Features

Longform Angela Gabridge, MiGen executive director, co-chaired a coalition that requested Michigan state funding for LGBTQ+ health.

Michigan addresses LGBTQ+ health disparities with historic $10 million budget allotment

A new allotment in the state budget will directly support the work of community-based organizations that are already providing health-related services to LGBTQ+ Michiganders.

Feature Story "The people in downtown Farmington and the DDA, they saw a bigger vision for me than I did for myself," says Nakija Mills, owner of Lekker Chócó Treats.

Experimental small business incubator hatched a sweet success story in downtown Farmington

"The people in downtown Farmington and the DDA, they saw a bigger vision for me than I did for myself," says Nakija Mills, owner of Lekker Chócó Treats. 

Development News Velocity Center is located at 6633 18 Mile Rd. in Sterling Heights.

Fifth and final Industry 4.0 Workshop, this time on cybersecurity, approaches in Sterling Heights

The fifth and final in a series of Industry 4.0 workshops for area manufacturers was recently announced for Thursday, Oct. 19.

Development News The Strand Theatre in downtown Pontiac.

Innovative new website makes shopping local easier in these 10 Oakland County communities

“Coming out of the COVID pandemic, we all knew that our downtown businesses needed to expand into e-commerce,” says Kristi Trevarrow, executive director for Downtown Rochester.

Longform Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.

Michigan organizations work to improve poor health outcomes through "path to a prosperous future"

A group of Michigan political, health care, community, and foundation leaders are working together on a project that aims to coordinate sustained investments in Michiganders' health.

Feature Story The fourth annual Grand Raven Festival has returned to Downtown Farmington.

PHOTOS: Scenes from opening night of the month-long Grand Raven Festival in downtown Farmington

A 6-foot-tall, 700-pound raven has once again descended upon the streets of downtown Farmington and that can only mean one thing: The Grand Raven Festival has returned.

Development News The Jackson House once provided shelter for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his allies throughout the tumultuous Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965.

Erb Foundation commits $5M to relocate important civil rights site from Selma to Greenfield Village

A humble house in Selma, Alabama has hosted some pretty remarkable and famous visitors in its time, and now it’s the house itself that is making news.

Development News Sterling Heights City Hall during this year's Sterling Heights' 44th Annual Memorial Day Parade.

How (and why) to watch the latest State of the City address from Sterling Heights

This year’s State of the City of Sterling Heights address opened with a well-produced skit full of jokes that poke fun at many of the things that the city has been so good at lately.

Longform Emily Miller, Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project managing attorney.

Scams rob Michigan elders of millions, but health providers and nonprofits offer help

Michigan organizations that provide health care and other services for older adults are working to reduce the impact of scams through education and legislative help.

Feature Story Full Thottle

Revheads feed the need for speed at Full Throttle Adrenaline Park in Sterling Heights

"Everyone gets excited when they see a great lap time on the track," says Tony Eckrich, owner of Sterling Heights' popular go-kart track. "It's fun to watch it all unfold in front of your eyes."

Longform Home-based early childhood educators are essential to Michigan's childcare and preschool landscape.

Home-based early childhood educators weigh in on PreK for All

A common concern about PreK for All that came up during listening sessions was the role of home-based childcare and early education providers.

Feature Story Early Education Matters,

Pre-K para Todos mejorará a largo plazo la salud, la educación y los resultados sociales de los niño

Cuando se trata de educación, el Kids Count Data Book (Libro de datos sobre el recuento de niños) de 2023 sitúa a Michigan en el puesto 42 de los 50 estados. Una de las muchas maneras en que el estado está trabajando para mejorar la calidad y la equidad en la educación es mediante el avance de Pre-K gratuito para todos.

Longform Michael Williams, president and CEO of Orchards Children's Services, a child and family services agency with locations in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Michigan's foster children face mental health challenges – but these agencies set them up to succeed

All foster children experience some form of trauma, but Michigan's child and family service agencies are working to provide the mental health services foster kids desperately need.

Feature Story A beautiful Clinton River vista in Sterling Heights.

How to celebrate ‘International Pause the World Day’ in Michigan’s fourth largest city

International holiday or not, keep these ideas in your back pocket next time you have a window to take a breather — and breathe.

Development News X

Macomb County applies for grant to expand Butterfly Flyway at the Sterling Relief Drain

“We’re looking to build on the success of an award-winning green infrastructure project and butterfly flyway by expanding it, including the planting of many pollinator species of plants that attract butterflies,” says Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller.  

Feature Story Toms

Dining Destinations: 3 stalwart eateries that are standing the test of time

Third-generation Detroiter Tom Woolsey still remembers the first dollar he made washing pots and pans at his grandfather's restaurant. Now, he is keeping a dining legacy alive at the iconic Andrews on the Corner. It's one of many beloved eateries that tell the stories of our neighborhoods. 

Feature Story The then-new splash pad at Dodge Park in Sterling Heights in 2018, one of the many public investments the city has made since adopting its Visioning 2030 plan. Visioning 2040 is already on the horizon.

Community survey invites residents to shape the next decade (and then some) of Sterling Heights

It’s only 2023 but the City of Sterling Heights is already thinking about the year 2040.

Development News “Parks and playgrounds are vital in supporting the city's quality of life priorities,” says Madison Heights City Manager Melissa Marsh.

Oakland County to invest $1.5M in these two Madison Heights parks, assume operational duties

“Parks and playgrounds are vital in supporting the city's quality of life priorities,” says Madison Heights City Manager Melissa Marsh. “This project will help residents of all ages have improved access to safe spaces for physical activity, meditation and play.”

Development News Marka 27's DILLA IS FOREVER mural, part of the BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival in 2021.

3 different mural events showcase public art throughout Detroit this September

The typically pleasant weather of late summer and early autumn in Detroit is proving to be a popular time of year to celebrate the city’s wealth of public art as three festivals stretch out across the month of September, showcasing local murals and the artists that paint them.

Longform A number of financial incentives for post-secondary education help those interested in an early education career.

Michigan looks to create a better career path for early childhood educators

Improved career pathways, state incentives, and improved wages are essential to recruiting and retaining the early education workforce needed for the PreK for All roll-out.

 
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.