Impact Stories - United Way for Southeastern Michigan

“The more people that know crisis is one missed paycheck away, the more connections and building blocks can happen.”

Brooke Dahlia Hill, president of the Board of Directors at SOS Community Services.

“Other funding sources can't always support certain things so there is a vacuum. Thankfully, United Way has partnered with us to fund those gaps with unrestricted dollars.”

Mellena Martinez, director of housing resources at CHN

“Oooo I can’t wait to read these— I’m so excited, and I don’t have to pay!”

Makai

““When I grow up, I want to be a builder or a racecar driver. And I’m going to make an actual house that you can live in out of Legos. I would use real bricks that click together.””

Preston, a fifth-grader at Stevenson Elementary

“Not only did she (Jennifer) help me, she followed up, made my appointment and we talked for quite a while. It was like she really cared.”

Clara Rigsby

“My advice to women who are navigating shifts in their lives is to know who you are, deep within.”

Carla Walker-Miller, founder and CEO at Walker-Miller Energy Services

“Just to get our work supported and foregrounded are exercises in equity. It’s now part of our DNA.”

Rhonda Greene, founder, Heritage Works

“I’m thankful; Just thankful.”

Renetta

“With these savings, families can pay off debt, build a financial safety net or simply have more money to put toward basic needs like food and utilities.”

Megan Thibos, United Way

“Detroiters have claimed $56 million more in EITC refunds each year on average.”

“I was a foster kid. He was a foster kid. They’ll understand our situation and be able to offer extra support if we need it.”

Heather

“I didn’t know where to turn for help but 2-1-1 answered the phone and talked me through exactly where to go. It was awesome.”

Carolyn Byrd

“It’s a haven of possibility. It helps get you to where you want to be.”

Darrin Ogburn, discussing United Way partner IIMD

“Never be scared to ask for help, because you never know if it’ll be available if you never ask.”

Lucreshia Simon

“I had to do something or else I wasn’t going to survive.”

Gail Smith, who received food assistance through United Way partners

“Volunteers are needed more than ever as we work with our partners to help the community recover and stabilize the 44 percent of families struggling to meet their basic needs.”

“Now I can just be me.”

Tim Wichman

“Just 20 minutes of reading a day can help build your child’s listening, memory and vocabulary skills and lay the foundation for their future success.”

“My kids love it and it gives me time to take a little break and prepare dinner and know that they’re in a safe space with nutritious food and that they’re also learning something”

Melissa

“You have to not only have a vision for your children but also a plan and be willing to do what it takes to put that plan into action.”

Bianca Boden

“Summertime is a great season to try new foods with your family. School’s out, schedules are looser and many fruits and vegetables are in season.”

“It was a blessing to learn about EITC. With that money, I was able to pay down debt and help my credit. That helped me get to where I am today.”

Renee

“When you use your birthday as a chance to make a difference in someone else’s life, the odds are that you’ll make a difference in your life, too.”

“When I told her she’d be getting a $4,000 refund thanks to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), she burst into tears. That money was her ticket out of her sister’s attic.”

Lew Elbert

“Now instead of working for minimum wage, I’m making counteroffers.”

Kyle Tripp

“It can take up to 10 tries before your child eats a new food.”

Lily Doher

“I always knew I wanted to be licensed and have a day care of my own.I just didn’t know how I was going to do it.”

Gloria Moyet

“If I hadn’t called 2-1-1, I wouldn’t know where to start. I would have just been out on the street with my kids.”

Daisjona Whitson

“We know that in order to keep children safe and provide the best outcomes we need to help families build more protective factors and reduce risk factors, so that’s our goal.”

Jamie Clayton

“I’ve benefited to the third power. It’s just amazing to me.”

Lorna Parks

“If we didn’t have those services, I don’t believe Jabari would be where he is now in first grade.”

Paul Potts

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