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Our impact is felt throughout Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. 

When you give, advocate and volunteer with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, you’re changing your community for the better.

How we do it

We leverage a network of hundreds of community, corporate, government and nonprofit partners, and thousands of donors, volunteers and advocates, to create positive, measurable and sustainable change in our community. We make donor dollars go further by combining strategic grant investments with technical and logistical support. Our United Way network amplifies the voices of advocates to change policies in Michigan and Washington, D.C. And our volunteer portal makes it easy for volunteers to connect to the agencies and programs that most need their help.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR ALL

United Way for Southeastern Michigan is committed to deconstructing systemic racism and institutional bias while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion as core values in every aspect of our work. We partner to close the digital divide and ensure people in our region have equal access to the skills, devices and technology needed to engage in the digital world and the opportunity it brings.

Advancing Equity IMPACT

United Way’s equity work provides educational and collaborative learning and engagement experiences, as well as technology and support to help close the digital divide. Here are some of the ways your support makes a difference.

raised annually on average in United Way's Run United Virtual Marathon, to support digital inclusion

students provided with technology devices for school in 2020

students and parents attended virtual literacy fairs during 2020

Women Lighting the Way: Carla Walker-Miller
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

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Racial Equity Fund Helps Fuel ‘life-affirming’ Programs
Just to get our work supported and foregrounded are exercises in equity. It’s now part of our DNA.

Rhonda Greene, founder, Heritage Works

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PROGRAMS RELATED TO Advancing Equity
See All Programs
These programs help advance diversity, equity and inclusion in our communities.
21-Day Equity Challenge
21-Day Equity Challenge

Each year, the challenge features 21 days of unique content focused on deconstructing systemic racism and institutional bias while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. The challenge begins in mid-May.

Equity Challenge content
Tech United
Tech United

This group of chief information officers and IT professionals is dedicated to closing the digital divide and increasing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities for students.

Tech United

All families deserve to have their basic needs met.

In Southeastern Michigan, 42 percent of households struggle at times to afford life’s essentials. Programs like our 2-1-1 helpline provide critical support to families in need, connecting struggling households with resources like food, housing and health care.

Basic Needs Impact

United Way’s Basic Needs programs make an immediate impact on families in need in Southeastern Michigan. Here’s how your support helps make a difference.

saved on food in the summers by families participating in Meet Up and Eat Up program

Getting Families to the Other Side of Crisis
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.

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people were served across the domains of food, health care, and housing

total benefits claimed with Centers for Working Families Support

people received food assistance over the past year.

Boots on the Ground: PATH at Community Housing Network (CHN)
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

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PROGRAMS RELATED TO Meeting Basic Needs
United Way invests in direct support programs to help families stay in their homes and put food on the table.
2-1-1- Helpline
2-1-1- Helpline

Our 2-1-1 helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, connecting callers with critical resources like food, shelter and health care. Those in need can dial 2-1-1, connect via live chat or search the 2-1-1 database.

2-1-1 Helpline
Utility Assistance
Utility Assistance

Through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), United Way can provide assistance with energy bills statewide. Water assistance is also available in certain areas.

Utility Assistance
Tax Assistance
Tax Assistance

IRS-certified nonprofit partners help Southeastern Michigan residents file taxes and maximize their refunds free of charge.

Tax Assistance
Financial Coaching
Financial Coaching

With the support of our Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families and TrustPlus in Washtenaw County, we empower families to become financially stable through our Learn It, Earn It, Keep it, Grow It strategy.

Financial Coaching

WE HELP CHILDREN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

We believe learning begins at birth. All children deserve quality education and growth experiences that will help them reach their full potential. We work to make quality child care more accessible and affordable to all. Our literacy and education work fills gaps that traditional systems may not always reach. We prepare children to learn, grow and succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Youth Opportunity Impact

United Way's work in schools and with student, parents and caregivers helps set children up for success in school and life. Through our in-school and out-of-school programs, we focus on strengthening the whole child, preparing them to learn, grow and succeed in a rapidly changing world.

devices were distributed through Tech United and Connect 313.

students provided with technology devices for school in 2020

students and parents attended virtual literacy fairs during 2020

books distributed to K-12 students

The Joy of Reading for All Ages
Oooo I can’t wait to read these— I’m so excited, and I don’t have to pay!

Makai

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PROGRAMS RELATED TO Youth Opportunity
United Way helps children reach their full potential.
Community Schools
Community Schools

This network of schools provides a safe and supportive climate focused on academic support, social and emotional learning, and health and wellness resources for students and families.

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Summer Discovery
Summer Discovery

This free program provides fun learning experiences for children, supporting them on an educational journey and in life beyond the classroom. (New Summer Discovery site coming in March; link to blog or hold on link until new site is live)

Learn More
My Home Library

This program helps students fill their home libraries, sending more than 60,000 books home with children in the 2023-24 school year.

Promoting Prosperity

A family’s economic stability impacts the long-term well-being of multiple generations. United Way for Southeastern Michigan helps families build a strong financial foundation for the future through financial and employment coaching, free tax preparation, barrier-busting transportation support and more.

Promoting Prosperity Impact

Women Lighting the Way: Carla Walker-Miller
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

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advocates took action to support the Earned Income Tax Credit.

connections made with Congress by advocates for increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit

File your taxes for free with United Way’s MyFreeTaxes
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

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workers placed in a job

people connected to financial coaching services

Programs related to Promoting Prosperity
Tax Assistance
Tax Assistance

Our Get The Tax Facts tax assistance program helps households file their taxes at no cost and receive cash payments.

Learn More