Features

Longform Spring has sprung in downtown Farmington.

New businesses begin to bloom as spring has sprung in downtown Farmington

Spring has sprung in downtown Farmington, where flowers and new businesses continue to bloom with vim and vigor.

Development News "This is a great example of transforming a purely functional space into a piece of public art,” says Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League.

Gateway project nears fundraising deadline in its effort to unite Detroit, Oak Park, and Southfield

"This is a great example of transforming a purely functional space into a piece of public art,” says Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League.

Development News “These enhancements reflect our long-term commitment to building a more sustainable Sterling Heights,” says Mayor Michael C. Taylor.

Community Garden opens at Nelson Park with improvements 'as engaging as they are practical'

“These enhancements reflect our long-term commitment to building a more sustainable Sterling Heights,” says Mayor Michael C. Taylor.

Longform Labrea Robinson with her daughter Amarrah.

Oakland County residents give back to family, community, and more after experiencing homelessness

After finding housing, people who've experienced homelessness frequently seek to further stabilize their lives, better support their families, and give back to their communities. Here are a few of their stories.

Feature Story City Café Owner Kyle Dudek poses for a photo outside his New Baltimore restaurant.

Little cafe with city charm opens in New Baltimore

Kyle Dudek has spent years behind the counter in the restaurant industry as a cook and manager. Now, he’s stepping out on his own as a restaurant owner to breathe new life into City Café – formerly A Little Mustard Seed – in New Baltimore.

Longform Lauren LaPine

Medicaid cuts would destabilize mental health care: How Michigan is responding

Proposed Medicaid funding cuts would dismantle critical services, especially for residents facing poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorders — and reduce access to mental health services for all.

Longform Kids participate in a water safety class at Adams Butzel Complex in Detroit.

Free swimming classes and equipment help improve water safety across Metro Detroit

A network of programs across Metro Detroit seeks to address high drowning rates and low swimming skills with free water safety education.

Development News “The Mobile Library allows us to reach residents in new and engaging ways,” says Sterling Heights Library Director Tammy Turgeon.

City unveils latest in lifelong learning opportunities with the Sterling Heights Mobile Library

“The Mobile Library allows us to reach residents in new and engaging ways,” says Sterling Heights Library Director Tammy Turgeon.

Feature Story Humanity first: Members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints volunteer at Zaman

Shared humanity that crosses language, religious and cultural barriersNonprofit Journal Project

An unlikely partnership has blossomed between the Mormon church and Zaman International, a nonprofit that serves mostly Middle Eastern Muslim women. Both faiths have more in common that it might appear on the surface. 

Feature Story Tiffany Brown founded Developing Despite Distance

Amplifying voices of “an historically invisible population of young people”Nonprofit Journal Project

Developing Despite Distance has gone deep investing in Detroit youth with incarcerated parents. In launching a teen advisory board, it looks to go broad.  

Feature Story Global Detroit

As border, visa policies face upheaval, Global Detroit remains committed to immigrant-founded biz

“If anything, in terms of our work, we can highlight the amazing contributions that our folks are making and motivating in Michigan.”

Longform Shariki Bell in her apartment in Pontiac.

Living on couches, in hotels, or in cars, many in Oakland County experience "hidden" homelessness

While homelessness is often thought of as sleeping either on the street or in a shelter, it takes many other forms. We talked to Oakland County residents who've experienced some of them.

Feature Story Ashley Carter of Michigan Justice Fund and Adam Grant of A Brighter Way

Boosting resources for legal reform in MichiganNonprofit Journal Project Feature

Michigan Justice Fund is pioneering a collaborative funding model to support justice reform initiatives across the state. By bringing together local and national funders, the fund invests in community-led solutions that address the long-term impact of mass incarceration.

Longform SMALLBrush-Mentone

Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

McMillen Health’s Brush program equips families and educators with easy-to-understand oral health tools, transforming access in underserved communities.

Feature Story A grand opening celebration for the Community Garden at Nelson Park is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1.

PHOTOS: Take a peek at the Sterling Heights Community Garden ahead of its grand opening

We captured some of the final work underway as spring rolls in full bloom.

Development News “This is more than a redevelopment — it’s a rebirth,” says Southfield Mayor Dr. Ken Siver.

Mixed-use developments in Ferndale and Southfield vary in size and scope but both win state support

“The Vester Flats mixed-use project will provide new workforce housing that is much needed throughout the State of Michigan," says Walters Group CEO Matt Walters.

Longform Roz Nowosielski picks up trash at Stony Creek Metropark during an Earth Day cleanup event. She walks at the park every day and wanted to help clean it up.

Metroparks highlight new and expanded climate initiatives for Earth Day

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks are celebrating this Earth Day by rolling out several new pilot initiatives that are the first steps in an ambitious plan to combat the impacts of climate change.

Partner Content AAoM NAT Conference vendors include autistic artists and entrepreneurs.

Beyond awareness, autism acceptance affirms neurodiversity and improves lives

The Autism Alliance of Michigan and other advocates for autistic people are working hard to move from raising autism awareness to fostering autism acceptance. 

Feature Story Certified harp practitioner and vibroacoustic harp therapy practitioner Karen Thueme plays music at her office in Richmond.

"Music is for everyone": The therapeutic power of music therapy in Metro Detroit

While music therapy comes in many shapes and sizes, the practice has the power to improve well-being and promote healing for people of all ages and abilities. Metro Detroit offers several music therapy programs and therapeutic music practices.  

Feature Story Crossing the Clinton River in Sterling Heights.

Business and non-profit organizations bridge the gap and work together in Sterling Heights

Non-profit and for-profit organizations alike work together while lifting up the community through a series of unique partnerships and opportunities.

 
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.