Hopes and Dreams for Midland from Local Communicators
Earlier this year, we began coordinating quarterly meetings for Midland Communicators. Our goal is to connect communicators for collaboration that supports the Midland County vision statement: Midland: An inclusive community. Together. Forward. Bold. An exceptional place where everyone thrives. In these meetings we connect with one another, share resources, and catch up on what’s happening in the communications space across all sectors.
At our July Communicators Meeting, we dove into the art of storytelling. Guest speakers Renee Deckrow and Phil Eich shared their experiences. One highlight of our session was an interactive exercise where participants paired up to interview one another, uncovering the hopes and dreams they hold for Midland.
I wanted to archive those stories here, and I hope they resonate with you as much as they did with me!
“My hope is that we can normalize our struggles and receive the help and support that we need. By sharing those needs, we can get out of our silos and learn who is out there to help. We, as a community, foster communication that makes that possible.” -Ashley Hermann Ghose
“My hope is that Midland becomes a community that has normalized conversations about struggle. We need the support to authentically share what we need. There would be a common knowledge of the systems, non-profits, and businesses who support the variety of needs of the individuals in our community. We aim to be a community that creates authentic points of connection.” -Kelly Ireland, Children's Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region
“I hope that people feel a deep affinity for the region. That they bring their passion, time, and energy to share responsibility, and invest in the community, seeing opportunity in the challenge and collaborating in sustainable ways.” - Katie Miller Midland County Inclusion Alliance, Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition,and There's No Business Like Podcast
“I really see the need for connection and care in our community through my work with the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition. I see that people feel lonely and isolated. But we are not meant to walk through this world alone. My hope is that tall the infrastructure and care components we have built, such as the Mental Health Coalition, Max Loves Midland, Housing Forward Alliance, etc, keep working together so that the webs, connection, and collaboration continue to farm, so that we can serve the people of our community to the best of our ability. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about our people.” - Kathy Snyder Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition
“I would love to see the rest of the state know what Midland is. I would like to see a rich local storytelling of Midland in media. I would like to see Midland become a destination.” -Hayley Roberts
“I want to see Midland become more inclusive and diverse. I would like us to invest in our community infrastructure. I’d love to see the mall reimagined and reinvigorated into a social space for people in the community.” -Misty Barron
“I hope that the community will fully adopt its mission statements, and become an inclusive community where everyone thrives.” -Levi Black
“I hope to see more accessibility to affordable housing for all ages, and better public transportation.” -Ben Griffiths
“I want to create a community that is welcoming, approachable and raises you to be confident enough to leave, and you will eventually want to return and reclaim it as your home.” -Reneé Deckrow, Live Oak Coffeehouse, Live Oak Coffee Roasters, The Ashman Collective
“I want to help Midland become a more inclusive and welcoming community. Being born and raised here, there has been great progress, but there is still a long way to go. I feel responsible to give voice to the voiceless. [I hope for] diversity, co-existing, more connection, more acceptance, finding solutions to help the ALICE population, housing, jobs, opportunities.” -Dave Clark, Midland Daily News
“Katie Guyer has always had a vision for Midland. In her role, she passionately strives to create a community where everyone feels safe, welcome, and empowered to be their best selves. Katie believes that true growth and positive change come from bold actions and a deep commitment to serving the community.” @cityofmidlandmi
“The idea of mid century modern inspired by Alden B. Dow goes beyond architecture. It’s this expression of uniqueness, individuality, and personality. I’d love to see more exploration of that in the things we do as a community. We’re the city of modern explorers, and I hope we all continue to embrace that.” -Lance Rynearson
It was almost fate that led Josh Roden to Midland, growing up in metro Detroit. But being in a place with a small town feel that has so much to offer with outdoor activities is exactly where he’s meant to be. It’s easy to be invisible in a place like Detroit. But here you can see people from your bike club at the grocery store, and colleagues at the brewery on the same day.
Matt Devries grew up in Grand Rapids, but migrated to the Midland area in 2014 for work at the Loons. While he doesn’t live directly in Midland, he has a unique experience to view Midland as an outsider. He wants to see Midland grow in population and the economy, but hold that small town feel. He loves the entertainment and events and would love to see that catered to all demographics. Matt wants Midland to be a hope for other small economies.
Jamie Hockstra has lived in the community her entire life, and has embraced the resources and offerings we have in Midland. She hopes that the younger generations strive to carry on a legacy in Midland that is inclusive, safe, and welcoming, along with the transparency needed to offer resources to those in need; helping to maintain the strength of the Midland community.
“Midland’s older adults deserve to feel included in the community, and we all need to help communicate that message to them. They have value, and if this is shared with them, they will continue to stay engaged and feel a part of the community.” -Ashley David
Jess Berlin has lived in Midland county her whole life. She believes Midland is full of possibility, resources, and untapped potential. She dreams of a future that has more community outreach, gathering, and connectedness where every resident has what they need to live and succeed. She hopes it will be a place that uplifts thinkers and artists - where everyone has a place.
Kathleen Haney has been in Midland for 12 years, and has seen a positive shift in the community throughout this time. For her, hope is full of possibility, growing Midland into a happy, healthy, and inclusive community, with a shared sense of belonging. A place where people want to stay and continue its growth. Kathleen dreams of a more sustainable and accessible Midland for all of its residents.
Patrick McElgunn wants to see more people engaging in spontaneous connection by being in our front yards, being neighborly, walking around, etc. He also wants leadership investing in efforts to create community bonds.
Phil Eich is hopeful for the growth of emotional and relational infrastructure, with stronger bonds to the community and to place. He also wants the rest of the region to learn from each other and learn structure from Midland in how we organize and engage each with other to address issues.
Do you work in the communications field in Midland County? We’d love to have you join us! Send me a message to be added to our meeting notices.
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?