Connect. Invest. Grow.
JOIN US AT THE 17TH ANNUAL VETERANS' SUMMIT!
Always a popular FREE event, the 17th Annual Veterans' Summit is a must-attend for veterans, their famiies and those who support them!
Join us for an informative and meaningful time featuring Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone and Kristina Derro, Esq., veteran benefit law expert. Our speakers will provide timely updates and practical guidance to help veterans and their families unerstand and navigate today's changing veteran benefits landscape.
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Westland City Hall Ballroom, 36300 Warren Road, Westland
| REGISTER HERE! |
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
Know a veteran, family member, caregiver or organization or professional who could benefit from this information? Please share!
FREE: STEP BACK IN TIME AT THE WESTLAND HISTORICAL VILLAGE PARK
Join us to learn more about the fascinating regional history in Westland! Local historian, educator and Westland resident, Sharon Sullivan will share information about the region on Wednesday, May 13 at the Westland Historical Village Park.
Explore and absorb stories of how the community came to be.
Presented by the Westland Community Foundation, this is a FREE event, but registration is requested. Please register using the link below or call (734) 495-1200.
Westland Historical Village
857 N. Wayne Road, Westland
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
With the warmer weather, now is the perfect time to start preparing your flower beds and vegetable gardens for spring planting. Join us Wednesday, April 15 at the Canton Public Library as experts from local nonprofit, Growing Hope provide valuable information about preparing gardens for a successful growing season.
Whether you’re planning to grow fresh vegetables or simply want a beautiful flower garden, this session will provide practical tips and guidance to help your garden grow.
Presented by the Community Foundation of Plymouth, this is a FREE event, but registration is requested. Please register using the link below or call Natalie McLaughlin at (734) 495-1200.
Canton Public Library, Community Room
*this is not a Canton Library sponsored event
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
JOIN US at the Plymouth Historical Museum!
What do air rifles, trains and history have in common?
The Plymouth Historical Museum!
Join us for a fun and informative FREE Lunch & Learn where you’ll discover how local history connects to the stories we’re still making today and get a tour of this magical museum.
Learn from local history expert and Executive Director, Liz Kerstens!
With 19 years at the Museum and a Masters in State & Local history, Liz has a depth of knowledge known throughout the region!
Regional history comes alive followed by a tour of the Museum
Details:
When: Wednesday, March 18, 11:30 am- 1:00 pm
Where: Plymouth Historical Museum, 155 S. Main St., Plymouth 48170
Questions? Contact Natalie McLaughlin via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 734-495-1200.
Upcoming Lunch & Learn Topics, 11:30 am- 1:00 pm:
April 15: Prep your gardens! Learn from Growing Hope Development Manager, Josiah Foster.
The Community Foundation of Plymouth is a member of the Local Impact Alliance
Your Local Impact Alliance brings you an evening event at the Bearded Lamb Brewery in Plymouth!* Come learn about the brewing process, connect with others, and enjoy some snacks from Old Village General Store. If you wish, test a flight of owner Ryan Lamb's favorite beers!
*MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND
Date: January 28, 2026
Location: Bearded Lamb, 149 Liberty St., Plymouth, 48170
Time: 5:30- 7 pm
There is no cost for the event, but if you wish to sample the flight, there is a $15 fee.
Register below.
Details:
Wednesday, November 19, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Village Arts Factory, 50755 Cherry Hill, Canton 48188
Questions? Contact Natalie McLaughlin via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or by calling 734-495-1200.
Ann Conklin is a dedicated parks and recreation leader with over 40 years of experience in municipal and nonprofit leadership. She served as Executive Director of the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, where she secured over $1.8 million in grant funding and led statewide advocacy efforts. Prior to that, she directed Canton Township’s Leisure Services Department, managing a $13 million budget, over 350 staff, and a wide range of community facilities and programs. Ann is recognized for her strategic vision, commitment to inclusivity, and strong community partnerships, earning honors such as the mParks Hall of Fame and the NRPA Gold Medal Award. Since her retirement Conklin has been a member of the Partnership for Arts and Humanities Board serving as a the Board lead for operations.
Details:
When: Wednesday, October 15, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Where: IKEA Restaurant, 41640 Ford Road, Canton
Questions? Contact Natalie McLaughlin via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or by calling 734-495-1200.
Check out our video to this event - 16th Annual Veterans' Summit
Local Impact Alliance Hosts 16th Annual Veterans’ Summit
The Local Impact Alliance proudly hosted its 16th Annual Veterans’ Summit in September, bringing together veterans, their families, and community members for a day of connection and support.
This year’s summit featured experts Carol Ann Fausone and Kristina Derro from Legal Help for Veterans, who shared the latest updates on veterans’ benefits and offered guidance on navigating today’s evolving landscape. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions during an open Q & A session, ensuring they left with knowledge tailored to their unique needs.
At the Local Impact Alliance, we are deeply honored to host this annual gathering, and we are so grateful for the sacrifices these men and women have made in service to our country.
To all who joined us, thank you. And to all who serve and have served, your courage and dedication will always inspire us.
ATTENTION MILITARY VETERANS, SPOUSES AND FAMILIES!
Local Impact Alliance presents the 16th Annual Veterans’ Summit
Join us for this free event as experts from Legal Help for Veterans share how veteran benefits are changing. Hear speakers Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone and veteran law expert, Kristina Derro, Esq. share information and practical ways to navigate the current benefits landscape. Information will be shared at 11:30 with questions to follow. Find resources and make connections for veterans and their families.
Lunch is provided!
Details:
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
11:30-1:30
Westland City Hall Ballroom
36300 Warren Rd., Westland
This is a FREE event, however, we ask that you register.
This event is part of the Local Impact Alliance's "Lunch & Learn" program.
About Our Speakers:
Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
General Fausone served as the Assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs from 2001-2005 working directly with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Force Health Protection, and Readiness. Serving in this capacity, she assisted in developing and implementing programs, policies, and operations for Reserve Affairs.
General Fausone graduated from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 1975 and in 1977 received her commission in the United States Air Force as a medical officer. She served on active duty in various nursing positions and in late 1981 transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard. In 1983 and 1995, she completed a Master of Science in Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan.
General Fausone has written over 25 Veterans Disability EBooks for Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC since 2013. In 2021, General Fausone co-authored "Impact on Health from Exposures: Case Examples from Military Eras and Guide for Clinical Practice - Practical Guide for Managing the Health of Veterans After War/Conflict Exposure: Case Examples from Recent Events" published in the Journal of Nursing Practice. She partnered with the University of Michigan School of Nursing to create 360 Virtual Education, a series of immersive videos created to support healthcare providers when they are caring for military veterans in a variety of healthcare settings to address health inequities and give nursing students the tools to engage in culturally competent clinical practice.
Carol Ann Fausone continues serving by “Taking Care of Our American Heroes and their Families” to obtain the benefits they deserve.
Kristina L. Derro, Esq.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
Kristina L. Derro concentrates her practice primarily on veterans' disability matters before the VA and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Kristina utilizes her Master’s degree in social work, Bachelor’s in psychology, and previous history of working with individuals suffering from mental health disorders by handling mental health disability claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Kristina's litigation experience allows her to pursue cases involving federal tort claims against the VA. Prior to joining the law firm, she worked as a social worker with economically disadvantaged populations suffering from mental health disorders. She is a 2006 graduate of Wayne State University Law School and has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Kristina takes great pride in her impact on our clients' lives with her work at Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC.
In a country where over 1 billion tons of food is wasted each year, it’s heart-wrenching to realize that less than 5% of residential waste is composted. Yet, there is hope! As landfill space becomes more scarce, food composting is one of the simplest and most impactful actions people can take to reduce the amount of food ending up in landfills, keep waste hauling rates low, and also produce beneficial compost for their gardens.
In a move toward sustainability, in 2023, Canton Township launched a pilot residential food composting program. Two years later, this initiative has flourished, successfully diverting several hundred thousand pounds of food waste from nearly 1,000 homes. Canton Township is also one of a handful of Michigan communities conducting a system-wide analysis of its food waste - looking at sources like restaurants, health facilities, schools, government offices, and residences to better understand the issue and to better develop solutions. This study should be completed by the summer and help Canton Township develop a community-wide composting strategy.
Want to learn more? Get an update on some of the early findings? Learn about future strategies? Then please join us on February 12th at 11:30 am for our next Lunch & Learn at Canton's Municipal Building. Danielle Todd from Make Food, Not Waste will update us on the progress of Canton's system-wide study; and Mike Logan and Jenna MacDonald from Michigan Consulting & Environmental will talk about the successes and challenges with Canton's residential program.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Canton's cutting-edge composting efforts and how you can get involved!
Details:
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Canton Township Administration Building - main floor board room
(1150 Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI)
This event has already occurred. Click here to view the recording.
This event is part of the Local Impact Alliance's "Lunch & Learn" program.
Please feel free to bring your lunch.
