Michigan Community Service Commission to host listening tour

The Michigan Community Service Commission is hosting a Volunteer Michigan Tour, visiting each region in the state to explore ways to expand service and volunteerism.

The listening tour will allow community leaders to share thoughts on how volunteers and national service can help address the state’s biggest issues. Participants will discuss community challenges and ways to improve the quality of life for residents. Contributors also will explore methods to collaborate and share resources. The input gathered from the tour will help shape the future of Michigan volunteerism and national service as participants will generate ideas to include in a new State Service Plan.

“We want to hear from a diverse group of community leaders to see how service and volunteerism can address Michigan’s toughest challenges,” said Michigan Community Service Commission executive director Ginna Holmes.

In Muskegon, the event will be August 27 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Muskegon Innovation Hub, 200 Viridian Drive.

There will also be an event Sept. 25 (2-4 p.m.) at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Kirkhof Center Grand River Room, 10670 S Campus Dr., and one in Newaygo at Camp Newaygo, 5333 S. Centerline Rd., on Sept. 27 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Others around the state will be in Traverse City, Midland, Gaylord, Marquette, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Flint. 

For more information and to register to attend, visit Michigan.gov/volunteer.

The Michigan Community Service Commission utilizes service as a strategy to address the state's most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. In 2017-2018, the Community Service Commission is granting more than $11 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.