ACCESS helps bring clean water to Flint

Because we believe strongly that everyone has the right to clean water, ACCESS and TAKE ON HATE staff and volunteers traveled to Flint on Saturday, February 13, to assist in ongoing relief efforts for our neighbors in need. The Flint water crisis has had a devastating effect on the city. Residents now must rely on bottled water and expensive filters to drink, cook and bathe, while also grappling with the often catastrophic health effects of lead exposure.

While Flint has seen an outpouring of support from around the world in response to the crisis, there is still a great deal of work to be done on the ground. We were thrilled to be able to lend a hand to this effort. Over 100 volunteers committed time from their weekend to travel from ACCESS Headquarters in Dearborn to Flint and help distribute bottled water to families throughout the city. Organizers in Flint were appreciative of the extra help and indicated that the ACCESS group, which was the largest to volunteer in a single day, was able to double the amount of water delivered to residents on a typical Saturday.

Volunteers personally witnessed the hardship that many of Flint’s residents have been enduring for far too long. Despite the enormous challenges faced by Flint’s families, it was clear the city’s spirit is not broken. Everywhere our volunteers went, they were greeted by friendly, appreciative and hopeful residents. 

ACCESS and TAKE ON HATE were honored to share the duty of helping our neighbors. We urge all who are able to volunteer in the near future. View photos of Flint water distribution here, and sign up for upcoming weekend relief shifts here.