Content about Social Issues

In its third year awarding Impact Grants, the Capital Region Community Foundation has chosen the Allen Neighborhood Center, REACH Studio Art Center and the Greater Lansing Food Bank to receive grants totaling $189,280.

Pilots often have great perspective on life, both literally and figuratively.

From 10,000 feet above, they see things those of us on the ground often don’t or can’t see. Instead of seeing the front of a building, they see the building in its entirety and the grounds — and community — surrounding it.

Views like these can shape a perspective on life, too. That seemed to be the case for Gerald and Dorothy Francis, a Grand Ledge couple who were pilots.

In a brightly painted room filled with comfortable couches and lots and lots of chairs, you might think you were in someone’s home for a tea party.
Instead, you’re in a meeting room at EVE’s house.

EVE — or End Violent Encounters — provides shelter and supportive services to the victims of domestic violence. Their offices are housed, literally, in a nondescript house on a nondescript street.

That’s the point.

We could all use an extra grandma.

The Foster Grandparent program was developed in the 1960s by Sargent Shriver and was designed to attract low-income seniors to volunteer work. Qualifying “grandparents” are given a small stipend to offset the cost of volunteering — transportation, food, perhaps a new outfit — and in return they give their time to local classrooms and students.

But the program means far more than that.