ISSUE: FOOD SECURITY

INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 58,655

THE NEED:

• 13.3% of individuals are food insecure

• 16.9% of children under the age of 18 are food insecure

CHANGE LIVES OUTPUTS:

• 1,037,291 meals were provided

ORGANIZATIONS:

This type of investment includes programs that will lead to change in individuals.

FEEDING AMERICA WEST MICHIGAN – MOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM

SENIOR NUTRITION SERVICES, REGION IV – MEALS ON WHEELS

SENIOR NUTRITION SERVICES, REGION IV – PRODUCE TO YOUR DOOR

UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST mICHIGAN - OPERATION THANKSGIVING

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

• Feeding America West Michigan

• Senior Nutrition Services, Region IV

• United Way of Southwest Michigan

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES:

• Voter Engagement

• Become a UWSM Advocate

ISSUE: SAFE ENVIRONMENT

INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 36,356

THE NEED:

• More than 1,400 children experience homelessness OR don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night

CHANGE LIVES OUTPUTS:

• 1,893 bills were paid for emergency financial assistance, valued at $608,321

• 6,299 people were provided emergency financial assistance

• 912 people were provided shelter

• 7,470 people were provided with case management

ORGANIZATIONS:

This type of investment includes programs that will lead to change in individuals.

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – DISASTER SERVICE

Caring Connection – Empowerment center

DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL ABUSE SERVICES – HILLMANN HOUSE SHELTER

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITION, INC. – VICTIM ADVOCACY PROGRAM

EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES, INC. – EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM

LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN – LEGAL AID FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

NEIGHBOR BY NEIGHBOR – STOP THE SLIDE

SENIOR SERVICES OF VAN BUREN COUNTY – CARE COORDINATION FOR SENIORS

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY – EMERGENCY UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

THE SALVATION ARMY, BENTON HARBOR CORPS – EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES

THE SALVATION ARMY, BENTON HARBOR CORPS – MEN’S HOMELESS SHELTER

THE SALVATION ARMY, NILES – EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES

UNITED CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF EASTERN VAN BUREN COUNTY – DIRECT CLIENT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

WE CARE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER – ADVOCACY/CASE WORK FOR SAFE ENVIRONMENTS

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

• American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan

• Emergency Shelter Services

• Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency

• The Salvation Army, Benton Harbor

• The Salvation Army, Niles

• We Care Community Resource Center

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES:

• Michigan Homelessness Advocacy Day (March)

• Voter Engagement

• Become a UWSM Advocate

Decatur Family Shelter

“All families who are sheltered are success stories,” according to Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency’s Decatur Family Shelter, a United Way-funded partner. One family—Dan, his wife, and their high school daughter who has special needs—exemplified what many Southwest Michigan families went through in the past couple pandemic years.

Dan and his family became homeless due to a COVID-related plant closure where Dan worked. Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency arranged for the family to quarantine in a motel because they were exposed to COVID. Following their quarantine, they were transitioned to the Decatur Family Shelter. They were staying at the shelter over the holidays, and shelter staff reached out to numerous agencies requesting gifts for the daughter. The daughter said it was the best Christmas ever. Shelter staff managed the family’s case to find stable affordable housing for them, and SMCAA did car repairs so Dan could continue to apply for jobs. Dan found employment and his family moved into a rental house near Lawton.