United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Melanie Gill, MPA, currently serves as the Manager of Basic Needs at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, with a progressive career that began in 2005. At United Way, Melanie has held multiple roles, including Communications and Compliance Coordinator, Social Innovation Fund Manager, SIF Specialist, and Quality Improvement Specialist since January 2018. Prior experience includes a Nonprofit Administration Internship at the Animals & Society Institute and educational positions such as an Infant/Toddler Teacher at Gretchen's House, and Lead Teacher at both Rosey's Child Care and Learning Center and Kidtopia, Inc. Melanie's earlier roles included a Supervisor position at Michigan State University and a 4-H Project Intern at Michigan State University Extension. Melanie earned a Master of Public Administration focused on Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services from Michigan State 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.