When it comes to building strong communities, every person has potential to make a big difference. CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship places individuals in communities across Michigan that are engaged or certified in Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC). These fellows serve for 15 months across a wide range of projects. The program is managed with support from the...
In our first Summer of CEDAM webinar, we had the opportunity to discuss how community economic development can be used to uplift Michigan communities as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. At CEDAM, we believe that economic growth begins with access and equity – and that’s why we placed special emphasis on community economic development...
More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Michigan, we have seen every industry impacted in one way or another — but the crisis’s unwavering ripple effect was especially evident in the area of community economic development. Eviction posed a rising threat, many people in need were not receiving federal stimulus checks,...
CEDAM’s community development fellowship places 10 fellows in communities engaged or certified in MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities for a fifteen month placement that started June 2020. This blog post is a part of our #FellowFeature series highlighting the work fellows are doing to support and advance the community economic development goals of their communities. CEDAM’s...
Contributors: City of Lansing, CEDAM, John Hopkins Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) First… A bit of background As the old saying goes, you can’t see the forest for the trees. When you are too close to a situation you sometimes need to step back and gain some perspective, even invite a fresh pair of eyes...
“All chefs want their own restaurant,” Karl Nelson states. “It’s the ultimate goal!” One that serves up fresh, local food made from scratch, paired with a glass of wine from your own Winery, and enjoyed while watching a 1,000 foot- long freighter floating by – that’s Karl Cuisine and Winery! Goal met!
Johnna says she wants to make sure her daughter grows up living a life very different from her own. That life included: an unsupported home life, dropping out of school, living on her own at the age of 17, making $1,000 each weekend night as a dancer and then getting involved in drugs.
KG is a young teen from a family that experienced domestic violence, and was referred to the Youth Leadership Program by his Avalon Case Manager. During the family’s yearlong tenancy, KG’s behavior created a number of problems on the property. He had difficulty managing his emotions, frequent outbursts of anger, inability to resolve conflicts and...
Duane Ott is teaching himself how to carve wood and holds a piece of wood he found that he says will be an “interesting project.” Every once in a while a special donation shows up at Community Housing Network. “It’s not ever much,” says donor Duane Ott, “but CHN has made all the difference for...
Andy Langlois and David Manson, silent sport enthusiasts, were brewing exceptional craft beer at home to enjoy with friends after time spent out on the trails. When the recent down turn in the economy resulted in the elimination of Andy’s position, the two friends developed their passion for brewing into a solid business concept and...
