Powerful Purses Bring Grants to Washtenaw

United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s annual Power of the Purse is a stylish celebration featuring a curated purse auction, great food and drinks that creates lasting support for women and families throughout the year.

Since its inception Power of the Purse has raised more than $450,000 for the advancement and economic stability of women, girls and families in Washtenaw County.

Last year’s grantees included Amigos de verdad, Foundations Preschool, Mexiquenses Unidos de Michigan, The Women’s Center y Washtenaw Success by 6 Great Start Collaborative.

Read on to see how funds impacted families through each grantee…

FRIENDS IN DEED

At Friends In Deed, the Power of the Purse grant funded their Circles program. This 22-month program empowers residents to break the cycle of poverty through financial education, career development, mentorship and friendship.

“We have 19 leaders, people who are working to get out of poverty and towards stability,” said Jazmeen Fortune, Circles coach and process control analyst at Friends In Deed. “The Allies are the people who walk alongside them, as part of their support system and social capital, to help them make connections and utilize tools and resources to meet their goals.”

One mother of four was struggling with student loan debt. In Circles, her Ally helped with student loan forgiveness and restructuring her plan. Now, she’s made her last student loan payment and moved on to a new goal: paying off her car.

She was shy and reserved when joining Circles, but that soon changed.

“Since joining, she has found a new sense of confidence,” said Jazmeen. “She feels like she has someone who’s rooting for her, someone in her corner and she honestly described him as a light in her life.”

FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL

On the verge of quitting her job, one Washtenaw mother was preparing to risk homelessness because she couldn’t afford childcare.

“We know female caregivers are more likely the person that will step down to watch children,” said Carrianne Ausmus, Development Manager at Foundations Preschool. “Even though she didn’t get paid enough working in early childhood education, it was her passion and she didn’t want to leave.”

Thanks to the 2025 Power of the Purse grant, Foundations Preschool provided this mother with a scholarship and additional assistance to ensure she kept her job while her child was enrolled in care.

“The grant was used specifically so female caregivers could continue their education and pursue employment opportunities,” said Carrianne. “Now, she’s happy to continue doing what she loves while her child achieves milestones.”

MEXIQUENSES UNIDOS DE MICHIGAN

At Mexiquenses Unidos de Michigan, the Power of the Purse grant was distributed as financial assistance to 37 families and over 180 individuals in crisis.

“It came at the best moment it could,” said Maria Militzer, head of development at Mexiquenses Unidos de Michigan. “Once the summer or the sunny days are over, the hotel or service industry gets slower, so low-income families, especially immigrant families start losing wages.”

The financial assistance provided paid for basic needs expenses in families experiencing separation because of incarceration, immigration enforcement or hospitalization.

“For our families, the grant meant survival and stability during crisis,” said Maria. “It’s maintained their dignity and hope.”

THE WOMEN’S CENTER

At the Women’s Center, Power of the Purse funded their Soundings program, allowing Washtenaw women to receive mental health services regardless of their ability to pay.

“For individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, experiencing financial hardship or navigating a period of transition, the cost of traditional therapy can put consistent care out of reach,” said Jaye Sciullo, development director at The Women’s Center. “Soundings helps close this gap by creating an accessible pathway to high-quality mental health support before challenges escalate into more serious crises.”

In 2025, The Women’s Center served 800 women and families with more than 10,000 counseling appointments, 150 of those individuals received services through Soundings.

The grant also strengthened their therapist training model by supporting the infrastructure necessary for volunteer therapists to supervise master’s-level social work and professional counseling interns.

“The Power of the Purse investment had a dual impact: increasing access to affordable mental health services today, while helping prepare the next generation of mental health professionals to meet the community’s growing need for care,” said Jaye.

WASHTENAW SUCCESS BY 6

At Washtenaw Success by 6 Great Start Collaborative, the Power of the Purse grant funded the Trusted Parent Advisor Initiative; training parents with the Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI) model to support 128 families and 309 individuals.

“COFI Training empowers moms to see themselves as leaders, gives them a sense of a community that can support them in setting goals and taking action to make positive change,” said Margy Long, director of Washtenaw Success by 6 Great Start Collaborative. “We appreciate United Way’s commitment to systems change work.”

Trusted Parent Advisors go into the community to talk with families about early childhood programs and resources they may be eligible for. The additional training allows them to maximize their impact.

“Because of the COFI training, I feel good about myself,” said a Trusted Parent Advisor. “I know I can do whatever I put my mind to, and the support was amazing.

“I have learned patience, staying consistent and presenting in front of groups.”

Inspired to support Washtenaw women? Buy your ticket today for Power of the Purse and join us for an unforgettable evening Nov. 4 from 5:00 – 7:30 pm at Washtenaw Community College.