A coalition of faith, nonprofit and community leaders will gather in Lansing on Sept. 18 for a roundtable on how federal policy changes could affect Michigan families.
NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice is hosting the “See-Love-Vote” discussion as a planning session to consider ways to motivate people to vote.
Catherine Gillette, grassroots coordinator for the group, said it is a nonpartisan campaign rooted in the Catholic social justice tradition and a lot is at stake.
“We are really encouraging folks to look around and see how federal policies are impacting their communities, making things like groceries and rent and healthcare really unaffordable right now, tearing our families apart and trying to keep many folks from voting,” Gillette outlined.
Organizers said the event will focus on planned cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, along with increased federal funding for immigration detention and deportations. Participants will include policy analyst Amber Bellazaire, St. Vincent DePaul conference president Irma Arellano and Monir Islam of the Islamic Organization of North America. The roundtable will begin at 1 p.m. in the Michigan AFL-CIO building at 419 South Washington Square.
Beginning in 2027, some Healthy Michigan Plan members will need to document work activities each month and program renewals will be every six months. SNAP benefits will also include expanded work-reporting rules. The state is hiring additional staff to help affected people apply, renew, document eligibility and keep benefits when they still qualify.
Gillette stressed helping people carry the burdens is an act of faith and love.
“I believe that people have the power to make a difference and to make life better for themselves, for their families, for their communities. And during an election year, I think that looks like voting and encouraging other people to vote, too,” Gillette emphasized.
Participants are expected to discuss what they see among families and people experiencing poverty, as well as the importance of voting in the 2026 midterm elections. The nonpartisan campaign will offer free tools to help Michigan communities become informed and engaged voters.
