Blog Posts

POP organizers  For a little over a year now, community members have been working together to organize monthly or bi-monthly events called Pull Over Prevention & Mutual Aid Fairs (POP). At the heart of these events is a DIY volunteer-run auto repair service that provides free repairs of broken brake lights, headlights, license plate lights … Continue reading Pulling for each other with Pull Over Prevention

By Will Shakespeare Groundcover vendor No. 258 Mural for National Hispanic Heritage Month by David Valdez “We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success." — The National Archives, 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month is seen as a celebration of histories, cultures and … Continue reading Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Peter Larson Groundcover contributor Water is essential to human life, but water can also be a hazard to human health. Climate change has led to ever more unpredictable and intense weather events. With more than 80 severe weather warnings in Southeast Michigan this year, this summer is one of the most unusual in Michigan’s history. … Continue reading Keeping our heads and homes above water: flooding and health in Detroit

By Ken Parks Groundcover vendor No. 490 In 1891 Jose Marti was writing about Our America based on his experience as a Cuban who spent some years as a journalist in the United States of America. He observed how the giant of the north was concluding 300 years of Indian Wars that began with the … Continue reading Discovering America

By Andre Vasher Groundcover contributor Re-opening after gaining traction in late 2019, the Recuperative Care program run by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County returns in full force. The Recuperative Care program first opened at the Robert J. Delonis Center to provide immediate shelter and part-time nursing support to homeless persons discharged from hospitals but … Continue reading Shelter Association Recuperative Care reopens in Washtenaw County

By Lindsay Calka Publisher Tenant activist addresses Washtenaw Apartment's Association after occupying the kickball field, preventing the game from happening. On August 12, the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association’s “Kickball Game and Picnic,” a networking event for landlords, had some unexpected attendees: tenants.  A broad coalition of tenants’ rights activists gathered in protest at Frisinger Park … Continue reading Local renters and housing activists say no to landlord games

Pet Pals Mutual Aid raised money in May by selling art work "painted" by Xena, the puppy of co-founder Sheri Wander. Jaz Brennan  Groundcover contributor Many of us know the great benefits that animals can bring to our lives. The connection we make with our furry, scaly or even feathery friends is one of a … Continue reading Pet Pals Mutual Aid: We all deserve happy, healthy pets

Tracy Harris NAMI member NAMI Washtenaw County is a local affiliate of NAMI — the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Mike Dolan and NAMI teammates Sandy Gale, Barb Higman (Leader of Lend … Continue reading Hope from those who know: Lend a Hand, NAMI Washtenaw County

Ben Girodias Groundcover contributor As of June 22, the Michigan state government lifted all COVID-19 related restrictions. Naturally, many Michiganders concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. It isn’t. True, some parts of the United States have vaccination rates approaching herd immunity, but in stark contrast, the vast majority of the globe’s population is still … Continue reading Flawed COVID response reveal’s capitalism’s relationship to imminent climate collapse

By James Rivard Groundcover contributor As April approached, and their existing shelter arrangements came to an end, Jeff and Chris found themselves looking for a place to camp. There was nowhere that they could afford to sleep legally, yet they needed to find a place that would fit their needs while working towards securing housing … Continue reading Kroger evicts the Three Ghosts’ camp