On Friday, April 29, Urban Leaguers from across the nation gathered to stand with the residents of Flint amidst the city’s ongoing water crisis. A group of Managers and other staff from the National Urban League headquarters, the National Urban League Young Professionals and the Guild all represented the Urban League Movement.
At Friday’s press conference, Walgreens announced a donation of two truckloads of bottled water, along with 2,500 bottles of hand sanitizer and 800 packs of cleansing wipes to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Later that evening, the Urban League volunteers hosted a Town Hall meeting and breakout sessions with local youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Flint. School supply kits were also distributed to participants.
Urban League volunteers utilized a self-advocacy activity from the Project Ready curriculum – the National Urban League’s signature program dedicated to preparing young people for college, work and life – to engage the young people of Flint in conversations around the water crisis and other issues plaguing the community. These sessions served to elevate the voices and experiences of Flint’s young people while ensuring they recognize that their voices are being heard. In an effort to maintain an ongoing dialogue focused on the future of Flint, the National Urban League staff will report on the solutions shared by Flint’s young people.
On Saturday, Urban League volunteers teamed up with Comcast, United Way of Genesee County and other local volunteers for Comcast Cares Day to continue engaging Flint residents. The grounds of the Boys and Girl Club of Flint were beautified through gardening and landscaping. Water, food and filters were provided for pickup and were also distributed throughout the city by the volunteers.
The Urban League Movement is committed to continuing the ongoing conversation about Flint, MI and its water crisis. The National Urban League will continue to work with the Boys and Girls Club of Flint to report on the young people’s solutions to the water crisis and to add their voices to the ongoing conversation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karina de Sousa
Manager, Special Projects (President's Office)
National Urban League
212-558-5466 | kdesousa@nul.org
Colin Allum
Manager, Data and Analysis (Development Department)
National Urban League
212-558-5471 | callum@nul.org
