Blog

Preparing Clients for SNAP Cuts to Utility & Internet Deductions

Author: Elly Jordan

Post Date: Aug 29, 2025

Starting this fall, many Michigan families who rely on food assistance will see changes in how their benefits are calculated resulting from the federal budget bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This post will assist advocates in preparing with clients.

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Interest Area: Public Benefits

Juneteenth Training: Protecting Legacies by Preventing Guardianships and Heirs’ Properties

Author: Siwatu Wilson

Post Date: Jun 20, 2025

On June 3, 2025, the Michigan Poverty Law Program and Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project partnered with DeWaun Robinson and other dedicated leaders of the Flint Juneteenth Collaborative to lead a powerful and practical community training. The training focused on the vital importance of advance planning—educating participants about the best use of tools like wills, powers of attorney, and deeds that protect families, property, and personal agency. - Read more

Interest Area: Consumer, Family, Racial Justice

Advocating for Meaningful Language Access

Author: Elly Jordan

Post Date: May 27, 2025

Michigan has important new protections that ensure the language a person speaks does not limit their access to state services, including public benefits. - Read more

Interest Area: Immigration, Public Benefits

MPLP Educates Consumer Advocates from Across Midwest

Author: Elizabeth Benton

Post Date: May 01, 2025

From April 16-18, 2025, the Michigan Poverty Law Program hosted the Committee on Regional Training’s Consumer Law training in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The training brought together 63 legal aid attorneys from four states—Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia—to learn how to protect low-income consumers from predatory and unfair practices. - Read more

Interest Area: Consumer, Foreclosure

A Racial Justice Attorney in the Making

Author: Siwatu Wilson, Racial Justice Attorney

Post Date: Oct 04, 2024

Welcome to my blog – Still Dreaming, Still Climbing Toward Justice. This title is inspired by the rousing speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., given on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In this speech, Dr. King outlined the promises made by the United States to free slaves and entitle all “men” to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He talked about his dreams of how these promises might come to pass, while recognizing that they had not yet been fulfilled for people of color. “Still Dreaming…” is an acknowledgement that even today, in 2024, Black and Brown people are still striving toward these rights. This is my story of the start of my journey to becoming a racial justice attorney in pursuit of a path to liberty and happiness for Black and Brown people. - Read more

Interest Area: Racial Justice