At first glance, an animal welfare organization and one that provides support services to LGBTQ+ youth may not seem to have much in common. But Michigan Humane and the Ruth Ellis Center (REC) are joining forces to raise funds to support our local community and the animals and people that call it home through a t-shirt fundraiser running May 28 thru June 6. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be split evenly between the two groups and will fund their programs and services.

Michigan Humane Pride shirts can be purchased at michiganhumane.org/pride.

“We want to celebrate community in all its forms, so partnering with the Ruth Ellis Center seemed a natural fit. The work they are doing echoes so much of what we believe here at Michigan Humane: creating healthy and safe spaces that are inclusive, celebrating the diversity all around us and a commitment to creating a more humane world,” enthused Michigan Humane President and CEO Matt Pepper.

“It is an honor to collaborate with Michigan Humane in this effort, and we are humbled by their support of the LGBTQ+ young people served at Ruth Ellis Center. Each of us has the opportunity to have a positive impact on the world around us, and when we work together, anything is possible,” said Mark Erwin, Ruth Ellis Center’s Director of Development & Advancement.

For many years, Michigan Humane has placed a great emphasis on creating ways to keep beloved pets in homes through a variety of owner support programs. These programs all stem from the organization’s mission statement which reads, in part, “To improve and save lives through compassionate care, (and) community engagement…”

The Ruth Ellis Center, headquartered in Detroit, provides a vast array of programs and services to LGBTQ+ youth, particularly young people of color. These include a wellness center, multiple housing initiatives, educational and employment support programming, leadership development and much more. The REC is a critical resource for many members of the community and has been nationally recognized for the services they provide.

The fundraiser, hosted by GoodInk, will support a variety of programs and initiatives at both organizations including, but not limited to: access to healthcare for both people and pets, outreach efforts to connect people with needed resources, and pathways to empower young people both personally and professionally.

Photo Credit: Goodink