Updates from your Representative
First and foremost, I thank you for the trust and opportunity to serve you once again in the 2025-2026 legislature. It is an honor to represent our vibrant community, and I am deeply grateful for your continued support. I always look forward to seeing you at upcoming coffee hours and community events, where we continue to have meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most to you and your families. Your voices shape the work we do together, and I am excited for the road ahead.
As we approach the end of 2024, my colleagues and I are working tirelessly to pass legislation that safeguards your rights and ensures your most essential needs are met. From protecting housing stability to expanding access to vital resources, we are committed to advancing policies that uplift all Michiganders and reflect our shared values.
Thank you for being an active part of this journey. Together, we will keep building a stronger, more equitable Michigan for everyone.
In Solidarity,
Emily E. Dievendorf
Community Member Spotlight: Khadja Erickson
Rep. Dievendorf relies on community support to create meaningful and relevant legislation, and Khadja has been an invaluable resource in working on legislation like the Homeless Bill of Rights. Khadja is a passionate advocate for equity and housing justice, transforming personal challenges into a mission to uplift others. Twice experiencing homelessness herself, she has turned her journey into a testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and compassion. As an active member of the Lansing branch of the NAACP, Nation Outside, Treasurer for Rent Is Too Damn High Lansing, and Founder and Director of The Hubris Collective, Khadja dedicates her energy to connecting communities, bridging divides, and championing sustainable solutions.
“Life has shown me the power of community and the importance of meeting people where they are,” Khadja shares. “It’s about building relationships and making sure everyone feels seen and valued.”
A proud Lansing local, Khadja cherishes the city’s sense of community. As a mom and wife, she finds joy in the small yet meaningful moments of daily life—family time, good conversations, and moments that bring people together. Her experiences have taught her the importance of adaptability, kindness, and gratitude.
In her community work, Khadja brings people together to share meals and conversations with unhoused neighbors, fostering connection and camaraderie. Khadja’s work embodies her belief in the power of community and her unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable future.
Château Coffee Co.
Rep. Dievendorf recently visited Château Coffee Co. at the edge of District 77, and wanted to share that experience. Château Coffee Co. is a Mediterranean and French-inspired specialty coffee shop. They offer flavorful and unique options from traditional Arabic coffee made to perfection, flavorful espresso creations, exquisite French croissants and Lebanese baklava.
Community News
Are you looking for the best way to support our community members? We invite you to join us in supporting a community care effort for unhoused individuals located in District 77. This initiative is grounded in the voices of those with lived experience. The following list of requested items was provided directly by members of our unhoused community because they know best what they need. Your support will help ensure we can provide essential items like winter gear and hygiene products, offering comfort and dignity during the harsh months ahead. Together, we can make a meaningful difference by meeting people where they are and uplifting our neighbors in need.
Winter Gear:
- Warm coats (various sizes).
- Insulated gloves.
- Winter hats and scarves.
- Thermal socks.
- Waterproof boots.
- Blankets (thermal or heavy-duty).
- Sleeping bags (cold-weather rated).
- Hand and foot warmers.
Clothing & Accessories:
- Hoodies and sweatshirts.
- Long underwear.
- T-shirts and layering tops.
- Sweatpants and jeans.
- Waterproof ponchos.
- Backpacks or duffel bags.
Health & Safety:
- First aid kits.
- Band-aids and antiseptic wipes.
- Flashlights and batteries.
- Emergency blankets (space blankets).
Food & Drink:
- Non-perishable snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit).
- Bottled water.
- Instant coffee or tea.
- Electrolyte drinks.
Personal Care & Hygiene:
- Travel-sized toiletries.
- Feminine hygiene wipes.
- Wet wipes or hand sanitizer.
- Combs and brushes.
- Chapstick.
Other Essentials:
- Tents or tarps.
- Reusable water bottles.
- Small cooking kits or utensils.
- Pocket warmers or rechargeable heaters.
- Phone chargers or power banks.
If you would like to help, please reach out to our office at emilydievendorf@house.mi.gov.
Policy Highlights
Name & Gender Change
House Bills 5300-5303 are groundbreaking legislation aimed at making legal processes more accessible and inclusive for all Michiganders. I am proud to be one of the sponsors of this package. This package streamlines name changes and gender marker updates by removing discriminatory requirements, allows for updating gender designations on IDs and birth certificates without extra documentation and protects the privacy of individuals affirming their gender identity in legal proceedings.
Supporting Trafficking Survivors
House Dems worked to pass legislation to protect, support and empower survivors
of human trafficking. Our legal system should never punish survivors. These bills collectively provide expungement and create an affirmative defense for survivors who committed an offense under coercion, require expert witnesses in human trafficking cases to possess specialized knowledge of survivor’s experiences and update Michigan’s penal code and DNA identification profile system to explicitly hold perpetrators of human trafficking accountable.
Unemployment Benefits
I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in passing much-needed updates to our unemployment system! The Michigan Employment Security Act will increase unemployment benefits for those who need it — giving Michiganders breathing room. These bills streamline unemployment processes, improve transparency and increase benefits. Key changes include raising the maximum weekly benefit from $362 to $614, restoring the maximum number of benefit weeks from 20 to 26, and tying future increases to inflation.
For more information, visit: housedems.com/emily-dievendorf.
Upcoming Events
- Legislative Coffee Hour: Feb. 6 from 5-6:30 p.m., Toads (Grand Ledge).
- Legislative Coffee Hour: March 15 from noon-2 p.m., DeWitt District Library.
- Legislative Coffee Hour: April 5 from 11a.m.-1 p.m., Location TBD (Lansing).
For updated times / locations, please check our social media or call our office!
A Note from the Representative
As we gather to celebrate this special time of year, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude and connection, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to represent such a caring and compassionate community.
Just a reminder, December is the last month of 2024 to support local nonprofits and receive a tax exemption on your 2024 taxes. Our local nonprofits are the boots on the ground in District 77, and they need our support!
May your days be filled with peace, joy and the company of those who matter most. Here’s to a season of hope and a bright year ahead for us all. Happy Holidays!
In Solidarity,
STATE REPRESENTATIVE EMILY DIEVENDORF
(517) 373-2277
EmilyDievendorf@house.mi.gov
124 N. Capitol Ave.
Office 1096
Lansing, MI 48933