Outstanding Volunteer Program - Friends in Deed

Friends in Deed of Ypsilanti has responded to unmet needs of low-income Washtenaw County residents for more than 35 years. The organization’s service focuses on helping stabilize families in crisis. The direct assistance program helps families prevent utility shut off, repair vehicles to allow those in need to make it to work or medical appointments, obtain a prescription or meet other one-time medical needs. The furniture program helps families obtain basic-needs furniture including beds, kitchen tables and couches. The Circles Program focuses on helping families lift themselves out of poverty permanently. The goal is to give selected and highly motivated individuals and families confidence, independence, skills, support and resources, enabling them to respond to unexpected emergent critical living situations and break the cycle of poverty. More than 200 volunteers serve nearly 7,000 hours annually at Friends in Deed to help those in need. The volunteers provide both direct services and capacity building to ensure resources are available to support individuals and families. Friends in Deed has lifted up their community and improved the lives of the residents.