Stories

Longform Small-team-smile

New series explores efforts to address oral health inequities

A new State of Health series highlights innovative approaches and partnerships tackling systemic barriers to oral health care for underserved populations.

Feature Story Newcomer Mohammed arriving at the airport to a welcome from Ruth, a member of the Cassopolis, Mich., private sponsor group that worked with Zaman during the 90-day resettlement period

Welcome to Michigan: It takes a community to integrate refugees to U.S. cultureNonprofit Journal Project

Welcoming refugees to Michigan is part and parcel Zaman International's work with Welcome Corps

Longform Deb Messing oversees Sanilac County Community Mental Health communications efforts to the county's rural residents.

Rural mental health providers overcome stigma, rugged individualism, and distance to provide care

Here's how three Michigan community mental health agencies serving rural populations have found ways to meet their unique needs by developing innovative programs and effective outreach.

Feature Story A BULK Space workshop, titled Memories of a Place, lead by Adrinne Hayden

Breaking down barriers for local artistsNonprofit Journal Project

BULK Space, in Detroit’s North End, offers classes, tools, technology and a physical work space for under-resourced artists.  

Feature Story George A. Richards

HISTORY LESSON: The right-wing radio mogul who gave the Lions to Detroit - and revamped Thanksgiving

The same year that a leading right-wing station was receiving 10,000 letters of fan mail daily, its owner bought the Portsmouth Spartans, a struggling small market NFL team in Ohio, and moved them to Detroit.  

Feature Story Eliza Howell Park Advisory Committee

Neighbors drive development at Brightmoor’s Eliza Howell ParkResilient Neighborhoods Feature

A Detroit nonprofit invested in relationships before mapping out infrastructure improvements to Eliza Howell Park. The result? A transformed space which reflects the neighborhood’s vision.

Longform A gathering for Michigan State University's Generations Connect program, which matches MSU undergraduate students with elders in the community, at the East Lansing Public Library.

Michigan universities join global "age-friendly" movement, making campuses more welcoming to elders

As Michigan prepares for rapid growth in its population of older adults, three Michigan universities have joined a global movement to make higher education institutions more "age-friendly."

Longform Bangladeshi politics abroad

Politics abroad hit home for Metro Detroit’s Bangladeshi-American community

“Some of us have been attacked based on our political view,” Riya said. “We are a very small community and we should be united, not divided. We need to respect each other’s opinions and freedom of speech.”  

Feature Story DFC

Detroit Future City’s report highlights how to build a thriving, sustainable middle-class city

Detroit is trending. It’s growing. But can it sustain? The latest report from Detroit Future City provides a roadmap on how to build a sustainable future, looking to build its middle-class population up. 

Feature Story Michigan’s hospitals and community mental health agencies collaborate to ensure all of a patient's health care needs are met.

Michigan hospitals and community mental health agencies collaborate for whole-person care

With support from the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, many of Michigan’s hospitals and community mental health (CMH) agencies are collaborating to ensure all health care needs for patients are met.

Longform The students currently taking U-M School of Public Health course, Chatgpt/AI and Public Health.

Public health and AI: Great potential and a need for ethical policies

When applying AI to public health, great potentials exist for swifter, nimbler care and pin-pointed personalization. Its use also could exacerbate biases and the misuse of private information.  

Partner Content Elisabeth Berry and James D'Arcy

Legacy Society will sustain Autism Alliance of Michigan’s work for decades to come

AAoM is establishing its Legacy Society to recognize donors today for gifts that will provide dollars in perpetuity.

Longform The Ribbon, a new mixed-use development in East English Village, includes 18 rental units reserved for tenants making 80% or less of the area median income.

What does "affordable housing" mean in Detroit?

What does "affordable housing" actually mean in Detroit, what forms does it take, and who lives in it? We spoke to several local experts to separate jargon, stereotypes, and misconceptions from reality.

Longform Care Model Training recipients Dinora Quintanilla (far left) and Kim Poplaski (far right) with Care Model Training facilitator Vanessa Jimenez (center).

New training helps Kent County providers better connect residents in need to resources

Health Net of West Michigan's new Care Model Training provides frontline navigators with tools and tactics to better help residents access health care and social services.

Partner Content Holiday scam tips

Stay safe from holiday scams


Longform Mary Marsh, Juliana Fulton, and Kenyetta Campbell at Greenview-Wadsworth Park in Detroit. Recent improvements at the park were informed by the city of Detroit's equity metric for parks.

Metro Detroit parks' equity practices bring park improvements, more culturally competent programs

Parks systems are making internal changes to bake equity into how they operate as organizations.

Feature Story Dr. Paul Thomas celebrates the August 2024 opening of a new Plum Health branch in Royal Oak. He founded the practice in 2016 and this location marks the sixth branch across Michigan.

A Detroit doc sought to bring back house calls and curb costs. Now, more Michiganders are on board.

“We tell people if you can afford a cell phone bill for your family you can probably afford direct primary care for your family,” he says.

Feature Story Behind the scenes of "Sugar Boys"

Go behind the scenes of a made-in-Detroit flick -- and see how DIY creatives are beating the odds

In spite of a lack of infrastructure, independent films and television continued to churn out -- and at a much faster clip in recent years.

Feature Story Rashard Dobbins leads Class Act Detroit

From Episcopal Church to House of Hip-Hop: Class Act Detroit inspires young people through the artsNonprofit Journal Project

Rashard Dobbins, founder of arts organization Class Act Detroit, tells youth they don't have to be an DJ, muralist or dancer. He would be delighted if they became a nurse who does murals or a preacher that raps.

Feature Story Shanin Green-Flowers (left) is Director of Housing Services at U SNAP BAC on Detroit’s East Side and Jawana Jackson (right) is Director of Programs

East Side seniors better equipped to age in place with home repair grants and educationResilient Neighborhoods

Grants of $2,000 helped 35 seniors living in East Side Detroit homes with replacement doors, repairs to porch steps or radiators, electrical work, and other home fixes to keep them safe and healthy.