Founded over three decades ago, The Disability Network (TDN) has been providing a voice for the disabled community in Greater Flint and around the country. “TDN is a grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of the disabled,” says TDN CEO, Luke Zelley. The organization was started by Mike Zelley, Luke’s father, after he attended a meeting of the Genesee County Handicapped Alliance in 1992. Of the 60 people in the room, only two (including himself) identified as disabled. He thought that the disabled community should have more robust representation in the county and quickly started TDN to fulfill that goal. Since that time, TDN helps an average of 10,000 people each year through local programming and has helped over 100,000 throughout the nation via government policy changes for which they fought and advocated.

Who doesn’t look forward to opening specially wrapped boxes from friends and loved ones during the holiday season? Those boxes become even more meaningful when they’re received by members of the military serving their country in every part of the world, especially the most remote and dangerous areas.

In Genesee County and the surrounding area, there are many groups of dedicated people who selflessly give thousands of hours of their time rescuing and protecting unwanted and abandoned animals. Linda Garland-Molpus, founder of Purrsuit of Happyness cat rescue, is one such person. “I’ve been doing rescue for a long time,” she shares. In June 2019, she started her own nonprofit organization out of her Flint Township home, with the mission of “making a difference in the lives of the kitties in our community and beyond.”

Tami Kromer and her husband, David, have provided foster care for 40 children in their lifetime and their 40th, a teenager, still lives with them along with their two adopted children. The caring couple adopted three of the children they fostered. Tami is now the founder and director of Clara’s Hope, which was created in 2015 under the umbrella of the Freedom Center Church until it became an independent nonprofit in September 2020.

Starting April 26, contestants vied for the chance to be slimed with the authentic slime from the Nickelodeon hit show Double Dare. Whoever raised the most dollars for the Whaley Children’s Center would claim the prize. The contestants were:  Angela Boyce, Amber Taylor, Sheriff Chris Swanson, Clay Church, Daniel Crannie, Fred Zerka, Matt Franklin, McKenzie Miller, Mari and Keilani Copeny, Shannon Easter White, Scott Sassack, and Terry Pickard. The winner who raised the most was Fred Zerka with a total of $8,132. Over the course of ten days, $23,087 was raised to help the children living at the Whaley Children’s Center. On Thursday, May 6, Fred Zerka was dunked in slime. Congratulations Fred!

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity (Genesee Habitat), is proud to announce a Home Dedication on May 14 at 3:30pm at 2392 Denise Drive in Clio. Genesee Habitat was formed with the idea that everyone deserves a decent place to live and builds six-eight new homes in Genesee County per year.

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Genesee County Habitat for Humanity (Genesee Habitat) to be used for replacing the roof on their building. Genesee Habitat is located at 101 Burton St. in Flint. The building houses the main offices and is also used for holding financial education and homebuyer education classes, apprenticeship classes and is home to the Habitat ReStore. “We are extremely grateful to the Mott Foundation for their generosity,” says Executive Director Thomas Hutchison. “With the grant funding we are able to make the necessary roof repairs to our building and are now in a stronger position to be better able serve others.”

Rebecca’s Reason, a nonprofit organization, was founded in July 2016 by Sarah Curtis, Executive Director. The mission is to provide financial assistance to families who have lost a child or their child has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. The organization was named to honor the brief life of Curtis’ daughter, Rebecca Anne. This is what happened and how it began.

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity (Genesee Habitat), is proud to announce a Ribbon Cutting to be held on April 30 at 3:30pm at 315 Sylvan Court in Flint. The event acknowledges the launching of the “Almost Home” program and the completion of the townhomes.  Genesee Habitat is one of only a few of the 1,200 affiliates nationwide approved for the program. “Almost Home” serves as a safe, affordable living option for families in queue for a Habitat home. The recently completed townhomes on Sylvan Court will serve as housing for the program.

Well of Hope (WOH) is a nonprofit organization located in Flint. It was founded in February 2005 and incorporated in 2006. Since then, the organization has offered programs that help break down barriers to education for children and unify families, according to Chia Morgan, Program Coordinator and Treasurer. Morgan’s father, Will, is the president and her mother, Debra, is also involved in the organization.

He had big shoes to fill … but Tony Tucker, former owner of Krystal Jo’s Diner in Flint, hit the ground running when he replaced Chris Hamilton as executive director of Old Newsboys of Flint last year. Hamilton passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2019.