Nonprofit Journal Project

Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan will contribute their thoughts via journal entries on how this unique confluence of events (COVID, vaccinations, climate change, racial justice, etc.) is affecting their organizations and the nonprofit sector.

The stories and journals will narrate through nonprofit leaders and capture the impact and vitality that these organizations bring to their communities as well as their journey during these unprecedented times.

This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.act Detroit.

Black Leaders Detroit launches no-interest business loans and a month of grants to local nonprofits

By Dwan Dandridge

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Economic Development

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February 21, 2022

"I’m concerned we won’t be given serious consideration, and that a study five years from now will show the low percentage of Black entrepreneurs who were given access to these dollars, just like we saw happen with PPP loans," says Dwan Dandridge, CEO and founder of Black Leaders Detroit about the distribution of ARPA funds. "BLD is in a position to help those programs and dollars succeed right now."

The show must go on, and safety is key

By Regina Spain

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Arts and Culture

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February 12, 2022

"Live theater is more than just a creative outlet for those involved. It provides a creative space and a sense of connection for the community as well," says Regina Spain, executive director of Enter Stage Right in Port Huron. "We’ve definitely lost some sales due to our strict masking policy, but those who still attend, and look forward to our events, have been thanking us for caring about their safety the way we do."

Ann Arbor YMCA works to build healthy mind, body and spirit for all

By Toni Kayumi

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Healthy Communities

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February 8, 2022

"I'm encouraged that the YMCA often serves as a bridge builder," says Toni Kayumi, CEO of the Ann Arbor Y. "There's so much dissension in our communities amongst people. We hope the programs and services we offer, and our commitment to inclusion, can allow people of differing opinions and backgrounds to come together, to feel welcome, and to find commonality and compassion for each other."

Friends of the Children-Detroit battles generational poverty with a 12+ year mentoring model

By Nicole McKinney

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Kids and Education

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January 24, 2022

"With each of our children, we strive to meet three long-term goals: to ensure they graduate from high school, to keep them out of the juvenile justice system, and to help prevent them from becoming teen parents. Our mentors spend at least four one-on-one hours a week with their children, two hours in the classroom and two outside of it, exploring and sharing activities and experiences together."

Michigan Nonprofit Association launches Anti-racism Accountability and Action Cohort

By Sarah Williams

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General

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January 19, 2022

“It's an opportunity for white leaders to better understand their whiteness, to deconstruct it and work for racial equity...people get to remain whole because that’s the goal, that people actually feel they have agency and power to change oppression and racism."

SEMII works to protect, educate and empower Native American communities

By Euphemia Franklin

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Healthy Communities

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January 15, 2022

"Everything we do is being done differently now and our staff are finding solutions," says Euphemia Franklin, executive director of South Eastern Michigan Indians, Inc. "We have to change and be like the water. If rocks are thrown into the water, it knows how to flow around them and keep moving. That's what we have to do as human beings and as human services."

Oakland Forward works to uplift, inform and advocate for communities of color

By Kermit Williams

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General

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January 10, 2022

"During the pandemic, we realized that we couldn't talk to anybody about civic engagement or anything else until their needs were met," says Kermit Williams, co-director of Oakland Forward in Pontiac. "People need to know that you care about them before they can even begin to consider deeper issues."

Living Arts fosters creativity and connection among Detroit’s youth

By Laura Scales

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Arts and Culture

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December 15, 2021

"Especially during the pandemic, children need a way to get those big emotions out. They’ve been affected just as adults have," says Laura Scales, executive director at Living Arts. "The arts can heal and transform. I want to give youth a way to dance it out, sing it out, draw it out and write it out."

Centro Multicultural La Familia doubles down on efforts to support mental health needs for clients

By Sonia Acosta

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General

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December 8, 2021

"While access to healthcare, food, utilities and rental assistance continue to challenge our clients at Centro Multicultural La Familia in Pontiac, mental health needs have become greater still," says president and CEO Sonia Acosta. "Isolation and stressors around health, child care and schooling have caused families a great deal of anxiety and depression."

Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance looks to the future while uplifting residents today

By Kenyetta Campbell

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Community Development

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December 7, 2021

"This pandemic is both a blessing and a curse. I say this because it shines a light on how greatly some people in urban communities struggle," says Kenyetta Campbell, founder and executive director of Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance. "I think it's caused people who haven’t gone through the same COVID-19 challenges to be more sensitive toward those who lack resources..."