Community Development

Voices of Youth: What grows in a milpa? For these teens, identity and connection

“The milpa is something that literally grounds us as an organization, as we learn and unlearn the ways colonization has tried to disconnect us from our traditions, cultural foods, and ways of surviving; we can use this and apply it to many things like language, art, and history.”

Latest in Community Development
Shelley Roossien, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at KDL, leads children through a building exercise.
Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences

The Inclusive Literacy Alliance is a collaborative, county-wide effort to improve early reading outcomes for children with developmental differences. Parents, educators, service providers, and advocates are piloting solutions that make early literacy more accessible and effective for children who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or autistic.

Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan

Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state. 

Voices of Youth: Shaped by the scroll — when likes define life

Social media plays a powerful role in the lives of teens, shaping their self-image, communication habits, and daily routines. While students recognize both the positive and negative impacts, many admit that constant exposure to online content affects how they see themselves and interact with the world.

Voices of Youth: Death of transgender man Sam Nordquist raises concern for safety of trans youth

The recent death of Sam Nordquist, a transgender 24-year-old, has called attention to a rise in violence and discrimination against transgender youth.  Many are addressing this issue, but also say much still needs to be done to protect trans youth.

The START Collaborative's first retreat in January 2024.
From tornado to ice storm, collaborative addresses unmet needs in Otsego County

Inspired by a string of recent disasters, the START Collaborative aims to address unmet needs in Otsego County through collaboration between nonprofits, schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses.

Kalamazoo County Housing Portal opens with $2.8 million for new projects

On June 2, the Kalamazoo County Housing Department opened its online portal for projects seeking financial support from the county’s Homes for All Housing Millage. “It’s open and we have money for funding,” says Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema. “We’re really hoping that developers and nonprofits go in and really have some good applications for funding.”

Voices of Youth: How teens can help friends in crisis

A Voices of Youth writer delves into how teens can best help comfort friends in crisis. Experts stress the importance of sincere support, open dialogue, and knowing when to guide someone toward professionals.

Event helps autistic children and adults get used to the airport environment and boarding experience.
On Board for Autism: Airport simulation helps autistic kids take flight

To help autistic people and their families manage  these challenges, Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), Delta Airlines, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport partner to host On Board for Autism events that prepare them to successfully take a flight.

‘That was really big for us,’ How United Way’s mini-grants support small businesses

As the product line for Samson's Barbershop grows, a Kalamazoo Enterprise Grant has helped them keep up with the equipment they need to producing the hair care products their customers are raving about.

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