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Downtown Farmington announces plans for new park at historic site

“This project is a great example of bringing historic and modern elements together for the benefit of a community,” says Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “A historic area will now also include modern amenities and a universally accessible design to ensure that everyone can enjoy the space and have the opportunity to foster connections with those around them.” 

Development News The “Two Bears” sculpture by Marshall M. Fredericks in front of the Sterling Heights Public Library.

'Learn, build compassion and break down barriers': Human Library exhibit coming to Sterling Heights

“This program really embodies the spirit of empathy and inclusion that are part of our community’s core values,” says Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor.

Development News More than two billion pounds of food are dumped in Michigan landfills each year, per the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE).

In local efforts to eliminate food waste, ‘Southfield and Wixom are pioneers’ as new programs debut

"EGLE expects other cities to follow in the footsteps of the work initiated by these progressive communities,” says Jeff Spencer, a manager in the EGLE’s Materials Management Division.

Longform Small-Kristen

How data collection is playing a key role in advancing health equity

A new push to gather health care data about people with disabilities is spotlighting a disparity in health care equity that is often overlooked by the medical community. 

Feature Story Veronica Bilicki oversees the Patient as Caregiver program.

Henry Ford Health program helps unpaid caregivers stay healthy

The Patient as Caregiver project helps unpaid caregivers carry on in their roles, reducing the amount of hired care needed and helping people age at place in their homes.

Longform Kimberly Singh (right), Michigan Oral Health Coalition board member and chief community and governmental affairs officer for My Community Dental Centers, chats with Dental Assistant Kortney Jones.

Oral health care is inaccessible to many Michiganders. This coalition is working to change that.

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition brings together a multitude of Michigan oral and general health partners to collaborate on improving oral health for all Michiganders, especially those who have barriers to access. 

Feature Story Indigo farm

Agritourism: How small farms in metro Detroit are finding solutions

“I don’t believe that we would still be farming without diversifying,” says Dory Hill, co-owner of Crooked Creek Farm Dairy in Romeo. Agritourism income in Michigan jumped from $USD 20 million in 2017 to $56 million in 2022 as small farms are finding new ways to survive.

Feature Story Oak Park Library

Oak Park to showcase new public library redesign this weekend

Oak Park is finishing a library redesign after community input, and will hold a public open day on April 7.

Feature Story Vern Kulman

How Macomb County is preserving farmland for future farmers

There are nearly 500 farms in Macomb County, and the agricultural and food processing sector contributes $343 million annually to the county’s GDP. Metromode finds out how farmland is being cared for and promoted in the region.

Partner Content Sweet potato senstations

Sweet Potato Sensations: Black, intergenerational business credits success to small biz support

Sweet Potato Sensations is the living legacy of a family business based in Old Redford. Through longtime community support, and a continuous network of small business resources including BUILD Institute, the multi-generational business is going on 37 years.

Feature Story Sterling Heights' new refuse and recycling contract is "a big win" for the city, says Department of Public Works Director Mike Moore.

Sterling Heights is 'on a roll': Universal curbside recycling starts this May

It’s out with the old and in with the new in Sterling Heights. Let’s take a look as universal curbside recycling makes its way to Michigan's fourth largest city.

Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit

خارطة طريق "التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي للجميع" تتخذ منهجًا شاملًا لإطلاق برنامج "التعليم ما قبل الاب

في يناير 2023، أعلنت الحاكمة غريتشن ويتمر عن خطتها "التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي للجميع"، والتي ستوفر الوصول إلى التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي المجاني لجميع الأطفال البالغين من العمر أربع سنوات في ميشيغان بحلول عام 2027. في فبراير 2024، أصدرت دائرة التعليم مدى الحياة، التقدم، والإمكانيات في ميشيغان (MiLEAP) خطة الطريق مع توصيات حول كيف يمكن للولاية تحقيق هذا الهدف. شاركت مجموعة السياسات العادلة، وهي منظمة استشارية تعليمية في واشنطن العاصمة تركز على سياسات الرعاية والتعليم المبكرة، في تأليف خارطة الطريق.

Longform Robin Beasley is the director of Garden of Dreams Preschool inside First Congregational Church.

Tri-Share makes quality child care more affordable for working parents

MI Tri-Share is a first-of-its-kind cost-sharing funding model. The state, the employee, and their employer each chip in for one-third of the price of child care.

Longform Greenway Heritage Conservancy co-founder RuShann Long, City of Detroit Planner Michele Flournoy, Joe Louis Greenway Partnership Executive Director Leona Medley, and City of Detroit Chief Greenways Planner Christina Peltier.

Here's how Detroiters are working to ensure residents benefit from the Joe Louis Greenway

A robust community engagement process is informing greenway development in myriad ways, ensuring that the greenway reflects residents' history, serves their needs, and offers them economic opportunity.

Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit

PreK For All Roadmap takes a holistic approach to rolling out PreK For All

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has released the PreK for All Roadmap plan with recommendations on how the state can achieve universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds in Michigan.

Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit

La Hoja de Ruta de PreK Para Todos adopta un enfoque holístico para el despliegue de PreK Para Todos

En enero de 2023, la gobernadora Gretchen Whitmer anunció su plan PreK para Todos, que proporcionaría acceso a la educación preescolar gratuita a todos los niños de cuatro años de Michigan para 2027. En febrero de 2024, el Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) publicó el plan de la Hoja de Ruta con recomendaciones

Partner Content Rochelle Riley presenting at the 2023 gala.

Autism Alliance of Michigan gala will help build “A Brighter Tomorrow”

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is hosting its 13th annual Michigan Shines for Autism Gala on Saturday, April 20 at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. This year’s theme is “A Brighter Tomorrow.” 

Feature Story Amber Desgranges and Rachel Ruddock of the Michigan Primary Care Association.

New initiative offers Michigan nursing students opportunity to build careers in underserved areas

The Michigan Primary Care Association is collaborating with nine of Michigan’s state universities to provide nursing students with opportunities to train in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.

Feature Story Small-Jae-Gerhart

How local healthcare systems leverage local farms for healthy food options

Medical institutions around Michigan are using their local resources to bring real food to their staff and patients.

Longform Christine Sauvé.

New state law will help ensure health care access for non-English-speaking Michiganders

Michigan's new Statewide Meaningful Language Access Coordination Act will require public services to be more accessible to non-English speakers. 

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.