"Through my work with Youth Action Council, I began understanding the broader issues affecting my community, such as socioeconomic disparities and housing inequities. Even as a teenager, I was exposed to the challenges others faced and learned about the people and organizations striving to make a difference. Watching Muskegon change and grow over the past 20-25 years has been fascinating. These experiences influenced my understanding of the vital role community foundations play in supporting and enhancing the places we live." -Katie Trzaska-Miller
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"I'm someone who wears my heart on my sleeve. Transparency and human connection are so important to me, and that's not something people traditionally associate with government entities. Midland is full of personality, love, and connection; I want to reflect that in our communications. In the past, the City's messaging had been very straightforward and professional but maybe too formal. I believe that kind of communication doesn't always foster trust. I live in this community—I go to the same stores, my kid goes to the same schools. Why should we pretend we don't know each other when we're all working toward the same goals for ourselves and our community? Relating to people more humanly, especially on social media, drives me." -Katie Guyer
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"Coming from Dayton, Ohio, it was a whole different world. Dayton is tough—inner city life—and I was used to that. But up here, there was this togetherness, a community vibe. It was exciting, but I didn't know how to fit in. I remember telling my mom during my first week, "I can't do this. I want to come home." And she laid it out for me: "If you come back, you're getting a full-time job and paying bills. Or, you can stay, play basketball, and get your education paid for.” -Pj Weaver
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“What we have in common is that sense of caring and loving - love of neighbor and love is a practice. It’s not just something you feel in your heart. It has to begin in your heart, but it’s something in the way you reach out, the way you extend yourself, the way you express yourself, the way you welcome other people into your life and care for their wellbeing. Neighboring is all about how we’re going to allow each other to thrive.” -Wally Mayton
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"I often tell people now, "You're never too old, and it's never too late." It's all possible, whether it's starting a new hobby, building your own family, or becoming a different version of yourself." -Ali Huntoon
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On August 16, 2024, the Max Loves Midland Navigation Team convened to discuss one of the most critical aspects of community development: infrastructure.
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"A community is nothing without its people. We can continue to move Midland to the next level by working together." -Patrick Schefsky
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“I'm passionate about making sure our community is inclusive and supportive, especially for those facing challenges and who need resources. I want Midland to be the type of place where my children can grow up and be looked at as humans, even in their most vulnerable times. I believe Midland can continue to be an incredible community by supporting one another and engaging in transparency.” -Marybeth Penkala
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“I was hired at the coffee shop and asked to teach art classes. There wasn't one big defining moment, but rather taking the right steps or pivoting towards what felt good. Being around people who genuinely care about me created a foundation to bravely step into things I've always wanted to do but was too nervous to say yes. I found people who really cared about me as an individual and not just a number on their payroll. Finding my voice made this place home.” -Jazz Benitez
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“We're opening up that 'Midland Bubble,' and that wasn't always the case. Midland has a reputation for being a 'God bless us and no more' type of town, but I think it's changing. Sometimes I compare us to the Dallas Cowboys - we had a heyday, but we need a championship, and inclusivity is a great start. What makes Midland great is the people, and having people of all ideologies and backgrounds sharing spaces makes us even better.” -Brandon Lewis
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“This opportunity is rare anywhere else in the country. Our whole station has four full-time roles, and all of us are under 30 years old. We're a local station helping develop local business and listenership, where all the money stays local, which is really cool.” -Brad Tunney
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“My hope for Midland is that our 'vision' statement, 'Midland: an inclusive community. Together. Forward. Bold. An exceptional place where everyone thrives,' becomes a 'reality' statement. No place is ever perfect, and there will always be room for improvement, but we have so many people who care deeply and are working hard to improve our town. I want everyone to feel like they belong here, even if they haven't felt that way in the past.” -Annie Stout
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This July, we’ll officially launch the Max Loves Midland Show!
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"When people are equipped with the right tools and opportunities, their potential is limitless, and their ability to impact their own lives and their communities grows exponentially."
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On May 17th, 2024, the Max Loves Midland Navigation Team gathered to discuss the topic of population growth and talent attraction in Midland County.
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Access to Community is proud to share the return of the Sensory Friendly Zone at the Memorial Day Parade! The Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 27th, starting at 10am. The sensory friendly zone will have no loud noises and no flashing lights, starting at the intersection of Rodd St and Grove St.
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One hundred years ago a group of well-meaning Midlanders got together to improve their community. This group was as forward-thinking as they were generous. They helped people prepare for winter, provided eyeglasses and conducted a variety of social-work related support. Their forward seeing pragmatism was in the form of offering mental health counseling. Today, 100 years later, their vision lives on at Family & Children’s Services (FCS).
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The Midland County Great Start Collaborative is launching their Parent & Guardian Early Childhood Survey, which is open now through May 26, to get feedback from parents and guardians about the current strengths and challenges of raising children in Midland County. The information will help them inform their current strategic planning efforts for their next five-year plan.
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Give Local Midland, the annual 24-hour giving event for nonprofit organizations with endowed funds at the Midland Area Community Foundation, returns on May 7. The impact of Give Local Midland in 2023 exceeded $450,000.
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