Newsletters

News from OWOF – March 2024

March 27, 2024

Spring is in the air!
Please forward this newsletter to friends and family you think might be interested in the social justices issues that OWOF covers in Western Washtenaw County. To be added to our newsletter list, please contact owofchelsea@gmail.com

 

Chelsea Expo
Saturday, April 13, 2024

We’ll be staffing an information table at Chelsea EXPO again this year. We need a couple volunteers to spend an hour talking to folks about OWOF and increasing our newsletter email list. It’s a fun time and a great venue to visit. Show up to help OWOF then browse all the other vendors and exhibits. Please email owofchelsea@gmail.com or contact Debbie Osborne or Joanne Ladio. Saturday, April 13. 10am-2pm Washington Street Extension cafeteria.

 

Public Safety Strategic Planning Group to Present to City Council – April 1@ 7pm

Chief Kazyak will present the Chelsea Police Department’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan to Chelsea City Council at the regular Council meeting on April 1. Plans include eventual dissolution of the Strategic Planning Group and a call for an ongoing Implementation Group to include three members: Police Chief, Council Liaison, and Community Member at Large. This is police reform at work and important to the entire community.

Community Convos on Housing Affordability

The Western Washtenaw Regional Advisory Group (WWRAG – formerly CAPT/DART) will hold four housing-focused meetings in 2024.
Notes from the Feb 1 meeting will be available on City of Chelsea website here. Next meeting May 2 (see below).

April 12 – Region K Michigan State Wide Housing Plan (MSHDAA ). Overview of Regional Action Plan with updates from workgroup leads. Public meeting at Washtenaw Community College.

April 26 – Ann Arbor SPARK will host housing discussion at Saline City Hall. This will be a continued investigation and regional discussion regarding how expanding housing affordability drives economic growth.

May 2 – WWRAG Housing Meeting – Representatives from MSHDAA Region K will give updates on the MI Statewide Housing Plan and regional goals. Additional topics will include learning more about Michigan Senate (SB13 of 2021) and House (HB4116) Community Capital Campaigns that would provide a first in the nation income tax credit equal to 50% of any investment made in any Michigan business by Michigan residents and examples of groundbreaking Michigan projects utilizing innovative funding options. Public meeting 7pm at the WAVE offices on Jackson Road.

 

City of Chelsea Planning Commissioner Open Seat – this directly affects housing!

Application available online here.

For more information on any meeting, contact OWOF. owofchelsea@gmail.com

Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is considering a renewal of the county-wide Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage that expires in 2025. The BOC heard public comment at a recent meeting urging them to consider modifications to the renewal. This millage affects Chelsea in two ways
1. We, along with taxpayers county-wide, receive services funded by the millage through Community Mental Health and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s office and
2. As one of the communities that have their own law enforcement agency, we receive a rebate to spend as we see fit.
The Chelsea City Council has had ongoing discussion about the Chelsea rebate funds and is working on a multi-partner proposal to use the monies as a part of a blended funding solution to pilot a Community Social Worker (see Sun Times article here). The millage renewal is very much “in play” when talking about all types of mental health and public safety issues that directly impact Western Washtenaw residents.

Another social justice group active in Washtenaw County is WeROC – Washtenaw Regional Organizing Committee. They are working on criminal justice reform and mental health issues, and although their work is mostly focused on Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, they are also actively working on the Mental Health/Public Safety millage.

Additionally, the Washtenaw County Sheriff will be up for election this Fall (see MLive article here). WeROC, and other interested community members, are asking candidates many questions about how the millage funds are spent through the Sheriff’s office. The City of Chelsea hosted a Town Hall with Community Mental Health and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office about the millage in January 2024 and there is some talk about the Chelsea District Library hosting another forum in the future. We will be following the news about the millage campaign and will keep you apprised of action opportunities locally. Keep an eye on the Sheriff’s campaign.

Working with the Chelsea Human Rights Commission

The Chelsea HRC is proposing a number of activities for the upcoming program year including a Civility Month program a little earlier in this election year and well as bringing together community groups for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. There is strength in coordinating and collaborating.

 

OWOF will eagerly work with the HRC for Chelsea’s benefit.
THERE IS AN OPENING ON THE HRC. If you live in the City of Chelsea, please consider joining. The application is here.

Regional Activism and Solidarity

The Livingston Diversity Council is reaching out to area & rural social justice groups to increase our communication and to see if there is any room for collaboration. OWOF was invited to join. Would you like to help represent us? The group will be meeting regularly to support each other and develop joint projects. About 10 organizations are currently involved!

Upcoming Meetings to Note

  • Conflict Resolution 101 – Carolyn Stillwell OWOF board member and Dispute Resolution Center mediator, will lead free class date TBD
  • The Power of Visioning – OWOF members will lead a free group session inspired by the actual Zing Train Visioning seminar TBD
  • OWOF Annual Meeting – look for more details for a late Spring outdoor gathering

Please consider a donation to help OWOF sponsor important programs and discussions in our community. Click here for online or mail in donation instructions. Thank you very much! Your financial support helps keep social justice matters on the radar!

Please remember to check the OWOF Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/OneWorldOneFamily
“Like” the posts so that we can get higher circulation.

Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ October 28, 2025

The Tamale Dinner Fund-Raiser for Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition was a huge success. $1800 was raised through a combination of dinner sales, a 50/50 raffle, and cash/ check donations. Pilar's Tamale's in Ann Arbor kindly provided 189 tamale dinners. Customers could "dine-in" or "take out". A traditional Mexican playlist accompanied dinner. Kitchen volunteers worked tirelessly to get meals plated. A Jackson group member brought along a Mexican vendor cart with authentic Mexican candy to sample for a suggested donation. OWOF Board Member, Christa Williams MD, thanked and welcomed guests, and introduced Gayla Ignacio and Amador Ybarra, two of the representatives from Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition. They spoke about their group and its efforts to support and protect immigrants in Jackson County during the heightened, warrantless, ICE arrests of community members and the effect this is having on community members, local businesses and families. A question and answer-session followed, allowing for further discussion of how their group is responding to the situation, and how concerned Chelsea residents may be able to assist. The generosity and caring community spirit of Chelsea was evident throughout the evening. Many excellent conversations were had. More than one OWOF member heard "I hope you will be doing this again". And at the end of the evening, when volunteers were pitching in to clean up, we drew the winning 50/50 raffle ticket, which had just one word on it: "donate". OWOF definitely looks forward to doing a similar fundraiser in the future.

The Tamale Dinner Fund-Raiser for Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition was a huge success. $1800 was raised through a combination of dinner sales, a 50/50 raffle, and cash/ check donations. Pilar's Tamale's in Ann Arbor kindly provided 189 tamale dinners. Customers could "dine-in" or "take out". A traditional Mexican playlist accompanied dinner. Kitchen volunteers worked tirelessly to get meals plated. A Jackson group member brought along a Mexican vendor cart with authentic Mexican candy to sample for a suggested donation. OWOF Board Member, Christa Williams MD, thanked and welcomed guests, and introduced Gayla Ignacio and Amador Ybarra, two of the representatives from Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition. They spoke about their group and its efforts to support and protect immigrants in Jackson County during the heightened, warrantless, ICE arrests of community members and the effect this is having on community members, local businesses and families. A question and answer-session followed, allowing for further discussion of how their group is responding to the situation, and how concerned Chelsea residents may be able to assist. The generosity and caring community spirit of Chelsea was evident throughout the evening. Many excellent conversations were had. More than one OWOF member heard "I hope you will be doing this again". And at the end of the evening, when volunteers were pitching in to clean up, we drew the winning 50/50 raffle ticket, which had just one word on it: "donate". OWOF definitely looks forward to doing a similar fundraiser in the future.
The Tamale Dinner Fund-Raiser for Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition was a huge success. $1800 was raised through a combination of dinner sales, a 50/50 raffle, and cash/ check donations. Pilar's Tamale's in Ann Arbor kindly provided 189 tamale dinners. Customers could "dine-in" or "take out". A traditional Mexican playlist accompanied dinner. Kitchen volunteers worked tirelessly to get meals plated. A Jackson group member brought along a Mexican vendor cart with authentic Mexican candy to sample for a suggested donation. OWOF Board Member, Christa Williams MD, thanked and welcomed guests, and introduced Gayla Ignacio and Amador Ybarra, two of the representatives from Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition. They spoke about their group and its efforts to support and protect immigrants in Jackson County during the heightened, warrantless, ICE arrests of community members and the effect this is having on community members, local businesses and families. A question and answer-session followed, allowing for further discussion of how their group is responding to the situation, and how concerned Chelsea residents may be able to assist. The generosity and caring community spirit of Chelsea was evident throughout the evening. Many excellent conversations were had. More than one OWOF member heard "I hope you will be doing this again". And at the end of the evening, when volunteers were pitching in to clean up, we drew the winning 50/50 raffle ticket, which had just one word on it: "donate". OWOF definitely looks forward to doing a similar fundraiser in the future. The Tamale Dinner Fund-Raiser for Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition was a huge success. $1800 was raised through a combination of dinner sales, a 50/50 raffle, and cash/ check donations. Pilar's Tamale's in Ann Arbor kindly provided 189 tamale dinners. Customers could "dine-in" or "take out". A traditional Mexican playlist accompanied dinner. Kitchen volunteers worked tirelessly to get meals plated. A Jackson group member brought along a Mexican vendor cart with authentic Mexican candy to sample for a suggested donation. OWOF Board Member, Christa Williams MD, thanked and welcomed guests, and introduced Gayla Ignacio and Amador Ybarra, two of the representatives from Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition. They spoke about their group and its efforts to support and protect immigrants in Jackson County during the heightened, warrantless, ICE arrests of community members and the effect this is having on community members, local businesses and families. A question and answer-session followed, allowing for further discussion of how their group is responding to the situation, and how concerned Chelsea residents may be able to assist. The generosity and caring community spirit of Chelsea was evident throughout the evening. Many excellent conversations were had. More than one OWOF member heard "I hope you will be doing this again". And at the end of the evening, when volunteers were pitching in to clean up, we drew the winning 50/50 raffle ticket, which had just one word on it: "donate". OWOF definitely looks forward to doing a similar fundraiser in the future. +3 The Tamale Dinner Fund-Raiser for Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition was a huge success. $1800 was raised through a combination of dinner sales, a 50/50 raffle, and cash/ check donations. Pilar's Tamale's in Ann Arbor kindly provided 189 tamale dinners. Customers could "dine-in" or "take out". A traditional Mexican playlist accompanied dinner. Kitchen volunteers worked tirelessly to get meals plated. A Jackson group member brought along a Mexican vendor cart with authentic Mexican candy to sample for a suggested donation. OWOF Board Member, Christa Williams MD, thanked and welcomed guests, and introduced Gayla Ignacio and Amador Ybarra, two of the representatives from Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition. They spoke about their group and its efforts to support and protect immigrants in Jackson County during the heightened, warrantless, ICE arrests of community members and the effect this is having on community members, local businesses and families. A question and answer-session followed, allowing for further discussion of how their group is responding to the situation, and how concerned Chelsea residents may be able to assist. The generosity and caring community spirit of Chelsea was evident throughout the evening. Many excellent conversations were had. More than one OWOF member heard "I hope you will be doing this again". And at the end of the evening, when volunteers were pitching in to clean up, we drew the winning 50/50 raffle ticket, which had just one word on it: "donate". OWOF definitely looks forward to doing a similar fundraiser in the future.
Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ October 17, 2025

March on Saturday and help the resistance by ordering dinner by Tuesday!

Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ October 14, 2025

After the rally on Saturday, come hear from Voters Not Politicians on Sunday.

After the rally on Saturday, come hear from Voters Not Politicians on Sunday.
Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ October 12, 2025

Great event coming! Pilar’s famous tamales to support Jackson Immigrant Rights activities. They are doing good work with very few resources. Get your orders in now before 10-21.

Great event coming! Pilar’s famous tamales to support Jackson Immigrant Rights activities. They are doing good work with very few resources. Get your orders in now before 10-21.
Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ October 7, 2025

Voter rights/voter suppression! Important conversation - 5th in our series of Making Sense of the Unprecedented. Sunday 10/19 - 3pm Council Chambers

Voter rights/voter suppression! Important conversation - 5th in our series of Making Sense of the Unprecedented. Sunday 10/19 - 3pm Council Chambers
Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ October 2, 2025

Sunday, Oct 5. 5pm at First United Methodist Church in Chelsea. Important work!

Sunday, Oct 5. 5pm at First United Methodist Church in Chelsea. Important work!
Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ September 24, 2025

Reminder for Thursday. Attainable housing basics. A chance to understand how solutions are crafted. Thursday, Sept 25 a 7pm in Council Chambers

Reminder for Thursday. Attainable housing basics. A chance to understand how solutions are crafted. Thursday, Sept 25 a 7pm in Council Chambers
Chelsea One World One Family
Chelsea One World One Family️ September 19, 2025

We've got alot to talk about!! Let's start with Emergency Powers and Executive Orders and go from there... Sunday, Sept 21 at 3pm at The Chelsea Depot Readings (articles & videos) available at https://owofchelsea.org/resources/community-discussion/ If you run out of time to read or watch, COME ANYWAY!

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