Big House 5K: Supporting Local Washtenaw County
The 2025 Big House 5K will benefit six local, non-profit organizations that directly address the needs of our community across a variety of areas of service. We encourage race participants to support these great causes by learning more about their work, volunteering to support their efforts and by making an additional donation.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our goal is to empower every young person on a positive path for their future through a relationship with a mentor, whose impact will last a lifetime. Bigs volunteer their time to provide one-on-one support and guidance to their Little. Our Matches build strong bonds through shared activities and experiences, such as playing sports, going to museums, or simply talking and hanging out. We know that after just one year of mentoring, the quality of classroom work is higher for Littles than their non-mentored peers. They are less likely to skip school, engage in misconduct, or use illegal substances, and they report feeling an increased sense of self-esteem and self-confidence. Mentoring relationships have a lasting impact on a child's life, helping them to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and reach their full potential. Contact us today to volunteer or donate!
- » https://bbbssoutheastmi.org/
- Community Family Life Center (CFLC) is a 501c3 neighborhood-based, non-profit entity providing crucial services and support to economically disadvantaged families in the greater Ypsilanti area. CFLC’s programs primarily focus on supporting the youth and addressing the root causes of institutional inequity including poverty, systemic racism, and trauma. Our core programs include afterschool and summer programs supporting the youth, family focused mental health services, food distribution, and health and wellness programs. Our Youth Enrichment After School Program (YEP) provides support to children and their families with personalized math and reading tutors, STEMS program, energizing physical activities, nutritious meals and much more. We offer mental health programs that transform lives through comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally aware interventions. Our goal is to reduce violence, substance abuse, and depression, paving the way for a healthier future for our youth.
- » https://cflcypsi.org/
- The Corner Health Center is an integrated health and wellness clinic in Downtown Ypsilanti for anyone ages 12-25 (and their children). Our mission is to inspire young people to live and sustain healthy lives by providing them with judgment-free, affordable health and wellness care and education. Here at The Corner, we believe "No Insurance? No problem!" Our goals are to enable young people to get exceptional health care, reduce risk-taking, understand the long-range implications of their behaviors and choices, and participate in and take responsibility for their own health and well-being. Our services include primary clinical care, maternal health, psychiatry, gynecology/reproductive health, gender-affirming care, fatherhood support, support groups, free local food pantry, and so much more! Learn more about our organization at cornerhealth.org.
- » https://cornerhealth.org/
- Established in 1934, Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County has been a pioneer in childcare for 90 years. We are committed to increasing accessibility to equitable, high-quality care and early education for underserved and historically marginalized families. We provide care that ensures accessibility for families, empowering them to work full-time with reliable, year-round childcare. To maximize our impact, Foundations offers tuition support, free meals and snacks, support navigating family assistance programs, a supplemental food pantry, in-house translation services, and an in-house social worker. Foundations also collaborates with local nonprofits to connect families with additional community resources. We partner with families, offering holistic assistance for their distinct situations. Foundations envisions a community where all families have their unique needs understood, valued, and met.
- » https://www.foundations-preschool.org/
- For over 20 years, Girls Group has helped socioeconomically disadvantaged youth create the educational foundation and build the tools to graduate high school, become first generation college students, and mentor others that may be on the same journey. Today, we proudly serve over 1,100 participants in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor with 60% of these participants coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The mission of Girls Group is to empower young women to achieve emotional and economic self-sufficiency by ensuring they graduate from high school and begin their college or career journeys. Programs span middle school through early adulthood, focusing on academic readiness, social-emotional life skills, financial education, and community service. In the words of a Girls Group youth, “Girls Group has encouraged me to dream bigger and set ambitious goals. Girls Group provided the tools and mentors that gave me the necessary support to make college a realistic option for me.
- » https://www.girlsgroup.org/
- Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley has been a catalyst for stabilizing homes, families and communities in Washtenaw County since 1989. Through its Home Ownership Program, Home Improvement Program, and Community Development program, Habitat works to create and sustain affordable homeownership for low- to mid-income families and individuals. Habitat utilizes donations and volunteers to build homes, secure futures, and strengthen communities. Every year, six energy-efficient homes are built to provide affordable housing for qualified local families and individuals in need of decent, safe and affordable housing. Habitat serves households of low- to mid-income with critical home repairs, weatherization and modification improvements to ensure health, safety and stability come first. Strong neighborhoods form the foundation that lifts the entire community. Habitat partners with three Ypsilanti Township neighborhoods to empower residents and revive neighborhoods. In over 35 years, Habitat has built or renovated more than 285 homes, completed over 10,000 home improvement projects, and engaged with more than 16,000 residents and community partners.
- » https://www.h4h.org/
Previous Big House 5K Beneficiaries
2024
826 Michigan
Avalon Housing
Community Action Network
New Day Foundation for Families
Team Impact
Willow Run Acres
2023
Freshwater Future
Packard Health
U-M Adaptive and Inclusive Sports Experience (UMAISE)
U-M Weight Management
Washtenaw Area Council for Children
Women and Men Working for Change
2022
Fostering Futures
Hire MI Vet
Legacy Land Conservancy
Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW)
Riverside Arts Center
The Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan
2021
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
Brilliant Detroit
Maize and Blue Cupboard
Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Philanthropic Fund
Our House
Sage Metro Detroit
2020
Huron River Watershed Council
Freedom House Detroit
PAVE – Peer Advisors for Veteran Education
SOS Community Services
U-M Addiction Center
Washtenaw Literacy
2019
Child Care Network
Digital Inclusion
Growing Hope
Michigan Foster Care Closet
Michigan Medicine – Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)
Telling It
2018
Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor
The Family Learning Institute
Ozone House
Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools
SafeHouse Center
Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels
2017
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Avalon Housing
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program (UMHS)
Hands Across the Water
Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance
U-M Comprehensive ALS Clinic
2016
Chad Tough Foundation
Community Action Network
Men of Michigan Prostate Research Fund
Michigan Glee Club
North Star Reach
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center Patient and Family Services
2015
826 Michigan
Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels
Ann Arbor YMCA
Dance Marathon at U-M
Project Healthy Schools
Special Olympics Michigan
2014
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County
Food Gatherers
Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley
Humane Society of Huron Valley
Team Red, White and Blue of Ann Arbor
University Musical Society, K-12 Education Programs
