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Jihan Ain Young for Portage City Council

Meet Jihan

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MY BACKGROUND

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I am the youngest daughter of Dr. Ronald C. and Wendy Ann Woods. Both of my parents are in higher education and actively participate in the civic and cultural life of the community. From a young age, I embraced the importance of community and civic involvement.

 

I am a graduate of the University of Michigan where I hold a B.A in Political Science. From there I began a career in finance with JP Morgan Chase and PNC Bank. I got married in 2012 and coinciding with the birth of my first child in 2015, I became a stay-at-home mom.

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I have since maintained active participation as a community advocate. I have been a champion for Early-On Services since our son was diagnosed with a speech delay at 2 years old. In 2019, I was appointed as the Parent Representative for the Local Interagency Coordinating Council of Kalamazoo County (LICC) and in April 2023, I was selected as the Parent Alternate for the State of Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC). I am proud to say that today our son is an excellent public speaker.

MY VISION FOR PORTAGE

As a City Council member, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our city remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I believe that by investing in our schools, supporting our local businesses, and working to create housing and opportunities for all, we can continue to grow and thrive as a community. With your help, I am committed to making Portage a city that we can all be proud to call home.

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MY FAMILY LIFE

I have been married to my husband Larry Young II, a Software Engineer, for 11 years.  Portage has been our home since 2015 and the place where we are raising our son and daughter. Both of our children attend Portage Public School and participate in local sports leagues. Additionally, my husband is a local little league and flag football coach.

MY PASSION

Throughout my 20+ years of active community service, I’ve learned that we are only as strong as those willing to lead and give our time to make the community a better place. The Portage community is our home and giving back and serving is one of my passions. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work to help improve the City of Portage.

MY MISSION

Building a Better Portage

My mission:

  • Government outreach - improving communication between citizens and City Council

  • Collaboration - improving communication amongst City Council and its respective boards/commissions

  • Housing - availability, affordability, and renters protections

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