Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/category/news/nonprofits-social-services/page/4/)
Montford Point Marine Corps League Auxiliary held its second annual Halloween trunk-or-treat event on Oct. 29 in Detroit. The trunk-or-treat event was held to connect local veterans with members of the community.
The second annual Trunk or Treat event hosted by The People’s Church in East Lansing had an unexpectedly large turnout on Saturday, Oct. 28. Many members of The People’s Church gathered on Saturday evening to celebrate Halloween with their community. The Trunk or Treat event was described as a safe alternative for families to enjoy in addition to the classic trick-or-treating tradition. Some attendees said this alternative to trick-or-treating has become increasingly popular.
HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION: A Citizens Research Council says about half of the average Michigan household income goes to transportation and housing, a figure that some experts say could be reduced with better public transit services. There’s a tradeoff between affordable housing and affordable transportation. How do local government plan for car dependency and how are neighborhoods affected by quality transportation options.We hear about a Bay Area Transportation Authority effort and talk to experts from Wayne State, the Michigan Municipal League and Michigan State Housing Development Authority. With references to Metro Detroit suburbs, Includes references to Traverse City, Lansing, Ann Arbor and East Lansing By Liz Nass. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, CORP! PLANET DETROIT, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.
HOMELESSNESS: The number of homeless residents in the state has dropped in the past 15 years, but roughly 8,000 are without homes on any given night. Advocates met recently in Bellaire to discuss the crisis. Includes references to Lenawee, Kent and Macomb counties. Detroit and the three-county Traverse City area. We talk to a statewide organization and the Department of Health & Human Services. FOR BLISSFIELD, ADRIAN, DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.
The Lansing Area AIDS Network (LAAN) celebrated its 30th AIDS walk fundraiser on Sept. 30 at Edgewood United Church in East Lansing. Even though the event was the 30th annual walk, it was the first in-person walk since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
WALK A MILE: A Corrections Department initiative, Walk a Mile Mentoring Program, is matching parolees with mentors in their own communities. The goal is to reduce recidivism and increase the prospects for successfully completing parole. The program now operates in Monroe and Muskegan counties and will soon expand into Oakland and Kent counties. By Stephanie Ruahe. FOR MONROE, WKTV, GREENVILLE, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.
More than 2,000 citizens covered the stairs and walkways of the Michigan Capitol to bring more attention to mental and public health and wellness.
FERAL CATS: Feral cats have colonies across the state, and their inbreeding, overpopulation and constant pregnancies cause them to multiply. While some animal control and humane agencies promote trap, neuter and release initiatives to prevent procreation, that doesn’t get them off the streets and out of yards where they can kill songbirds and other wildlife. We talk to the owner of an animal control company in DeWitt, the Michigan Humane Society in Bingham Farms and the Cheboygan County Humane Society. By Brandy Muz. FOR MIDLAND, DETROIT, CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS AND ALL POINTS.
SCHOOL MEALS: Free breakfasts and lunches are now available to all students, regardless of family income, at participating public school districts. The state has budgeted $160 million to offer the meals this year, and experts say children with full bellies learn better. Officials at the Holt and East Lansing schools, Michigan Education Association and state Department of Education discuss. By Brandy Muz. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.
JOURNALISM COMMENTARY: These are tough times for journalists as traditional news outlet staffs shrink, news outlets cut coverage and media companies merge or close. Nonprofit start-ups are emerging but often struggle financially. There is a disturbing growth in public distrust of journalism’s commitment to democratic values of fairness, balance, ethics and accuracy. Even so, a new Pew Research Center study finds most journalists are satisfied with their work and hold more positive attitudes than the public about their reporting. At Michigan State, a record number of incoming journalism and digital storytelling majors enrolled this fall and student journalists nationally play a growing reporting role. Commentary for news and opinion pages. By Eric Freedman. FOR ALL POINTS.