ANN ARBOR, Mich. - TelAve -- The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is proud to be among the first philanthropic partners helping launch Rx Kids in Ypsilanti, an innovative program offering universal, unconditional cash support to pregnant individuals and new parents.

"We see this as a direct extension of our commitment to equitable childcare, to lifting families, and to creating long-term systems that support wellbeing across Washtenaw County," said Shannon Polk, President & CEO of AAACF.

Originally launched in Flint in 2024, Rx Kids has already delivered $16 million in cash assistance to more than 3,800 families statewide. With $270 million committed in Michigan's budget, the program is expanding to Ypsilanti and other communities, providing $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the baby's first six months, no strings attached.

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For Ypsilanti resident Tavahna Paige, a mother of two with a baby on the way, the impact is deeply personal. "As much as I love these moments, being a parent also comes with a lot of financial pressures. When it comes to diapers and groceries, the cost of childcare is very expensive." Paige said at the November 3rd press conference at Ypsilanti City Hall. She added that the extra $500 a month will be "a game-changer" for her family.

Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown also praised the program's message and reach: "Rx Kids is a program that says loud and clear that every family in Ypsilanti deserves a healthy start."

"For us at AAACF, this partnership is a statement of faith in what Washtenaw County can accomplish when we invest in people, not just programs," Polk added. "It reflects our belief that every child deserves a healthy start, and every parent deserves support."

Enrollment opens December 1, 2025, for pregnant individuals and families with babies born on or after that date who reside within the Ypsilanti city limits. For details or to apply, visit RxKids.org.

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AAACF's investment in Rx Kids aligns with its broader commitment to the economic mobility and stabilization of families in Washtenaw County, building upon its first childcare impact investment in Apple Playschools. AAACF's investment made it possible for this nonprofit early childhood education organization to expand access to high-quality, safe, and affordable childcare. Together, these efforts reflect a continuum of support, from the earliest days of life through the early learning years, designed to strengthen family well-being and community resilience across Washtenaw County.

About the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF):
AAACF partners with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to build a more equitable and thriving Washtenaw County. Through the Ypsilanti Area Community Fund, AAACF has granted over $2 million to local initiatives supporting youth, families, and neighborhoods. Learn more at aaacf.org