Introduction

Hi Everyone!

This is a blog I am starting to see what is happening in my local city (Ann Arbor, MI) to help my neighbors in need. These issues can cover a whole range, but I am going to try to focus on issues of particular interest to me: substance abuse, physical abuse, homelessness, poverty, and juvenile delinquents.   For the next four months I am going to identify local agencies who are offer public/civic/religious services to help my neighbors deal with their "issues."

I am going to include interviews with local neighbors who are familiar with local services and discuss with them various issues such as: ease of access to services, qualifications for access to services, how much the service helped with their personal issue, and how open communication was between the service and the interviewee.

Concurrently, I am going to be taking a class on Social Problems.  By the end of this blog I hope to:

•  help the reader (and myself) have a better understanding of the systemic issues surrounding social injustice, social inequities

• Identify effective strategies used by grass-roots programs for meeting the needs of the community and alleviating the effects of those needs.

This blog can really go anywhere and I am really excited to begin this journey with you!  Please feel free at any point to contact me and post comments. I'd love to hear your ideas!