HANCOCK -- A special fundraiser to help prevent homelessness in the Copper Country is now underway through Hancock's Salvation Army office. The recent extremely cold weather has contributed to the need to shelter the homeless, and this special Homelessness Prevention Fund is independent of other work being done by the Salvation Army. The need for the fund and the connection between local housing needs and homelessness were explained in a recent gathering in Hancock to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the group AWAVE (Advocates for those Without A Voice Everywhere), which is joining with other local activist groups to raise money for this Homelessness Prevention Fund.
Lois Gemignani, one of the founders of AWAVE, gave a summary of their work during the anniversary event held at Nutini's Supper Club in Hancock on January 28, 2026.
Following Gemignani's presentation, Lisa McKenzie, regional planner for the Western UP Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR), spoke about the current Regional Housing Crisis -- the high cost of either buying or renting housing and the need to provide affordable housing in the local area. McKenzie began by explaining her experience both in real estate and in rehab of older homes through a grant, which has expired. She then spoke about Michigan's Statewide Housing Priorities and how these relate to local housing needs.
Michelle Morgan, a community member who attended the AWAVE meeting, commented on Lisa McKenzie's presentation.
"I was interested to hear from Lisa McKenzie, who has been concerned with our housing challenges through her work at WUPPDR," Morgan said. "She explained the roots of our housing crisis. The volunteers of AWAVE are taking on this challenge to prevent and combat homelessness by educating the community and collaborating with and raising funds for the Salvation Army, which actively works to find housing for our neighbors in need."
The goal for the Homelessness Prevention Fund is $30,000. Donations already total more than $5,000. See below this poster for how to donate.
A more direct way to donate is to write a check for any amount made out to The Salvation Army and mail it to
The Salvation Army
408 Ravine Street
Hancock, MI 49930
Write Housing Assistance or Homelessness Prevention on the memo line and mail it or drop it off at the Salvation Army office, above address.
Mariah in Minnesota
AWAVE also invited Mariah Dunham -- educator, basketball coach, and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians -- to speak on her two recent trips to Minneapolis following the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Dunham began by describing a dream she had that inspired her to make the first trip with her wife, Brigitte LaPointe.
Dunham continued by recounting her experiences near the Whipple Federal Building that houses an ICE field office, where she witnessed ICE attacking protesters. She later returned there to speak on behalf of Native people captured illegally by ICE. Dunham also described her second visit to Minneapolis right after the murder of Alex Pretti.
Dunham then noted the effects on teachers of recent events in Minneapolis as well as the fear of school shootings. A discussion among the audience followed.
Members of the AWAVE audience join Mariah Dunham in discussing the effects of events in Minneapolis, including the generosity of many groups that are providing help to those in need. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)
Some members of Keweenaw Indivisible (KI) attended AWAVE's anniversary meeting, including Rich Canevez of KI's leadership team. Canevez told Keweenaw Now that Keweenaw Indivisible is supportive of the Homelessness Prevention Fund on a communicative and marketing side, encouraging members to donate to the fund and to spread the word about it.
Canevez also commented on the presentations as a private resident, not representing KI.
"It was powerful to hear Mariah's story, and informative to hear Lisa McKenzie's breakdown of the housing issues our community is facing," Canevez said. "I remember 2023 when my wife and I moved back to Houghton, and trying to find affordable housing almost pushed us to leave the job at MTU due to housing being simply unaffordable or inaccessible. It was hard then, and to hear it captured in the data that Mrs. McKenzie presented validated our struggles, but also makes clear my own privilege that I could, eventually, find us a home. As we know, that's not a privilege accorded to everyone ... affordable housing should not be a privilege, but a right."
* Editor's Notes:
Pete Mackin, Hancock's Salvation Army director, was unable to attend this meeting as scheduled because of the flu.
AWAVE meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Keweenaw Indivisible meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. Both are scheduled to meet at the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (KUUF) building, 604 Bridge St., Houghton, MI 49931. See February calendar.
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