Written by Alaina Perez
In April, we held the Ginsberg Center’s Student Grant Showcase at the Michigan Union to highlight the impressive work done by U-M students and their community partners through the grant and Community Leadership Fellows program. Surrounded by student posters detailing the work they had accomplished this year, over 115 guests, including Community Leadership Fellows and university members, had the opportunity to peruse and discuss students’ projects and learn about ways to engage with local communities and organizations.
This year, the Ginsberg Center provided Community Engaged Grants (CEG) and Alternative Break Grants (ABG) to 23 student organizations for their projects, focusing on a range of initiatives like carceral justice, literacy, reducing health inequities, menstruation equity, providing pro bono legal services to tribal communities, music access, housing and homelessness, and many others. Additional funds were provided by the Delta Delta Delta Community Service Fund (DDD), with our thanks to the Delta Delta Delta Ann Arbor Area Alumnae Chapter, and Mary Alice Treadway, President.
Also presenting posters at the showcase were 12 Community Leadership Fell
ows who were matched by the Ginsberg Center with community partners for an academic year-long fellowship. Partners ranged in issue areas from housing and homelessness, refugee and asylum seekers, public health, survivors of sexual violence, and more. Community Leadership Fellows are given funding and professional development support to connect their academic studies, professional skills, and passion for community-based work into meaningful work experiences.
Students were highly engaged during the Poster Presentation, showing off their projects, sharing their motivations and goals, and explaining what community engagement work means to them. Seeing students enthusiastically interact with each other’s posters showed how funding allowed them to pursue solutions to issues that were necessary and meaningful. The Community Partners in attendance received numerous volunteer sign-ups and mentioned how much they appreciated partnering with the Ginsberg Center.
Get involved!
The event also hosted 8 local community organizations, who shared more about volunteering and engagement opportunities for the University of Michigan community. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Garrett’s Space is always looking for compassionate volunteers to help with events, outreach, and spreading awareness about mental health resources in our community. Sign up to join their volunteer list!
- Ele’s Place is a healing and grief center for children, ages 3-18 and their families. Each year, over 60 volunteers help them offer free peer support groups to families by volunteering as group facilitators, activity room volunteers, and kitchen helpers. Sign-up for waitlist to be the first to learn about dates for upcoming trainings in August 2026!
- Cass Community Social Services is a Detroit-based agency that works across the city in areas of concentrated poverty, providing programs for food, health, housing and jobs. They rely on volunteers to help accomplish their mission. Volunteers can commit to regular weekly volunteerings, others come for an hour, and others come for days of service. Learn more about volunteer opportunities and reach out today!
- Refugee Garden Initiatives is an independent and refugee-led nonprofit organization that seeks to expand access to culturally appropriate foods while creating spaces for education, wellness and storytelling. They are regularly looking for volunteers to support their farm, farmers’ market, and education and training efforts. Fill out your volunteer form today!
- Superhero Training Academy is a Detroit-based nonprofit that helps young people discover their unique strengths through creative, story-based programs. Volunteers support activities, mentor youth, and help foster confidence, empathy, and leadership. Join a community dedicated to inspiring the next generation to use their “superpowers” for good. Email [email protected] to learn more!
- My Future Fund is a county-wide children’s savings account program where eligible students receive free money in support of their college pursuits and career training. They are open to working with volunteers interested in making a 6-month, 8-10 hours/week commitment on projects and/or event engagement. Please reach out to Sara Saylor, My Future Fund coordinator, at [email protected] to discuss further.
- FedUp Ministries serves good, healthy, food truck-style food with dignity to communities that are food-insecure and economically exploited. They rely on volunteers for tasks such as prepping in the kitchen, serving on the food truck, or helping them run their free shower and laundry trailers. Volunteers can view updated available opportunities on our SignUpGenius.
- Corner Health Center inspires young people to live and sustain healthy lives by providing them with judgment-free affordable health and wellness care and education. They have internship opportunities, and you can sign up to volunteer with their food pantry, programs, and lead donation drives.
Student Spotlights
The Native American Law Student Association (NALSA), a graduate student organization that worked pro bono with Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) in Traverse City, MI, received grant funding for an alternative spring break. Elizebeth Olson, a law student who participated, describes their project: “We partnered with Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS), who provide access to legal services for Native Americans and community members. Our goal was to help tribal elders gain a deeper understanding of their legal powers.” The group expressed in their presentation that “community engagement deepens when there is a genuine desire to understand and connect.”
Another student organization, Students of Color at Rackham (SCOR), worked with Brilliant Detroit for an alternative spring break. J'Mauri Jackson, a graduate student and the Community Outreach Chair for SCOR, summarized those goals: “1) to provide organizational help to assess donation needs for the upcoming season, 2) to support Brilliant Cities' early childhood literacy initiatives by developing a program dedicated to The Lorax and lessons surrounding environmental sustainability, and 3) to encourage graduate students to get involved with community services and volunteering.” The grant allowed SCOR to “go beyond a single day of service by purchasing supplies to support the ongoing nutritional and educational programming” carried out by Brilliant Detroit. SCOR also plans to continue volunteering with Brilliant Cities, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable relationships and reciprocity.
Finally, matched by the Ginsberg Center, the Michigan Animation Club partnered with Our Community Reads (OCR) to develop an animated short film that tells the story of OCR to help students of color find community and learning opportunities outside the classroom. The group’s poster explained how the work done by the Animation Club has a real impact in the community: “Through direct collaboration with OCR leadership, Michigan Animation Club members will provide a client-facing service to affirm OCR’s goal in literacy-centered spaces for Black children and families. Club members engage in ongoing interaction with the organization through scripting, design, audio recording, and feedback sessions, ensuring the final product reflects the community’s values and needs.”
If your student organization is interested in applying for grant funding from the Ginsberg Center, you can do so in the Fall 2026 semester!