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Shop Small, Shine Bright: How Downtown Farmington businesses bring heart to the holidays

Downtown Farmington’s holiday season thrives on the energy of its local small businesses, where shop owners, families, and visiting loved ones keep holiday traditions alive.
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Kirsten Elliott, president and CEO of Community Housing Network, and Ryan Hertz, president and CEO of Lighthouse, at the construction site for Beacon Square Apartments and Beacon Townhomes in Pontiac.
Federal housing funding rollercoaster leaves hundreds of Metro Detroit households in limbo
Housing service providers in Metro Detroit have been in turmoil over the past month as the federal government has threatened massive changes to funding of services for people experiencing homelessness.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks visitors pose for selfies at Trail Challenge kiosks placed at each of the 13 Metroparks.
Trail Challenge offers prizes for visiting all 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks
Since 2023, hundreds of Metro Detroiters have participated in the Huron-Clinton Metroparks’ Trail Challenge, which incentivizes participants to visit all 13 Metroparks across five Southeastern Michigan counties.
Pints for the Planet: Griffin Claw saves grains from dumps, cuts carbon footprint
Griffin Claw Brewing in Birmingham is changing the brewery game by implementing multiple sustainable practices like sending their brewers’ grain to local farmers and recapturing CO2 to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
Policies, programs, and research shaping maternal mental health care
How the Center for Health and Research Transformation is working to improve mental health for pregnant and parenting individuals.
Downtown Utica’s Art Nook: “Super cool place making”
Art Nook connects folks to downtown businesses and showcases a colorful mural by artist Kevin Gano.
“When I grow up.” Inspiring kids to dream big about careers in health care
These collaborations show how growing interest in health care careers can begin early.
Tom Woodman stands in front of a 3D-printed home in Detroit created by his company, Citizen Robotics, which is planning two developments in Pontiac. The company aims to reduce construction costs at scale and create a new renting model that gives renters equity in a housing fund.
From 3D-printed homes to “pocket neighborhood”: New approaches to affordable housing in Metro Detroit
Across the Metro Detroit area, innovators are finding new ways to develop the affordable housing that the community desperately needs.
Detroit Schools Health Hubs
How one school system bridges the care gap with innovative Health Hubs
Detroit’s Health Hubs embed medical, behavioral, and dental care inside schools, ensuring students receive essential services and thrive in class.
In Photos: Detroit’s Thanksgiving Parade 2025
Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s look back on this years parade, one of the city’s beloved traditions.
New system makes it easier for low-income Oakland County residents to find housing
The Pontiac-based Alliance for Housing has implemented new technology to better connect homeless services organizations, landlords, and people exiting homelessness.
Volunteers of America Michigan’s mission made possible by social enterprise thrift stores; support from IFF
Sometimes nonprofits need help to fulfill their mission of helping others within their communities. For Volunteers of America Michigan, when costly necessary roof repairs and upgraded lighting arose, they found a supportive partner in IFF. The community development financial institution that has provided millions of dollars of loans to five of the VOA Michigan thrift stores.
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