Bridge Detroit (https://www.bridgedetroit.com/author/olivia-lewis/)
Olivia Lewis is a reporter for BridgeDetroit. She was formerly a reporter for the Battle Creek Enquirer and the Indianapolis Star. She has also worked in philanthropy for the Kresge Foundation, the Council of Michigan Foundations and Direct Relief International.
During the coronavirus pandemic, more people are escaping to Belle Isle. Long a beloved park with gardens, beaches and pathways, it is a place where friends and families have gathered for decades. Now, it serves as a site for solace.
Detroit Public Schools Community District’s school board and superintendent doubled down on a reopening plan amid complaints from teachers, students and community members who said it’s too early to return to in-classroom instruction. Now it’s up to the Legislature to make administrative changes that would support public school districts in online learning.
The school board will review a 42-page reopening proposal during its meeting tonight as parents, teachers and advocates debate the merits of putting students in classrooms and threats of withholding federal funding hang in the balance.
The state has increased access to telehealth services for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan beneficiaries, but that access helps little when 52 percent of Detroiters lack broadband access.
The High School Completion Program will initially accept 50 adult students who will be paid to complete their GED or high school diploma. The program is a partnership through the City of Detroit’s Detroit at Work program and Detroit Public Schools Community District.
All Voting is Local Michigan hosted a tele-town hall Monday evening with Detroit Action, the League of Women voters of Michigan, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib. The panel discussed Michigan’s expanded access to voting while explaining the absentee, or vote by mail, process.
In the past month, anonymous Twitter pages have surfaced, allowing survivors of sexual abuse to anonymously share their stories while publicly naming accusers. The local community is now questioning this method of public storytelling and accountability as more Detroit names are called out.
Detroiters define entrepreneurship, their level of financial security and who they turn to for advice in a new report from Detroit Future City, DMACS and New Economy Initiative. The data highlights Detroiters’ positive outlook on economic mobility and inclusive entrepreneurship prior to the spread of coronavirus.
Wayne County has pulled together almost $18 million in coronavirus relief aid and answered 12,000 applications for assistance. Over 8,000 applications remain, as the waiting list continues to grow. Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency has extended its hours, and continues vetting applications through the end of June to determine what needs remain.
Expanded access to voting is a promising development for Detroit residents. However, the threat of coronavirus still lingers, as does disbelief that elected officials will enact policy on behalf of Michigan’s Black and brown communities.