Stories of Change

A series of inspirational stories about the people, places and things that are helping people eat healthy and move more. It is made possible with funding from Michigan Fitness Foundation.

Resilient Neighborhoods: Residents help shape Mack Ave. streetscape vision led by Eastside nonprofit

Eastside Community Network is working to center Detroiters' voices in the streetscape planning. Business owners on both sides of the avenue anticipate construction challenges leading to worthwhile results. 

A Farmers Market Food Navigator assists shoppers at the Muskegon Farmers Market.
Michigan Fitness Foundation connects families to farmers and fresh, locally grown food

Michigan Fitness Foundation has been working with Michigan farmers and farmers market managers to reduce barriers to accessing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for families on tight budgets. 

A family enjoys jump roping along the Lansing River Trail.
Rec-Connectâ„¢ makes fitness fun for everyone

Across the state, Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Rec-Connect™ demonstration series is being used in communities to inspire and empower people to engage regularly in physical activity.

Bike racks support active living in Grand Traverse County.
Active communities are healthier communities

Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Promoting Active Communities assessment offers a set of online tools to help Michigan communities create safe places for people to be active.

A meal at El Azteco West in Lansing. The restaurant partnered with NorthWest Initiative to feature only 100% organic juice with its kids' meals.
NorthWest Initiative collaborates with community to create a healthier Lansing

NorthWest Initiative offers food distribution, community gardens, nutrition education, cooking programs, school-based gardens, and a mobile farmers market.

Lakeland Correctional Facility culinary institute participants learn the ins and outs of fine dining, everything from sourcing fresh ingredients to plating.
‘Coldwater Kitchen’ serves up life lessons from prison culinary training program

"Coldwater Kitchen," a new documentary from Brian Kaufman and Mark Kurlyandchik premiering this week, follows the journeys of Chef Jimmy Hill and three inmates inside and outside of prison.   

The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s work in gardens grew out of its SNAP-Ed direct education programming like Fresh Conversations and Rec-Connect™, pictured here at Burton Senior Activity Center.
Gardens growing change in Flint

The Greater Flint Health Coalition delivers nutrition and physical activity education with SNAP-Ed direct education programming to residents, including senior citizens, across Flint and Genesee County. 

Third-grade students at Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy in Detroit trying a yummy fruity roll-up tasting.
Detroit Public Schools Community District Farm-to-School initiatives grow through SNAP-Ed

The DPSCD Farm-to-School initiative increases the amounts of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and legumes used in school breakfasts and lunches.

Participants enjoy BMCC's 13 Moons of Anishinaabe programming.
Bay Mills Community College SNAP-Ed programs inspire healthy living

Bay Mills Community College is working with the Bay Mills Indian Community to leverage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education programming to create environments that inspire healthy living.

Children enjoy a StoryWalk®.
Dearborn nonprofit forges relationships to inspire healthy living

Dearborn-based Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities has honed the art of bringing community residents and organizations together while ensuring that the unique perspectives of Arab Americans, refugees, and immigrants have a seat at the table during the decision-making processes.

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