Features

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Dental aid helps cancer patients regain health and dignity

HNC Living Foundation provides dental care, nutrition, and support to head and neck cancer patients facing financial and treatment challenges.

Partner Content Make St. Clair.

The Big Give 2025: A celebration of community generosity and local impact

The Big Give 2025 is officially a wrap—but its spirit, impact, and stories of generosity will continue to echo across St. Clair County for months to come. For 24 hours, donors from near and far came together to show just how much they care about this community and the causes they love.

Feature Story Ethan Trombley making sandwiches at Trombley's Country Market.

More than just a market, Trombley’s Country Market continues to serve as a community hub

For decades, family country stores in St. Clair County have served as not only places to buy goods, but local community hubs. Nathan Trombley of Trombley’s Country Market in Emmett Township talks about how his family store has weathered the years in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Partner Content Boy in classroom

Blueprint for school funding would ensure equitable resources in special education

The MI Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint would ensure that Michigan adequately and equitably funds public special education in Michigan. 

Feature Story All Gods Children teacher

No-cost pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds enrolling for 2025-26 school year

QA with Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, on the implementation of Pre-K for All no-cost preschool for Michigan 4-year-olds.

Feature Story Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, February 2025

How Michigan nonprofits are navigating federal uncertaintyNonprofit Journal Project

Michigan nonprofits are facing uncertainty as federal funding streams fluctuate and administrative support wanes. The Michigan Nonprofit Association is helping organizations navigate this instability through advocacy, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Feature Story Leslie Cieplechowicz, The Keel's new Community Correspondent.

New Community Correspondent with The Keel to cover rural life, diversity stories

Grant money provided by the Community Foundation of St. Clair has provided Leslie Cieplechowicz with the new role of Community Correspondent. This role will provide opportunities for minority-owned businesses and rural residents to be highlighted, focusing on recognizing diversity within the Blue Water Area.

Longform Lauren LaPine

Medicaid cuts would destabilize mental health care: How Michigan is responding

Proposed Medicaid funding cuts would dismantle critical services, especially for residents facing poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorders — and reduce access to mental health services for all.

Partner Content McLaren physicians are enjoying the waterfront community for its small town charm.

McLaren Physicians choose to live in and serve the Port Huron community

Three local McLaren Port Huron physicians share why they love to live, work, and serve the Blue Water area. Whether it’s being near family, the natural resources and waterfront trails and amenities, or the delicious restaurants, Port Huron provides a close-knit community where these young professionals feel at home amidst stressful careers.

Feature Story War Water Event Space

War Water Brewery is expanding its brand in St. Clair with the opening of a large event space

War Water Brewery in St. Clair recently opened an approximately 10,000-square-foot event space, offering one of the largest event rentals in the Blue Water Area. The addition to the growing restaurant might boost foot traffic for other St. Clair businesses and offer another option for organizations that benefit from hosting big events.

Feature Story Blue Water YMCA hosts VOY discussions to uplift youth voices.

A peek inside the gang scene in Port Huron and its impact on youth

During a discussion with middle school students for the Voices of Youth at the Blue Water YMCA, one of the kids talked about his involvement with gangs and why he joined. Sgt. Ryan Mynsberge from the Port Huron Police Department weighs in on what the police are doing about local gangs.

Feature Story Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society at previous The Big Give event.

The Big Give on May 14 to support local non-profits across St. Clair County

This year, on May 14, the Community Foundation is hosting The Big Give event, a 24-hour giving rally that supports local nonprofits and highlights philanthropic efforts.   

Feature Story Humanity first: Members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints volunteer at Zaman

Shared humanity that crosses language, religious and cultural barriersNonprofit Journal Project

An unlikely partnership has blossomed between the Mormon church and Zaman International, a nonprofit that serves mostly Middle Eastern Muslim women. Both faiths have more in common that it might appear on the surface. 

Feature Story Tiffany Brown founded Developing Despite Distance

Amplifying voices of “an historically invisible population of young people”Nonprofit Journal Project

Developing Despite Distance has gone deep investing in Detroit youth with incarcerated parents. In launching a teen advisory board, it looks to go broad.  

Partner Content St. Clair Riverview Plaza.

The business impact of philanthropy

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County remains a leading partner, collaborator, and funder for local units of government in the towns and cities of St. Clair County.

Feature Story Ashley Carter of Michigan Justice Fund and Adam Grant of A Brighter Way

Boosting resources for legal reform in MichiganNonprofit Journal Project Feature

Michigan Justice Fund is pioneering a collaborative funding model to support justice reform initiatives across the state. By bringing together local and national funders, the fund invests in community-led solutions that address the long-term impact of mass incarceration.

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Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

McMillen Health’s Brush program equips families and educators with easy-to-understand oral health tools, transforming access in underserved communities.

Feature Story The Spotted Lanternfly.

Spotted Lanternfly Workshop in Goodells to raise awareness on invasive insect harming fruit trees

The Spotted Lanternfly, native to Asia, was recently detected in Macomb County. On April 29, Goodell’s County Park will host a workshop to teach community members how to spot, prevent, and monitor the invasive insect.

Partner Content AAoM NAT Conference vendors include autistic artists and entrepreneurs.

Beyond awareness, autism acceptance affirms neurodiversity and improves lives

The Autism Alliance of Michigan and other advocates for autistic people are working hard to move from raising autism awareness to fostering autism acceptance. 

Partner Content SCCCMH's 2025 Creative Arts High School Contest's Best in Show: Be Kind to Your Mind by Ella Vokes (10th grade) at Yale High School.

The Power of Creativity: How engaging in the arts promotes mental wellness

SCCCMH recently announced the winners of their 2025 Creative Arts Contest, highlighting art created by elementary, middle, and high school students across the county and its positive impact on mental wellness.