Michigan Voices

July 28, 2024 ~ The Ponyride Initiative, a program through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM), recently announced the "Battle of the Pitches" contest, designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs in southeast Michigan and offer a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs at all stages. BGCSM Director Shawn Wilson joins the show to talk about the competition where individuals will display their business ideas for a chance to win cash prizes.

Executive Director Luther Keith joins us to talk about Arise Detroit's 18th Annual Neighborhoods Day. Keith says Arise Detroit's mission is to launch a new wave of volunteerism for the many worthwhile programs and activities that are struggling with the issues in the community, including illiteracy, high school dropout rates, crime, youth violence, drug abuse, domestic abuse, neighborhood blight, and unemployment. Neighborhoods Day is the first Saturday of August and thousands of residents, community organizations, and businesses come together to celebrate their neighborhoods with community service projects, art festivals, school supply giveaways, and vaccination drives.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

July 21, 2024 ~ Research shows fathers play a vital role in the development of children, but some fathers never had a role model to learn the skills to be good fathers. Willie Bell is the founder and director of the Family Assistance for Men program, also known as FARM. Through a variety of programs including a ten-week mentoring class, FARM assists men to reestablish or strengthen relationships with their children. Services include relationship building, communication techniques, healthy lifestyles, and father and child relationship building.

Emagine Entertainment hosts a variety of specialty screenings for their guests who may have special needs. Each month, guests can watch some of the newest film releases with an enhanced experience, including open caption screenings that provide subtitles for those with hearing impairments. Sensory Friendly Screenings modify the theater atmosphere without modifying the film for those who experience sensory issues. Dementia Friendly screenings provide exclusively selected classic movies and musicals and encourage audience participation while providing guests with special door-to-door service. Emagine Theatre CEO Paul Glanz talks about the innovative new program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

June 14, 2024 ~ As of 2020, almost 4 million children were involved in abuse investigations in America. More than 618,000 children were found to be victims of abuse or neglect. At least one in seven children has experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. Dr. Kelly Levasseur, Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, talks about the signs to look for in children who may be victims of abuse and what people can do about it.

Goodwill of Greater Detroit will open two new thrift stores in metro Detroit, the first time it has done so since 2016.

Goodwill of Greater Detroit’s Donated Goods Retail division, which includes thrift stores and donation centers, is a nonprofit business created to support the organization’s mission. Each retail location generates jobs for members of its communities, including those living with disabilities, as well as revenue for programs and support services that are offered for free to individuals struggling with employment barriers. Ninety-two cents of every dollar spent at a Goodwill of Greater Detroit retail store goes toward programs and services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

July, 7, 2024 ~ Accounting Aid Society, a nonprofit organization that offers no-cost tax and financial services to individual taxpayers and small businesses, announced that they will continue to assist with tax services year-round with more than four locations during the off-season in Detroit. This will allow individuals and small businesses to eliminate the annual stress of tax season and stay compliant all year long. President and CEO Prisilla Perkins said people and households with incomes under $64,000 can take advantage of no-cost tax preparations through the Accounting Aid Society.

With about one in nine children being diagnosed with ADHD, therapists are suggesting that parents who suspect their child may have the condition should consider having their child tested now as the school year is ending to allow time for medications and behavior modifications to be adjusted and practiced throughout the summer to set up their child for a successful school year ahead. Dr. Jessica Garrett is the head of testing for the Birmingham Maple Center, and she says the summer is a perfect time to have children. ADHD is one of the most common, yet possibly one of the most misunderstood, brain disorders and can display different symptoms in each person. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

June 30, 2024 ~ Friends for Animals was founded in 1993 by volunteers who believed that homeless animals in the Southeast Michigan region deserve a second chance. The group has grown in the past 30 years to notably impact the companion animal welfare community, with the organization helping find homes for approximately 2,500 dogs and cats each year. Director Corey Keller joins Michigan Voices to discuss the mission and the future.

Since 1956, Guest House has been dedicated to treating religious men and women struggling with mental health and addiction. They offer an individualized, holistic program based on the spirituality of 12-step recovery, regardless of the ability to pay. CEO Jeff Henrich says the treatment center has a full-time medical director and a 24/7 nursing staff and is solely funded by donations. Guest House focuses on all aspects of healing, supports quality recovery and overall health and wellness, and helps restore relationships for a return to ministry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

June 23, 2024 ~ The Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation has honored three women entrepreneurs who are building their businesses in Michigan. Loredana Gianino, president of the Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation joins us to talk about the history of Olga's restaurants and its intrepid founder Olga Loizon of Birmingham, Michigan. She said the foundation honors women, who like Olga, believed in a dream and themselves. The women will all receive $25,000 grants to build the next chapter of their venture. The Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation, created to honor the legacy of Olga’s Kitchen founder Olga Loizon, distributes funds to women who embody her pioneering spirit and drive.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic has been actively working to bridge the digital divide in Detroit. Through its Connect 313 initiative, the tournament aims to provide every Detroit resident with access to high-speed internet, digital devices, and digital training. Laura Grannemann, vice president of the Rocket Community Fund and executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation, joins us to talk about the tournament taking place at the Detroit Golf Club June 27-30 and its commitment to bridging the digital divide in an impactful way. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

June 16, 2024 ~ More than 30 events to be held all across Michigan during the “Silence the Violence Month of Action.” The Rev. Chris Yaw, Pastor at St. David Episcopal Church in Southfield says his parish will be participating in the month-long events with a gun safety education community event. The Church has had several gun buyback programs in the past and he says gun safety is an issue that affects everyone. He says unsecured weapons are not only used to commit crimes but also firearms are most often used to commit suicide. Silence the Violence started 17 years ago at the Church of the Messiah on Detroit’s East Side. Residents gathered to march through the neighborhood to honor the memory of loved ones lost to gun violence.

According to the KFF, formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation, between 2019 to 2022, the firearm death rate in the United States among children and adolescents increased by 46%. This equates to seven children per day dying by firearm. Corewell Health’s Dr. Linda Dillon is a board-certified pediatrician/internal medicine doctor, physician educator, and associate professor at OUWB. Individuals counseled/educated by a physician are more likely to practice safe and secure storage of firearms. Corewell is giving away free gun locks in June, Dillon says they give them to parents in her practice. Michigan’s new firearm safety law, which went into effect in February 2024, requires all in-home firearms to be stored and unloaded in a locked container. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

June 2, 2024 ~ Food insecurity continues to be a major problem in our community made worse recently by high food prices.

Gleaners Community Food Bank is on the front line of the battle against hunger. Kristen Sokul, Gleaners spokesperson explains

Gleaners' partners, including soup kitchens and agencies, served 160,099 households during the first half of its 2024 fiscal year, a 21% spike compared with 132,563 households last fiscal year. The agency also announced the launch of Fresh! by Gleaners, a $4.8 million project expected to open early next year. Fresh! by Gleaners expects to offer dairy, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables in a facility modeled after a store so people can choose what they need and want.

For those with special intellectual needs, finding a loving, nurturing place to follow their dreams is rare. Ann Rosario, the workforce development officer for Dutton Farm says the facility started after a mother and daughter team had a vision to provide a place for their daughter and sister Rebecca Smither to continue to thrive after turning 27. Adults with developmental disabilities experience a 68% unemployment rate, affecting 5.6% of people aged 21-64 in the State of Michigan. At Dutton Farm, individuals can express how they would like to contribute to the community, either through education, art, employment, or volunteering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

May 26, 2024 ~ For 75 years, the War Memorial has served the community as a non-profit organization with programs honoring veterans, engaging experiences for adults and children, community events, and celebrations. Maria Miller, CEO of the War Memorial, joins the show to talk about the many initiatives of the organizations and how they impact the community and the importance of remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day in the community. The War Memorial is home to Les Braves II, an art installation, dedicated in 2023, the sister piece to the original work that lives on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

About 70% of prisoners released from prison are arrested again within five years, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In Wayne County, the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership is working to help those with criminal convictions stay out of prison. Dawn Ison, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, is spearheading the program and said the program is a holistic approach to the problem of recidivism by bringing together law enforcement, city officials, Michigan Department of Corrections, and community-based organizations to support parolees. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

May 19, 2024 ~ The Michigan Science Center is a Smithsonian-affiliate science museum. Dr. Christian Greer, president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center, says its mission is to inspire curious minds of all ages to discover, explore, and appreciate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a creative, dynamic learning environment. The Michigan Science Center features an IMAX Dome Theatre and the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium among other attractions and interactive exhibits. Dr. Greer outlines upcoming summer programs at the Michigan Science Center.

"Plant It and They Will Come – The Importance of Native Plants" is the title of a talk taking place at the Wiegand's Nursery on June 22. Rick Gray, co-author of the Globe & Mail bestselling book "The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region," will talk about what a native plant is and why it’s important to grow in our gardens. Research has shown that North America has lost three billion birds in the last 50 years. Part of these losses can be attributed to urban gardens being bereft of native plant species. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.