Samaritas Joins Ascend at the Aspen Institute Network to Advance Family Preservation Work in Michigan

Samaritas is now an official network partner of Ascend at the Aspen Institute — a national initiative advancing two-generation (2Gen) strategies to improve family economic security, health, and well-being.

This recognition reflects Samaritas’ expanding role in collaborative, statewide initiatives such as MiFamily Together, a family preservation pilot designed to prevent family separation and strengthen long-term family stability across Michigan.

In alignment with this work, Samaritas leaders Aryn Manni and Jennifer Williams have been invited to attend the 2026 Ascend at the Aspen Institute Forum on Children and Families in Washington, D.C., a national convening bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers from across the country to advance innovative family support strategies.

Participation in this forum will allow Samaritas to contribute to and learn from national best practices, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and bring back evidence-informed strategies to support Michigan families and the MiFamily Together initiative.