optiMize Community Aid Relief Fund
Introducing the COVID-19 relief fund project teams
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, optiMize launched a $25,000 Community Aid Projects Fund for mutual aid and community-based projects that have students involved in leadership. Students at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, or Washtenaw Community College applied to receive up to $5,000 for their projects that help the Washtenaw community during this crisis.
optiMize initiated this relief fund in efforts to bring the community together and lift each other up. The result of this proposal was overwhelmingly positive. We received over 35 remarkable applications from students across the county in little over two weeks. Reading these applications was a wonderful reminder of the work people are doing to support one another during this unprecedented time.
We are excited to announce the nine projects we have chosen to continue their work in the Washtenaw community. It is truly inspiring to see that even a pandemic doesn’t stop people from helping each other.
Porch Food Pantry: An open-access food pantry on the front porch of Heidi’s residence that provides non-perishable foods and paper products to vulnerable community members who cannot access other pantries.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: HEIDI BECHTEL
ThirdSpace Hospital Creative Arts Program: A volunteer organization providing art kits for patients in the Child/Psych unit as an outlet for self-expression and therapeutic engagement to youth affected by mental illness.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: PEGGY RANDON
Washtenaw Mask Project: Working with a network of home sewers to make and sell reusable masks, as well as mask-making kits, using all proceeds to make and donate masks to vulnerable groups.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: JADA HAUSER
Groundcover Vendors’ Basic Needs Funding: Adequately allocating funs to Groundcover News (GCN) vendors’ experiencing housing and financial insecurity in light of the newspaper’s indefinite printing suspension.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: LINDSAY CALKA
WICIR- Supporting Undocumented Families: A fund directing financial resources to undocumented families in Washtenaw County who cannot access government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: GABRIELLA SANFORD
Huron Valley COVID-19 Mutual Aid: Building new sustainable, social, and political relationships between those in the community by providing each other care in the form of basic needs and support during the time of COVID-19 and beyond.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: SOLOMON MEDINTZ
Family Assessment Clinic Hardship Fund: An emergency resource to cover one month of treatment for mental health support and services at the Family Assessment Clinic, with the option to extend if needed.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVE: NICOLE SKINNION
