in both the short and long term, to eradicate the problem.  In this conversation, Food Gatherers president and CEO Eileen Spring and United Way of Washtenaw County president and CEO, Pam Smith, discuss the progress made and the work still to be done.

To paraphrase, it takes a village to create a full-service child care and early childhood development center.  A group of like-minded partners combined resources and created 'The Collaborative'-Ypsilanti YMCA Child Development Center.  In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair talks with Eastern Michigan University Director of Student Engagement Decky Alexander and EMU doctoral candidate Veronica Konglim about the creation, purpose, and impacts of 'The Collaborative.'

It is Earth Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than volunteering your time to make our planet a little more eco-friendly.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks to the Huron River Watershed Council's Jason Frenzel and Amanda Reel of the United Way of Washtenaw County about the importance of volunteerism.

Today is Tax Day.  As many people rush to file their returns, there are a few who can't afford to have someone file their returns for them.  That's why the United Way of Washtenaw County formed the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  UWWC representatives Andrew Johnson and Patrick Helman talk all about the VITA program with WEMU's David Fair in this week's "Washtenaw United."

In this week's "Washtenaw United," hear from the man who founded and co-owns the popular Boober Pedicab company in Ann Arbor.  From drug and alcohol addiction to community service and entrepreneurship, you’ll find inspiration and motivation in Kevin Spangler’s story.  

Implicit bias plays a big role in how we collectively go about our lives.  It can shape personal viewpoints, public policy, and it often creates inequities that limit access to opportunity.  In this week’s, “Washtenaw United,” WEMU’s David Fair explores these issues with the incoming board chair of the United Way of Washtenaw County, Yodit Mesfin Johnson. 

WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area.  And, as part of this ongoing series, you’ll also hear from the people benefiting and growing from the investments being made in the areas of our community where there are gaps in available services.  It is a community voice.  It is 'Washtenaw United.'

As Black History Month comes to a close, 89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry spoke to two Washtenaw County nonprofit executive directors honored for their contributions to making a difference in the local community.

There's only two weeks left until the general election.  In the meantime, Ann Arbor will be hosting forums regarding the Library Lot and other issues, and the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will discuss financial security.  These are just a few of these issues discussed in this week's "Civic Matters" with WEMU's David Fair and the CivCity Initiative's Mary Morgan.

The deadline to get on the August primary ballot has passed, which the election season is really going to pick up steam.  In this week's "Civic Matters," WEMU's Patrick Campion talks to CivCity Initiative executive director Mary Morgan about the latest events in local government, including more talks on the Ann Arbor YMCA Lot and a screening of a new, politically-charged documentary.

The United Way of Washtenaw County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Tuesday by addressing the growing local economic disparity.

The Ride held its first informational meeting today at the United Way office in Ann Arbor to discuss big changes that are coming to the bus system.

The United Way of Washtenaw County is offering free tax preparations services to local residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

If you don't have medical coverage and need it, this Sunday, January 31st, is the deadline to sign up through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Doing volunteer work and helping improve the community is important to many people in the Washtenaw County area, and Saturday is a day tailored specifically for that purpose.

It's Make A Difference Day, and United Way of Washtenaw County Community Impact and Volunteer Center Manager Amanda Reel says it's your chance to give an hour or more of your time for a good cause.