| As the second largest city in eastern Washtenaw County, Michigan, Ypsilanti is a multicultural home to more than 22,000 people, reflecting a wide range of backgrounds, talents, and interests. Although this strength in the community is aligned with the industrial and educational opportunities of the region, most notably in the automotive arena, low per capita and household incomes, high poverty levels, and a high percentage of single-parent, female-headed households, also characterize Ypsilanti.
To address the wide social, cultural, and economic needs of the area, Eastern Michigan University will establish a Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) to serve as the focus entity for change. In addition to a general Advisory Commission, the COPC will be administered by three advisory boards, comprised of residents, city officials, community-based service providers, and local faith-based organizations. The purpose of the COPC is to link community organizations, municipal government, and departments at the university to facilitate undertakings in three key areas: (1) community building and civic engagement; (2) education and youth leadership development; and (3) economic development and employment.
Among the collaborators in this endeavor are the City of Ypsilanti, Gateway Community and Economic Development Corporation, JOSHUA, Inc., Michigan Small Business Development Center, SOS Community Services, Organization of Latino Social Workers, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Workforce Development and Community Action Board, Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce, Ypsilanti Housing Commission, and the Ypsilanti Township Economic Development Office.
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