"Know Your Org" is an informational series designed to spotlight some of the wonderful organizations in our community. This month, we are reviewing all the excellent institutions we've written about so far this year.
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. Wayne Metro focuses on its mission to eliminate poverty and ensure every human has access to the most basic rights.
Its 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 offer services that are most essential to the community.
Wayne Metro offers many ways to get involved and help communities. You can volunteer your time, such as joining their Regional Advisory Council or AmeriCorps, or visit their 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 wishlist that assists in housing and homeless services or check out their general wishlist.
African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
The AACHM is the only museum dedicated to preserving Black history in Washtenaw County. Their mission: "To research, collect, preserve and exhibit cultural and historical materials about the life and work of African Americans in Washtenaw County."
Originally a "museum without walls" with no official physical address, the museum has moved and changed several times. Their home in recent years has been a mid-19th century brick residence originally built in downtown Ann Arbor, but they are moving to a new permanent location in the David R. Byrd Center and Wilsey-Sperry-Nelson Farm Historic District.
As the museum website points out, the physical evidence of African American history is often found in private collections kept in homes, so they have set up an online tool to help record information about such artifacts and to encourage donations to their collections. Unlike many other museums, they rely on community members to build their collections and thus preserve these and other frequently overlooked historical perspectives.
Please see their website for more information on donating artifacts or providing financial support.
Canton Historical Society (CHS)
CHS is a nonprofit organization managed by volunteer staff. Their mission is to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Canton Township.
CHS promotes the history of Canton Township with exhibits at the Canton Historical Museum and educational activities in the Agricultural Barn at Preservation Park. These no-cost, history-based exhibits and activities give the CHS multiple opportunities to educate residents of all ages on specific facets of Canton's past.
CHS accepts monetary donations and physical objects and offers sponsorship opportunities to local businesses. To learn more, please visit their website or email.
Arab American National Museum (AANM)
AANM's goal has been to document, preserve and present the history, culture and contributions of Arab Americans. With exhibitions that cover the Arab world and the history of Arab Americans from the first immigrants who arrived in the late 19th century to today, it is the only museum to document and present the history of Arab immigrants to the United States and their descendants.
April is Arab American Heritage Month, their busiest time of year with many school field trips, corporate cultural competency trainings and even film screenings, so book your visit early by calling them at 313-429-2535. If you'd like to donate, they ask that you visit the Join & Give page on their website.
Club 55+
Club 55+ is Canton's very own senior center whose mission is to provide a welcoming environment where seniors can gather to be social, receive services, learn information and have fun.
As the name suggests, Club 55+ offers a wide variety of activities on a daily, weekly and monthly basis geared towards individuals who live in Canton and are ages 55 and up. They are located inside Summit on the Park. For more information, check out their website.
Plymouth Pollinators
Plymouth Pollinators is a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase pollinator habitat within the community through education, collaboration and the use of native plants in local garden spaces.
They work with residents, small businesses and municipalities to create a garden plan and provide educational materials on what to plant, the importance of native plants, the risks of pesticide use and how to attract pollinators. They also organize volunteer events to allow community members to 'get their hands dirty' and create pollinator habitats, one small space at a time.
If you'd like to get involved, check out the Plymouth Pollinators' website for information on upcoming events, donations and volunteer opportunities.
Community Work Opportunities (CWO)
CWO's mission is to teach employable skills to adults with disabilities. They offer a variety of programs, including vocational training, sensory integration, job coaching and day programs that promote skill-building and personal development.
They also give back to the community, with clients actively participating in activities such as delivering meals to seniors, assisting in local thrift stores, supporting the Humane Society, assembling hygiene kits for those in need and entertainment kits for children in hospitals.
For more information, see their website. If you'd like to volunteer or donate, contact CWO site director Elaine LaMontagne.
Plymouth Community United Way (PCUW)
PCUW’s mission is "to reach out and serve human needs." Focusing on basic needs, education, health and stability, they assist those in need with rent, utility payments and other funds to help make ends meet.
They hold supply drives, assist with certain education-related expenses, and even pay for an emotional support dog for the local school district to aid educational needs. To promote health and stability, they have programs in place to help seniors, hospice patients, domestic violence survivors and those experiencing grief. PCUW even has a dental care fund for those who don't have dental insurance.
See their website for details, donations and contact information.
Ozone House
Ozone House is a Ypsilanti-based nonprofit focused on providing free, confidential and voluntary shelter and support services to homeless youth, including runaways, high-risk youths ages 10-20 and their families.
Ozone House gives safe refuge to 800 youth each year, over 20,000 hours of one-on-one services and life skills training, and school assistance for over 1,500 students. They maintain a crisis line at 734-662-2222 that can help connect youth to much-needed services. These include a safe place to stay, a spot to drop in and grab food, job training, school support, case management and counseling and LGBTQ+ support.
See their website for more information, including opportunities to join their team. Ozone House also offers volunteer opportunities, including Outdoor Summer Service Days, crisis line service, and supply drives.
Feral Kitty Trappers TNR
Based in South Lyon, Feral Kitty Trappers TNR helps feral cat caretakers trap, neuter and release feral cats so that they can help contain their populations.
Like many animal welfare organizations, they have more work to do than time, money and volunteers to do it! So, how can you help?
- Volunteer: if you are over 18, you could be eligible to trap or foster cats. If you have other skills like grant writing or photography, you could be especially useful to the Feral Kitty Trapper’s movement.
- Adopt a kitten: sometimes feral cats are trapped while pregnant. In a foster home, their kittens can be introduced to humans for socialization and eventual adoption.
- Donate: from kitten food to laundry detergent to checks, your donations can help feral cats.
- Spread the word: use social media for good by spreading information about feral cat care and TNR efforts. You can also follow and share posts from Feral Kitty Trappers on Facebook.
League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County
The League of Women Voters is an organization that provides information about voting, elections and candidates to help people exercise their right to vote and make informed choices while doing so. While you've probably heard of them and perhaps seen one of their voter guides before, our blog aims to help you get to know them better.
According to Carrie Moon-Dupree, President of the Northwest Wayne County chapter of the League, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Says Carrie: "We are a 104-year-old organization that grew out of the need to educate women voters after they won the right to vote in 1920. Carrie Chapman Catt, a leading Suffragette, formed the organization just before women could cast their first vote. We are a grassroots organization made up of members throughout the 50 states and territories. Each local League is funded through dues, grants, donors and fundraising activities."
Visit the League of Women Voters website for more information or to join or support the organization.
Add a comment to: Know Your Org: Year in Review