Taking Action

The Framework that Guides Our Work

Social determinants of employment equity represent the circumstances that influence an individual's ability to experience employment equity in society. Racial equity is the foundation needed for all of the social determinants to be realized. Implementing strategies that challenge racism, and the biased systems and structures racism contributes to, must be at the forefront of any pro-equity effort. 

Pilot Projects

Our pilot projects are:

  • informed by data and the lived experiences of Detroit workers,

  • rooted in best practices, and

  • leverage existing resources to ensure that what is done can be sustained over time

Henry Ford Health Workforce Retention and Advancement Pilot

EELAC Ecosystem Mapping Project

We collaborated with Data Driven Detroit to develop an ecosystem map using the Kumu platform that is populated with information from EELAC member organizations. The map will help orient all in the ecosystem to the multitude of sectors and organizations involved in promoting employment equity and economic opportunity in the city. It will also facilitate and encourage collaboration and interagency referrals between EELAC members.

This pilot seeks to address economic and employment disparities in Detroit’s healthcare sector. A team of EELAC members including Henry Ford Health (HFH), the UM SSW, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Detroit at Work are contributing expertise and resources to ensure incumbent workers advance along a career pathway within the HFH system. The pilot removes barriers that limit workers’ ability to engage in existing opportunities and develops tools to increase workers’ awareness of training opportunities and career opportunities within the health system.

Navigating Technology to Help Detroit Youth Prepare for College and Careers

We are collaborating with Detroit Public Schools Community District, Detroit College Access Network, Connect Detroit, Urban Alliance, and Urban Neighborhood Initiative to build upon the success and infrastructure of the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) summer youth employment program in order to meet the larger goal of helping all DPSCD students prepare for college and careers. We aim to do so through a summer pilot program funded by the University of Michigan Office of the Vice Provost for Engaged Learning. This pilot will utilize the Xello tool to provide career exploration activities to participating GDYT youth and build ongoing working relationships between DPSCD, community partners, and students and families to improve career readiness opportunities for students.