On July 26, more than 300 local teens participated in what has become, in its fourth year, “the largest cleanup in the city,” according to the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce.

In 2007, Genesys Health System revised their strategic plan, broadening the definition of health care to include community wellness and access to fresh, locally-grown food. “We started to look at how we could utilize our 500 acres to benefit the community from an economic and wellness perspective,” explains Nick Evans, Vice President of Business Development for Ascension Mid-Michigan, administrative lead on the donation of three acres of land for use as a Farm Development Center on the Genesys Health Park Campus. “We are not an island here – anyone in the community we serve can come here and find something to participate in.”

Access to healthy food for everyone in the Flint community – that’s what the Flint Fresh Mobile Market is all about, according to Erin Caudell, co-owner of The Local Grocer in Downtown Flint. The Mobile Market has been up and running since August 2016 and is a nonprofit organization, the result of a group effort to address the lack of healthy food in certain areas of Flint. It is a partnership of the YMCA, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Flint Farmers’ Market, Neighborhood Engagement Hub and The Local Grocer. “We received many grants that helped it come together,” Erin explains. “We were very lucky to get them!”

Honorable David Newblatt, Genesee County 7th District Court Family Division, presides over the Girls Court – a specialized prevention docket designed to meet the needs of adolescent girls who are under the Family Division’s jurisdiction. Judge Newblatt wanted to find a way to help the at-risk girls whose cases were on his docket, and after about a year of planning by a team of people, Girls Court was implemented in January 2015. According to the judge, there was only a handful of Girls Courts in the country, but there wasn’t one in Michigan. Genesee County was the first to implement it and now, Kent County is starting one.

On May 1, Durant-Dort Factory One in historic Carriage Town reopened after what General Motors Executive VP, Mark Reuss, described as “a long journey” from purchasing the building in 2013. The Factory One building was a dilapidated piece of history the community could have lost; instead, it went through strenuous renovation and through collaboration between GM and Kettering University, was transformed into an interactive and innovative hub in Downtown Flint.

On Memorial Day, those who died in military service to the United States are honored with parades, ceremonies, 21-gun salutes and the playing of “Taps” on the bugle. American flags are placed on graves and tears are shed for those lost. In the city of Mt. Morris, there is a special ceremony for George W. Clute, a Medal of Honor recipient who is interred at the Mt. Morris Cemetery.

Genesee County is home to many wonderful service organizations that do a lot of good things for the community. Last month, one of those organizations celebrated a very special milestone. The Kiwanis Club of Flint celebrated 100 years of service on April 20 at Sloan Museum. “It was an amazing evening!” exclaims Peggy Nolde, President of the club that is dedicated to the Kiwanis International mission: changing the world – one child and one community at a time. “The Kiwanis Club of Flint is a wonderful organization,” Peggy adds.

The Zonta Club of Flint has announced the 2017 inductees to the Genesee Regional Women’s Hall of Fame. According to Zonta Club of Flint President Stacy Betts, the honorees are women from the community whose achievements (past and present) have positively impacted the history of Genesee County.

In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Weiss Child Advocacy Center, Priority Children and Whaley Children’s Center collaborated to raise awareness throughout Genesee County with the Paint Our Town Blue campaign. This campaign included a candlelight vigil, Super Hero 5K Run, Wear Blue Day and Blue Sunday, all taking place through the month of April and began with a kickoff event at Hurley Medical Center.

May 1 is National Law Day, and the Genesee County Bar Association will celebrate with many activities which represent the GCBA’s rich history of contributions and service to the community.

Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s Youth Advisory Committees give Genesee County students an opportunity to learn about philanthropy, according to Alex Dawson, Developmental Program Associate and advisor of the Youth Advisory Committees associated with CFGF. “YAC is the youth grant-making body of CFGF,” she explains. Alex oversees three regional YACs that serve specific regions in Genesee County: Clio, Grand Blanc and South Lakes (Linden, Fenton and Lake Fenton), as well as the Countywide YAC, which serves all of Genesee County. “Membership is open to any Genesee County student interested in serving their community and willing to commit to volunteering,” Alex adds. “Students who become YAC members are engaged in their community and want to make a difference.”