EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University received approximately $550,000 in community project funding as part of the annual appropriations omnibus package. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell secured the award for community projects throughout Michigan’s 12th Congressional District.

The community project funding will support the expansion of the Collaborative Child Development Center and EMU’s prisoner re-entry program.

Both projects reflect EMU's strategic priority to engage and serve the University and surrounding regional communities. The expansion of the Collaborative Childcare Center will expand low-cost childcare services to EMU students with children, and the prisoner reentry program will offer more opportunities for EMU social work students to assist returning citizens who seek opportunities to contribute to the community.

Collaborative Child Development Center

The Collaborative was launched by Engage@EMU and is run by the YMCA to provide high-quality early childhood care for the children of EMU students and others in the community. The earmarked $300,000 will support staff,provide equipment to expand services to infants and evening care, scholarships for low-income families and training for individuals to earn their child care development certificate. 

“EMU students with children, Ypsilanti housing commission families and Ypsilanti community school families need a child care center that provides infant care and evening care,” said Decky Alexander, professor and director of Engage@EMU. “There are few evening child care programs available in Ypsilanti. Expanding current programming will allow individuals who want to pursue education and employment to do so.” 

EMU's Prisoner Re-entry Program

EMU’s prisoner re-entry program provides support to returning citizens as they re-enter the community. The program's funding will expand social work interns working in and with those formerly incarcerated," said Alexander. "Through this funding, we hope to more intentionally synthesize existing programs and expand external partnerships."

"EMU Social Work students work with local nonprofits to help the clients access housing, trauma-informed care, mental health and substance abuse services, job training, and anything else they might need upon their return," said Jennifer Kellman Fritz, professor, and director of EMU School of Social Work.

As reported by INSIDE HIGHER ED, EMU is one of the few universities in the country to receive two Congressionally-funded community projects. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.