We Are ID’D: Providing Identification, Unlocking Opportunities
Imagine you’re a teen gearing up to vote in your first election, preparing for your first job interview, or planning to open your first bank account. You’re excited about being a young adult and ready for these next steps, but there’s a hurdle you didn’t see coming: you don’t have the proper ID documentation. This is the unfortunate reality for many youth across Michigan, but identification shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. Journey Faith Group and Detroit Change Initiative know this, and are working to address it by providing these critical documents at no cost to students who need them most.
About Us
Journey Faith Group (JFG) and Detroit Change Initiative (DCI) are community-centered nonprofits dedicated to breaking down systemic barriers to opportunity. Founded by Brittany Washington (JFG) and Norman Clement (DCI), these visionary leaders are collaborating on transformative projects, leveraging their expertise and networks to expand their impact. Their partnership strengthens efforts to ensure young people, particularly in underserved communities, have access to state identification cards and vital records, which are fundamental necessities for employment, higher education, banking, and civic participation.
Our Project: We Are ID’D
The inability to obtain a government-issued ID, birth certificate, or Social Security card prevents thousands of students from accessing vital opportunities. We Are ID’D directly removes this barrier by covering application fees for state IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards, assisting with documentation, and facilitating transportation to processing locations. In 2026, our goal is to provide 25,000 students across Michigan with the identification documents they need, starting with Detroit, Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, before expanding our efforts across the state.
Why We Are Uniquely Qualified
JFG and DCI have strong relationships with over 39 high schools, community organizations, and local agencies. Through their combined efforts, Washington and Clement have cultivated a powerful coalition of educators, policymakers, and community leaders dedicated to removing barriers for young people. Their expertise in student advocacy, outreach, and resource navigation ensures students receive the support they need to obtain their IDs and vital records successfully. This is the largest organized effort to tackle this issue and support students in securing ID documents.
Scaling Beyond Michigan
While the initial focus is Michigan, the need for accessible identification and vital records is a nationwide issue. Washington and Clement’s partnership exemplifies the power of collective action, and together, JFG and DCI are committed to scaling We Are ID’D across state lines, ensuring students everywhere have access to documentation they deserve.
There are a lot of important elections in 2026, and young peoples’ voices must be heard. Students can learn how to pre-register or register to vote in Michigan by going to MichiganVoting.org.
To learn more about We Are ID’D and support this important work, click here.
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Brittany Washington, Journey Faith Group
Norman Clement, Detroit Change Initiative
