Author

Estelle Slootmaker

A working writer since 1992, Estelle Slootmaker currently is a book editor, solutions journalist, Issue Media Group series editor, and children's book author. She released her new children’s book, Places Where The Sun Don’t Shine in August 2025.

An unashamed tree-hugger, Estelle chairs The Tree Amigos, City of Wyoming Tree Commission. She and her hubby—artist and guitarist Eddie Killowatts—love dancing to new wave, Michigan's outdoors, going to book and record stores, growing and cooking healthy food, and hanging out with their terrible terriers, Bindipaws Bowie McCrykie and Skipper D. Doodog.

Estelle's Latest Articles

Patricia Tillman-Meakins, Tracey Williams, and Becca Fleming at Packard Health Clinic at West Willow.
Community-based health projects offer care for underserved residents in Detroit, Ypsi, and Jackson

Several Michigan organizations are innovating ways to increase health care access for the state’s most vulnerable residents in their own communities. 

When it comes to autism and mental health, stigma and discrimination play a huge role

Being autistic does not mean a person cannot experience good mental health. However, studies have shown that 78% of autistic children have at least one mental health condition. Stigma and discrimination are often a contributing factor.

Hope Starts Here creates a plan to help Detroit become a city that puts young children and families first by 2027.
الأمل يبدأ هنا» يساعد ديترويت في إعطاء الأولوية للأطفال الصغار

تجمع مبادرة "الأمل يبدأ هنا. " فريقًا من المدافعين والأبطال الذين يقودون الجهود لتطوير نظم الطفولة المبكرة في ديترويت. تمثل هذه المبادرة تعاونًا بين مؤسسة دبليو كيه كيلوج (WKKF)، ومؤسسة كريسجي، ومؤسسة ماكس إم. ومارجوري إس. فيشر (M&M Fisher)، ومجموعة من الوكالات، والمنظمات المجتمعية، والأهم من ذلك، سكان ديترويت. تم إطلاق مبادرة "الأمل يبدأ هنا" رسميًا في عام 2017 بخطة عمل مستمرة تمتد لعشر سنوات  

Hope Starts Here puts Detroit’s young children first

The Hope Starts Here initiative brings together a team of advocates and champions who are leading the charge for Detroit’s early childhood systems. A collaboration among The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, and a host of agencies, community based organizations, and most importantly, Detroit residents, Hope Starts Here formally launched in 2017.  

Homg Miller leads a fitness class for in person participants at the Detroit office of the Association of Chinese Americans and participants on Zoom.
Metro Detroit project focuses on culturally relevant home care for older Chinese Americans

The Metro Detroit-based Association of Chinese Americans is developing a training program to address the shortage of direct care workers equipped to serve older Chinese Americans in Southeast Michigan. 

Special report: How can Michigan fix a guardianship system that fails some kids and older adults?

Guardianship is designed to protect those who can't care for themselves, but it doesn't always work that way. Advocates are pursuing a variety of solutions to improve the system.

Shelby Coolbaugh, administrative assistant for the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP), and Salli Pung, state long term care omubdsman for MLTCOP.
Michigan ombudsman program advocates for residents in long-term care facilities

The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program improves quality of care and quality of life for people living in nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes. 

Danielle Atkinson
Mothering Justice “Mamas’ Agenda” addresses childcare and early childhood education

A grassroots policy advocacy organization, Mothering Justice provides mothers of color in America with resources and tools to make equitable policy changes. One of its agenda items is early childhood education.

Hillery Ross, How YOU Birth Doulas Services' administrative coordinator, and Allison Keessen, treasurer for How YOU Birth Doula Services.
Initiative rapidly expands doula ranks in Muskegon County, with major implications for birth equity

Muskegon-based How YOU Birth Doula Services is working to improve outcomes for parents and babies by leveraging Michigan's recently added Medicaid coverage for doula services. 

Dr. Theresa Hastert (right) helped develop the Michigan Community Outreach to Address Financial Toxicity (MI-COST). Ali Fakih (left) is a research assistant with MI-COST, and Cornelius Wilson (center) sits on its Community Advisory Board.
Here’s how Michigan organizations are working to reduce cancer treatment’s crushing financial burden

In Michigan, several efforts are underway to help cancer patients prepare for, manage, and alleviate the financial struggles associated with treatment.

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