A working writer since 1992, Estelle Slootmaker currently works as 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 Shinein August 2025.
An unashamed tree-hugger, Estelle chairs The Tree Amigos, City of Wyoming Tree Commission. She has five adult children and six grandchildren. Estelle and her hubby—artist and guitarist Eddie Killowatts—love dancing to new wave, kayaking, 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.
A new allotment in the state budget will directly support the work of community-based organizations that are already providing health-related services to LGBTQ+ Michiganders.
The Autism Alliance of Michigan team traveled to Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula to provide free trainings and health care services for people living with autism, their families, and the communities where they live.
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.
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.
NorthWest Initiative offers food distribution, community gardens, nutrition education, cooking programs, school-based gardens, and a mobile farmers market.
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.
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.