In Southeastern Michigan, nearly 40 percent of families in our region struggle to meet their basic needs.

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

United Way works to advance equitable communities of stable households and thriving children. Volunteers are critical to this mission. United Way’s Seasons of Caring connects individuals, corporate teams and community groups to meaningful volunteer work. Sponsored by Penske Corp., Seasons of Caring gives every person a way to give back year-round in ways that fit their lives and are meaningful to our mission.

From packing and delivering backpacks for students to helping Southeastern Michigan families file taxes and much more, there are so many easy and rewarding ways to give back to your community. In-person, virtual and remote opportunities are available for each season.

Join United Way as a volunteer and help make a difference in our community.

UNITED WAY’S VOLUNTEER WORK IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY PENSKE CORP.

Autumn: Build a stronger safety net

People can’t thrive unless their basic needs are met. And when the temperatures start to drop, needs rise. Each year, United Way receives more than 200,000 calls from people seeking help with things like food, housing and utility bills.


Volunteer opportunity example
Winter and holiday opportunities: United Way partners with local organizations to provide more than 25 opportunities to volunteer during the holiday season. These opportunities open up during autumn, are listed on the volunteer portal and added continuously throughout the holiday season.

Winter: Prepare families for a prosperous year

Each January, we know it’s time to file our taxes and get our post-holiday finances in order. But for some families in our region, it can be a struggle to become financially stable — and without stability, people can’t improve their credit scores, save money and find better jobs.

Volunteer opportunity example
Tax preparation: United Way works in partnership with key nonprofits in the community to engage volunteers around the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation services.

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Spring: Guide children from bib to backpack

A child’s education begins long before they set foot in a classroom. But 40 percent of the children in our region will enter kindergarten unprepared for school. Parents and caregivers need support to guide their children along a path of lifelong learning and success — and you can help.

Volunteer opportunity example
National Volunteer Week: United Way partners with local nonprofits and community organizations to engage volunteers in a week of service with opportunities to provide parents and caregivers with supportive resources.

Summer: Give students a better back-to-school

A happier school year starts with a healthy summer. From providing children with programs to help them learn and grow to ensuring they have nutritious food, summertime volunteers help students stay on top of their education, preparing them for success in the classroom, college and their chosen career path

Volunteer opportunity example
Backpack packing and delivery: Help pack and deliver backpacks to provide to local children, ensuring that all students have what they need to start a new school year.

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