Blog

Blog

Make Historic Child Care Investments Work for Families, including the Need for Summer Learning Programs for School-Age Youth this Year

2 years ago

Making public policy work for children, youth, and families means helping families thrive, no matter what ages their children may be. This summer, many working families would like to rely…

Michigan Poised for Important Progress in Child Care Improvements

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

Never has there been a time when more attention was focused nationally on child care access. The pandemic has exacerbated the already grim state of the child care system in…

Former Foster Youth Credits On-Campus, Post-Secondary Education and Help with Giving Her a Better Future

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

As a child of the state’s foster care system, I’ve had experiences that most people couldn’t relate to. But I’ve also gained incredible insights into what helps young adults like…

Measuring a Legacy: Michele Corey’s Inspiration and the Work Ahead

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

I’ve been thinking a lot about legacies lately and how we can best carry forward the life of people so significant. There are over seven billion people in the world…

Michigan’s Uber Advocate for Afterschool, Mary Sutton Built a System with Perpetual Grace and Grit

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

(May 28, 2021) In a Zoom-style farewell this week with over 50 of her closest colleagues, Mary Sutton was equally praised for her cool-headed knack for tackling the granular details…

Teens Talk, Leaders Listen: The Power of Youth Voice at Grand Rapids KidSpeak

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

The stories were often gripping, and always poignant. During last week’s KidSpeak in Grand Rapids, Jesus Garcia addressed community and government leaders via Zoom, and crushed it with a poetic…

Missing Michele: The ‘Inspiring Child Advocate and Indomitable Force’

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

Question: What is the definition of a child advocate? Answer: Michele Robotham Corey Michele Corey came on the staff of Michigan’s Children in the late 1990s while she was still…

Remembering Michele Corey

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

‘Michele Didn’t Talk-the-Talk on Making Systems More Anti-Racist; She Walked-the-Walked’ This past month has been incredibly challenging. Today marks one month since Michele’s passing. In that same month, we’ve seen…

With a ‘Bee in Her Bonnet,’ Michele Corey was the Ultimate Champion for the People

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

Michigan lost another brilliant soul. But we have not lost her wisdom. As a person, colleague, and advocate, Michele Corey was a role model. Michele grew up on dirt floors,…

Engaging Advocates across Michigan, and Lessons Learned about Outreach

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

A few months ago I was brought on board to a new position at Michigan’s Children as regional engagement and mobilization associate and tasked with engaging organizations and people in…