Community organizations

Glen R. Betts Papers

abarker — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:32:46 -0400

A member of United Auto Workers Local 22, Glen Betts served as chairman of its Community Services Committee and attended the 1974 Michigan United Labor Community Services School (MULCSS) at Black Lake. Mr. Betts’ papers reflect the various concerns and interests of Local 22’s Community Service Committee and the social issues addressed at the Black Lake MULCSS, including substance abuse, unemployment, union services for the handicapped and the energy crisis.

James and Grace Lee Boggs Papers

abarker — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:12:23 -0400

James and Grace Lee Boggs played a leading role in organizing radical groups in Detroit and nationally and contributed to the founding of the National Organization for an American Revolution (NOAR). Their papers relate largely to their publications and speaking engagements, reflecting their involvement with radical organizations and in updating radical political theory, as well as their community activism in Detroit.

El Central Hispanic News Records

kschmeling — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 10:32:00 -0400

El Central Hispanic News is Michigan's largest, oldest, and only Hispanic weekly bilingual newspaper, serving the Detroit community for nearly 20 years. Published biweekly, El Central covers topics in both Spanish and English. El Central is located in the heart of Southwest Detroit.

Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) Records

drice — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:19:49 -0400

Founded in Toledo, OH in 1967 by Baldemar Valasquez, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) represents migrant workers in the agricultural industry, and seeks to promote and protect the right of farm workers to actively participate in decisions that affect their conditions. FLOC centered their efforts not on growers, who the organization realized were relatively powerless, but on the large food processing companies who ran the agricultural business and ultimately controlled farm workers rights and benefits. FLOC used boycotts, marches, publication campaigns, and rallied community and church support to fight for migrant worker rights. The Campbell Soup boycott, which began in1978 and ended successfully in 1986, was FLOC’s most important campaign, but they also led successful efforts against Vlasic, Heinz, Aunt Jane, and Mt. Olive Pickle. FLOC expanded from its base in Ohio to the Midwest in the 1980s and eventually to the South in the late 1990s. FLOC also provided a support network for migrant workers, Latinos and immigrants through community and educational programs, legal clinics and Latino organizations.

FLOC records document its day-to-day organizational activities; correspondence;projects and community efforts; research; related organizations and unions; and resources for farm workers and Latinos. Also covered are individual boycotts and campaigns with the majority of material detailing the Campbell boycott.

Merle Henrickson Papers

drice — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:22:40 -0400

Merle Henrickson served as president of United Public Workers Local 275 of Detroit in the late 1940's. From the 1940s through the 1980s, he was involved
with the neighborhood and community councils of Detroit, particularly the Brightmoor
District Council. He was a major figure in the citizen movement to improve public
schools in Detroit and as such, he was deeply involved in school desegregation in the 1970s. His wife, Wilma worked for 15 years in Detroit Public Schools and was active in the same city and community associations as her husband. She was a prolific writer, her works including Detroit Perspectives, a compendium of Detroit history that she edited.

Part 1 of Henrickson's papers include material on the United Public Workers, United Office and Professional Workers, Michigan CIO Council, CIO Political Action Committee, and the Greater Detroit and Wayne County Industrial Union councils.

Parts 2 and 3 reflect both Merle and Wilma's work and activities in Detroit schools and communities.

Kings-Tulare Counties Migrant Ministry Records

kschmeling — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 10:43:02 -0500

The Kings-Tulare Counties (California) Migrant Ministry was formed by the Christian Migrant Ministry in 1959. Its purpose was to administer the Christian gospel to seasonal farm workers with a direct focus upon religious education, child-care, teenage and adult vocational and literacy training. Religious and community organizers who worked with the K-TCMM hoped that organized farm workers could exert influence, challenge established injustices and improve conditions on and off the job.

The files reflect the work of Rev. James Drake of the Christian Migrant Ministry, and National Farm Workers Association union activist, Gilbert Padilla. The collection contains correspondence, newsletters, by-laws, poverty studies and personal notes of Drake and Padilla covering their work with the Kings-Tulare Counties Migrant Ministry and the Tulare County Farm Workers Organization.

MATRIX Walter and May Reuther Senior Services Center Records

kschmeling — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 09:57:18 -0500

Now known as MATRIX Senior Wellness Services, the Walter and May Reuther Senior Services Center began as a UAW-affiliated organization, creating post-retirement services for the area's elderly. Founded by the UAW in 1953, the Reuther Senior Services Center formally merged with MATRIX on July 1, 1994. Today it continues operations with a number of human service efforts, including maintaining its initial operations in senior service care.

Ruth Tenney Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:07:42 -0400

Ruth Tenney was active in various citizens groups and Detroit area non-profits concerned with urban renewal, including the Citizens’ Governing Board of the Detroit Model Neighborhood Program, and the People’s Area Development Corporation (PADCO). Ms. Tenney’s papers reflect her activities with these organizations.

UAW Vice-President's Office: Donald Ephlin Records

drice — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:30:20 -0500

Donald F. Ephlin became active in the UAW at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Framingham, MA in the late 1940s, before joining the International Union staff in 1960. As administrative assistant to UAW President Leonard Woodcock from 1970 to 1977, and later Vice-President in charge of the Ford and subsequently the General Motors Departments, Ephlin played a key role in negotiations with both companies. He helped launch the Saturn Corporation and create a labor agreement which changed the face of labor relations in the automobile industry. Ephlin became widely recognized as an expert in labor-management problem solving and was instrumental in the development of employee involvement and in improving job security and the quality of work life for autoworkers.

The material in this collection reflects the range of issues that Donald Ephlin was involved in with the UAW, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and many industry, community and academic institutions. It represents primarily his work as a UAW International Vice President, but also includes documents from his membership on various boards and some personal materials relating to his years with the UAW.

United Foundation Office of the Vice President for Administration Records

drice — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:03:22 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Office of the Vice President for Administration served as the managing director of the United Foundation, and oversaw all departments within the organization.

The United Foundation Office of the Vice President for Administration Records consists of materials primarily from the tenure of Vice President Warren T. Burt. The collection demonstrates the administrative function of the United Foundation, including correspondence with the directors of other United Foundation departments, minutes and agendas documenting the proceedings of United Foundation committees and Boards of Directors, reports concerning United Foundation programs and special projects, and materials related to the United Foundation’s Long Range and Strategic Planning efforts.

United Community Services Records

drice — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:27:17 -0400

United Community Services, operated in Detroit since 1878 under various names, was organized by civic leaders to coordinate the work of different charitable institutions in the area, and raise funds for community welfare needs. Gradually, it became a clearinghouse for the investigation and referral of social service cases as well as an advocate for social and health care reform. The records of the UCS reflect the concerns of professional social workers, the plight of the poor in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Detroit, and the community's attempts to improve their condition through the work of public and private social welfare agencies.

United Foundation Agency Relations Department Records

kschmeling — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:39:15 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Agency Relations Department was responsible for organizational functions related to funding and communicating with participating United Foundation agencies, including determining United Foundation funding priorities, receiving and assessing agency budget proposals, allocating funds to agencies, and maintaining relationships with participating agencies.

The United Foundation Agency Relations Department Records consists of correspondence, reports, minutes, and proposals reflecting the operations of the department, including the United Foundation’s relationship with participating agencies and the processes by which agencies requested and received funding from the United Foundation.

United Foundation Communications Department Records

kschmeling — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:39:15 -0500

The United Foundation (UF) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The UF, called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan after it’s official name change in 1989, was formed in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charities, and came to be affiliated with the national United Way organization in 1970. UF was an umbrella organization providing funding for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and worked closely with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UCS), which was primarily concerned with streamlining and planning the delivery of social services in the city. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS, which existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create a new body once again called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. This final incarnation exists to this day.

The United Foundation Communications Department oversaw the creation of campaign materials, press releases, and marketing strategies for the United Foundation and it’s associated agencies. This collection, which is closely related to the United Foundation Campaign Department’s records, consists of the Communication Department’s administrative and strategic files, collateral materials from various advertising campaigns, collateral materials for associated charitable organizations, and extensive photographic and audiovisual materials utilized in UF campaigns from the 1950s to 1992.

United Foundation Office of the President Records

kschmeling — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 16:02:30 -0500

Walter C. Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its association with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Office of the President was responsible for overseeing and directing the various departments within the United Foundation. As the founder of the United Foundation, Walter C. Laidlaw served in this office from its inception in 1948 until his retirement in 1968. Upon his exit, H. Clay Howell succeeded Laidlaw as President of the United Foundation.

The United Foundation Office of the President Records consists of materials from the tenures of both President Walter C. Laidlaw and President H. Clay Howell. Records within the collection are mainly derived from the various committees and subcommittees within the United Foundation that were overseen by the Office of the President. The collection includes materials from the United Foundation Special Study Committee, the Priorities Subcommittee, the Capital Fund Division Campaign, the Long Range Planning Committee, New Detroit Inc. committees, and others. Additional materials consist of annual meeting information, Board of Directors materials, United Way branch information, and other various general files pertaining to the Office of the President.

United Foundation Operations Department Records

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 15:56:47 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Operations Department administered the internal operations of the United Foundation, including daily operations, communications between departments, and initiatives to improve the internal operation of the Foundation, rather than its relationship with community agencies and other external agents.

The United Foundation Operations Department Records consists of correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, forms, evaluations, and other paper materials documenting the operational functions of the United Foundation and many of its component departments. The materials span the tenures of two Operations Department directors, John E. Hall and James A. Ridge, with the bulk of the materials relating to the department under the direction of Ridge. The collection contains reference files on United Foundation agencies and initiatives, as well as materials relating primarily to the organization’s Administration and Communications Departments.

United Service Organizations Downtown Detroit Club Records

aorchard — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:56:44 -0500

The United Service Organizations (USO) was formed in 1941 through a partnership with the National Jewish Welfare Fund, the Salvation Army, the National Catholic Community Service, the Traveler’s Aid Association, and the YMCA and YWCA. The goal of the organization is to assist soldiers in their transition home or into service and with their families should they be deployed, injured, or killed.

This collection consists of materials created by the metropolitan Detroit branch of the USO, primarily from their work with Vietnam veterans, as well as some of their work with World War II veterans. The collection holds newspaper clippings from articles about the USO’s activities in Detroit, as well as event photographs and some invoices and correspondence. Additionally, the collection contains comprehensive lists of volunteers and participants in programs.

United Way Community Services Executive Office Records

kschmeling — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:51:58 -0500

The United Way Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UWCS) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM, United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS. This merged foundation existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create the United Way for South Eastern Michigan, which exists to this day.

UWCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Executive Office oversaw the various departments within UCS and UWCS, and was headed by the Executive Vice President, who was the managing director of the organization. This collection includes materials from the tenure of Executive Vice President of UCS Robert P. Arndt, and COO and Executive Vice President of UWCS Dr. Geneva J. Williams, the former President and CEO of UCS.

This collection consists of files produced by the UCS Executive Office, the UWCS Executive Office, and the merged offices during the transitional period of the 1990s. A substantial amount of the included files consist of meeting materials from the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for each iteration of the foundation, as well as meeting agendas and minutes for numerous other committees, such as the Nomination Committee. Also included is extensive material relating to the foundations’ finances, campaigns, special projects and events, and associated agencies. Of particular note are the files relating to the planning and organization of the transition period in which the UCS and UWSM merged

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Executive Office Records

kschmeling — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:14:56 -0500

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. UWSM, called the United Foundation until it’s official name change in 1989, was formed in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charities, and came to be affiliated with the national United Way organization in 1970. UWSM was an umbrella organization providing funding for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and worked closely with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UCS), which was primarily concerned with streamlining and planning the delivery of social services in the city. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS, which existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create a new body once again called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. This final incarnation exists to this day. The Executive Office oversaw the various departments within UWSM and its later incarnations, and was headed by the President and Executive Vice President of the organization.

This collection is very closely related to the UCS Executive Office Record collection. It covers an overlapping timeframe, and primarily consists of records generated by the UF/UWSM executive offices prior to the UF/UCS merger and the creation of UWCS. Also included are some UWCS records, and a few records from the second organization to bear the UWSM title. Files include board and committee meeting materials, strategic and long term planning records, records on associated agencies and special projects, records relating to the renovation of the joint UF & UCS headquarters in the Comerica building, records about the UF & UCS merger, and records relating to the United Way’s relationship with labor organizations.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Scrapbook Collection

kschmeling — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:24:16 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations that had traditionally combined fund raising efforts. The goal of the United Foundation was to further centralize those efforts, and to generate mass fund raising campaigns such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect it’s associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services until a final merger with the United Way of Oakland County returned it once more to the title of United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

This collection consists of nineteen scrapbooks from the early years of the United Foundation and it’s predecessor, the Detroit Community Chest. The bulk of the included material consists of forms and correspondence utilized during fund raising campaigns. Other publicity materials are also included, however, including materials from the Community Chest’s Women’s Committee, newspaper advertising, street and car signs, and posters. Of particular note is a large array of fashion advertising from the 1940s, featuring the “red feather campaign” stamp, as well as a variety of wartime posters featuring appeals for donations to both soldiers and the civilians of various war-torn regions.

Women for the United Foundation Records

kschmeling — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:37:26 -0500

In 1949, 17,000 women volunteers helped the United Foundation achieve success with its Torch Drive campaign. In 1954, it was decided that an auxiliary women’s group would be formed to work year-round in support of United Foundation projects. It was called the United Foundation Women’s Organization (UFWO). By 1964, the name was changed to Women for the United Foundation (WUF).

The organization works under a set of by-laws and consists of an Executive Board, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and various committees. WUF set out to inform the Detroit tri-county community about United Foundation services and soon became instrumental in the success of several United Foundation projects. WUF volunteers participate in activities important to the goals of the United Foundation as a whole, including childcare, elder care, religious activities, community or civic programs, cultural or educational activities, and health related programs. One of these programs, originally called “Inforama” and later called “Health-O-Rama,” offers free health tests to the public and became an annual event in the 1960s with full participation by WUF in cooperation with the United Health Organization. The Heart of Gold Award is annually given to a select group of outstanding volunteers in the metropolitan Detroit area in recognition of their service. The Heart of Gold Council is in charge of determining the recipients of this award, and was established in 1967 by the WUF, the Women’s Advertising Club of Detroit, and the Central Business District Association.

Eleanor Josaitis — Hands Across the Racial Divide

wlefevre — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:32:36 -0400

As a symbol, it is exquisite in its simplicity. Two hands inside a circle, one black and one white, almost but never quite touching across the racial divide. This has been the logo of Focus: HOPE, an organization fighting for basic human rights in Detroit and Southeast Michigan for over forty years. And until her death last week, one of the leaders of the fight was Eleanor Josaitis. read more »

Our History at Wayne: LGBTQ Life at Wayne State University Panel Discussion - June 12th

Public Relations Team — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 12:29:20 -0400

7:00-8:30 p.m.
David Adamany Undergraduate Library
3rd floor Community Room

Since the 1969 Stonewall riots, June has included a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) culture, starting with the first Christopher Street Parade in 1970. Fifty years ago, there was virtually no public support for LGBTQ rights but now marriage equality is the law of the land. Between these two ends of the spectrum lies a rich history of fighting for equality in nearly every area of public life. read more »

Records of Jewish Community Council Reveal Mid-Century Concerns and Actions on Social and Racial Justice

aergas — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 09:30:45 -0500

A lesser-known, and maybe surprising, source for historians and researchers looking at 20th-century race relations in Detroit are the Jewish Community Council Records, part of the Jewish Community Archives at the Reuther Library.

This large collection documents grassroots discussions and actions in Detroit’s Jewish community and the wider urban community particularly from the 1940s to the 1970s. read more »

Subject Focus: Poverty and Charity in Turn-of-the-Century Detroit

teller — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:39:53 -0500

In the late 19th century Detroit’s industrial base and burgeoning prosperity quickly attracted immigrants from across the country and around the world, increasing the city’s population six-fold between 1860 and 1900. While the strong and industrious were able to find steady work, the city proved to be harsh to ill or injured laborers, the elderly and widowed, and others for whom life had not been kind. Numerous public and private social service organizations and charities formed to serve the needs of the growing number of Detroit residents living in poverty. read more »

United Way for Southeastern Michigan: 100 Years of Giving

drice — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 09:07:38 -0400

In 2017, United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM) celebrated a major milestone: 100 years of continuous promotion of social services to those in need. In addition, the organization’s 10-year plan Agenda for Change concludes this year. Targeting the greater Detroit region, it focuses on access to education, income, read more »

DP's Arriving in Detroit...Detroit Times November 1, 1948

dgolodner — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 10:32:21 -0500

Seeking "Self-Determination" in Detroit: Housing, Race, and the Activism of the West Central Organization, 1964-1971

teller — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:05:25 -0400

Dr. Anna E. Lindner discusses the rise and subsequent downfall of the West Central Organization in Detroit, a coalition of civil rights organizations, community groups, and church congregations that sought to bring attention to housing inequality and other social issues in the 1960s. read more »