Our Mission
To empower the Ypsilanti community through collaborative initiatives that promote health, creativity, and innovation for all residents.
About Ypsi CAN
We are a community-driven organization dedicated to creating positive change in Ypsilanti through collaborative action and grassroots initiatives.
Our Vision
A thriving Ypsilanti where every community member has access to opportunities for growth, expression, and meaningful participation in community life.
Core Values
- We seek to make actions of love.
- We value connection above information.
- We believe that each human has incalculable value.
- We recognize our human need to both serve and be served.
- We aim to position ourselves to be able to serve our community as its needs change over time.
About
Ypsilanti Community Action Network (YCAN) was born from a deep desire for our community to “know thyself,” echoing the timeless wisdom inscribed on the ancient Temple of Apollo in Greece. We believe that by becoming more aware of each other, along with the organizations, talents, and resources that call Ypsilanti home, we can begin to draw inspiration and direction from within, working together to shape a stronger, more connected community.
Our focus centers on three key areas: Health & Wellness, The Arts, and Innovation. We see immense potential for growth in each of these sectors, and we believe that as opportunities expand, so too does the quality of life for everyone in the Ypsilanti area.
Our board was deeply moved by the resilience and spirit of togetherness that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience taught us a lesson: during our darkest times, what we needed most was each other. We’ve also come to understand that through the principles of “taking freely and giving cheerfully,” we empower our neighbors to live fully and authentically, to give when they can, and to receive without shame when they are in need.
We are continually inspired by the people of Ypsilanti. Our greatest asset is our community itself. Through this nonprofit, we are committed to investing in the people who live here and to evolving alongside their needs and dreams as they change over time.