EmbodyGR in East Grand Rapids has made it their mission to address this issue. The nonprofit endeavors to change society by removing negative stereotypes and fostering empathy and understanding through an unusual means: making yoga available to diverse demographics.
We dream of a world where we give peace a chance, of a future where we fight no more wars. But the wars of our history must not be forgotten – their legacies are too important, their personal sacrifices too great. "To brighten the future, we must illuminate the past" is the operating principle of Lest We Forget, a nonprofit association established by a group of veterans.
Do-All, Inc. is a private nonprofit corporation founded in 1965 designed to help special-needs individuals in Bay County lead self-sufficient lives.
Nearly 20 years ago, Guardian Gals, Inc. founder Abby Hamilton recognized the need for a program to engage women from early adolescence to young adulthood in activities that promote healthy hearts and lives. More specifically, its mission states, “to actively engage girls and women to ignite positive personal growth and connection.”
Programs that address this tumultuous history for Native Americans are still lacking in Michigan, with one beautiful exception: Spirit Journey. It was the vision of Brandon Ahmicasaube Smith, who conceived of the organization in 2012 after a conversation with his parents about providing summer programs that could empower participants in unprecedented ways.
MomsBloom offers myriad in-home services, ranging from meal prep to emotional support and companionship to care for additional siblings. People who have taken advantage of MomsBloom services refer to the program as the “extended family of the 21st century.”
The Kalamazoo Cat Café and Rescue opened its doors in 2017. Café director Abbey Thompson was already spearheading local adoption events when she happened to visit Catmosphere Cat Café in Sydney during a post-grad school trip to Australia. It was this experience that inspired her to further action.
Dr. Bertha Van Hoosen, a notable former owner of the Van Hoosen Farm, is a great example deserving of such recognition. A world-renowned surgeon in the late 1800s, Van Hoosen overcame significant challenges and criticism before launching her private practice – and she confronted similar challenges throughout her career.
Audrey Ann Wiggins led such an impactful, albeit brief, life that her parents decided to start an organization in her name to provide hope, love, and normalcy in support of medically fragile children and their families.
The benefits of leading a comprehensive program like Leelanau Outdoor Center manifests itself perhaps most prominently in the way kids come out of their protective shells. They learn to take risks, make friends, and be less concerned about perceived failures; it’s a real confidence builder.
