Teams from five Great Lakes Bay Region high schools are currently working on the Phase Two of their innovative solutions to real-world issues for the 13th annual A.H. Nickless Innovation Award competition.
For more than 35 years, Christi Coady Narayanan led the transformative work of the Opportunity Resource Fund (OppFund), as the President and CEO of the nonprofit community development financial institution. She retired last month, passing the torch to the new President and CEO Byna Elliott, to continue the organization’s unwavering commitment and innovation in empowering individuals, businesses, and communities all over the state.
Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state.
For Jubek Yongo-Bure and Dakota Riehl, attending the CEDAM Real Estate Development Boot Camp a few years ago was critical to their careers. Learning the ABCs of community development served as a catalyst to inspire and reinvigorate the important work done in neighborhoods. These former students have even gone on to become presenters at the immersive educational conference, showcasing their personal full-circle moments of growth and career development.
“Once those ecosystems are lost, they can’t be recreated,” says Sarah Richmond of Springfield Township Parks and Recreation. The township collaborates with Oakland County Parks on projects to steward land in northern Oakland County.
For MIFA and the Aging Commission of the Mid-South their constant communication, transparency, and shared passion for service has shown how they can have a collective impact on their community
IFF, a community development financial institution based in Illinois, has invested and shown a commitment to uplifting communities by providing financial support all over the state, including Grand Rapids neighborhoods. Part of IFF’s investment in Grand Rapids has been focused on the 49507 zip code, centered in a collection of neighborhoods southeast of downtown Grand Rapids. They're working with local nonprofits including Amplify GR and LINC UP and neighborhood residents to help propel development.
Community development requires a large amount of heart and passion for a community, but it also requires a lot of financial funding and logistical support. Through the Fort Wayne community, investments from IFF have helped revitalize historic landmarks including The Landing and provided an investment in future generations with the Bridge of Grace early childhood center.
MIFA not only provides food it also provides nourishment to seniors who are hungry for connection. With tablets that connect to the internet folks have the ability to connect with their families via video chats and attend virtual church services. Today, MIFA has 100 tablets running different programs.
For the past 10 years, IFF has been investing and committed to providing community financial support across Michigan, including Eastside Detroit neighborhoods. Some of their latest projects fill the gap by providing high-quality accessible, affordable childcare at Detroit Prep, and McClellan Early Childhood Center.
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