SHELLI DIFRANCO

THE GOOD IDEA: I will start a small consulting business that helps expecting and new parents be confident with breastfeeding and cloth diapering.

HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU COME ALIVE? This idea ignites me! I have two kids under the age of three. I struggled to find local, in-person resources on these topics and want to make it easier for other parents to try – and be successful with — these ideas, too. By my estimations, I have washed more than 4,000 cloth diapers and breastfed for 28 months and counting.

HOW DOES IT POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY? It will educate, empower and equip new and expecting moms to breastfeed and/or cloth diaper in a judgment-free zone. I hope that by supporting families who choose to breastfeed and/or cloth diaper, they will save money and lessen their environmental impact. I’m most looking forward to supporting mom’s who return to work – in whatever form that takes for them – so they can pursue their passions and continue their breastfeeding experience.

WHERE IS THE IDEA AT RIGHT NOW? In the beginning stages. I have a rough business plan and have started posting on social media. And I’m gaining the understanding of what it takes to become a certified lactation consultant by speaking with women in the field. I currently work full time for a local environmental organization now and love doing that; my plan is to host classes and do 1:1 sessions in the evenings and weekends. 

HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? It would help cover the tuition and supplies for lactation consultant training to be done in Traverse City this October.

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– Name: Luke Broyles
Student at Interlochen Center for the Arts

– THE BIG IDEA: My idea is for a short narrative film that encapsulates the experiences of someone with Alzheimers/Dementia. The film would attempt to represent the emotions that patients and their loved ones experience. This short film would be under 10 minutes long, but would aim to give an understandable perspective to such a complicated experience.

– HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING? I have been creating movies since I was six years old. Making movies has always been a passion of mine. My grandfather had Alzheimers and passed away this last summer. Creating a film with such personal connection would make me come alive. Applying a personal story to something I am experienced in will be a great opportunity for personal fulfillment.

– HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY? Filmmaking is naturally a collaborative process, and creating a local film in Traverse City would bring a cast/crew together. Sharing the final product locally is another major goal. There will be other opportunities for community involvement as the project continues.

– WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OF YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, GETTING IT OFF THE GROUND? Phase one of this project entails research for the film. This research aims to give an accurate portrayal of emotions and actions that will happen in the film’s story. The research will include detailed emotional accounts of the experience, as well as a scientific perspective.

– WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD? Phase two is the actual production of the film. With a solid script completed, using research as the foundation, the film will be ready to be shot locally in Traverse City. Post-production will be the final step to complete the film before its release locally, and nationally.

– HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? The money would be used for the production of the film, and for the film festival run. The money will give a boost to the quality of the movie, and to help more people around the nation see it.

– WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH? The project is happening now! The final product should be completed by April or May of 2018.

– HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT? The best way to support at this time would be to like and share our film pages to get exposure for the project. As production comes closer in early 2018, more community support will be needed. If you or a loved one has a personal experience with Alzheimers or Dementia, your thoughts and ideas are appreciated!

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Facebook: facebook.com/futurelightfilms

Website: futurelightfilms.com

futurelightfilms@gmail.com

5-4-16 GRANT WINNERS: Carol Greilick, Shen Chefalo, Cathy Anthofer-Fialon, Jennifer Hutchinson

THE BIG IDEA: We are in the process of building a coalition around building resilience in those affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).  There are many agencies in the community doing the important work of addressing the needs of individuals.  However, we have not engaged in conversation together about the associated ACE research, nor have we talked about building resilience to overcome the impact.  We want to build a structure and system that facilitates the work and collaboration.

HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING? Each of us has experience in human services, including education, justice system, elder care, and community organization.  We are committed to using what we have learned in our nearly 200 years of combined life to build a more compassionate community that supports the growth and healing of all of its citizens.  As a community, we all succeed or fail together.  It is powerful to see individuals overcome adversity!

HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY? By building a resilient community, we allow our fellow citizens to fulfill their potential as human beings and to contribute positively to the community.  Another benefit is that fewer recources are used on health care, juvenile and adult justice, and so on.  We can direct those resources to more positive actions.

WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OF YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, GETTING IT OFF THE GROUND? Our team has applied for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grand for emerging leaders in healthcare.  We meet and study systemic change regularly.  Our next steps include:

• Articulating a vision and plan to engage stakeholder groups with intention
• Providing educational resources for interested community members

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD? Phase two would include:

• Implementation of an outreach strategy to engage stakeholders
• Identify strategic steps with the stakeholder/coalition members

HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? We will use the $500 to begin to build a website that will, in the first phase:

• Clearly identify the vision and purpose of the coalition
• Provide educational resources and links
• Provide links to community resources for those in need

WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH? We plan to launch the website by September 1, 2016

HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT? The most important thing the audience, or community, can do is become education regarding ACEs, use common language, and engage in the conversation as we build the coalition.  We want to emphasize that we are not doing new work, but are providing common language and structure to support collaboration among those already doing important work.
– Current facebook page
– A short and clear video that explains ACEs and their impact

Fulfillament is a storytelling event where five local business community members take the stage and tell how they found fulfillment in their journey- thier inside story.  Each storyteller issues a challenge for the audience to do something to find fulfillment in their own lives. This event awards a $500 grant to an audience member with a good idea that needs some help to get it moving. 

1-16 GRANT WINNERS: Sarah Hunt and Jala Wharton

– THE BIG IDEA: MI Fit Fam, an organization created to help families connect within their community who want to achieve overall fitness and health by living an active lifestyle and doing better for our environment. The objective will be to advocate self improvement and physical health for community members through “swag-free” fitness activites, competitions, and events geared toward family participation, regardless of age. Each event will bring a fitness, health, and environmental awareness aspect on how to better oneself and nature.

–   HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING?  There is nothing more fulfilling for a parent than to provide the best you can for your child. Jala and I, immediately connected on the fact that as parents we wanted our children to experience our passion we both share for being out-of-doors,in nature, and especially on the water. Our passion for standup paddle boarding is a true calling for us both, and is one of the most important thing we want to share with our children, not just our own, but also those of our friends, neighbors and others within our community. Through MI Fit Fam, we will share this way of life, inspire living a healthy lifestyethrough outdoor recreation and strengthen our community.

– HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY?Events will be geared towards improving fitness and “green living” by working with local companies and groups to educate members on how our daily life styles impacts our environment. Creating a healthy life style and doing better for one’s environment can only improve one’s life. Giving constant support to do so is the best positive vibes we can provide as humans to thirve.

– WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OR YOUR FIRST EVENT (AND DETAILS) Phase one will be to connect with community members and work towards building our group through social media outlets. Our first event will be structure towards introducing the community members of MI Fit Fam to a day appreciating our biggest amenity here in Michigan, the water. There we plan to have a day at the beach with members, showing families how they can creatively achieve fitness outdoors by having a fun “field day” full of fitness activities in and out of the water.

– WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD? Throughout Michigan communities, we will work towards finding leading team members who will advocate on behalf of the MI Fit Fam organization and connect with others. Those members will help create MI Fit Fam events in the various areas that will bring a fitness aspect, along with a health and “green living” educational feature raise awareness on what we can do better for ourselves as individuals and our environment.

– HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? Start up cost for organization. Acquire banners and signs items needed to event purpose.

– WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH- ASAP, we have created all the social media outlets to start connecting with the members of our Michigan Communities. We have offers of support from local community members and business owners to provide certain things needed like an official logo design. We will be seeking a website option through other outlets. From that point we will work towards connecting with others in our community, gaining members and setting our dates for future events within each community.

– HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT? Join the group, help spread the word and get other families involved!

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069557796422384/