United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Jourdan Bender is a skilled communications professional with experience in social media strategy and content creation. Currently serving as a Social Media and Communications Specialist at United Way for Southeastern Michigan since November 2019, Jourdan manages multiple social media accounts and oversees strategies to enhance the organization's voice and community engagement. Prior experience includes roles as a Contributing Writer for Rolling Out, where Jourdan focused on Detroit's Black-owned restaurants, and as a Communications Coordinator at Phoenix Medical Group P.C., developing effective messaging to promote services. Previous positions also include content writing, public relations, and freelance reporting, demonstrating a strong background in storytelling and media relations. Jourdan holds a Bachelor of Science in Online Journalism from Central Michigan University and a Certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
We mobilize the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives across Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Macomb counties in measurable and lasting ways. IN OUR REGION, NEARLY 40% OF HOUSEHOLDS STRUGGLE TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Southeastern Michigan, families in our community were struggling. Now, the situation is dire. People are struggling to find jobs, or they’re working, but not making enough to provide for their families. Parents are forced to choose between feeding their children and paying the rent. Senior citizens have to go without prescriptions. Children struggle to keep up in school. College students have to go without health care. This is a problem in every city in our region — and the problem is growing. This affects your neighbors, coworkers, and friends. This is everyone’s problem. Without stable households, children will never be able to thrive. And if children aren’t thriving now, they won’t be prepared to build stable households in the future — or a stable community. Together, we can break the cycle. At United Way, we work to build communities where all households are stable and every child can thrive.