CENTER LINE — Ten years ago, Mark and Deb Prentiss founded the Rising Stars Academy, a culinary arts school for adults ages 18-26 with special needs.

TROY — On Oct. 1, the 5 Star Sports & Training Center in Troy hosted a free day of fun for those with developmental disabilities.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Erin Terina Maria Patton lived for 16 days. Born on Sept. 18, 2001, Tammy and Cliff Patton’s fourth child and first daughter had a number of complications.

SOUTHFIELD — “It just started this journey of wanting to mentor others and be that safe place of healing and restoration and offer ‘I believe you’ and provide that empathy of ‘I want to hear your story.’ So that’s where it all started. Sisters Journeying Together.”

TROY — Having to start a life over in a new country can be hard. Having to do so when raising a child can drastically increase that challenge.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Daisy Project–MI hosted its ninth annual LO Palooza, a music festival that combines music and philanthropy, Sept. 16 at Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Court in Orion Township.

FARMINGTON HILLS — For more than a decade, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan has been headquartered in a building on Halsted Road in Farmington Hills. The building is owned and operated by Amerisure.

TROY — A Troy-based group has made a $5,000 donation to a local Habitat for Humanity build team to aid them in constructing homes for those in need in the community.

WARREN — In February 1973, a group of Ukrainian women with the desire to help others gathered for their first meeting.

HAZEL PARK — When Hazel Park Youth Assistance formed 70 years ago, it was the first of its kind in Oakland County. Now, there is a Youth Assistance group in every district — a sign that its model is working.

METRO DETROIT — For the eighth year in a row, Cornerstone Community Financial is making a donation of games to benefit two hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Troy.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Friendship Circle co-founder Bassie Shemtov said that the nonprofit’s 18th Walk4Friendship fundraiser was a “beautiful day of celebration.”

TROY — On Aug. 27, several young models took to the runway at Somerset Collection in Troy for the eighth annual Shine Fashion Show.

NOVI — The city of Novi, in partnership with the Polynesian Arts Advocacy Council of Michigan, held the “Luau for Lahaina” Aug. 26 at the Novi Civic Center to benefit those affected by the wildfires in Maui.

ROYAL OAK — The Kirk Gibson Foundation hosted its first “Strike Out Parkinson’s” event to commemorate the 1984 Detroit Tigers and their journey to a World Series victory over the San Diego Padres.

HUNTINGTON WOODS/TROY — A group of local musicians are taking their personal passions for fiddle and Celtic music public with a performance to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — More than 10 years have passed since West Bloomfield residents John and Ann Mansour lost two of their children in a boating accident.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Rosanne Minne comes from a long line of volunteers, including her grandmother, who volunteered during World War I.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — A good time in support of a good cause could be in store for thousands of residents later this month.

TROY — Pampa Kannada Koota, a local Indian cultural organization, is inviting the community to join them for a volleyball and throwball tournament to help them raise money and resources for schools in Detroit.