Without the generous financial backing provided by foundations each year, most of Flint’s cultural and fine arts programs, as well as many important youth and humanitarian programs, would be floundering at best. What would our community be like if these inspiring and enriching programs and services – which are enjoyed by thousands of Genesee County residents and visitors each year – began to disappear? Based on the significant amount of income that flows directly into them from foundations, it’s safe to say that many of them would likely topple without that monetary rock underneath them.
Flint, Mich. – On Saturday, May 9, from 6-8 p.m. the Flint Arrowhead Barbershop Chorus will present their 76th year anniversary Spring concert at Powers High School Auditorium at 1505 West Court Street, Flint in support of the Powers Catholic Student Scholarship Fund.
Pause for a moment and consider the word Islam. What comes to mind? Images of terrorists boarding planes on September 11, hooded men executing Syrian soldiers and beheading Christians in the name of religion, an Iranian woman buried chest-level and stoned to death under Islamic law, or Muslim college students murdered in North Carolina might come to mind.
The religion of Islam embodies a modest culture and lifestyle for both men and women. During activities, men and women remain separate from one another. They have prayer time at five intervals during the day. At the mosque, men traditionally pray in front of the women so they are not distracted by them, not as a sign of superiority, explains Dr. Mohammed Saleem, of the Flint Islamic Center. Muslims may avoid sustained eye contact when talking with a person of the opposite gender, which is a sign of modesty and respect. Women are encouraged to vote and may work outside of the home if they choose. “Men are responsible for providing for the family, but women are not prevented from working,” says Dr. Saleem, whose wife and daughters also have medical careers.
It’s not just a budget-friendly place to shop for a great deal on clothes or an interesting trinket, hardcover bestseller, vintage toy or your next Halloween costume. Behind the scenes, Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan is a close team of professionals working together to train people who have significant personal barriers to employment.
“One day, I was taking my mother to the emergency room,” she recalls, “and suddenly in the midst of all that, someone started yelling my name – ‘Mrs. Ellie! Mrs. Ellie! I just earned my culinary arts degree and I’m doing pretty well now!’ It’s times like those when it really hits me that many of the people I have helped are very grateful.”
The mission of CFI is to promote and provide an improved quality of life for residents of distressed communities through economic development and affordable housing solutions. And their motto is Developing With The Community In Mind. Glenn says the organization started out with a passion for helping people, overwhelming community needs, perseverance and an ability to bring together the right resources to address longstanding community problems. “Essence and I decided that we wanted to be a part of the solution in Flint rather than the problem. Many people complain and that’s fine, but we took our frustrations and turned them into action.” The result of these actions has been great projects and programs that do not duplicate any other effort going on in the community. “It has required a lot of hard work and a great deal of sacrifice, but we would not have it any other way,” says Glenn. “We are doing everything we can as an organization to create equitable and sustainable programs and communities.”
At only one pound, five ounces, Kaidyn was considered a micro preemie, on the smaller end of the scale for babies found in the Hurley Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. “He was so tiny, my wedding ring could fit on his arm,” Alicia remembered, “and my husband Terry’s ring fit on his leg.” Given his size, the official chance of Kaidyn’s survival was 50:50, and even then, the doctors thought the likeliness that he would have developmental or health issues was significant. But Alicia says that she never doubted he would make it. “I give glory to God for his story, and I am so grateful to the NICU team at Hurley,” she says.
The brainchild of Norman Bryant, the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame has been recognizing and preserving the achievement of African American athletes in the Flint area since 1983. “Flint is a sports town,” says the founder, “and it always has been. We have such a rich history of athletes here, dating all the way back to 1917.” Norm says that the point of the Hall of Fame is to remember the accomplishments of black athletes so that kids today can learn how these “pioneers” paved the way for today’s Flintstones. “We had Flintstones back in the 20s and 30s,” Norm said, “and kids won’t ever know that unless we tell them.”
