Know Your Org: Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency

"Know Your Org" is an informational series designed to spotlight some of the wonderful organizations in our community. This month we are highlighting the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.

The Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate poverty through assistance and service programs. We spoke with Wayne Metro’s social media coordinator, Catie Schmidt, to learn more about this valuable organization.

Values

Wayne Metro empowers people and communities to be strong, healthy and thriving. They envision thriving communities where all people have hope and opportunities to realize their full potential. Wayne Metro values creating a safe and dignified space for the most vulnerable populations to receive services. They believe that everyone deserves the most basic human rights, including housing and water.

History

Wayne Metro was founded in 1971 and their budget has grown from just under $1 million to over $300 million—all while continuing to maintain a low administrative rate of 4%, ensuring at least $.96 of every funded or donated dollar is utilized for direct client services. Due to their client-centered services and fiscal responsibility, the State of Michigan appointed Wayne Metro as the Interim Communication Action Agency for the City of Detroit in 2013 with the designation becoming permanent in 2015.

Services

Wayne Metro focuses on their mission to eliminate poverty and to ensure every human has access to the most basic rights. Their different service locations were strategically placed to assist the populations where they needed it the most. They target certain areas and work to understand the demographics to ensure these locations are offering services that are most essential to the community. 

Here is a list of all of the services that Wayne Metro offers:

• Water Assistance
  • Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP)
  • DWSD Lifeline Plan
  • Low Income Household Water Assistance Plan (LIHWAP)
• Weatherization Assistance
• Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
• Flood Recovery
• Property Tax Assistance
• Food Support
• Emergency Plumbing Repair
• Childhood Development
  • Head Start and Early Head Start
  • After School and Summer Programs
  • Learning, Excelling and Parenting Successfully (LEAPS)
• Financial Assistance
  • Tax Preparation Program
  • Financial Coaching
  • Financial Education
• Housing Services
  • Housing Stability and Counseling Services
  • Supportive Housing and Homeless Services
  • Mortgage Support
• Out-Wayne County Continuum of Care (CoC)
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families
• Domestic Violence Services

Visit the Wayne Metro Services page on their website for more information on these services. There is a universal application you can fill out as well to get the service process started.

Get Involved

Wayne Metro offers many ways to get involved to help communities. You can volunteer your time, such as joining their Regional Advisory Council, AmeriCorps, or by visiting this website to check out other service opportunities.

If you are interested in donating to help aid in their mission, you can donate directly, use their Amazon wish list that assists in housing and homeless services, or check out their general wish list.