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!

Stories of Impact

Stories of Impact

Learning Initiatives
Posted on:

Center for Success Network Builds Strong Readers and Bright Futures

Detroit, MI (April 2025) — Every morning used to be a struggle for one Detroit father. His son, resistant to school, dreaded the idea of learning. But everything changed when the boy joined the Center for Success Network, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through literacy. Before long, he was so excited about attending that he’d grab his backpack even on weekends, forgetting the Center wasn’t open. Stories like this are exactly why the Center for Success Network exists: to make literacy a fun, life-changing experience for youth in Detroit and Pontiac.

The

Read more
Stories of ImpactNatural Environment
Posted on:

Headwaters Land Conservancy Preserves Presque Isle County’s Unique Wetlands

Ocqueoc, MI (December 2024)—It’s an uncommon experience to catch a glimpse of the endangered Emerald dragonfly — when you do, its vivid emerald eyes and intricate wings make for an unforgettable encounter with nature. Along the rare dune and swale ecosystems on the shores of Lake Huron, moments with species like these are still possible. And worth preserving. Headwaters Land Conservancy is on a mission to protect northern Michigan’s most vulnerable landscapes and the remarkable species that inhabit them. Without conservation, these sensitive ecosystems face the threat of development, which could alter the land and put its fragile biodiversity at risk.

Read more
Stories of ImpactArts and Culture
Posted on:

Empowering Youth Through the Arts with Shakespeare in Detroit’s STEAM Program

Detroit, MI (October 2024)—During a recent production of Julius Caesar in Detroit, a familiar young face glided through the bustling set. She paused to adjust props, lend a hand with costumes and offer words of encouragement to the actors. Kennedy, a production assistant, felt at home with the Shakespeare in Detroit team. Once a participant in its student program, she returned not only for her love of theater, but also to mentor the next generation of aspiring artists.

“I

Read more
Stories of ImpactEconomic Vitality
Posted on:

ISAIC Opens Career Pathways in Industrial Sewing and Manufacturing

Detroit, MI (October 2024) -When Jen Guarino wraps up her day at the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), she often encounters a familiar face still immersed in his work in the lab. “Okay, Emery, I’m closing up shop,” she says, spotting Emery Jones, a recent graduate of the Fundamentals of Industrial Sewing and Production (FISP) program. With a passion for transforming fabric scraps into innovative designs, Emery is working on what he hopes will be his own clothing line.

Emer

Read more
Stories of ImpactNatural Environment
Posted on:

Working to Protect Michigan Wetlands with Ducks Unlimited

Saginaw County, MI (August 2024)—Nestled in the heart of Michigan lies the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary teeming with wildlife, wetlands and birds galore – song birds, herons, wood ducks, egret, eagles, tundra swans and even pelicans. The refuge, sometimes referred to as the “Everglades of the North,” comprises 10,000 acres of natural habitat, a birder’s paradise that beckons nature enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

For

Read more
Stories of ImpactNatural Environment
Posted on:

Huron Pines Ensures Resiliency through River Restoration and Stormwater Management

Gaylord, MI (August 2024)—Michigan’s lakes and rivers hold a special significance for both Huron Pines and the Walters Family Foundation. This shared appreciation has forged a partnership spanning over seven years and multiple grants – all dedicated to restoring and revitalizing our region’s precious natural environments. One of the key benefits of this long-standing partnership is a shared understanding of the impact of this important environmental work and the ability to uncover new opportunities together.

Nowh

Read more
Stories of ImpactLearning Initiatives
Posted on:

Three-Year Challenge Grant Catalyzes Racquet Up’s Impact

Detroit, MI (August 2024)—Forbes named it #1 of the top ten healthiest sports. It’s a calorie burner, a flexibility booster, a mental toughness builder, and so much more. It’s squash. At Racquet Up Detroit, squash isn't just a game – it's a catalyst for unleashing youth potential. Participants enjoy world-class coaching, robust academic support and character-building activities from the 5th grade all the way through graduation from high school and college.

The

Read more
Stories of ImpactEconomic Vitality
Posted on:

Lean Rocket Lab Expands Opportunities to Entrepreneurs in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties

Jackson, MI (August 2024) - What do a doula, a dog groomer and a coach for parents have in common? These are just a few of the small businesses that make up Lean Rocket Lab LOCAL’s 2024 Fellows Bootcamp. Supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and a three-year grant from Walters Family Foundation, the Bootcamp serves new entrepreneurs in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties.

Thro

Read more
Stories of ImpactEconomic Vitality
Posted on:

TechTown’s Retail Boot Camp Ensures Excellence in Entrepreneurship

Detroit, MI (May 2024) - During his 50-plus-year career as a Detroit musician, Freddie Palmer noticed a common problem among on-stage keyboardists: their sustain pedal never stayed in one place. This often caused distractions and forced musicians to make adjustments that took them out of the moment. Palmer often wondered why no one had come up with a solution. So, he set out to invent one.

Duri

Read more