POVERTY

Help end poverty in Washtenaw County and get an adrenaline rush while inching down the 11-story Hill Hall at Eastern Michigan University.

Get a thrill and fundraise at the third annual "Over The Edge" event in downtown Ann Arbor.

66% of this year’s funds went to organizations in Ypsilanti and eastern Washtenaw County.

United Way of Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation are partnering with a national nonprofit to help families overcome their financial struggles.

The issue of homelessness appears straightforward on the surface, but it is actually a complex issue that affects families and children everywhere.

With the current shortage in labor, businesses are trying to bring workers in with wages that start at $15-17 per hour, with added bonuses and perks.

Eligible families can receive up to $3,600 for every child 5 or younger and $3,000 for any child between the ages of 6-17.

The city of Detroit is slated to receive $826 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -- the fifth highest amount behind cities like New York and Chicago.

We're launching a new Newsletter to address national issues with a local focus, and we want your input.

We're launching a new Newsletter to address national issues with a local focus, and we want your input.

DETROIT – A new program in Detroit aims to end generational poverty by pairing children who have had adverse experiences with a paid, professional mentor for 12 years. It’s a unique idea that has proven successful in other cities -- and now, Friends of the Children is starting a Detroit chapter. Friends of the Children’s goal is to give children a consistent and caring adult in their life. The nonprofit pairs children who face several systemic obstacles with a professional mentor, called a Friend. More information on Friends of the Children Detroit can be found on its official website or its official Facebook page here.

DETROIT – The battle over the minimum wage heated up Friday. A Fight for $15 rally took place at a McDonald’s near the intersection of Livernois Avenue and West McNichols Road on Detroit’s west side. They want the minimum wage to increase to $15 an hour. Demonstrators want the incoming Joe Biden administration to raise the federal minimum wage within Biden’s first 100 days of taking office. The federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised since July 2009.

When stimulus checks start going into bank accounts and mailboxes in the upcoming weeks, many Michiganders will still be struggling. While many are eagerly awaiting for the next checks to be sent out, advocates for those in poverty said the money won’t come close to covering basic necessities. According to state numbers, 14% of Michiganders live in poverty, 9% in extreme poverty and nearly one in three working families live below 200% of the poverty line. “People have been without assistance for months and $600 is not going to go far. However, there has been conversation that those in poverty should not ask for more help saying it’s better than nothing at all.

Her work here in Metro Detroit and around the world has gotten her recognized by outlets like CNN and People Magazine. Najah Bazzy is a woman who saw a need and is now impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. She started a Zaman International out of the back of her van in 1996 and now it has grown to a 40,000 square foot facility in Inkster. Through a voucher program, women have access to free basic needs like food and clothing. Watch the video to see how Mitch Albom shows us exactly how Najah is helping others in the Heart of Detroit.

WDIV-Local 4 is the proud presenting sponsor of Eleanor’s Virtual March 4 Hope on Sunday. RegisterTo get started, register at https://www.focushope.edu/weekend-register/There is no registration fee or minimum donation required to participate in Eleanor’s Virtual March 4 HOPE. Share Your MarchWe hope you’ll share your March experience with us! (No in-person event will be held at Focus: HOPE). You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Focus: HOPE or the person

DETROIT A Detroit City Councilman is gearing up for a big voting campaign. Its called Occupy the Corner Detroit 2020. This years campaign will focus on voting and social justice. We have Detroit native Jalen Rose, Loni Love, we have Hill Harper, one of my favorites CNN commentator Angela Rye, Angela Yee said Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield with Detroit City Council. Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield is bringing some heavy hitters to Detroit Friday night for the Occupy the Corner Detroit 2020.