For Good. For Ever.
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
Westland Community Foundation in partnership with Westland Chamber of Commerce present the 3rd Annual Westland Golf Classic.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center • Golden Fox
8768 N. Territorial Rd., Plymouth 48170
9:00 SHOTGUN START
(Registration opens at 8:00)
Click Here for information on sponsoring or golfing
Call Beth at the 734-495-1200 for more information.
Canton's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) continues to assert itself as an influential group of students that truly make a difference in their community by particpating in service projects, special events, local decision making, and more. The YAC Fund is used to make grants to area nonprofit organizations that support families and youth. YAC solicits grant requests, evaluates the grants, and selects the grantees.
Youth Advisory Council of Canton, MI (YAC) is designed instill philanthropy in the community's youth. Members of Canton's YAC have worked hard over the past year to raise funds to contribute to their endowment fund, and now they would like to return some of those proceeds to their fellow youth by offering mini-grants for youth-driven projects.
These grant opportunities are catered to classroom projects or community youth groups and provide a valuable lesson to those students who participate in the grant application and writing process. Below is an outline of key information for you to share:
▪ Suggested grant request is $100 to $1,000.
▪ Beneficiaries of grant funds must be 19 years or younger.
▪ Program must serve youth in the Plymouth-Canton area.
▪ Each application will be thoroughly reviewed by Canton’s YAC, made up of Canton Community High School students.
▪ All applicants will be notified of the Youth Advisory Council’s decisions.
Applications are due no later than 5:00pm on Friday, March 31, 2023.
For questions or more information, contact Chelsea Straub at 734-394-5361.
The Canton Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in Western Wayne County and beyond by providing grants to organizations that support our mission.
In 2000, as a result of a national tobacco settlement, Canton Community Foundation was among 65 community foundations in Michigan to receive an allocation of funds to aid community efforts that support healthy youth and healthy seniors.
Past grants include support for conflict resolution and anti-bullying for youth, exercise for seniors, grief counseling, and work skills development for special needs youth.
These organizations must be 501(c) public charities.
If you have questions with application process please contact Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 734-495-1200.
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle efforts are focused on helping in the local community, reaching and assisting women, children, and their families in need.
The members and patrons of Giving Hope have granted more than $100,000 to local organizations that serve women and families in need since its inception in 2006.
Grants will only be awarded to qualifying 501(c)3 organizations serving women and children in Western Wayne County.
If you have questions with application process please contact Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 734-495-1200.
Click here to fill out the application
Giving Hope Grant Making Principles:
- To benefit women and their families.
- To encourage programs which are collaborative, comprehensive and have the potential to be continuous.
- To encourage leveraging and matching grant opportunities from multiple funders.
- To support "seed" money opportunities for innovative projects.
- To encourage the self-sufficiency and well-being of women and their families.
Applicant Organization Criteria:
- Must be a nonprofit 501(c)3 with a current State of Michigan license to solicit, if applicable.
- Must meet the mission of Giving Hope.
- Must have a specific project or program for which the funding is being requested.
- Must have clear objectives.
What Giving Hope Will (Generally) Not Fund:
While Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle remains flexible in trying to meet community needs, the following are areas that will generally not be considered for funding at this time:
- Routine operating expenses
- Travel, tours or trips
- Endowment campaigns
- Special fundraising events and sponsorships
- Organizations that do not provide services to the greater Canton and Plymouth, Michigan area
- Religious organizations for religious purposes or political organizations
- Existing obligations or debts/liabilities
- Individuals
- Issues that divide us, not unite us
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Click on the link below to be transferred to our scholarship applications.
Westland Community Foundation Scholarship program for Westland students with a financial need.
We're proud to support our community's students and their educational endeavors by offering numerous scholarships.
Welcome to Sande Godbout and Diane Fritz. The Westland Community Foundation Advisory Committee is now comprised of Five members.
Jim Godbout (Chair)
Sharon Scott
Patti Neal
Diane Fritz
Sande Godbout
The members of the Westlamd Community Foundation Advisory Committee are not only leaders in their field, but leaders in their community. This volunteer group of distinguished community members brings a valuable perspective to how we can best serve the Westland community.
