The Welcome Home Organization (WHO) is driven by a mission to uplift underserved communities through youth empowerment, urban agriculture, and transitional support. Our vision centers on building resilience and cultivating hope.

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🌱 Mission

 WHO is committed to:

• Advancing youth development through hands-on initiatives like camps, mentorship, and education.

• Promoting community access to essential resources such as childcare, housing support, and wellness programs.

• Expanding urban agriculture with programs like “Roots Up!” that foster food security and green job training.

WHO emphasizes partnership over service, working alongside families, veterans, and youth to co-create opportunities and pathways to success. 

🌟 Vision

WHO envisions:

• A future where every person has access to opportunity, dignity, and self-determination.

• Communities that are resilient, hopeful, and empowered to shape their own destinies.

• A holistic support system that integrates education, sustainability, and wellness into everyday life.

Our grassroots nonprofit, based in Jackson and Albion, Michigan, blends practical support with visionary goals making it a beacon for community transformation.

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🌍 Community Reflection

WHO’s leadership and board reflect the communities we serve in several key ways:

• Cultural and geographic representation: Based in Jackson and Albion, Michigan, the team includes residents and leaders deeply rooted in these areas.

• Lived experience: Many leaders are parents, educators, authors and entrepreneurs who understand the challenges faced by underserved families.

• Program alignment: Initiatives like community access, childcare accessibility, youth sports academies, and urban agriculture directly respond to local needs especially for childcare, food security, and youth empowerment.

• Inclusive leadership: WHO prioritizes working with communities rather than for them, fostering co-creation and shared ownership of solutions.

This alignment between leadership and community ensures that WHO’s programs are not only relevant but also deeply trusted and impactful.

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🏘️ Community Needs Statement

The Welcome Home Organization (WHO) serves Jackson and Albion, Michigan communities facing persistent challenges in access to childcare, youth development, food security, and economic mobility. Families in these areas often navigate limited resources, generational poverty, and systemic barriers that hinder educational and career advancement.

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Key Needs:

• Accessible, high-quality childcare: Jackson County lacks sufficient 24-hour childcare options, leaving working families especially single mothers/fathers and shift workers without reliable support. Our partnership with Gems of Jackson Childcare & Education Center allows us the ability to help families directly.

• Youth empowerment and mentorship: Many local youths lack safe spaces, role models, and enrichment opportunities that foster academic success, emotional resilience, and leadership.

• STEM education equity: Girls and marginalized youth remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math fields due to limited exposure, resources, and culturally relevant programming.

• Food justice and sustainability: Urban neighborhoods face food deserts and disconnection from healthy, affordable food. Youth and families need education and access to grow, prepare, and share nutritious meals.

• Transitional support for families and veterans: Community members exiting crisis situations such as homelessness, incarceration, or military service require wraparound support to rebuild stability and dignity. Our partnerships with other local organizations help us to work as a collaborative team of community leaders to face, discuss, and provide viable solutions together. For the greater good of the communities that we serve!