News

  • Clear the Path: Join the Detroit Expungement Fair on June 28

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    Free legal help, real second chances — take the next step toward a clean slate Need help clearing your record? Join us Friday, June 28 from 10 AM–2 PM at the LOVE Building in Detroit for a free Expungement Fair hosted by the Detroit Justice Center, Michigan State Police, Attorney General’s Office, and Safe &…

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  • Flip the Script: Pontiac Comes Together to Build Power at the Ballot Box

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    A community-led night of connection, conversation, and civic action On June 9th, justice-impacted leaders, neighbors, and change-makers gathered in Pontiac to Flip the Script on civic engagement. From community members and candidates to judges and faith leaders, the event spotlighted the power of collective action and democratic participation. Hosted in collaboration with the full Community…

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  • A photo of a black woman speaking into a microphone, stage lights in front of her, is encircled on the right side of a yellow and white graphic. To the left is the text: Linkage Community, Forward together in creativity.

    Linkage Community Launches as Independent Organization

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    On August 1, Linkage Community will begin operating independently from the University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project, where the group got its start as a space for formerly incarcerated creatives to thrive during the transition from prison back to their Michigan communities. This is a major milestone, marking growth of the group beyond its…

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  • Rank MI Vote on a black background, with a blue, red, and white striped checkmark to the right.

    Rank MI Vote

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    An exciting new Michigan constitutional amendment is being proposed that could change the way we vote in elections. Rank MI Vote wants Michigan to allow a fairer, more sensible option to elect the best candidates. This option is called ranked choice voting. Edit July 17, 2025: The Rank MI Vote petition has been approved, and…

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  • Making Legislative Change

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    Take a look at this video featuring our friends Josh Hoe and Kandia Milton, and produced by Dream.Org, providing a peak into how legislative change actually happens. Meeting with legislators is a key way to influence policy. If you are interested in getting more involved with advocating for legislation for your community, and you want…

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  • This Week: VAAC Friday Community Meeting Focuses on Jail Voting

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    Join us for a powerful conversation about voting rights behind bars and what’s being done to protect them We bring together directly impacted people, organizers, advocates, and community members across Michigan to talk about voting access, the criminal legal system, and the issues shaping our lives and communities. Each week, we focus on timely topics…

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  • Dial for Democracy: A Phone Banking Party You Don’t Want to Miss!

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    Join VAAC, MUUSJN, and JFASD on July 1 for an evening of food, friends, and civic power This July, join us for Dial for Democracy, a fun, in-person phone banking party hosted by VAAC, the Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN), and Jews for a Secular Democracy (JFASD). Tuesday, July 1, 20255:30 PM – 8:30…

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  • VAAC Celebrates Juneteenth at the Womb Liberation Festival

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    Connecting community power with voting rights and reentry justice in Detroit VAAC showed up strong at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration hosted by Wisdom Institute at the Tindal Activity Center in Detroit! As part of the Womb Liberation Festival, our team spent the day connecting with community members about voting rights, civic engagement, and the importance…

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  • Why Should I Vote? Join the Collective Voices Panel on June 24

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    A powerful community conversation on voting, justice, and reclaiming our voice. At VAAC, we believe every voice matters—and every vote counts. But for too many people impacted by the criminal legal system, the question isn’t just how to vote—it’s why to believe their voice still matters at all. That’s exactly what we’ll be unpacking at…

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  • Honor our History and Demand a Future Rooted in Equity and Justice

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    Juneteenth marks a delayed freedom and a reminder that access, dignity, and full participation are still not guaranteed for many. Building power through voting is one way we honor our history and demand a future rooted in equity and justice.

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  • Unlocking the Vote: Jail Voting and the Power of Civic Engagement

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    Join VAAC and Michigan Roundtable for a Critical Conversation on Expanding Access Behind Bars Voting is a fundamental right—and no one should be denied participation in democracy simply because they’re incarcerated pretrial or serving a misdemeanor sentence. Yet, across Michigan, access to the ballot is still blocked by logistical barriers, misinformation, and systemic neglect. At…

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  • We Remember, We Resist: Scenes from Silence the Violence Detroit

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    VAAC stands in solidarity with those impacted by gun violence and the communities fighting for healing and change This past Saturday, VAAC joined Detroiters at the annual Silence the Violence march and press conference, hosted by Church of the Messiah and B.L.V.D. Harambee. For 18 years, this community space has honored lives stolen by gun…

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