Participants also discussed the importance of bridging the gap between generations—sharing knowledge, listening without judgment, and building safe, supportive environments where youth feel comfortable expressing their concerns and experiences. The discussion highlighted the power of listening, understanding, and showing up for one another across generations.

The group explored how worries and issues from younger generations tend to be dismissed. “We can’t assume children have no worries just because they are cared for,” Alexis shared with the group. “They may need help and support.”

The next Wellness Wednesdays meetup is slated for May 20. Call 313-758-6100 to register.

Fan-supported “Halftime Message” initiative raises $40,000 with additional $10,000 contribution from Pistons guard Duncan Robinson’s Robinson Family Foundation

The Detroit Pistons Foundation, Children’s Foundation of Michigan and the Robinson Family Foundation (RFF) today announced a $50,000 grant to SAY Detroit’s LiveWELL Program, supporting youth mental health and wellness initiatives in the city of Detroit.

Through the Detroit Pistons and Children’s Foundation of Michigan partnership, the organizations raised more than $40,000 during the last two seasons through the Pistons’ Halftime Message project, which allows fans to donate funds to display birthday wishes, anniversaries, graduation messages or marriage proposals on the video board during Pistons’ home games.

“This initiative is a powerful example of how our fans and partners can come together to make a meaningful difference,” said Rob Croll, SVP of Corporate Partnerships & Engagement. “Through our partnership with the Children’s Foundation of Michigan and the generosity of Duncan Robinson and the Robinson Family Foundation, we’re proud to support SAY Detroit’s LiveWELL program and help provide critical mental health resources for young people across our community.”

Children’s Foundation of Michigan added:

“We are proud to partner with the Detroit Pistons Foundation and the Robinson Family Foundation to support SAY Detroit’s LiveWELL Program and advance youth mental health in Detroit,” said Andrew Stein, President & CEO at the Children’s Foundation of Michigan. “At the Children’s Foundation of Michigan, we believe every child deserves to thrive and that partnership is the path to progress. Together, we are expanding access to support and strengthening the well-being of children and families in our community.”

Pistons guard Duncan Robinson further supported the initiative with a $10,000 contribution through the Robinson Family Foundation, bringing the total grant to $50,000. Robinson joined the LiveWELL Program this afternoon to take part in mental health sessions and share his story around mental health and his ongoing work to advance mental health awareness and support community-based wellness programs through the RFF.

“I think it’s incredible that mental health is being talked about more through programs like LiveWELL. I’ve witnessed firsthand how important and complex mental health is and I feel honored to connect with SAY and the city of Detroit through these initiatives. Our goal is to continue to share the message that my brother Eli so proudly communicated — there is strength and connection in the struggle. “

The funds will benefit SAY Detroit’s LiveWELL Program at the SAY Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park, an after-school youth development program serving 150 students ages 8–18. The LiveWELL initiative prioritizes mental health and wellness by helping students develop critical life skills, build resilience and adopt healthy behaviors in a supportive environment.

“We’ve been grateful partners with the Detroit Pistons Foundation since shortly after we opened the doors at the SAY Play Center in the fall of 2015,’’ said Mitch Albom, SAY Detroit founder. “We’re overjoyed that Duncan and the Robinson Family Foundation are moved by the work of our youth wellness programming to support it with a generous grant, and we commend the Children’s Foundation of Michigan for its commitment to improve the physical and mental health of children in Michigan – and at SAY Play.’’

Weekly LiveWELL sessions are led by a team of social work and counseling professionals who facilitate project-based group programming focused on mindfulness, emotional awareness and restorative practices. The program also incorporates daily interventions designed to help students navigate challenges while fostering a culture centered on well-being.

Follow the story:

CBS Detroit:

• Pistons’ Duncan Robinson donates to SAY Detroit Play Center LiveWELL Program
• Pistons guard Duncan Robinson talks giving back to kids in Detroit community

MLive: Pistons, ex-Michigan guard announce $50,000 grant to youth mental health initiative

WDIV

• Pistons’ Duncan Robinson shares personal story while supporting Detroit youth mental health
• Pistons SG Duncan Robinson talks teaming up with SAY Detroit to expand youth wellness program

WJR: Pistons’ Star Duncan Robinson Teams Up with WJR’s Mitch Albom for $50,000 SAY Detroit Donation

With other volunteer groups from around the community, A Time to Help-ers helped to plant trees around the park and surrounding neighborhoods! These efforts help to provide cleaner air, better storm weather management, temperature control, and beautiful green spaces, making a long-lasting difference for Detroit residents for years to come!

They even encouraged volunteers to name the trees they planted!

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The second moment came Wednesday (March 18) at the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic, when her Wellness Wednesdays’ sisterhood came out in force to celebrate Sharonda with flowers and dancing (Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive’’) amid the din of a clamoring pink cowbell.

“These ladies are the best,’’ Sharonda, 55, said of the monthly women’s support group. “They embrace you; it’s a no-judgement zone.’’

As Wellness Wednesdays generally features health-based topics — such as preventative care and wellness — for low-income adult women and seniors, March’s session was no different with lead facilitator Alexis Harvey reminding the group about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, taking their blood pressure regularly, and knowing their A1C number (healthy goal: below 5.7%), among other points.

“Listen to your body,’’ Alexis said, adding that several Wellness Wednesdays participants have begun seeing providers at the SAY Clinic. “Never be satisfied with less than.’’

Sharonda is testament to that. She said her breast cancer diagnosis was discovered following an annual mammogram.

“I start radiation on May 4,’’ she said. “I’m almost there.’’

SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic is seeking a licensed Pharmacist to volunteer in support of equitable access to essential medications for patients and families in the Detroit community. This role plays a critical part in ensuring safe medication dispensing, effective patient education, and reliable pharmacy operations.

Time Commitment: As little as 1 shift per month (3–5 hours)

Key Responsibilities

• Stock and manage medication inventory
• Fill prescriptions and refills accurately and safely
• Provide medication counseling and education to patients
• Support clinic efforts to promote health equity and patient well-being

Qualifications

• Active Pharmacist license
• Commitment to patient safety, education, and community service
• Ability to volunteer at least one shift per month

Interested in Volunteering?
Contact the SAY Detroit Volunteer Team:
📧 volunteer@saydetroitclinic.com

Location

SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic
1355 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48328

Thanks to a donation from the A.A. Van Elslander Foundation, SAY Detroit’s ongoing committing to teaching healthy habits and preparing its students to learn to the best of their ability took the next step with the unveiling and dedication of an expanded by 1,200 square feet with the addition of a new state-of-the-art kitchen. Representatives from the Foundation, who advocated to rename the space in Mrs. Falls’ honor, SAY Detroit founder Mitch Albom and SAY Detroit leadership and staff were on hand for a special ceremony to mark the occasion. In light of the special day, a supped up menu for students and visitors included a baked potato bar, steak paella, San Cochoa (Soup), Mrs. Falls Lemon Meringue Pie, assorted cookies and cheese cake, and infused lemonade.

Since its opening in 2015, SAY Play determined that the children attending its afterschool program (and later its summer camp) would receive a hot meal and snacks. Hungry children cannot learn, and it is essential that a nutritious meal powers the rest of their afternoon of learning that the center. Mrs. Falls, then, became a recognizable motherly and grandmotherly figure that welcomed them “home.” She initially served pre-made meals and never really thought of herself as a cook until an early, off-hand conversation changed both her menu choices and her relationship with the children at the center. As she tells it,

“One day I asked one of the boys, ‘Would you care for some salad? ’The boy looked at me and said, ‘I’ve never had a salad before.’ That conversation did something to me. At that moment, I felt like I needed to cook for the children.”

She would make extra salad for this boy daily until one day, he told her, “Please, Mrs. Falls. That’s enough salad!”

Born on May 12, 1938, in Detroit, she worked at SAY Play until, as she says, “COVID retired me,” and if she could, she would “still be here because that much love that I felt from this place.”

The upgraded space includes commercial-grade cooking equipment, a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, a ConvoTherm dual oven, a dedicated dish room (no more paper plates!), and more — allowing us to better serve the hundreds of students and staff members fed each day during the school year and summer.

Beyond daily meals, the new space will be the home for a developing culinary arts academy with curricula for life-skills development, healthy cooking and eating, nutrition education, and other interdisciplinary learning, for example, that incorporates the raised garden beds in SAY Play’s backyard.

As the plaque that honors and names The Mrs. Falls Kitchen states, it is a place to learn, grow — and eat!

The Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based, nationally recognized program for those at risk for type 2 diabetes. If you are ready to make small lifestyle changes to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, then this program is for you.

This yearlong program begins with 16 weekly sessions, followed by monthly maintenance sessions to provide ongoing support to:

• Be more active
• Eat healthy
• Lose a small amount of weight
• Manage stress
• Receive group support
• Stay motivated

Who’s Eligible?

Non-pregnant adults, with a BMI equal to or greater than 25 (23 or over if Asian decent), who do not have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes and meet one of the following:

• A blood test within the past year showing: Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7 to 6.4% or fasting plasma glucose:100–125 mg/dL

— OR —

• Have a diagnosis of pre-diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes

— OR —

• Score 5 or higher on the CDC Prediabetes Risk Test at https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/index.html

When and Where?

The in-person course will be held on Tuesdays beginning March 10 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

A distance learning (virtual) course will be held on Wednesdays beginning April 11 from 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm

How to Enroll?

For more information or to enroll call 734-655-8942.

An information session will be held March 3, 2026 at 1:00 pm for the in-person course.

An information session will be held April 4, 2026 at 6:15pm for the distance learning (virtual) course.

Click here to download a flyer.

By the end of the day, our volunteers had served 227 meals and assisted over 200 guests.

The first step? Facing facts: 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the disease, but more alarmingly, 1 in 5 people are not aware they have it. Education and prevention are key to reducing those statistics — and health care costs, which are estimated at $327 billion dollars nationally for diagnosed individuals.

Alexis Harvey, SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic’s community health worker who leads the monthly sessions explained a vital screening step to the group: “It’s important to communicate with your health care provider about your family history so they can determine what screenings are necessary. We all should encourage the people we care about to also be screened.”

Harvey was joined by SAY Clinic’s on-staff health coach Janine Greene and Debby Miller, community health worker at Trinity Health, who provided key information about diabetes prevention classes that provide targeted guidance on how to implement lifestyle changes that fight Type 2 Diabetes. A new class is starting at the SAY Clinic in March — please call 734-655-8942 to register for an information session on March 3 to learn more about the class.

Even if you’re not at risk of developing diabetes, it’s never too late to develop healthy living habits — Green recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week along with health eating. Past events have helped participants learn about nutrition labels and patients at the clinic regularly receive “prescriptions” for fresh vegetables through a partnership with local urban garden.

In a special treat, a mini book club session also introduced participants to Harvey’s new and well-received self-published memoir, Reclaiming My Time. In a safe space where members regularly share their personal stories, it was a special opportunity to celebrate the support group leader’s raw and moving story.