Founded in 2001 with the goal of offering positive alternatives to the challenges of urban life, The CHANGE Foundation initially focused on providing free and low-cost music education to local children, youth, and adults. Since 2006, the organization has seen significant expansion in its vision of service. But its core mission remains to support the personal development, civic engagement, and cultural enrichment of urban youth.

Responding to the evolving socio-economic landscape and the acute needs of the subterranean community, the organization strategically diversified its scope and now emphasizes three key branches of programming:

WECan: This initiative aims to create meaningful small business entrepreneurship opportunities for disconnected and “hard-to-employ” urban youth; and to provide practical property maintenance services to make the community cleaner, greener, safer, and more attractive.

MicroMissions: This initiative offers educational travel tours to micro-enterprising, underexposed, and globally disconnected youth. Emphasizing cultural immersion, service exchange, and one-on-one connections with cross-Atlantic peers, MicroMissions provides young people with a comprehensive understanding of global education, cultural exchange, and entrepreneurial enterprise. www.micromissions.online

Notes From The Village: This is a bi-quarterly, community-sourced, digital correspondence reaching nearly 350 incarcerated adult citizens of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. The www.NFTV.Online website centers the voices of the incarcerated while helping to foster and facilitate greater opportunities for connections between free-world people and celled people. Additionally, NFTV provides personalized advocacy services, including spiritual affirmations, career development, guidance, resource mapping, and direct reentry support for these incarcerated individuals.

Despite not having a formal pastoral position or wealthy backing, his passion drives positive change. His efforts have made a significant impact, channeling support and empowering individuals both locally and internationally.

Our efforts with WECan Property Maintenance contribute to the beautification and preservation of blighted city spaces in Flint, creating a more attractive and culturally vibrant living environment for the community. The harsh economic climate of Flint makes the stipends offered by WECan a vital and much-needed incentive for the youth. By providing financial support, recognition, and empowerment, these stipends play a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty and equipping the youth with the tools and motivation to overcome barriers, pursue personal growth, and contribute to the revitalization of their communities. Youth participating in WECan witness firsthand the positive impact of their efforts against blighted city spaces. The stipends reinforce the significance of their role in making a tangible difference in their community.

As a digital platform that allows residents to expand their notions of digital neighborhoods, Notes From The Village centers equity by uplifting and amplifying the voices of caged, formerly incarcerated, disenfranchised, and disconnected youth in and from Genesee County.

The MicroMissions 2022 journey of exonerated Kenneth Nixon, reflects the redress of truth, racial healing, and transformation. It also reflects the embodiment of a combination of these initiatives.