JOIN YOUNG DEMS WASHTENAW FOR A FOOD DRIVE PARTY SUNDAY, 12/17, 4-7 PM
Sign up here to make sure we can feed everybody who comes!
We’re gathering at the Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Av.
Want to help your neighbors? The Shelter Association and Ypsi Day Shelter would love to be able to distribute the following food items: breakfast foods, granola bars, raisins, and snacks like packaged cookies, crackers, nuts, and chips. Gift cards to places like GFS and pizza places are a huge help when no organization is signed up to bring lunch on a specific day
Miscellaneous items needed include outwear such as (new, please) rain ponchos, gloves, hats, and socks. Also needed are personal care items: deodorant, mini shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, band-aids, tissue packs, bars of soap, anti-bacterial wipes and mini hand sanitizers. Thank you!
WHAT HAVE DEMS DONE FOR YOU LATELY?
Using our money to help young people pursue their dreams
Two years ago, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration set a “60 by 30” goal: to have 60% of Michigan’s adults attain post-secondary education or skills training by 2030. Our Dem-controlled legislature put funding behind it, with promising results so far.
- State officials now estimate that state funding for vocational and career and technical training will lower the cost of post-secondary education for 80% of Michigan students, and make it free for 65% of them.
- The Michigan Achievement Scholarship—which Governor Whitmer’s administration first rolled out last fall—provides tuition scholarships to undergraduate students who graduated from high school (or achieved their high school equivalency certificate) in Michigan in 2023 or later.
- As of this summer, the statewide rate of Michigan adults with post-secondary training had climbed from 45% to at least 50%.
Check out the links to learn more about how the Whitmer administration is allowing young Michigan residents to meet their educational goals!
JOIN US FOR THE JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING
Saturday, January 6 @ 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
The literacy crisis in Washtenaw County: Why it’s here, and how we can all help fix it
Of the 3,000 third grade students in Washtenaw County whose English Language proficiency was tested in the 2022-23 school year, half were found not to be proficient or only partially proficient. But even this statistic fails to capture the magnitude of the challenge. Significant numbers of students are one, two, or even three years behind grade level in the elementary years. These figures are higher in the economically most under resourced parts of the county and among African-American students, students with disabilities, and students who have experienced homelessness. The inability to read adequately can cripple a person’s future possibilities, and greatly increases the likelihood of many kinds of trauma and negative life outcomes. A person’s path should not be determined in fourth grade. Come learn how you can help.
9:15 – Meet and chat with your Democratic neighbors and enjoy delicious, wholesome snacks
9:45 – Party Business
- Theresa Reid, WCDP Chair
- Washington Update – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
10:15 – Program: The illiteracy crisis in Washtenaw County with panelists:
- Sharin Buddin, Executive Director, Family Learning Institute
- Betsy Durant, Executive Director, Children’s Literacy Network
- Darryl Johnson, Executive Director, Mentor2Youth
- Kelly Mickel, Principal, Erickson Elementary School, Ypsilanti Community Schools
- Ernesto Querijero, Program Director, Books for Kids
- Kallista Walker, Founder, Our Community Reads
Join us in person:
Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw AveOr on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84296817289
WCDP Office Closing for the Holidays
Our office will be closed from December 17th through January 1st. Please stay well. We’ll see you in 2024.
Meet your representatives
State Representative Jennifer Conlin (48th District) will host a community event to discuss the many things the legislature accomplished this year at Captain Joe’s Grill 9901 N. Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 on Monday, Dec. 18, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Find Your Voting Districts
or Find your representatives by district.
WCDP Mission and Values
The WCDP’s mission is to grow a broad representative base of committed voters, volunteers, and leaders who work together across Washtenaw County to elect Democrats who champion policies that reflect our values. We commit to living these values in our work together and to being a resource for Democratic allies.