Loretta Lane Models a Healthy and Active Lifestyle for the Flint Community
Many find walking and running outdoors an enjoyable activity to do in their free time, but some have a strong passion for it, like Site Coordinator of the Flint Community Training Program (FCTP) Loretta Lane. She has always enjoyed walking and doing aerobics around the community of Flint where she is a lifelong resident, having […]
Samantha Tamayo Demonstrates Compassion & Growth
“There is hope for everyone. Never judge a person by things that they have been through, because we all have a story.” Samantha Tamayo is living proof of this statement, a testament to the immense personal growth she has had over the years since starting recovery. Today, Samantha is a Corps Officer (pastor) of the […]
Deputy Smith Is Inspiring Change Through Experiences
“Everyone on this earth is beautifully and wonderfully made, and everyone has a story to tell.” These are the words of inspirational speaker, mindfulness enthusiast, and Sheriff’s Deputy, Deon Smith II, who believes that your experiences in life lead you to a purpose and that it is your job to inspire those around you by […]
Jim Milanowski Increases Access To Health Care
“Health care can be difficult. It isn’t always easy to understand it, afford it, or have access to it,” says Jim Milanowski, President & CEO of Genesee Health Plan, who has a deep passion for serving those in need. Whether it be providing a family with clothing so the children can go to school or assisting […]
Joe Simpson Is Impacting Lives Through Golf
“Find something you truly love to do, and find a way to make a living out of it.” This quote speaks to who Joe Simpson is as a PGA professional and teacher of all things golf. Joe has dedicated his career to teaching youth and adults all about his passion–the game of golf. Born and […]
Janelle McGann Helps Our Youth Get Active Through Bicycling
Today Janelle McGann is helping Flint youth get active through a leadership role within the Berston Bicycle Club, but her journey with the Club began when she was just 17 years old. Started 12 years ago by founder Angela Stamps, the Berston Bicycle Club was developed as a way to provide youth with independence, confidence, […]
InvolvedDad Founder Shon Hart Inspires The Community To Be Better
“Never be a public success and a private failure.” This quote speaks to who Shon Hart is as a husband, father, motivational speaker, trainer, author, coach, and entrepreneur. He has dedicated his life to helping the greater Flint community by promoting responsible fatherhood in order to strengthen families and communities. Even if you only have […]
Dwayne & Sonyita Clemons Are Changing Lives By Changing Minds
Changing lives by changing minds. This statement guides all of the decisions by husband and wife team Dwayne and Sonyita Clemons. What started as a chance encounter 11 years ago has blossomed into a powerhouse couple who is laser-focused on helping the greater Flint community succeed. Anyone who has the opportunity to talk for just […]
Kid Black Fedio Makes Running & Walking More Accessible
“There is a large Deaf community in the Flint area, and they were longing for a running and walking group of their own” shared Kid Black Fedio, who has made it her mission to assist in making this sport more accessible over the past few years, but her passion started long before that. Now retired after […]
David Gaines A Flint (Gem)Stone: How Gaines Jewelry has been giving back to Flint for three generations
Since the original store opened in 1963, Gaines Jewelry, and the Gaines family, have been investing in the people of the greater-Flint area. David Gaines, the current owner/operator, learned the jewelry trade from his father who moved north to Flint from Gideon, Missouri in the mid-50’s, following the large number of people coming to the […]
Shirlet Earnest Helps Neighborhood Become More Active & Healthy
Five years ago, Shirlet Earnest saw a need in the community she grew up in, and she decided to take action by developing a community garden and combining that with her occupational therapy skills. “I’ve always wanted to give back to the community in a way for others to enjoy the outdoors,” Shirlet explained. Born […]
Teresa Barnett Brings Nutrition Education To Flint Students
“I just love being able to teach our youth because you can really watch them grow.” That is what Teresa Barnett shared when asked why she enjoyed teaching so much, and as you talk with her, you begin to feel that passion come through in the way she explains her life story. Teresa grew up […]
Tirrell Hudson Brings Leadership & Mindfulness To Flint Youth Through Sports
Sports run in the blood of lifelong Flint resident Tirrell Hudson, having been a coach at Doyle Ryder for 16 years, but it started long before that. Growing up, he enjoyed sports, particularly basketball, and his uncles made sure he stayed active so that he kept out of trouble. During many summers you would find […]
Shonda Jack Is Helping Bring Mindfulness To The BIPOC Community
Having studied and practiced mindfulness for close to 10 years now, Shonda finds solace in her ability to find clarity and calm; even in stressful situations. She also enjoys teaching mindful awareness, emotional intelligence and compassionate leadership through her role as one of 18 Crim Fellows who recently completed a year-long training to teach the […]
Gretchen Sells Transformed Her Life In Just 3 Years
“The transformation I have seen has truly been life changing.” That is how Gretchen Sells described the past 3 years. As a mother of 2 children, she had spent the last 12 years caring for her children and often, as many mothers do, putting her kids’ and family’s needs above her own. While she had […]
Celebrating Our Flint Community School Directors
The Crim Fitness Foundation takes great pride in our role as lead agency implementing the Flint Community Education Initiative (Flint CEI) in Flint. The lead agency model is used in thousands of schools across the nation, and we’re honored to execute it in our community with fidelity to national best practices. But this vision never […]
Community Advocate Is Cleaning Up Parks & Improving The Community
Mother, mentor, activist, and community builder are just a few words that describe community champion Dominique Strong. Her goal is to fill in the gaps where there is a need through community building and focusing on keeping Flint strong. Dominique has a big heart and paired with her tenacity to give back, she is helping […]
Teaching Life Lessons Through Sports
Linden resident Mike Maienbrook didn’t always work in Flint, but now he honestly can’t imagine working anywhere else. The Manager of Community and Physical Activity for Flint Community Schools was originally from Northwest Indiana. He moved to the Flint area after he graduated from Ball State University for the opportunity to re-engage Flint Community Schools […]
Community Advocate Helps Feed Flint Housing Residents
Resident Services Coordinator of the Flint Housing Commission, Allie Herkenroder truly believes in equity for all, and what a better place to live out this mission than in FLINT?! With a laser-focused vision of equity, and a background of community service, and advocating for Flint residents in any way that she can, Allie always does […]
Local Teacher Practices and Shares Mindfulness as a Crim Fellow
Danielle Hamman became a special education teacher twenty-one years ago to help advocate for others who found school as challenging as she did as a student. School was very difficult for her; reading was a struggle and her teachers saw her as a daydreamer. She had trouble focusing, and couldn’t understand the words on the page. […]
Local Physical Therapist Gives Back To Community
Dr. Amber Schlemmer, owner of Primary Prevention Physiotherapy, is a community champion dedicated to helping people in Genesee County and beyond live the healthiest life. Dr. Schlemmer, a Flushing, Michigan native, is proud to return to her hometown to provide necessary services to members of her community. Her husband, Eric, and two amazing children, Liliana […]
Chasing Passions Later In Life
Do you need to start young to be good at something? The answer is no… at least not for Sue Williams! Sue really chased her passions later on in life. Sue wasn’t always a runner. She moved in 2003 from Wisconsin to Michigan while in her early 30’s, and her new neighbor got her into […]
YouthQuest Director Helps Students Thrive With Afterschool Program
With a Criminal Justice Degree from Michigan State University, Tari (Nefertari) Jones never knew she would spend the past 18 years working in education. But what Tari does know is that she has always had a passion for youth, and she took a very unique pathway to where she is today. Meeting her husband at […]
Flint Resident Keeping Biking Alive In Flint!
Annette Walker doesn’t just like to bike – she LOVES it! As a member of various cycling groups, her favorite and most active group is local to Flint, Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB). This group is for women who aspire to grow their networks and support a community of women of color who share a passion […]
