The chapel of St. Mary's Academy

Vacant for 20 years, historic Monroe building will be repurposed for community good

In Monroe, the former St. Mary’s Academy building left an empty space in the city’s downtown when it closed in 2003. Demolition was on the table until a developer with a personal connection to the building stepped up to save it.

Shelley Roossien, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at KDL, leads children through a building exercise.
Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences

The Inclusive Literacy Alliance is a collaborative, county-wide effort to improve early reading outcomes for children with developmental differences. Parents, educators, service providers, and advocates are piloting solutions that make early literacy more accessible and effective for children who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or autistic.

Cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.
Community mental health partnerships with first responders a win-win for communities

Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are redefining crisis response through deep partnerships with EMS, law enforcement, and fire departments. These cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.  

A student and her parents following a dental checkup at the Cincinnati Health Department.
Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands

Serving 24,000 patients annually, the Cincinnati Health Department dental program brings year-round care to students and community patients through an innovative public-private partnership.

Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan

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. 

All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by  Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.
Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

"Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole
Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  

The START Collaborative's first retreat in January 2024.
From tornado to ice storm, collaborative addresses unmet needs in Otsego County

Inspired by a string of recent disasters, the START Collaborative aims to address unmet needs in Otsego County through collaboration between nonprofits, schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses.

Valerie Orr, Executive Director of Community Foundation of Monroe County
Valerie Orr Brings educator’s eye and collaborative vision to Community Foundation of Monroe County

Valerie Orr brings an educator’s perspective and collaborative spirit to her role as executive director of the Community Foundation of Monroe County.

PreK for All ensures that every 4-year-old in Michigan has access to a high-quality preschool experience, regardless of income.
“A lifeline for families,” PreK for All expands access and raises expectations

Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for all families, no matter their income. The program operates across a mixed delivery system, including local school districts, public charter schools, private child care providers, Head Start programs, and community-based organizations.    

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