Features

Longform Summit Pointe Youth Services staff, from left, Matt Jones, Beth Decker, Sam Stover, Melissa DeDie, a

Community mental health and child welfare collaborate to care for Michigan’s vulnerable children

Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) agencies are the lead in providing mental health care for children in the child welfare system.

Feature Story K-6 youth at the Voices of Youth listening session.

Voices of Youth with the YMCA: Giving local kids a chance to be heard

Josh Chapman, CEO of the Blue Water YMCA, is implementing a new program to find out what is important to young people, how they are coping in their daily lives, and what they hope for the future.

Feature Story Left to Right: Theresa Rosso, Jan Evans, John Highstreet and Sue DeLange.

St. Clair County Quilt Trail stitching community together one block at a time

Algonac Church of Christ’s Piece to Peace Quilting group quilts with purpose, supporting community events and organizations and promoting the county’s history and unique off-the-highway attractions.

Feature Story Alexia Clark.

These Port Huron bakers provide homemade, healthy foods to the community

Local bakers Hancock Harvest and Boys & Buttons Bakery are bringing old-school baking methods by sticking to the basics and offering nutritious, delicious goods to the Blue Water Area.

Feature Story The new Gillig bus at the Convention Center in Port Huron.

Celebrating sustainability at Earth Day Festival in Goodells, highlight on Blue Water Area Transit

Blue Water Area Transit will participate in the annual Earth Fair at Goodells County Park on April 25-26 with other local businesses and organizations to promote sustainability and finding alternative energy sources.   

Feature Story "... at least 17 children at any time are boarding in an emergency department across the state.”

Michigan's hospitals and improved pediatric behavioral health care

The Michigan Health and Hospital Association addresses pediatric behavioral health care with data, advocacy, and grant funding of member hospital programs. 

Feature Story Vickey Carter-Ivory volunteered at the Rotating Shelter at her church

Faith-based groups lend a hand to shelter vulnerable DetroitersNonprofit Journal Project

With homelessness in Detroit on the rise, Cass Community Social Services partners with local congregations to tackle “a problem we can fix.”

Feature Story Passenger provide recovery support to people in the music industry and in the community

From tour van to recovery haven: How Detroit's Passenger is reimagining music industry supportNonprofit Journal Project

In Hamtramck, Passenger offers support groups and hosts creative programming that bridges recovery and artistic expression for locals and touring musicians.  

Feature Story Josh Chapman, President and CEO of the Blue Water YMCA.

Transforming Lives: A Conversation with Blue Water YMCA CEO Josh Chapman

Josh Chapman returned to his hometown four years ago to serve as CEO at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, the same Y he attended as a child and where he had his first college internship. The Y has added and expanded its programs that promote healthy living and provide food and other essential services.

Feature Story There will be a variety of interactive scenes and simulators to play in and on, including the campground and riding in the kayak.

New exhibit inside the Carnegie Museum aims to inspire stewardship, teach nature topics

Friends of the St. Clair River is partnering with Port Huron Museums to establish the Blue Water, Green Spaces exhibit from April to September to connect the public with the region’s outdoors.

Partner Content Passengers loading on a COA bus in Port Huron.

Blue Water Area Transit partners with the Council on Aging

Blue Water Area Transit partners with many agencies in the community, including the Council on Aging to provide transportation services and has received numerous awards for services.

Feature Story Jeremiah Steen, Founder and Executive Director of the STEEN Foundation

The social service sector offers a rewarding career path for young people in DetroitNonprofit Journal Project Feature

The nonprofit sector is often misunderstood as an unsustainable career choice, yet many young professionals are proving otherwise. Detroit-area changemakers are finding financial stability, professional growth, and purpose in nonprofit work.  

Feature Story Tires and Treads Community Project

St. Patrick’s Day vendor show to support local charity organization

Port Huron resident Samantha Baptiste has turned her buying and selling hobby into a career of running successful craft and vendor shows that bring the community together and support local charities.

Feature Story Kevin Dutcher (left), father of Noah Dutcher (right) in front of an Apache self-propelled sprayer.

Small business hubs elevate startups and entrepreneurs

Across the state, small business support hubs are helping entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses with resources like workshops, co-working spaces, and grants.

Feature Story LifeWays staff

Community mental health delivers care to Michigan's schools

Michigan's CMHs play a critical role in schools, providing counseling, crisis intervention, and case management to students who might otherwise slip through the cracks.  

Feature Story Mitts, the Port Huron Prowlers mascot.

For the love of the game: Port Huron Prowlers players work to keep their hockey careers alive

The Port Huron Prowlers are in the midst of yet another season that features players doing their best to extend their hockey careers.

Partner Content Gala Banner

Gala rocks and raises funds to advocate for autistic Michiganders

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) Michigan Shines for Autism Gala, its largest fundraiser, will rock Detroit’s Motor City Casino Hotel on April 25, 2025 with “an electrifying evening blending a black-tie event with a rebellious twist.” 

Feature Story Macomb nonprofit leaders gather at Advancing Macomb's Nonprofit Roundtable to network

Advancing Macomb connects local changemakers with solutions for lasting impactNonprofit Journal Project

In Macomb County, collaboration is driving meaningful change. Advancing Macomb connects nonprofits, businesses and public entities to strengthen communities, boost resources, and support nonprofit sustainability through partnerships.  

Feature Story Prowlers and St. Clair County CMH

This is how to do mental health: Community outreach builds access

The staff of Michigan’s community mental health agencies aren’t sitting at their desks waiting for the phone to ring. They are out in their communities letting people know that mental health care is within reach. 

Feature Story Kayak launch at North River Road Park on the Black River.

Kimball Township works with Community Foundation to purchase land for canoe and kayak launch park

One of Kimball Township’s unique parks and recreation assets is about to become more accessible for residents and visitors alike. The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has purchased privately owned land on both sides of the Black River to develop a park featuring a canoe and kayak launch.