Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Coriander Kitchen in Detroit to Reopen with New Format
Coriander Kitchen and Farm (14601 Riverside Blvd.) in Detroit is reopening for the season on April 1 with renovated space to include more retail options.
While the restaurant has been closed for the winter, the team at Coriander has been working on locally infused menu items, prepping for the 2023 growing season at its sister farm, and the and renovations.
Co-owners Alison Heeres and Gwen Meyer are expecting to offer new hours and more days, full service on evenings and weekends, live local music, and to open their doors for private and community-based events.
The uniquely-modern-old-quirky-bold-functional aesthetic is embraced throughout every aspect of the space, with a recent shift to use the space upstairs for private events, which can seat up to 100 guests.
In addition to the event space, Coriander Kitchen and Farm has undergone additional renovations, embracing a daytime cafe identity to accommodate weekday lunch hours with the addition of adding Mondays to their schedule. A new mini retail market filled with house-made salads and sandwiches, as well as other locally made goods, can be enjoyed by guests on the canal for weekday lunch, and/or grab and go (by land or boat). The retail market will be available during all hours of operation.
For more information on the new hours and menu items, visit corianderkitchenandfarm.com.
Amazon Studios, Amazon Prime Video Hires Expand Marketing Group
Expand Marketing Group in West Bloomfield Township has been selected by Amazon Studios and Amazon Prime Video to handle publicity, promotions, and local partnerships promoting the titles to consumers in metro Detroit and key markets in the state of Michigan.
The first title under this relationship that the agency will represent is the movie “Air,” opening exclusively in theatres nationwide on April 5. “Air” chronicles the partnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division.
Expand Marketing Group is a full-service agency with an expertise in publicity, promotions, partnerships, and sponsorships. The agency is co-owned by Dawn Kelley and Nick Thomas, both marketing industry veterans for a variety of major motion picture studios, Broadway touring shows, television networks, cable television networks, major league sports, game publishers, cultural institutions, fine dining, quick service restaurants, automotive, concerts, events, and a variety of entertainment venues across the country. The duo has worked as a team for almost 25 years and officially started the agency in 2021.
“We are thrilled to be working with the group at Amazon Studios and Amazon Prime Video,” says Kelley. “We have worked with the team over there throughout the years across a variety of film studios and projects and are excited to be able to work with them again.”
For more information, visit here.
Report: New Approach Needed as Michigan Overdose Crisis Grows
In 2021, a record-shattering 107,000 people died from overdose in the United States, including 2,375 opioid overdoses in Michigan. One contributing factor has been weak protocols for overdose response in hospital emergency rooms, where people may end up after a nonfatal overdose, leaving patients without follow up and access to the most effective overdose prevention methods, including prescription treatments.
A new report from Vital Strategies and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that a program in southeast Michigan improved hospitals’ ability to care for opioid use disorder patients in their emergency departments. The evaluation was led by researchers at the Bloomberg School with support from Vital Strategies. The project was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative.
In 2019 the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan launched a program to work with area hospitals to improve access to these lifesaving treatments. The program began in five hospitals, eventually growing to 75 participating hospitals throughout the state.
The report evaluated the 19 hospitals that were part of the program in October 2020 through September 2021 when the program’s 12-month grant cycle ended. Highlights include:
- All 19 hospitals studied increased use of buprenorphine, a prescription treatment used to curb substance use disorder during the 12-month study period. Nine hospitals—nearly half—reported administering medication to treat opioid use disorder to 450 individuals in the ED and providing 250 prescriptions for continued supply of medications after leaving the hospital setting.
- Together the 19 hospitals reported connecting more than 500 patients to follow-up behavioral health care after leaving the emergency department.
- Hospitals with opioid use disorder screening tools integrated into their electronic health records systems reported reduced care delivery delays and increased proportion of patients who received services.
To achieve these results, Community Foundation supported staffing in emergency departments, knowledge-sharing about best practices, and technical assistance by a team of physician and provider champions. Overall objectives of the program included improved patient screening for opioid use disorder, integration of opioid use disorder services into electronic medical records, providing connections to behavioral health care, and initiating buprenorphine treatment. Buprenorphine, along with methadone, has been shown to be the most effective intervention in reducing a person’s risk of overdose, but remain difficult to access despite the recommendations of public health and medical experts.
“Our report provides evidence that the Community Foundation and Michigan Opioid Partnership were able to leverage emergency room settings and help patients get treatment,” says Jason Gibbons, a post-doctoral fellow in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Health Policy and Management, and a lead author on the evaluation report. “Overdoses are at their highest and this is about saving lives. Buprenorphine is a gold standard treatment to address overdose risk. What’s happening in Michigan emergency departments will have an impact on this crisis and should be modeled elsewhere.”
This program was supported funding from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and public health organization Vital Strategies.
For more information, visit vitalstrategies.org.
Michigan Science Center, BASF Corp. Invite Girl Scouts to Explore Science April 1
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) are invited to explore science during a special Kaleidoscope of Science event at the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) from 5-9 p.m. on April 1.
The event will feature an evening of workshops, tabletop activities, take-home projects, and demonstrations, and is open to a range of Girl Scout levels, including pre-K, Ambassadors, Seniors, Juniors, Brownies, Daisies, and Cadettes, as well as their families and volunteers.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Girl Scouts for this special event at Mi-Sci,” says Christian Greer, president and CEO of Mi-Sci. “We believe that encouraging and empowering girls to see themselves in STEM is key to building opportunities and shaping a brighter future for all.”
Girl Scouts will receive a special BASF-branded patch and backpack, science-themed giveaway items from Mi-Sci, along with take a ways from the hands-on activity stations.
Event tickets are $15 for Girl Scouts and $10 for adults. Registration is open until March 26. Girl Scouts must select a 5 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. entry time when purchasing their tickets, available at the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan’s website.
Pope Francis Center Receives Grant from Republic Services in Arizona
The Pope Francis Center in Detroit has received a grant from Republic Services Inc. and the Republic Services Charitable Foundation in Arizona.
The grant will provide a community computer lab and resident fitness center in the new PFC Bridge Housing Campus, which provides meals, supportive services. and housing assistance to the underserved.
The grant is part of the Republic Services Foundation’s National Neighborhood Promise Program, which aims to revitalize communities and the quality of life of residents through volunteer projects, monetary donations, and in-kind services. This year, a total of $2.5 million will be awarded to 12 nonprofit organizations making a lasting difference in local neighborhoods.
Macomb University Center Highlights Advance Degree Opportunities April 11 Event
The Macomb University Center will host a College and Transfer Fair from 4:30-7 p.m. April 11 at the Sports and Expo Center on Macomb Community College’s South Campus in Warren. Prospective students can meet with Macomb University Center partners and guest universities and get information on how to complete an advanced degree close to home.
Participants will be able to ask questions about degree programs offered by Macomb University Center partners and guest universities and learn about transfer agreements, growth industries and careers and how to be career ready at graduation. Attendees can also learn about scholarships, academic support and other resources.
The University Center partner universities are:
- Central Michigan University
- Ferris State University
- Madonna University
- Michigan State University
- Northwood University
- Oakland University
- Rochester University
- University of Detroit Mercy
- Walsh College
- Wayne State University
In addition, 17 guest universities will be in attendance including Alma College, the College for Creative Studies, Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Western Michigan University, and 12 other institutions. Macomb Community College departments of Counseling and Academic Advising, Admissions and Outreach and Veteran and Military Services will also be on hand to answer questions.
The event is free, but registration is required at macomb.edu/uc. Walk-ins are welcome with registration at the door. All registered participants will be entered into a drawing to win Apple AirPods.
Pontiac’s Dorsay Creative Relocates, Starts Website Business
Dorsay Creative, a boutique marketing agency in Pontiac, moved from an 800-square-foot facility to a 2,400-square-foot building at 91 N. Saginaw St., Suite 101, in November 2022. It also has started a new website business for startups called Unite Websites housed in the same building.
Dorsay Creative, which offers digital marketing, website design, and social media services, was founded by Steven Childs in 2016. The company, which has 11 full-time employees, now is a certified minority-owned business.
Unite Websites is offering website design for startup companies starting at $499.
Meijer Recognizes Team Members with President’s Awards
Grand Rapids-based Meijer has announced the winners of its 2022 President’s Awards, recognizing six individuals across the company for their impact on their teams, customers, and communities. The company also announced recipients of its first-ever Meijer Impact award, which celebrates an exceptional team’s accomplishments and extraordinary acts of service.
The company also honored six team members with President’s Awards. Carol Bork, a cashier at the Washington Township Meijer, was the only metro Detroit resident to receive a President’s Award. Other winners were:
- Amy Chan, office manager in the Global Sourcing Office
- Ben Hamlin, director of Own Brand Food in Grand Rapids.
- Dave Hoover, director of Outbound Logistics in Lansing.
- Kyle Musser, director of distribution in Tipp City, Ohio.
- Erik Petrovskis, director of environmental compliance and sustainability in Grand Rapids.
“This year’s President’s Award winners are inspiring, because they demonstrate everyone has the ability to make a meaningful impact on the company’s success,” says Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer. “What these individuals have in common is a commitment to living our company’s values every day, the earned respect of their peers and colleagues, and a passion for making a positive impact on our business. I’m honored to recognize their accomplishments.”
Adrian Meijer Store Director Ben Negron received the 2022 Fred Meijer Award, the highest-level recognition a Meijer team member can receive.
New this year is the Meijer Impact Award, which recognizes exceptional team accomplishments and extraordinary acts of service. The entire team at the Tipp City (Ohio) Distribution Center was recognized for its response to the June 2022 tornado that struck the facility.
$35M Relief Fund Application Goes Live to Assist Small Michigan Nonprofits
The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced the $35 million MI Nonprofit Relief Fund application is live at MINonprofitRelief.org.
The funds are intended for Michigan small charitable nonprofit organizations that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application phase will close on May 5. The website also includes resources and frequently asked questions. Nonprofits are required to complete the application to be considered, regardless of whether they previously filled out the “intent to apply” form. Nonprofits do not have to be members of MNA to apply for/receive grant funding.
“We received an overwhelmingly positive response during the intent-to-apply phase from nonprofits expressing interest in the MI Nonprofit Relief Fund,” says Kelley Kuhn, president and CEO of MNA. “We encourage nonprofits — especially those from underrepresented, underserved and rural areas — to apply. Michigan’s nonprofits have given so much to their communities every day, and this fund helps give back to those who give.”
For additional questions, nonprofits can email relieffund@mnaonline.org.
An additional $15 million MI Nonprofit Impact Grant program will be administered by LEO and is designed for larger nonprofits to support programs that lift people out of poverty and above the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. This program is expected to launch in spring 2023.
Cook Center for Human Connection Awards Grants to Three State Schools
The Cook Center for Human Connection, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention with schools and families, have announced the 20 rural and urban schools from across the nation, three in the state of Michigan, that were selected to receive Calm Room Grants.
The grant program was launched last year to help schools create an in-school safe space for students to reset when they feel anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, angry, or frustrated.
The Cook Center offered matching grants of up to $5,000 per school for up to 25 schools to create a Calm Room in their building. More than 200 schools applied, and those that demonstrated the greatest need and ability to make an immediate impact were selected as grant winners.
In Michigan, the schools awarded were Genesee Junior and Senior High School in Genesee Charter Township, Cleveland Elementary in Livonia, and Wegienka Elementary in Brownstown Charter Township.
