Occasionally when I am walking in downtown Grand Rapids I will run into a guy with dirty clothes, smelling bad, looking homeless. When I am asked for money, my gut reaction is to want to help. Honestly though, oftentimes I have no idea what is the right response. I will invariably pray for them,Continue reading “Join me at Mel Trotter Ministries 3rd Annual Season of Hope Event – Keynote by Author Ron Hall “Same Kind of Different as Me””
Category Archives: nonprofit
Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this Bill to Make Veterans a Protected Class in Housing Discrimination.
On August 16, 2017 HB 4872 was introduced into the Michigan House of Representatives. The Bill amend the “Elliott-Larsen civil rights act,” and would provide that veterans are included in the list of those protected by Michigan law against housing discrimination. The Bill would define Military Service as: “STATUS OF BEING AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERContinue reading “Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this Bill to Make Veterans a Protected Class in Housing Discrimination.”
Removing Employment Barriers For the Most Vulnerable. Work To Be Done.
Today I read an article from the ABA Journal – NY District Attorney’s efforts resulted in some $644,000 of minor offenses being dismissed. Check out the article here. In making his argument in support of the massive dismissals, the District Attorney explained to the Judge that: “New Yorkers with 10-year-old summons warrants face unnecessary unemploymentContinue reading “Removing Employment Barriers For the Most Vulnerable. Work To Be Done.”
Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.
Yesterday I read a story about a Detroiter, Raphael Wright who plans on opening a “mission-driven supermarket” in downtown Detroit. Check out the article on NextCity. Raphael’s idea is sparked by a much needed grocery option in Detroit- particularly for low-income residents. I love this idea. A few years back I took my family toContinue reading “Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.”
Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?
On March 30, 2017 House Bill 4456 was introduced. The Bill would repeal Michigan’s prohibition on Rent Control. The Bill was presumably proposed in response to the affordable housing crisis in Michigan and all across the United States. Other local governments across the U.S. are exploring legislative avenues to address the housing crisis. According toContinue reading “Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?”
Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.
Two Thanksgivings ago I took my family to New York City. Even amidst the chaos of protecting my 4 young children from darting out into oncoming traffic – we absolutely loved the City. We loved the walk-ability of City life – that you could walk down a block to a grocery store and get allContinue reading “Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.”
A “Fierce Urgency.” Reflections on Community Development/Affordable Housing.
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” –Continue reading “A “Fierce Urgency.” Reflections on Community Development/Affordable Housing.”
A Lawyer’s Year-End Reflections.
It is the end of 2016. I am having “big picture” thoughts as the year ends. I have a pretty nice “big picture” view out of my office window. Out of my office window from the 12th floor of 99 Monroe overlooks many ice skaters at Rosa Parks’ Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. It isContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Year-End Reflections.”
Update on Community Development and Affordable Housing: Is an Answer Found in Social Enterprise?
Today the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund released its five year Strategic Plan If you are not familiar with the CDFI, the CDFI “works to spur economic growth and opportunity in many of our nation’s most distressed communities.“ “The CDFI Fund’s mission is to expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by supporting theContinue reading “Update on Community Development and Affordable Housing: Is an Answer Found in Social Enterprise?”
Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: Update on Michigan’s Benefit Corporation Legislation.
House Bills 5710, 5711 & 5712 were introduced on May 31, that would allow BCorps to be formed under Michigan Law. Although the State House has taken no formal action since June 1, in late September the House Fiscal Agency issued a Fiscal Analysis on the BCorp bills, check it out here. The AnalysisContinue reading “Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: Update on Michigan’s Benefit Corporation Legislation.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 