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.
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.
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.
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! 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.
CALLING ARTISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, GRAPHIC DESIGNERS….and creatives of any kind!
The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness is now accepting submissions for our 2023 Michigan Homeless Awareness Month poster contest reflecting this year’s theme: “We Each Have a Role in Ending Homelessness”
MCAH is inviting you to join us in considering how each one of us can play a role in ending homelessness by breaking down the barriers people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity face in achieving safe and affordable long-term housing.
MCAH members will vote for the winner!
- Have you experienced homelessness, housing instability, or work and advocate on behalf of those who have?
- Are you artistic or have a flair for messaging?
- Do you want to have your image shared across the state at agency offices, community events, and with state legislators?
- Would you like a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card?
If you answered YES to any of the above, MCAH is looking for help!
Each entry MUST be accompanied by this 2022 Contest Entry Form and emailed by the deadline of 5:00 pm on Friday, May 19. Entries must be emailed as a high-resolution .pdf file to Amy Stephenson at astephenson@mihomeless.org.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Homeless Awareness Month Toolkit and Resources
- HAM 2022 Toolkit
- Register your event
- Homeless Awareness Month Facebook group
- Homeless Awareness Month 2022 Sponsorship Form
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
AmeriCorps Programs
The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program has operated through MCAH since 2009 and places AmeriCorps service members with homeless service agencies across the state.
Our direct-service program connects service members (full-time or half-time) with housing and homeless service providers to help address gaps in services and increase the organization’s ability to provide these services. Members may serve in one of three available position types: Housing Search & Information Specialist, Outreach Specialist, and Resource Generation & Management Specialist. During the yearlong term of service, members will engage with those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to provide services meant to provide connections to available services, assist with obtaining and maintaining housing, and to increase self-sufficiency and income.
We’re currently seeking host site organizations for 23 member positions (17 full-time, 6 half-time). Applications are due Friday, May 19th for the upcoming 2023 – 2024 program year, with members beginning service this fall.
The Capacity Building to End Homelessness AmeriCorps VISTA program is a capacity-building focused national service program.
Our capacity-building program connects members (full-time) with housing and homeless service providers to provide indirect services meant to increase capacity, allowing the organization to become more efficient and effective in their operation. In this program, members complete service activities for one-year service terms in any of the following service areas: Community Assessment, Community Awareness & Engagement, Developing/Expanding Partnerships & Networks, Financial Resources, Material Development, Outreach, Program Development & Delivery, Technology Use, and Volunteer Recruitment & Management.
We’re currently accepting applications for host site organizations on a rolling basis.
For more information about either program, contact the program director, Kelli Beavers, at kbeavers@mihomeless.org or 517-853-3897.
You can also access our FAQ MCAH’s AmeriCorps Communication & FAQ 2023.