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How Great is Livonia with so much happening like Shakespeare in the Park!

Opening night of Livonia Shakespeare in the Park. Director Joe Johnston welcomed everyone then the audience settled back and the play began. Food truck on hand, Livonia Community Theatre set up a canopy with snacks for the break. People smiling in anticipation. Enjoy the play next weekend. Love the setting with trees, happy folks, and actors,

Elevating a Passion For Giving Back through St. Baldrick's

Meet Matthew Kulacki one of the 2% in our hometown working

to make a difference in the lives of chidren with cancer

The following article by Robbyn Moore with the family picture by Jermaine Buie was provided to Musings, at our request, by Matt Kulacki after this typewriter talked with him at Spree as he was raising levels of consciousness at a St. Baldrick's display. We wanted to share the story of a Livonia resident who is a part of the 2% making a difference through his actions not just words.

The story is from a year ago but it speaks volumes about the Livonia effort in support of fighting pediatric cancer.

Matthew Kulacki firmly believes if you influence this world — no matter how big or small — you should use it to do something positive. As a native from the Livonia area — and years as a bartender, real estate agent, and philanthropist — Matthew’s sphere of influence reaches a vast, diverse, and benevolent audience.  

Matthew’s opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others presented itself five years ago when he was asked to bartend at a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event. Once he saw the impact the organization was having on everyone involved, he knew he had to become a  

part of it. “As a bartender, I meet so many people from all different walks of life,” Matthew said.

“The volunteer groups at St. Baldrick’s are some of those people. Good people.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer- and donor-powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and giving survivors long and healthy lives. By working closely with leading pediatric oncologists, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation determines the best research to make the greatest impact for children with cancer and takes great care with every donor dollar, keeping the staff small, the expenses low, and directing every possible dollar to childhood cancer research. The goal is to one day put a stop to childhood cancer. 

To raise funds, the organization hosts a series of head-shaving events in and around the community. When Matthew attended his first event, Robb Drzewicki was the Volunteer Event Organizer. Since then, Robb and Matthew have become great friends, and Matthew has become Robb’s successor. 

“Five years ago, I volunteered at my first event and was hooked,” Matthew recalled. “My participation has grown where I am now in the lead organizer role, overseeing this chapter.” 

Matthew said his volunteer work with St. Baldrick’s is fuel for his soul. “As a father, husband, and full-time real estate agent, I don’t have an abundance of free time to spread around,” he explained. “But I know that there are people out there who need help — my help. And in doing so, these events make me feel proud. They make me feel fantastic! But most of all, I am humbled to be a part of it.” 

While the foundation’s most successful event was in 2017 when they raised $142,000 and shaved over 100 heads, their biggest success was in 2020. “Beyond the impressive funds we raised during a pandemic, we watched volunteers get creative,” Matthew said proudly. I am most proud of the efforts.” (continued below)

Following completion of a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), Trinity Health Livonia identified the top priority health needs in its service area to be mental health, including substance use; diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure (Hypertension); and access to resources, with a focus on housing and nutrition security.

Over the next three years, Trinity Health Livonia, in partnership with local community organizations, will focus its community benefit resources to address these priorities. The CHNA report was developed from a thorough review of national, state, and local data, key stakeholder interviews, and community focus groups.

Through this process, Trinity Health Livonia identified the most significant opportunities where the hospital can positively impact health and well-being within the community.

"While the results of this year's community health needs assessment were not surprising, it is a valuable tool,” said Matthew Griffin, MD, president and chief medical officer of Trinity Health Livonia.

“It confirms our focus and gives us a deeper understanding of the kind of support our community needs. Our team is eager to get to work, to allocate the resources available to us, and to continue developing and supporting programs that address critical health needs in our community.”

Driven by a mission to serve Michigan communities, Trinity Health prioritizes the health needs of underserved and vulnerable populations. Its commitment to community benefit extends well beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics.

By dedicating resources each year to community programs and initiatives, Trinity Health strives to fulfill its ethical and moral responsibility as a faith-based health care provider.

This focus on community health and well-being directly addresses health disparities and further strengthens the bond between the health system and the communities it serves.

Looking ahead, Trinity Health Livonia is working with community stakeholders on an implementation plan to address each identified need by leveraging its resources and partnerships, awarding community impact grants, focusing on the poor and most vulnerable, and by addressing barriers to care and other social determinants of health.

As a statewide health system serving communities throughout southeast and West Michigan, Trinity Health Michigan invested $200.1 million in community benefit programs, charity care and financial assistance last year. 



One example of the health system's efforts includes Trinity Health Livonia's support of the Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition, which is made up of seven school districts, seven community-based organizations and two hospitals. The coalition implements evidence-based education for staff and students, standardized suicide risk assessments, and student lead initiatives aimed at zero youth suicides. Roughly 3,000 school staff and 1,000 students have been trained to help those at risk of suicide.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.