The United Way of Washtenaw County awards $100,000 to support equity.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Tuesday, November 13, the United Way of Washtenaw County (UWWC) announces its grant investments to local programs and initiatives that address racial and socioeconomic inequities in Washtenaw County. These grantees are serving communities of color and individuals and families with lower incomes.  United Way volunteers invested nearly $100,000 in 12 programs, seven of which focus on people in Ypsilanti.

These investments are responding to inequities in various ways. Programs receiving support include:

• Black Men Read, a new initiative that engages black men as readers, teachers, and role models to promote literacy among elementary students.
• Scholarships to local leaders of color who would not otherwise be able to attend the Facing Race Conference in Detroit, coordinated by NEW | Solutions for Nonprofits and Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice.
• A new expansion of Community Action Network’s core education, housing stabilization and community building services for students and families at Brick Elementary in the Lincoln School District, in collaboration with Engage@EMU.

“Our donors and volunteers create solutions for our community. When we live united, ideas become possible,” shared Pam Smith, President and CEO of UWWC, according to UWWC.

Other agencies receiving grants are Avalon Housing, Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid-Michigan, Food Gatherers, Riverside Arts Center, OptiMize at the University of Michigan, Success by Six GreatStart Collaborative, Washtenaw Futures, We the People Growers Association, and Ypsilanti District Library stated UWWC.

For a full list of programs and descriptions, visit our website at uwgive.org/yourdollarsatwork.

ABOUT UNITED WAY’S OPPORTUNITY FUND INVESTMENTS

Opportunity Fund grants provide support for organizations whose work benefits priority populations in Washtenaw County: populations with lower incomes, communities of color and groups deemed to be marginalized. In addition to the above, these grants are meeting an emergent, unmet need; piloting a promising or evidence-based practice; or prioritizing systematic racial equity.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY

As part of our 96-year history, the United Way of Washtenaw County brings people, organizations and resources together to create a thriving community for everyone. Our focus areas of Health, Education and Financial Stability provide the building blocks to strengthen the community and create opportunities for individuals and families. Our Volunteer Center provides an easy online way for people to connect with nonprofits in the community and our 2-1-1 helpline refers more than 8,000 people annually to critically needed services. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit uwgive.org. This according to UWWC.