Chelsea’s 2023 MLK Jr. Days of Service and Social Action
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a pretty amazing series of events this year. Twelve different community organizations sponsored activities and events and over 300 people participated at various times. Over $900 was raised to fund the activities (largely from a grant from the Michigan Municipal League) and some has already been pledged for next year. The level of the support and participation have signaled that this holiday has become part of the culture of Chelsea and we can look forward to even larger participation in future years. For a list of events and (soon to be added) pix, check here: www.owofchelsea/mlk2023
If you have any comments or ideas for next year, please email us. owofchelsea@gmail.com. While One World One Family organized the very first commemoration of MLKJr. Day in Chelsea (2002), we hope that going forward, OWOF will be only one of many groups supporting this day.
Police Reform in Chelsea is continuing!
The marches of the summer of 2020 were the result of the murder of George Floyd and centered around the issues of national police brutality and calls for changes to address racist systems. Chelsea responded locally with listening sessions and our own calls for change. Two years later, we have a new Police Chief and a very active citizens group working with CPD to help create a new community-informed strategic plan. This group – the Strategic Planning Group – will be announcing a kick-off open forum for the community soon, facilitated by the consulting team helping with the planning process. Very exciting news for our small city. Stay tuned.
Police reform in our larger community
Many others in Washtenaw County are doing the same, in particular trying to facilitate a non-armed response to mental health and non-violent requests for help. Here’s how Washtenaw County is reimagining policing
Restorative Justice as part of police reform
The article mentioned above not only covers non-armed response, it looks at ways to divert young offenders from entering the criminal justice system in the first place. One World One Family has a core group that is actively promoting Restorative Justice, in the courts and in our personal lives. We sponsored the CLARA training during the MLK Events (How to Talk to People You Disagree With) and we will continue to bring this important information to the community.
New Western Washtenaw Regional Housing Advisory Group to Meet April 6
Chelsea and Western Washtenaw have a major scarcity of affordable housing, much less housing for low-income individuals. Chelsea proper has made some zoning changes but there is a shortage of buildable land in town. The building activity we see is all in surrounding townships. Our new City administration has made the important effort to address these concerns regionally. A group of officials and planners representing the entire area (CAPT/DART) will now allow their regular meeting to be devoted to housing once every quarter. This is the level that this problem needs to be addressed. Their first meeting is April 6 at 7:00 pm at the WAVE offices on Jackson Road. This is a great meeting for concerned community members to attend! WAVE office is located at 12172 Jackson Rd. Anyone interested in promoting diversity should see that affordable housing is critical.
Chelsea Expo is back! Help needed!
Plan to attend this showcase of all things Chelsea on April 15 at the WSEC (500 Washington).. OWOF will have a table and we need volunteers to take a shift! Hours needed are 11-2. A one hour shift would be great! Please email us! owofchelsea@gmail.com
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – GENERAL OWOF MEETING!
Join us on Sunday, May 7 from 1-3 pm (outdoor location TBD). It will be a time for all seekers of social justice to meet, share ideas, connect with friends, and make new acquaintances. OWOF will be trying to have these general meetings more often. Bring any ideas or concerns. See you then!
