Features

Feature Story The Phoenix Center in Pontiac, 2015.

Q&A with Mayor Deirdre Waterman: Pontiac's Phoenix Center, and possibly the city itself, is at risk

After three emergency managers and seven years of state oversight, the city was finally back under the control of its elected mayor and city council. Now, Mayor Deirdre Waterman is saying that Pontiac is faced with one of its most important decisions yet.

Development News Sterling Heights Community Center

Sterling Heights ramps up COVID-19 testing for essential employees

This week essential workers in Sterling Heights were provided with COVID-19 antigen testing, with the goal of identifying who may be already immune to the virus as the city prepares to re-open.

Development News Farmington Farmers Market

Adapted to the times, the Farmers & Artisans Market opens season in downtown Farmington this weekend

"For all the uncertainty in the world, at least the weather looks to be promising."

Innovation News Sarah Scopas, Sterling Heights, student scholarship

Sterling Heights foundation awards $20,000 to college-bound students

Sarah Scopas is one of 20 college-bound students to benefit from $20,000 of scholarships awarded last week by the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation, and she has her heart set on the medical field. 

Feature Story Junior & Heidi Merino, owners of M Cantina in Dearborn.

How Dearborn’s M Cantina is helping feed those in need

The restaurant has donated over 200 meals to low-income families in need since the pandemic hit, relying on a purely word-of-mouth system.

Feature Story Marie McCormick

Friends of the Rouge ED Marie McCormick on how the nonprofit is coping with the pandemic

Local nonprofits like Detroit’s Friends of the Rouge provide a way for residents to get involved in helping their local environment. FOTR executive director Marie McCormick shares how the 34-year old organization is coping financially while innovating new ways to help connect people with their watershed.

Feature Story Monica Marie Jones is a life coach.

Lessons from a life coach: During COVID-19 pandemic, give yourself grace for grief

When we hear the word grief, we often associate it with extreme loss such as the death of a loved one. But loss is loss, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, and with loss, comes grief.


Partner Content Kids prepare food at The Learning Kitchen.

Kitchen classroom empowers young chefs to pursue healthful choices

The Learning Kitchen is a hands-on cooking and nutrition education program for middle schoolers offered at Kalamazoo Valley Community College through a partnership between KVCC and Bronson Healthcare.

Development News Ryan Dietiker, owner of Forefathers Grooming, is relying on his community to get his small business through COVID-19 closures.

'We all want to see each other succeed': Q&A with small business owner Ryan Dietiker

Ryan Dietiker misses the sense of community at Forefathers Grooming, in Sterling Heights, but the small business owner hopes "we can come out of this closer and more connected to each other than ever".

Development News Courtesy Browndog

Downtown Farmington ice cream maker, bakery, and restaurant pivots to online sales

Single-use face masks, vinyl gloves, and rolls of toilet paper, baked goods, and boozy milkshakes, all delivered to the home. Welcome to 2020.

Development News hp

Main Street Oakland County launches 'Mom and Pop Business Relief' crowdfunding campaign

In a time when 1 in 7 Michigan small businesses don't think they'll survive the pandemic, Main Street Oakland County has launched a crowdfunding campaign for patrons of the county's small, downtown businesses to help them survive.

 

Feature Story sheeba.jpg

Is your fave Dearborn eatery open for curbside? Wonder no more.

The DDAs' online directory also makes note of the many unique deals and other twists.

Feature Story Bodhi Yoga virtual yoga on Zoom.

How downtown Farmington's small businesses are making the best of a stay-at-home world

With livestream bake-a-thons, virtual yoga, and Facebook Live happy hours, Farmington businesses venture online to serve and connect with customers.

Development News dbn

Small business relief in the way of $5,000 grants made available to Dearborn entrepreneurs

Dearborn-based businesses have until noon on Friday, May 1, to apply for the grant, which awards up to $5,000 for businesses with a physical location and up to $2,500 for home-based businesses.

Feature Story Jeremy Abbey and John Piazza, co-founders and executive directors of Detroit-based culinary arts nonprofit Soil2Service.

Local food magazine EdibleWow changes hands after 13 years

The magazine will now be operated by Jeremy Abbey and John Piazza, co-founders and executive directors of Detroit-based culinary arts nonprofit Soil2Service.

Feature Story Disability support services

COVID-19: How are students with disabilities meeting online learning challenges?

Approximately 14% of students between the ages of 3 and 21, and 19% of university undergraduates, identify as having a disability. What's helping them meet the challenges to online learning during COVID-19 school closures?

Partner Content An educator leads a Linking Lessons session.

Linking Lessons brings healthy lifestyle basics to Metro Detroit teens

Linking Lessons puts registered dietitians, chefs, and other community health educators in Michigan middle and high schools to teach kids about how to make impactful changes in their diets and physical activity.

Feature Story fisheye-farms-list

Planet Detroit: How Detroit’s farms and gardens are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis

Detroit's farm and garden community have had to adapt to new realities — including helping their workers and customers stay safe and adjusting to an expected increased need for fresh food. They're working hard to grow as much as possible with limited staff and doing without volunteer labor.  

Partner Content An educator leads a Linking Lessons session.

Linking Lessons brings healthy lifestyle basics to Metro Detroit teens

Linking Lessons puts registered dietitians, chefs, and other community health educators in Michigan middle and high schools to teach kids about how to make impactful changes in their diets and physical activity.

Feature Story ring-symbol-metal-wedd

Weddings, interrupted: How Metro Detroit couples are adapting to an uncertain future

Social distancing has caused a ripple effect on all the vendors involved in weddings. Here's how they are adapting.  

 
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.