Connect. Invest. Grow.
Did You Know:
• Approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
• At least 85% of autistic adults are unemployed and have a college education?
• There is an organization in our community that’s working to place these talented workers in local businesses that are struggling with staffing issues?
Living and Learning Enrichment Center (LLEC) reflects the vision and energy of its founder Rachelle Vartanian. Rachelle has earned two master’s degrees in Educational Psychology and Autism Spectrum Disorders. The second master’s degree came as a direct result of the most important letters ever added to Rachelle’s name: M.O.M. Her youngest son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at five years old (17 years ago). Determined to fill in the multitude of blanks about what could be done for those with autism, Rachelle went back to school to learn all she could about ASD. In response to the lack of affordable, accessible support groups for herself and her son, Rachelle started a free weekly social skills program in the Farmington Community Library. The overwhelming and positive results led her to quit her 20-year career as a special education teacher, sell her home, downsize her possessions, borrow from her retirement account, and open the Living and Learning Enrichment Center in downtown Northville. Living and Learning Enrichment Center has become a beacon for parents and clients with autism and related conditions. Flash forward 8 years and LLEC is providing the services and skills/vocational training she saw an urgent need for while her son was growing up. Rachelle and the dedicated staff at LLEC are helping members and their parents achieve the hopes and dreams all parents have for their children.
Our Panel
Rachelle Vartanian is the Founder and Executive Director of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center. She has always refused to accept the status quo and has made a career of constantly advocating for and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Her mission is for LLEC to be the nation’s model for providing quality services and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. It is this drive that has caused LLEC to be one of the fastest growing companies in the state of Michigan.
Ethan Erlandson oversees LLEC’s Job Development Program to help adults with disabilities find gainful employment. This program assists individuals with job readiness training including soft skills, career/job exploration, resume' writing, application training, interview preparation, and professional communication. Communication is continuous between our coordinator, coaches, employer, and family to ensure that employment is being maintained and successful.
David Franco oversees the Exceptional Academy, an advanced work skills training program for adults with disabilities that currently provides Cisco IT networking certification training with a focus in Cybersecurity. The Academy (the only one of its kind in Michigan) is one of many programs offered by the Living and Learning Enrichment Center. David uses his experience from 20 years of technology sales to successfully recruit students, sponsors and strategic partners.
DETAILS:
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 • 11:30-1:00
Canton Township Administration Building (1150 Canton Center Rd.)
FREE (however, registration is required)
Call Beth at 734-495-1200
For residents of Plymouth, Canton, and Westland, we are part of the Rouge River watershed. The Rouge River watershed encompasses 48 communities throughout SE Michigan serving 1.35 million people. It’s a critical regional resource for recreational opportunities, wildlife habitats, and even drinking water.
We are connected to the Rouge watershed through our storm water runoff and storm drain systems. Things we do at our homes and yards drain directly into the watershed. Practicing healthy habits in your yard helps filter pollutants before they reach the watershed.
As spring approaches, Annette DeMaria, Executive Director of the Alliance of Rouge Communities, will provide tips for homeowners to keep a beautiful yard while reducing their impact on the watershed. Topics to be discussed include alternatives to household chemicals, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and proper disposal of pet waste.
We hope you will join us for this free Lunch and Learn event at the Plymouth District Library on March 15th at 11:30 am.
About our Speaker:
Ms. Annette DeMaria, P.E., PMP is a principal engineer with 25 years of experience at Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc., and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC).
Ms. DeMaria’s entire career has focused on the restoration of the Rouge River watershed. Her experience includes municipal storm water permitting, green storm water management, water quality monitoring, beach sanitary surveys and project management. She oversees municipal storm water permit compliance for more than 20 Michigan communities.
Ms. DeMaria is a registered Professional Engineer (MI) and a certified Project Management Professional.
DETAILS:
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 • Plymouth District Library (223 Main St., Plymouth)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
FREE (however, registration is required)
Register here online or contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200.
The Civility Project was presented by Westland Community Foundation , part of Local Impact Alliance.
Here are pictures from the event, video of the conversation is now available available on the website of https://localimpactalliance.org/.
W
elcome to the winter line up of Lunch & Learns.
We invite you to bring your lunch and feed your mind!
The Civility Project - Lunch & Learn
with Nolan Finley & Stephen Henderson
Americans are at their best when they can talk with one another, disagree, even argue — but agree to keep the dialogue going. Unfortunately, too many people today feel like they can’t do that. Instead they avoid speaking to people with whom they disagree. The Civility Project is changing that. Civility is defined as “formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.” It’s a process of treating one another — regardless of different opinions, perspectives or political leanings — with respect and kindness. It’s about listening to another viewpoint, even if you don’t agree with it, searching for the humanity behind a perspective or stance. If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend a Civility Project session (or even if you have), we hope that you will plan now to join us for this amazing experience with these two giants of Michigan journalism. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
• Agree to disagree
• Learn to listen to other sides
• Engage in civil conversation
• Use what you hear too challenge or affirm your own views
• Build respect for each other’s humanity
• Stay curious
DETAILS:
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 — Westland City Hall Ballroom, 36300 Warren Rd., Westland, 48185 11:30-1:00
FREE (however, registration is required)
Contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200 to register
About Our Hosts:
Celebrated journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson have been longtime friends, despite their different perspectives on pretty much everything. The one thing they agree on is the importance of their friendship — which includes a healthy does of disagreement and mutual respect.
Nolan Finley began his newspaper career as a copy boy at The Detroit News while a senior in college. After a brief stint with the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Finley returned to The News as a reporter. In 2000, he was named Editorial Page Editor, where he directs the expression of the newspaper’s editorial position. He is also the co-host of One Detroit on PBS. In 2012 Finley was inducted in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Stephen Henderson is an American journalist who won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and the 2014 National Association of Black Journalists “Journalist of the Year” award while writing for the Detroit Free Press. Since 2015, Henderson has hosted Detroit Today on WDET. In 2020, he founded BridgeDetroit, where he serves as Executive Editor.
Local news coverage, particularly at smaller local newspapers, is in the midst of a long financial crisis. As local news coverage has declined precipitously due to consolidation, declining budgets, and shrinking news staffs, communities like Canton, Plymouth, and Westland are not receiving the local media coverage they have in the past.
Anuya Shetty is currently a junior at Canton High School. She serves as the News Director for WSDP, 88.1 the Park.
Avneet Pandher is a Salem High School Junior. She currently serves as the Public Affairs Director at WSDP. 
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Dr. Stephen Bloom, Medical Director of Rehabilitation at St.Josephs Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, will join us to talk about the symptoms of long Covid and living with the long-term effects. Time will be reserved to answer specific questions.
Contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200
