A food policy council can influence, improve, or remove barriers in the food system that cause disparities, inequities, poor nutrition, or economic hardships.
In her new role leading Michigan Nonprofit Association, Kelley Kuhn talks the need for funding, her team's efforts to increase support for BIPOC leaders, especially, what organizations are carrying forward in the new normal, and a desire for a seat at the table. "There's this amazing infrastructure in the sector, that if leveraged," she says, "is efficient, effective, and understands the community, and its needs."
Caring for an older relative despite having no formal caregiving training can be stressful, but a new pilot project in the Grand Rapids area is using smart glasses to help.
This East Side neighborhood could soon be home to a new facility that combines elements of a community center and business tech hub.
Maria Salinas of Congress of Communities offers insights on mentoring future leaders and serving residents through neighborhood organizing.
In the food business, less is more. These 16 Metro Detroit food businesses have already started leading the country in a sustainability movement boasting economic, environmental, and community benefits. They're looking for more to join them.
“It's a win-win,” says Amy Good, CEO of Alternatives for Girls. “That's what we wanted: a win-win, a neighborhood that would be a good fit, where our project would contribute to the community and the community would help our participants be successful.”
"Our main goal as an organization is to get our members employed," says Sean Kivel, director of Port Huron's Blue Water Clubhouse. "This is a right everyone should be afforded, yet 90% of people with serious mental illness are under-employed or unemployed. Our organization will continue to offer the services needed to change that reality."
"In our community, we have a lot of great programs," says Eisha Branner, founder and CEO of E-Community Outreach Services in Pontiac. "We have a lot of great resources. But we also have a disconnect, especially in the last few years with COVID-19," she says. "There was nowhere near enough support for our families."
"During this crisis, I think, finally, there was a real recognition of how critical direct care workers are, especially if you look at the residential providers," says Shaindle Braunstein, CEO of JARC, a nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities across Oakland County. "We were the only people standing between many people and homelessness."
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