UWImpactReportof2025_FIN - Flipbook - Page 7
ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE
The most powerful thing we can do for families isn’t always
a program. Sometimes it’s changing the conditions that
were holding them back in the 昀椀 rst place. That’s why United
Way of South Central Michigan partners with community
leaders, local programs, government of昀椀 cials, and state
legislators to push for policies that make it easier for
families in our region to 昀椀 nd stable housing, access quality
child care, get a good education and build 昀椀 nancial security.
Our advocacy is driven by what we see and hear in our
community every day – grounded in ALICE data, which
gives a clear view of what it actually costs to get by in
our region. Below is a look at our priorities and the
progress we saw this year.
At the end of April, UWSCMI President & Executive
Of昀椀 cer Chris Sargent and Director of Community
Impact-Public Policy Michele Strasz joined more
than 300 United Way leaders from across the
country in Washington, D.C., for United Way
Worldwide’s annual Advocacy Forum and Hill Day.
Safety Net
Accessing transitional
and stable housing
OUR POLICY
PRIORITIES
Ensuring basic needs
provision and healthcare
Progress highlights from 2025
Expanding education
opportunities
UWSCMI supported the expansion of RxKids, a cash
prescription program for pregnant women and babies
designed to strengthen family 昀椀 nancial stability during
pregnancy and early infancy. We convened community partners
and stakeholders, approached potential funders to match state
funding, and advocated for continued funding in the state budget.
The program started in Flint and has expanded into Kalamazoo,
Jackson, Albion, Battle Creek, Galesburg and Spring昀椀 eld, as well as
Blackman, Oshtemo, Wakeshma and Sheridan townships.
Both the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Michigan
Reconnect program saw funding increases in the state budget, an
important result of advocacy by UWSCMI and many other partners.
We continued to see progress with the expansion of the MI Tri-Share
Child Care Program, an innovative approach to increasing access to
high quality, affordable child care, with the cost of care split between
an employer, the employee and the State of Michigan.
Financial Security
Addressing disparities and
fostering inclusive policies
Supporting economic
mobility and opportunity
Tips for communicating
with elected of昀椀 cials.
Want to help?
unitedforscmi.org
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