Day 7: Intersectionality

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Day 7: Intersectionality “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” Audre Lorde – writer, professor, philosopher, intersectional feminist, poet and civil rights activist A discussion of privilege and oppression is not complete without a broader discussion of intersectionality, a concept that helps us…

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Day 5: Understanding and Reflecting on Bias

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Day 5: Understanding and Reflecting on Bias The topic of bias can sometimes be a difficult one. Most of us see ourselves, rightly so, as kind, caring individuals who try to do right by others. As we dive into this topic, I hope one thing is clear: all of us have bias. It often shows…

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Day 1: Welcome

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Welcome to United Way of South Central Michigan’s 21-Day Equity Challenge!   We are so grateful you have decided to join us in this work. Every day at United Way, we look to partner with community members like you who are committed to a future where everyone can lead a flourishing life. To do this, we…

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ALICE Threshold: A New Standard for Policy

NEW ORLEANS – A trip to the “Birthplace of Jazz” brought together more than 575 individuals from across the country earlier this month to discuss one centralized topic that has been a pillar of United Way work for years: ALICE. ALICE is an acronym that stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” These are hard-working…

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Alyssa Stewart Reflects On UW Career

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After a decade as a driving force in United Way’s work, Alyssa Stewart is moving on to a new challenge – but she is still a United Way champion. Stewart, who has been UWSCMI’s Executive Impact Officer, is joining the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, where she will direct impact activities, grantmaking and scholarships. It’s a role…

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United Way of South Central Michigan Social Media Community Standards

Welcome to the United Way of South Central Michigan (Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/YouTube) community! We invite you to learn more and inspire others to help create strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving and connected for the common good. To ensure a positive and respectful experience for all, please review and adhere to the following community…

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You See Me: Year in Review 2023

2023 was a year to remember for United Way of South Central Michigan. As we reach the end of this year, we reflect on our first full year as an organization and the accomplishments and impact we have made within our community. We have dedicated ourselves to fostering a positive change with programs and initiatives…

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Request for Proposal: Public Policy Planning/Government Relations Facilitation

TO:  Prospective Bidders FROM:  United Way of South Central Michigan CONTACT:  Lyonel LaGrone II (he/him), Community Impact Director RE:  Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide public policy planning & government relations facilitation services DATE:  October 30, 2023  ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN  United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) gathers the power of three legacy organizations—Capital Area…

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Day 21: Take Action

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Take Action Congratulations on completing the 21-Day LGBTQIA+ Equity Challenge. Talking about systems of oppression, exploring our own privilege, and engaging in allyship isn’t an easy process; however, it is necessary in order to create change in our communities. We encourage each of you to continue these conversations, share a reflection on your experience with…

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Day 20: Reflection

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Reflection Today’s opportunity is to take time to reflect on your experience with this challenge. Research shows that a critical component to learning is taking time to reflect on the presented content or being intentional about processing what you’ve learned.  TODAY’S CHALLENGE Reflection: Group Discussion: 

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