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News from OWOF – September 2025

September 13, 2025

One World One Family

September 2025 Newsletter

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY DISCUSSION!

Discussion #4 – Sunday, September 21@ 3pm at the Chelsea Depot,
125 Jackson St. Chelsea, 48118.

This fourth session is titled “It’s an Emergency! The Use of Emergency Powers by the second Trump administration.”  We will read about the history of and rationale for the use of “emergency powers” by US presidents. Readings also show specifically how Donald Trump has turned emergency powers into an everyday tool of governing. Discussion will also focus on specific examples and what we can do as citizens in the face of manufactured crises.

The discussion will be facilitated by Bill Rose, Chelsea resident and Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Albion College.

The readings are timely and consist of articles and videos available at the One World One Family website:

Questions? Please email owofchelsea@gmail.com

 

Save the Date for Part 5 discussing Voters Rights – October 19

IMMIGRATION RIGHTS – Ongoing Action

OWOF has found the immigration rights activists in Jackson County eager for our help.  Western Washtenaw County combines with Jackson County in State House District 46 and we have many good reasons to get to know each other.

In August, OWOF members Christa Williams and Renee Heberle attended a meeting of the Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition/Coalición de inmigrantes del Condado de Jackson (or JC4IC). JC4IC is a coalition of community members – both immigrants and allies -formed in January 2025 out of concern for impacts that the policies of the incoming administration have on their community and its members.  To date, they have (or are):

  • developed a biliingual 24/7 rapid response line
  • distributing “know your rights” information
  • providing know your rights workshops for immigrants and allies
  • attending community events, building relationships and sharing information In terms of advocacy

They have also organized in opposition to the Jackson County’s Sheriff Department 287(g) program participation. The Jackson County Sheriff’s department was the first sheriff’s department in Michigan to participate in this program which involves state and local police in immigration enforcement activities. This type of collaboration deters immigrants  (both documented and undocumented) from contacting police to report crime, among other damaging effects.

In conjunction with the JC41C, OWOF is undertaking the following actions:

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING – OCTOBER 10
We will be focusing on updating the business community in our area, letting employers know what rights they and their employees have if ICE shows up.  We will also review the role of individuals who witness ICE activity.  In conjunction with Chelsea Grassroots Action.
OCTOBER 10  6pm  LOCATION TBD
OCTOBER 23 – FUND-RAISING DINNER for IMMIGRANT RIGHTS EMERGENCY FUND
This event will fund the JC4IC emergency response fund.  The funds will help detained individuals and their families – seek legal help, obtain food and other critical resources that they couldn’t obtain any other way.   Details are still forming but please save the date now.  We will have good food for dine-in or take out, entertainment and a raffle.
OCTOBER 23  5-7 pm
Chelsea Depot – 125 Jackson Street

Equality Chelsea has been very active in the community and OWOF supports their work wholeheartedly. Most recently Equality Chelsea asked OWOF to sign onto a letter directed to Michigan Medicine stating their opposition to Michigan Medicine’s recent decision to stop gender-affirming care for youth. The OWOF Board agreed to join as a signer to their letter. Email us for the full text.

Housing is a major human rights concern. Chelsea has several new projects in process that will increase housing diversity in our community. Creating housing opportunities is more possible now than ever before, and also more complicated. We will have longer articles on what we need to know in coming newsletters.  For now, please plan to attend one or all of events below to show support and to learn.

An essential factor in successful housing projects is understanding the complicated financing process.  It involves multiple entities across federal, state, and local government.  This will be a chance to learn about it from the experts.

Council Chambers, Thursday, Sept 25  6.30-8.30

OCTOBER 8 –  Regional meeting to focus on housing

Join the Chelsea Area Housing Commission, combined with the Western Washtenaw Regional Advisory Group (both area government bodies), to talk about regional housing solutions.  Challenges don’t exist in isolation, neither do solutions. Working with our neighbors regarding transportation, utilities, land use, zoning all matter. Come learn and participate in your community.
7pm – Chelsea City Council Chambers (in the police station)

OUR MISSION is more important than ever
One World One Family is committed to justice and equity for all*. We work to be anti-racist and to oppose discrimination in any form. We engage and empower people to have an impact and change systems to ensure everyone can participate fully in a diverse society.
* all / “ahl” / Noun 1.The whole human family, regardless of actual or perceived age, color, disability, familial status, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, disability status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran status, or weight. Are you represented?

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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