The Family Empowerment Program

Team of 6 community-based social workers providing services and systems navigation in southern Ypsilanti. Primarily provide wraparound services and referrals to ~400 individuals and families residing in Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities (Hamilton Crossing, New Parkridge, Sauk Trail Pointe, Hollow Creek, Towner).

The Family Empowerment Program supports individuals and families through resource navigation and community building in order to foster self sufficiency and enhance quality of life. The Family Empowerment Program (FEP) housed at Eastern Michigan University and coordinated by on-site social workers is a key point for social, health and economic access, education support and community navigation. FEP serves families living in all Ypsilanti Housing Commission (YHC) communities. Through partnerships and programming, the FEP has developed a social services program whose purpose is substantially improve the educational, health, and economic outcomes for 900+ individuals currently living in YHC communities. The FEP is designed to be flexible enough to address the needs a vulnerable individual may have: housing, food assistance, child care, transportation, access to health and dental care, all using the tools of self-empowerment, self-reliance, and agency with the support and coaching of the FEP staff. This person-centered approach to case management allows for staff to become familiar with each individual in the FEP, ensuring that programming and available services meet the needs of the individual as well as those of the southern side of Ypsilanti ensuring a community-minded approach. By establishing and nurturing community connections while establishing relevant goals for participants, the FEP helps its residents achieve success by assisting them in gaining traction at their jobs, improving education, financial literacy, and other measures that are designed to help families work their way to self-sufficiency.