East Lansing Info (https://eastlansinginfo.news/tag/caring-for-each-other/)
On Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., residents are invited to hear and see firsthand accounts, poems, songs and artwork from refugees who now call the Greater Lansing-area home. The free program at Haslett Community Church is for all-ages and open to the public.
The Ingham County Bar Association honors Amy Iseler with its Liberty Bell Award for her work with the 54B drug court.
The seniors program, which started as a joint venture between the City and East Lansing Public Schools, offers a bevy of services and programs for local seniors. Emily Joan Elliott reports as the program turns 50.
Nonprofit Spark in the Dark is a network that connects people in need to neighbors that can help. Sarah Spohn spoke to Executive Director and Founder Abagail McKiernan to learn more.
Several ELHS students recently attended the Mid-American Model UN Conference in Kalamazoo. How did they do?
The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation unveiled the Meridian Mall Autism Museum this month, making it the first museum of its kind. Sarah Spohn reports.
Each troop has its own personality and interests, but all give back to their communities in meaningful ways. Al Hargrave reports.
During the ongoing national blood shortage, ELi revisits a story about giving blood during the pandemic. Here’s why it’s still important.
First-graders from Robert L. Green Elementary expressed their thanks for Sparrow’s healthcare workers through handwritten cards. Sarah Spohn reports.
Students from UKirk at MSU are setting out to end book deserts in the Greater Lansing area, and the East Lansing community is able to help them in this effort. Adan Tomas Quan reports.
We asked our reporters which stories that they wrote meant the most to them in 2021. They answered, passing along a varied collection of stories for this year in review.
Two East Lansing churches are looking at providing faith-based reparations to the Black community in the Greater Lansing area. The idea has recently come for discussion to East Lansing’s Human Rights Commission.
As part of International Ninja Day on Sunday, daughter and mother Tristin and Nichole Martin are hoping to introduce more kids to the sport of “ninja” while also fundraising for a meaningful cause to them. Andrew Graham reports.
Boy Scout Troop 2 celebrated the 100th anniversary of its chartership. The troop’s boys unit is believed to be the longest, continuously chartered Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop in Michigan and one of the oldest in the country. How did they mark the occasion?
Mary Jo Wegenke is five years cancer-free, and she continues to help those undergoing chemotherapy. Jack Timothy Harrison reports on Wegenke’s You’ve Got This Project.
Despite falling to Grand Ledge on Tuesday night, the East Lansing program can surely still call the evening a success. Andrew Graham reports.
PeaceQuest Greater Lansing, the Lansing-area’s annual celebration of peace and justice, will take place this September. What will the month-long celebration entail?
Will Pinecrest get a new name? Will school be in-person or virtual in the fall? When will food distribution happen? Is the track open to the public? Find the answers to these questions – and more – in the School Board round up.
After holding its first Juneteenth celebration in 2020, the Pinecrest Neighborhood Association will do the same this year on Saturday at 2 p.m. What will the event include? What is its significance to the community?
Since December 2020, ELPD has had a Community Engagement Team that consists of three neighborhood resource specialists and two social workers. Ann Kammerer speaks to Tonya Williams, the lead Neighborhood Resource Specialist for ELPD, to find out more about the work the specialists are doing in East Lansing.
During the pandemic, East Lansing Girl Scout Brownie Troop 30215 adapted to Zoom meetings and outdoor hikes. Now, their artwork made during the pandemic is on display at the East Lansing Public Library. Sarah Spohn reports.
A lot happened at this week’s four-hour City Council meeting. ELi’s Jack Timothy Harrison brings you up to speed with a 5-minute read!
Resources for mental health are available in our community:
Community Mental Health Crisis Services: (800) 372-84600
The Listening Ear Crisis Hotline (2pm to 2am): (517) 337-1717
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
Trojan Mental Health Matters provides a list of local resources, particularly for children and youth.
For those who have experienced sexual assault or relationship violence, the following resources are available in our community:
MSU Center for Survivors 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline: (517) 372-6666
End Violent Encounters (EVE) 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (517) 372-5572
MSU Safe Place offers shelter and other services: (517) 355-1100 or noabuse@msu.edu.
National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
The program has paired MSU students and local senior citizens for both one-on-one meetings and larger group classes online. What have students and seniors enjoyed? How might the program evolve in fall 2021?
At this week’s public hearing, unlike the last, representatives of social service agencies came forward to ask Council to channel federal grant dollars to their work. Jack Timothy Harrison reports for ELi.
The ELPS Mental Health Advisory Committee partnered with a team at MSU to create a new website that provides mental health information and resources. It is part of a multi-pronged approach to help students.
The editorial board of Portrait, East Lansing High School’s student newspaper, is calling on the leadership of East Lansing Public Schools to attend to concerns they have identified. Board Trustee Monica Fink read a statement in which she also questioned how the district leadership is managing issues of racism and equity. Here is what happened last evening.
The clinic is open to everyone in the community, age 18 and older, at no cost to recipients. Stop by with your photo ID, consent form, and insurance card (if applicable.)
A former patient shares his experience of being hospitalized for Covid, and a Sparrow physician shares what it’s like to work with Covid patients. Both want to see more people get vaccinated.
Human interaction and community are key components of recovery from opioid addiction, but social distancing has complicated that. What’s happening with East Lansing’s specialty drug court? Claire Chapin reports for ELi.
Anyone over age 16 in Michigan can now make an appointment directly with the Ingham County Health Department for a vaccine. Sparrow has walk-in hours for vaccines, and we provide you with information on other local vaccine providers.
Following comments from readers, Ann explains how to be both a great human to your furry friend and a good neighbor. To summarize, please make sure your dog is on a leash, pick up poop, and dispose of it in your own trash can. For fun unleashed play, consider visiting the Northern Tail Dog Park.
What kinds of things does this relatively new City Council want to see funded with HUD funds in the near future?
Covid-19 has been present in East Lansing for over a year. How has it changed our community? Where does our community stand now in terms of the virus?
Visitors to the market will find a wide array of food, including pies, pastas and sauces, goats’ milk and cows’ milk cheeses, fresh eggs, jams, fancy cocktail mixes (just add liquor), and much more. Plus handmade winter hats and gloves, dresses, and aprons.
The East Lansing Public Library will allow building entry for up to one hour to patrons starting Mar. 1. Library Director Kristin Shelley hopes the reopening will help those who rely on the library to file taxes and apply for benefits.
Checking for appointments and waiting for emails has begun to feel like a full-time job, filled with anxiety and confusion. Emily Joan Elliott reports on what seniors have to say what has caused some of the confusion.
A Girl Scout troop from Whitehills Elementary is asking the community for help to give ELPS teachers and staff cookies.
Those eligible may soon receive links to register for appointments in February, but vaccine supply is still low. ELi provides details on the process.
We bring information on how you can register and what the vaccination process through Sparrow will look like.
The Interfaith Clergy Association of Greater Lansing will be releasing a video on Inauguration Day. Adan Tomas Quan reports.
The City hopes the photo contest will both foster a sense of community and support local businesses. Sarah Spohn reports on that and the prizes for winners.
Ingham County Health Department is vaccinating 2,000 people a week and could increase this number if it were to receive more vaccines. Emily Joan Elliott reports on the initial rollout of vaccinating Phase 1B and what to expect next.
Here is how you can sign up to receive the vaccine through the Ingham County Health Department.
Our staff compiles the top stories we expect to cover in 2021. But we can never know all that will happen — like, a pandemic — and that’s why we need your financial support.
Pinball Pete’s has felt the impact of the pandemic and is looking for support through a GoFundMe page. Sarah Spohn reports.
Sarah Spohn brings an update about a virtual concert available for streaming, beginning today.
Dottie Hoopingarner has sewn nearly 2,000 masks during the pandemic. Ann Kammerer brings you this story after a reader first brought it to ELi’s attention.
Your carbon monoxide detector goes off. What do you do? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott walks you through how you can prepare in advance after her own recent experience.
Want to support local families and local businesses at the same time? ELPS is putting out a call for donations of food and gift cards to local businesses to help some district families over winter break.
ELPS families provided more than 500 bags of food to some students’ families for Thanksgiving. They hope to do so again for Christmas with the community’s help.
It’s time to give up on the idea of the perfect gift and buy the gift that will save your local economy. Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott explain why ELi is launching its new series “SPEND LOCALLY”!
Local religious groups worked together on Oct. 31 to provide produce and dairy products for the community. Adan Tomas Quan tells us how it got started.
The Greater Lansing Food Bank will be holding a drive-through mobile food distribution at the University Lutheran Church. Amalia Medina brings us the details.
Game days are returning, even if later than usual. What does it mean for local bars and restaurants during the pandemic? Elke Schrenk reports.
The folks at St. John Food Cupboard, located in downtown East Lasing, want people to know they have supplies available for those facing hunger. Adan Tomas Quan brings us the details.
ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott reminds you where you can find mental health support and resources in the area.
UPDATE: Rental and mortgage assistance is now available on a first-come, first-serve basis for East Lansing residents whose income is at or below the area median income. ELi’s Chris Root explains the programs.
What’s the Elder Persons Millage on the Aug. 4 Ingham County ballot about? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott explains.
“We didn’t realize how much puzzles were in demand until we needed more.”
What’s it like getting tested? Where can you get tested? And why does everyone we hear from in our area seem to come back negative?
Various local organizations are stepping up to help people who need no-cost food to live without hunger.
Marcy Gillespie Kinzer of the Playmakers team updates us on the store’s “fit at home” and virtual injury clinic help. And this Sunday, you can move to share the 517 love.
We bring news on how the Peppermint Creek fundraiser did for the local volunteer sewing army and also provide a general update on the homemade production of masks.
Stressed out in the midst of all this? Lonely? Feeling down? Here is what you need to know about people who can help in our area.
Advocacy coordinator Erica Schmittdiel tells ELi what’s happening amid the Stay-at-Home orders for relationship abuse and sexual assault survivors.
City staff are looking into whether East Lansing’s market could follow the style of the Allen neighborhood market in Lansing.
East Lansing Library Teen Services Specialist Beth Scanlon is not letting the pandemic get in the way of her work supporting area youth.
Blood is needed to help people facing emergency surgeries and birthing mothers. Find out how you can help.
East Lansing’s public health during COVID-19 is being shaped by our demographics and complex health insurance system.
Superintendent Dori Leyko gave more details last night on the district’s plan to restart teaching, and announced free meal distribution would start again.
Rev. Jennifer Tafel says the idea for the local interfaith service, centered on “hope,” came from a community member.
The need and the challenges are high, but this ever-growing community of sewists keeps making masks, headbands, gowns, and more.
Health concerns for those working on meal distribution are significant, and the number of people being fed through the system suddenly doubled.
This Saturday, Playmakers’ race participants will spread out to run, walk, and roll worldwide at three different distances.
The East Lansing Public Library’s doors are closed but its online treasure chest is open! Find out what’s available and how things are going financially.
In an effort to prevent homelessness, the Cities of East Lansing and Lansing are making extraordinary contributions to Haven House and other charities.
For our continuing “Little Local Joys” series, ELi’s Ann Kammerer spoke with East Lansing resident Nancy Cuddeback about the movement to honor medical professionals with candles tonight.
Various groups in this region, including the Capital Area Housing Partnership, are working to help people avoid eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness.
A group called “EL Neighbors and Communities Help Each Other” has been working to serve the needs of vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
Caitlin Hegg is concerned about the community she left behind two weeks ago when Peace Corps officials told her she had to return to the U.S. Amalia Medina files this report for ELi.
Should you get tested if you have symptoms of the coronavirus? And if so, how do you go about it here? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott explains.
A tech-savvy team is running a 3-D printing operation out of East Lansing High School to supply emergency face masks. Marie Adele Grosso reports for ELi on how you can help.
The East Lansing schools-based system for emergency food distribution is changing starting now, and meals will be available for seniors on Wednesday.
Organizer Jessy Gregg calls this community of sewing volunteer ‘crisis crafters.’ They are now making fabric masks to help with the worsening COVID-19 crisis. ELi’s Sarah Spohn reports.
A virtual group effort is creating a community healing event for the whole family. Amalia Medina files this report for ELi.
At Burcham Hills, elimination of communal activities is one of the protections in place during the coronavirus emergency. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott spoke to residents about their concerns.
Many businesses are offering by-appointment help but make sure to call ahead. There are college students willing to help, if you need it. ELi’s Alice Dreger helps by filing this rundown.
An MSU epidemiologist and resident of East Lansing tells ELi he has never seen such a public health threat in his life. And he’s worked in public health for over 40 years. Read why Dr. Nigel Paneth is alarmed.
There’s a new resource to help people in East Lansing figure out which restaurants are doing take-out and delivery. ELi’s Natalie Rose reports.
The East Lansing Public Schools administration has announced plans for feeding children during the public health emergency now ongoing. Here are the details.
An update from ELi leadership on how we plan to cover all facets of East Lansing news during this unprecedented public health crisis.
“Social distancing even one day sooner will save lives,” says the dean of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. What does that look like for people in East Lansing?
ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott spoke with East Lansing’s deputy police chief and an MSU epidemiologist to help you prepare, in case you’re stuck at home.