Life in the Other Washtenaw County: Poverty Advocacy, and Dignity

On October 25, 2023 The Workshop hosted a panel discussion highlighting the work being done to eliminate poverty and promote dignity for children and families in Washtenaw County. Panel Participants included Betre Getahun (Jewish Family Services), Celeste Hawkins (Ypsilanti School Board), and Andrew Paniagua (Food Gatherers). This even was co-sponsored by The Workshop for Community+Collaboration and the Civil Rights and Social Justice Center at Eastern Michigan University. 

When asked how community partners can assist in their efforts to eliminate poverty and promote dignity, panelists noted that there is a need for first-person narratives from individuals who shop at food pantries so that policy makers might better understand their lived experiences. In response to this call, Jennifer Bennett and Cassidy Cartwright were inspired to conduct a study on food insecurity in Eastern Michigan University students who use Swoop's Food Pantry. To learn more about this study, click here.