By Sarah Teater, Community Development Fellowship coordinator Community economic development projects are underway across the state thanks to a new fellowship managed by CEDAM. Last year, CEDAM was granted the opportunity to find the first cohort of community development fellows for Project Rising Tide. The fellows bring a diverse range of skills to their positions,...
By Chris Wardell, administrative assistant Last month, I wrote about CEDAM’s two AmeriCorps programs—AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps VISTA—and how the additional capacity an AmeriCorps member offers can help your organization reach even higher goals and make a greater impact in your community. (Did you miss the story featuring the AmeriCorps impact in Ludington and Saginaw...
CEDAM is excited to introduce its new executive director, Luke Forrest! Luke was previously the director of civic innovations at the Michigan Municipal League (MML). He officially joined the team this past Monday, April 22. Our communications specialist interviewed him to learn more about his background, what he’s looking forward to in his new role...
By Natalie Rogers, junior policy associate On a sunny Saturday afternoon at the South Lansing Capitol District Library, Dr. John Aerni-Flessner stood in front of a packed room of Lansing community members. The MSU Residential College for the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) assistant professor was there to present the early findings from a research project...
Yesterday we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Today, we celebrate National Day of Racial Healing. By Troy Villanueva, housing policy associate It’s been 56 years since Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech. That’s 15 years longer than Rev. Doctor King lived (he would have turned 90 yesterday). They say...
Last year CAHP acquired the since-closed Walter French school building. They have plans to transform the school into affordable housing and other spaces from which Lansing's southside residents can benefit
By Camille Allen, junior communications associate CEDAM is excited to welcome Project Rising Tide (PRT) Fellowship Coordinator Sarah Teater to the team! PRT is a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) program designed to provide at-risk communities with the tools they need to attract business investment and create a sustainable economic development framework. In each Rising...
By Susan Andrews, CEDAM membership & event specialist From food insecurity to housing, those who live in poverty face many challenges. With more than 12 percent of Americans living in poverty in 2017 (or nearly 39.7 million people), it is important to understand life in poverty to better serve clients, customers and constituents. A poverty simulation...
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition Mission: MDRC cultivates disability pride and strengthens the disability movement by recognizing disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity while collaborating to dismantle all forms of oppression. Full disclosure: Nate Wardell, who passed away in May 2016, was the brother of Chris Wardell, CEDAM’s administrative assistant. — CEDAM...
CEDAM is excited to announce our new Michigan Coalition for Responsible Lending Consultant, Orletta Caldwell! Caldwell is responsible for organizing the Coalition, legislative strategy, coordinating town halls and conducting payday lending research on trends and lending prevention strategies in other states. For the past year Caldwell has worked as a Learning Center Coordinator in Detroit...
