Empower

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS

The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness works with over 650 agencies to improve our systems and knowledge so that we can better serve those experiencing homelessness in Michigan. Through innovative trainings, resources, and technical support, we empower our community partners in the vital work they do at the local and regional level.

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Trainings & Educational Opportunities

Agencies across Michigan are doing amazing things to prevent and end homelessness, and MCAH works to bring in exciting new resources so we can always be improving. We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming trainings.

Have a training topic that you’d like us to bring to Michigan, or have a specific topic that you need some technical assistance on? Contact Allison Green at agreen@mihomeless.org // 517-853-3888.

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Webinars

MCAH offers regular webinars on topics of interest to service providers, advocates, and other stakeholders. Miss one of our webinars? Recordings are now available on our YouTube channel.

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Homeless Awareness Month

Homeless Awareness Month (HAM) takes place every November in Michigan to raise awareness about issues relating to housing insecurity and homelessness and to get communities invested in making a difference. MCAH promotes HAM throughout Michigan, providing support for local partner events and leading the state’s communication and awareness raising campaign.

Michigan’s observance, which has taken place for nearly 20 years, has become an essential part of our collective effort to promote awareness and understanding of those experiencing homelessness.

We’ll be hosting and promoting events around the state during the entire month of November, and we want you to join us! Participate in our Michigan Homeless Awareness Month Facebook group, register your event to be shared in our public Homeless Awareness Month calendar, and help raise awareness through MCAH’s social media educational campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Homeless Awareness Month Toolkit and Resources

For more information, contact Amy Stephenson at:  astephenson@mihomeless.org

Homeless Not Hopeless

 

This year was predictably unpredictable. Providing services and securing housing for our communities’ most vulnerable residents is always challenging, but this year homeless service providers have had to continue this difficult work while adapting to more clients, constantly changing health and safety guidelines, and drastic changes in their own lives.

Community action is essential in our collective fight to end homelessness. The last year has illustrated how challenging it can be when we can’t lean on our loved ones for support. But communities are rising to the challenge and carrying on.

In addition to our regular work to raise awareness around experiences of homelessness in our state, for this year’s theme we want to highlight the hope that exists in our communities.

 

Homeless Awareness Month Events

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AmeriCorps Programs

Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness AmeriCorps Program has operated through MCAH since 2009 and places AmeriCorps service members with homeless service agencies across the state. Our 23 members (17 full-time, 6 half-time) serve in one of three positions: Housing Search and Information Specialist, Outreach Specialist, and Resource Generation and Management Specialist. Members provide direct, targeted services to individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in order to help them increase their self-sufficiency in the areas of income and employment, and to successfully obtain and maintain safe, affordable housing.
 

Since 2009, members have provided services to over 32,000 individuals. In the 2019 – 2020 program year, members provided services to 2,415 individuals, assisted 193 in obtaining housing, and assisted 35 in obtaining employment. 

The Capacity Building to End Homelessness AmeriCorps VISTA program is a capacity-building focused national service program. MCAH will place eight AmeriCorps VISTA members, serving one-year terms, with service agencies across the state. Members will complete activities in four service areas: community awareness and engagement, building and expanding partnerships and networks, financial resources, and volunteer recruitment and management. Throughout the project, members will create programming and systems, leverage resources, and strengthen connections for these organizations with the ultimate goal of increased capacity and long-term sustainability. 
In the 2019 – 2020 program year, VISTA members recruited and/or managed 121 volunteers, and leveraged $59,598 in cash resources and $29,571 in in-kind resources. 
For more information about the programs, contact the program director, Kelli Beavers, at kbeavers@mihomeless.org or 517-853-3897.
Current AmeriCorps Host Site Partners:
  • Communities First, Inc. 
  • Community & Home Supports, Inc. 
    Community Action House 
  • Community enCompass
  • Family Promise of Grand Rapids 
    Lighthouse
  • MCAH
  • Shelter Association of Washtenaw County 
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