The Walters Family Foundation welcomes and encourages you to visit our website. We’re sorry for any inconvenience but please access the site through Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox or another modern browser of your choice. Thank you!

Libby Levy

Libby Levy

Stories of ImpactNatural Environment
Posted on:

Restoring Rivers, Preserving Our Great Lakes with Conservation Resource Alliance

Traverse City, MI (September 2020)—In 1995, scientists warned that the Great Lakes were dangerously close to an “ecological tipping point.” They suggested that if nothing was done the entire ecological ecosystem would collapse. To reverse course, the same scientists suggested concurrent paths to resiliency: 1) restoring the rivers and tributaries that flow into the Great Lakes, and 2) preserving coastal wetlands.

Info

Read more
NewsHuron Pines
Posted on:

Reconnected At Last: Huron Pines Restores ‘Pivotal’ Shingle Mill Site on E. Branch Black River

Grayling, MI (July 2020)—A pipe culvert that obstructed the East Branch Black River for decades is gone and with it the persistent problems it caused with erosion, flooding and fish passage. In its place, a shiny aluminum arch ushers wild brook trout to 20 miles of habitat upstream of County Road 622 — vital spawning and nursery grounds supporting the river’s famed fishery. Huron Pines is proud to have led this effort, more than two decades in the making, to restore the Shingle Mill crossing.

Dodg

Read more
Stories of ImpactLearning Initiatives
Posted on:

Helping Children Read and Learn with the Downtown Boxing Gym

Detroit, MI (June 2020)— Khali Sweeney grew up in the Detroit Public Schools not knowing how to read or write. He remembers the narrative that was reinforced to him over and over again — “it doesn’t matter what you do, you’re going to be dead or in jail by the time you’re 21.” It’s a narrative he never forgot, and one of his motivations in creating the Downtown Boxing Gym.

The

Read more
Stories of ImpactEconomic Vitality
Posted on:

Accelerating the Growth of Small Food Start-Ups in Eastern Market

Detroit, MI (March 2020)—With its rich, 128-year history, Eastern Market is one of the most beloved destinations in Detroit — a vibrant pubic market that fosters community connections, celebrates Detroit’s diversity and showcases its food culture. Over the past 15 years, under the management of Eastern Market Corporation, the district has also emerged as one of Detroit’s leading centers for entrepreneurship of all kinds, particularly in the food industry.

Sinc

Read more
Stories of ImpactNatural Environment
Posted on:

Enhancing and Protecting Northern Michigan’s Most Valuable River Systems with Huron Pines

Grayling, MI (March 2020)—Clean water and healthy fish and wildlife populations are critical in making Michigan a great place to live, work, and visit. For 46 years, non-profit organization Huron Pines has been working to enhance and protect our valuable river resources in Northern Michigan. One of its priorities includes reconnecting coldwater brook trout streams, providing immediate benefit for rivers and aquatic life, and the communities that surround them.

In 2

Read more
News
Posted on:

Walters Family Foundation Welcomes New Director

Milford, MI (March 2020)—The Walters Family Foundation is delighted to welcome Libby Levy as the organization’s new Director. Levy joined the foundation in June 2019 bringing more than 18 years of experience in community development, philanthropy and urban planning. She has held positions at organizations including ProSeeds, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Jefferson East Business Association, as well as an urban planning lecturer at University of Michigan.

Read more

News
Posted on:

New Head Start Program at the DIA

Detroit, MI (December 2019)—For the first time, the DIA is piloting a Head Start program in partnership with the Walters Family Foundation. Nearly 150 four-year-old Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county children and their caregivers will attend a series of three programs at the museum this school year to explore art with DIA gallery teachers and learn to make a project of their own in the art-making studio.Afterward, they’ll be supplied with all the material to complete a project together at home.

Read more

Stories of ImpactArts and Culture
Posted on:

Expanding Access to the Arts in Detroit Public Schools with Pewabic Pottery

Detroit’s inner-city youth often lack access to the outlets for creativity and self-expression that are available to their peers in the suburbs. When these teens enter high school and college, they start with a social and cultural disadvantage compared with teens from more affluent families. Detroit Public Schools and Pewabic Pottery are working to address this inequity.

Foun

Read more