Saturday, April 25, 2020, marked the sixth anniversary of the Flint Water Crisis, a public health emergency that exposed residents to lead in the city’s water system. Residents continue to grapple with lasting effects from the crisis. They remain afraid to use the municipal water supply for drinking, cooking, or bathing. This, compounded by COVID-19, further highlights the plight of marginalized communities of color like Flint, Michigan. Fear and trust are prevailing themes within this empowered, resilient community addressing the water crisis and pandemic.

A study led by community-academic partners, using community-based participatory research approaches, was conducted over several years to discern levels of trust within Flint from the water crisis and ensure missing voices not presented in numerous narratives are captured. Findings were organized into a report containing a needs assessment and action plan on recommendations, which are applicable to both the pandemic and water crisis.

It is our hope that, as you review our report, you will consider joining our collaborative by using this information with your efforts to help Flint residents build trust and obtain the quality of life they are entitled to.

Click here to access the trust study and executive summary.

Questions?

Contact Karen Calhoun, Community-Engaged Research Officer at MICHR. She can be reached directly at kdcalhou@umich.edu or by phone at 313.632.9932.