Michigan's Health Agency Supports Witch Recovery and African Bees

Most Michiganders have no idea that their hard-earned money is going to support Congolese beehives and transgender fashion shows.

This is because the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services funds a massive network of nonprofit organizations and social causes that makes it nearly impossible to track where your tax dollars are going.

Taxpayer funds are approved for vague purposes by the Legislature. Once awarded, their use is almost completely shielded from public scrutiny through nonprofits.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, Michigan Enjoyer obtained a list of all the nonprofits funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in 2025.

While the majority of funds were sent to hospitals, clinics, domestic violence shelters, child protection efforts, and nursing homes, there were some questionable recipients:

• $184,000 went to Passenger Inc for supporting touring artists in recovery. Services include a “clean green room” and support classes such as Witches Recovery Circle, Recovery Dharma, and Keyboard Catharsis. In addition to essentially operating as a flophouse for out of-town artists, the Hamtramck-based organization also offers translation services and organizes community events.
• $440,000 was awarded to the National Association for Yemeni Americans for immigration services, translation services, and “increasing participation in the American political system.” A previous Detroit News investigation showed they haven’t reported these large grants to the IRS in several years.
• $293,000 went to MiGen, which provides support services, a fashion show, and a trans aging project for elderly LGBTQ+ individuals.
• $55,000 was awarded to Stand With Trans, an organization committing to supporting trans youth. Services include counseling, advocating for boys in girls sports, pronoun guides, and hotlines, and even a reporting form for gender-affirming care concerns.
• $302,000 went to the Michigan Breastfeeding network. While the program may sound like an effort to research, educate, and support new mothers, a deeper look on their website reveals a strong commitment to DEI and a Birth Justice Policy that includes “reparations to descendants of enslaved Africans and land is returned to indigenous people.”
• $207,000 was awarded to the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, which boasts a heavy emphasis on “environmental justice” and works in partnership with the Congo Beehive Coalition.

Wouldn’t it make sense to fund programs that can better service all Michiganders?

Browse the list. Once we know what our money is being spent on, we can demand Lansing cut the waste, fraud, and abuse in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.