🏡 More Than a Transaction: How Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County Is Building Stability One Family at a Time

 

A conversation with Rachael Dawson-Baglien and Brigette Murray

When most people think about housing, they think about square footage, school districts, and market value. But for thousands of families across Washtenaw County, housing is something far more fundamental—it's the difference between stability and crisis, between dignity and despair.

That was the powerful theme at the heart of a recent conversation on the LIVgreat Real Estate podcast when I sat down with Rachael Dawson-Baglien and Brigette Murray from Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County. What emerged was an eye-opening look at the challenges quietly unfolding in our own backyard—and the compassionate work being done every day to meet them. 🎙️

💛 Who Is Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County?

Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County has long been a cornerstone of community support in Southeast Michigan. While rooted in Catholic values of service and human dignity, the organization serves people of all backgrounds and beliefs—anyone who walks through the door in need.

Their work spans a wide range of critical services:

• 🧠 Behavioral health counseling for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges

• 🥗 Food assistance programs addressing hunger and nutritional insecurity

• 🏠 Housing support for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness

• 🌍 Refugee and immigrant services helping newcomers find their footing in a new country

• 👵 Senior programs designed to help older adults age safely and independently

• 🆘 Crisis assistance for families facing sudden hardship

The scope of this work reflects the breadth of need in the community—and the organization's commitment to leaving no one behind. 💪

🚨 The Housing Crisis You Don't Always See

One of the most important threads in this conversation was a deeper look at what housing insecurity actually looks like in Washtenaw County. It's not always visible from the outside.

Families doubling up in apartments. Adults couch-surfing between friends and relatives. Parents making impossible choices between rent and groceries. Seniors on fixed incomes watching rising housing costs outpace their resources. These are the quiet faces of a housing crisis that doesn't always make headlines but touches lives every single day. 💔

Rachael and Brigette emphasized that housing instability rarely travels alone—it shows up alongside job loss, health challenges, domestic difficulties, and mental health struggles. For Catholic Charities, addressing housing insecurity means addressing the whole person, not just a single need.

As the conversation made clear: 🔑 Housing is more than a transaction. It's stability, dignity, and the foundation for everything else in life.

👵 Supporting Seniors: A Community That Connects

Brigette Murray leads work in the Senior Services Department, an area of growing importance as Washtenaw County's population ages. One standout resource she highlighted is Senior Resource Connect MI (SeniorResourceConnectMI.org)—a tool designed to help older adults and their families navigate the often-complex landscape of senior services.

Whether it's care coordination, resource navigation, or connection to support programs that allow seniors to age in place with dignity, Brigette and her team work tirelessly to ensure older adults aren't left to figure it out alone. ❤️

"Seniors deserve access to care, dignity, and support," Brigette shared. It's a simple statement—but behind it is an enormous amount of daily effort, advocacy, and heart.

🤝 The Power of Community Partnerships

One of the most energizing parts of the conversation was about connection. Rachael and Brigette both emphasized that no organization—no matter how dedicated—can do this work alone. The power of Catholic Charities lies not just in its programs, but in the web of relationships it builds with other nonprofits, local businesses, healthcare providers, schools, and yes—real estate professionals.

🏡 Realtors and housing professionals are often the first to encounter families in vulnerable moments. Knowing where to point someone, having a trusted resource to share, can change the entire trajectory of a family's story.

That's the kind of community-level collaboration that turns good intentions into real outcomes. ✨

🙌 How You Can Help

The needs are real. The impact is measurable. And the good news is—there are meaningful ways to get involved:

• ⏰ Volunteer your time with Catholic Charities programs

• 💵 Donate to support local services and keep programs running

• 📢 Share resources with someone in your circle who may be struggling

• 🤝 Partner professionally if you work in real estate, healthcare, or another field where you encounter people in moments of transition or hardship

Every connection matters. Every referral matters. Every dollar and every hour of service matters. 💙

📬 Get in Touch

📌 Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County 🌐 ccwcwashtenaw.org 👵 Senior Resource Connect: SeniorResourceConnectMI.org 📞 Senior Services Department: (734) 971-9781, Ext. 8 📧 Brigette Murray: bmurray@ccwcwashtenaw.org 📧 Rachael Dawson-Baglien: rdawsonbaglien@ccwcwashtenaw.org

Listen to this podcast episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534324/episodes/18870420

💬 A Final Thought

In a county known for its universities, innovation, and prosperity, it can be easy to overlook the pockets of struggle hiding in plain sight. Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County refuses to look away. 👀

Their message—and ours—is simple: no one in Washtenaw County should have to navigate hardship alone. 🫶 And when we show up for each other—as neighbors, as professionals, as community members—we build something more resilient than any single program or service ever could.

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Whether buying, selling, or seeking valuable insights into the market, I'm here to be your trusted guide in the dynamic world of real estate. Feel free to contact me for a confidential discussion, where we can explore your goals, address any questions, and navigate the exciting path of real estate together. Your real estate journey is unique, and I am committed to providing personalized assistance tailored to your needs. Don't hesitate to connect. 

Dani | 734-623-9442 | dani@danihallsell.com