LANSING – With its dedicated team of staff members and volunteers, Northwest Initiative supports the communities bordering the Grand River in Lansing with an array of services that range from food distribution to prison diversion programs. NWI is a currently funded partner of United Way of South Central Michigan.
The organization’s work around nutrition is especially broad. Here are some of the ways they serve:
- Twice each month, they distribute food to community members from area providers.
- Through the school year they provide “Weekend Survival Kits” – packed meals for K-12 students at neighborhood schools to ensure nutrition support extends throughout the week.
- Cooking classes are offered so community members can learn healthy, affordable food preparation.
Additionally, NWI’s Food Systems Project engages local school children in learning about and practicing good nutrition. This program supports gardens at four elementary schools (Riddle Elementary, Willow Elementary, Sheridan Road School, and Gier Park School) where students participate in every step from choosing what to grow and preparing the soil, to harvesting, cooking, and eating the food.
“We appreciate the key role that NorthWest serves in addressing the immediate need for food assistance while also bolstering the skills that students and families can use to grow and prepare healthy meals on their own,” said Michele Strasz, Community Impact Director for UWSCMI.
Through their Advocacy, Re-entry, Resources, Outreach (A.R.R.O.) program, NWI is also actively working to support people who have been in the criminal justice system. Their wide range of services include programs for prison re-entry and prison diversion (for individuals on probation), advocacy for formerly incarcerated individuals, community organizing work, and running support groups.
To learn more about NorthWest Initiative visit them on Facebook.
Visit our local Capital Area page to learn more about our currently funded partners and work in and around Lansing.
Editor’s Note: Connection Corner is a series that connects our communities with people and programs. Connection Corner will highlight programs from Jackson, Capital Area, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo on weekdays throughout the year.