Robby and Emma Eimers are two of the most dedicated youth volunteers in the state of Michigan. While some volunteers serve “at” a community, Robby and Emma serve “with” their community. Their continued years of helping the hungry of Detroit, and the formation of a nonprofit organization, is truly impressive. It’s clear the Eimers don’t…
Lindsey Matson has dedicated her time over the last five years to grassroots organizing with social justice organizations focused on combating racism and inequality in Metropolitan Detroit including Congress of Communities, MIStudentsDream, 482Forward, and the University of Michigan’s Social Justice Fellowship. She is especially passionate about youth organizing, and has changed the way the communities…
AmeriCorps member Charles Jones-Parsons finds his motivation to serve from the people serving alongside him. “When you have a good team of people out there, you are able to keep yourself motivated,” Charles said. Charles started his service as an internship, but once he was offered a more full-time service opportunity, he knew he had…
As an immigrant, AmeriCorps member Ozlem Okutkan said helping others gives her a sense of community. “If you want to feel belonging, the only way is to serve,” said Ozlem Okutkan. Okutkan was born in Turkey and has lived in the United States for the past ten years. She received her bachelor’s degree in international…
Ethelyn Carroll’s love for her community is evident with how she’s devoted her life to serving it. When she received an email about the neighborhood organization and a recruitment flyer from AmeriCorps, she was interested in how she could further help her neighbors. “I viewed this as an opportunity to serve my neighborhood,” Ethelyn said.…
Dr. Darienne Hudson, President and CEO of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, has been a relentless leader and advocate for southeastern Michigan, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond rallying her own organization as it navigated the pandemic and its impacts on the UWSEM organization, services and staff, Dr. Hudson was a leader…