Ann Arbor – The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office—in partnership with State Senator Jeff Irwin, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, and the Public Defender’s Office— announced Dec. 1 it will be awarding $450,000 in grant funding to four Washtenaw County-based nonprofit organizations to provide re-entry services for formerly incarcerated individuals, and help address recidivism in Washtenaw County. The awarded organizations are Washtenaw Literacy, A Brighter Way, Avalon Housing, and We The People Opportunity Farm.
The funding was received by the Prosecutor’s Office through an Enhancement Grant from the State of Michigan to build out and improve the resources available to formerly incarcerated individuals in Washtenaw County. State Senator Jeff Irwin and Kathy Wyatt, executive analyst/assistant to the Washtenaw County Sheriff, were instrumental in securing funding from the state Legislature.
"It's an honor to work with Prosecutor Savit and Sheriff Clayton on improving re-entry services in our community,” said Sen. Jeff Irwin. “Helping people get on track and stay on track reduces crime, restores families, and fights the cycle of recidivism and mass incarceration. I hope this work will be a model for communities across Michigan."
The need for additional funds to provide mentorship, housing, and workforce development was identified in the Washtenaw County Re-entry Committee, co-chaired by Prosecutor Eli Savit and Public Defender Delphia Simpson.
Representatives from the Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office sat on the allocation committee, which awarded the grant.
Washtenaw Literacy will expand its program by hiring a volunteer coordinator wgi will support volunteers partnering with returning citizens as they navigate literacy-based barriers (including digital literacy) experienced during reentry. Language tutoring will support participating returning citizens in becoming workforce ready.
A Brighter Way will expand the mentoring program that engages with individuals prior to their release from prison, and supports their reentry to the community. A Brighter Way has served 36 returning citizens since 2021, none of whom re-offended. Funding will allow A Brighter Way to serve 50 additional returning citizens—connecting them to housing, employment, transportation, and educational opportunities.
We the People Opportunity Farm, which employs and provides workforce development for formerly incarcerated people, expand the internship and food distribution programs to serve returning citizens, and the community welcoming them home.
Avalon Housing, the County’s largest supportive housing provider, will receive funding that includes covering direct rental assistance, application fees, security deposits, and other emergency expenses.
