Features

Feature Story Shiawassee Basin Preserve

Springfield Twp. Parks and Recreation collaborates with Oakland County to preserve natural assetsNonprofit Journal Project Feature

“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.  

Longform small-clinic

How an unused dental chair sparked an inclusive clinic at a Cleveland juvenile detention center

MedWish MedWorks turned an unused dental chair into inclusive dentistry for youth at Cuyahoga Juvenile Detention Center, providing critical care for long-neglected health needs.

Longform Sean Wolski at his home in Royal Oak. Wolski was inspired to advocate for more housing in Oakland County after struggling to buy a house himself.

From zoning reform to fair market rent, what policies would ease Oakland County's housing crisis?

We talked to homeowners, nonprofit leaders, and government officials about what local, state, and federal policy changes would help address the county's housing shortage and boost affordability.

Feature Story A box of Lekker Chócó Treats chocolate-covered strawberries.

Black-owned foodie businesses you should know about, and try

This month we are celebrating Black history by looking to our future-makers. Here are some Black-owned businesses driving our foodie scene (and giving us some great Valentine's gift ideas!).

Feature Story Program leader for GiGi's Kitchen gives directions to participants to prepare food and teach the importance of health and wellness

Volunteers provide all-ages support to people with Down syndromeNonprofit Journal Project

Volunteers do “all of the magic” at GiGi’s Playhouse, an achievement center with developmental and recreational programs for people with Down syndrome.

Feature Story Black Bottom Archives

Black Bottom Archives celebrates 10 years

“Part of our next 10 years is building the next generation of black archivists and storytellers.”

Longform Tara Poore, manager of Children’s Services, left, and Megan Ford, manager of Autism and Intellectual

Michigan student loan repayment program helping to tackle mental health workforce shortage

Michigan has long faced a critical shortage of mental health professionals, impacting access to vital care for communities across the state. To address this growing challenge, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the Behavioral Health Now Loan Repayment Program, a strategic initiative aimed at attracting and retaining mental health professionals by alleviating the financial burden of student loans.

Feature Story RESS Program Manager Robert Alexander-Jordan

One step forward, two back: Housing, employment challenges create barriers to self-sufficiencyResilient Neighborhoods Feature

In Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood, a transformative program is helping residents take charge of their futures by tackling financial instability and housing insecurity head-on.

Feature Story Jeffrey Jones, Executive Director of HOPE Village Revitalization, hopes to acquire and renovate this empty apartment building with energy-efficient improvements

The ‘tough slog’ of turning long-vacant apartment buildings into affordable, green housingResilient Neighborhoods Feature

Patience and perseverance are crucial when purchasing long-neglected Detroit real estate. Jeff Jones at HOPE Village Revitalization has both – and a dream to renovate two apartment buildings to be highly energy efficient, contributing to long-term affordability for tenants.

Feature Story Nate Rauh-Bieri is Head of Projects for JustAir

Collaboration gets Dearborn air quality data to people who need itNonprofit Journal Project Feature

The City of Dearborn’s air quality monitoring program makes hyper-local air quality data easily accessible to residents. Since its launch last year, people have used it to make decisions about spending time outdoors, and the city has used data to assess options to improve air quality.

View All Stories

Image Gallery

Featured Focus

Featured Place