Jackson County
IMPACT! Having People’s Backs
Legal issues are the toughest for people who struggle financially to get resolved. Fortunately, we’re able to partner with Legal Services of South Central Michigan to make sure the most vulnerable people of Jackson County get the support they need. Following is a story of how LSSCM stepped up for a local resident: Legal Services…
Read MoreIMPACT! The Power of Trust
Trust is a powerful tool in transforming lives. But it’s also something not easy to come by. That’s where Trusted Advisors come in. Made available through our partnership with the Great Start Collaborative of Jackson County, Trusted Advisors are community members who understand the difficulties and needs of struggling people, and they’re able to step…
Read MoreIMPACT! Music and Mentoring Change a Life
Without a positive male role model, many boys struggle to fit in and build self-esteem. Save Our Youth Help Them Prosper is a great partner with United Way, working to provide mentors and positive guidance for boys and girls alike. Here’s an example: “Bryon” was a shy, quiet 10-year-old African American male who does well…
Read MoreIMPACT! Driving to Financial Stability
For many people in poverty or Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), financial stability starts with learning how to manage what income they’re able to generate. Lily Missions Center provides financial management training through the support provide by United Way. Here’s a heartwarming success story: A family came Lily Mission Center’s drive-thru food pantry who…
Read MoreIMPACT! Empowering Homeownership
Owning a home is considered a key element in “the American dream.” But for many individuals and families, it’s a hurdle too high for countless reasons. Our partner, Community Action Agency, has developed a unique, community-based approach that empowers people to homeownership. Here’s one example: CAA met with a young married couple who had four…
Read MoreIMPACT! Recognizing the Value of Relationships
A lifetime of success, including a rewarding career that provides financial stability, begins with the right kind of guidance at a young age. Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County helped one young man reflect on how his pathway changed for the better: Jim and his “Little,” Mark, have been matched for…
Read MoreFake News? Not When You’re Experiencing Homelessness
by Ken Toll Have you heard the news? Homelessness is not a problem in Jackson County. If you believe that statement, I have a bridge to sell you. Don’t be surprised if you find an unsheltered person living there. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard fellow citizens, including folks I’ve known for a long…
Read MoreIMPACT! From Shelter to Home
Emergency shelter for victims of abuse is crucial to our community. But it’s not a permanent home. We’re proud that our partnership with AWARE Shelter provides both a safe place to escape abuse and, through its Residential Services, long-term solutions for a better life. An individual survivor had been staying in the emergency shelter for…
Read MoreIMPACT! Reconnecting with Family
Adults who require guardianship are still human beings who need to connect with family. Family Service & Children’s Aid, a United Way partner, recognizes the power of family. FSCA made this powerful reconnection possible: “Sarah” has been living in Adult Foster Care Home for most of her adult life. At 42, she stated that she…
Read MoreIMPACT! Food Means Freedom
Having enough to eat for yourself and your family—that’s something a lot of us take for granted. But for many people, especially those in poverty or Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), it’s not a sure thing. United Way gifts help support the South Michigan Food Bank, which in turn provides food through local food…
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