profile / Good Works

Continued from page B 17 munity Oriented Policing. They’re the ones who through the Department of Justice really try to get agencies to work better with the community and have better relationships with everyone,” Lt. Starzec explained.

He went on to share, “They came up with the program and the plan was to simply have the police agencies interacting in some form or fashion with a faith-based organization within their jurisdiction to touch base with as many people as possible. It wasn’t about the religious aspect, but just having that base that they believed was a good way to get the conversation going.”

The Brownstown Police Department learned of the event in early 2021 and held their first event then. They invited every single religious organization within Brownstown to come out to essentially a potluck with everyone bringing a dish they loved or one that represented their culture.

The event was such a huge success that the National Faith and Blue Group selected the event as their spotlight of the year. Lt.Starzec also went on to speak about the event at the Taking Action For Peace Conference.

The Brownstown 2022 Faith and Blue event was even larger, and the department has already secured the community center for next year’s event and is looking into starting another event that would include the fire department and local politicians as well.

Says Lt. Starzec, “Faith and Blue has shown that officers are just regular people who just happen to have a badge on their chest. It’s built these relationships between the officers and everyone within the community and we are proud of that!” •

Faith & Blue was started by MovementForward, Inc., working with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services at the U.S.Department of Justice.

WHO’S WHO IN WELLNESS

Ketura Brandes

9Round Kickboxing Fitness profiles by with additional contribution by Tyler Stewart

For those looking to get in shape while also learning defensive martial arts, there’s likely no better place to go than one of 9Round Kickbox ing Fitness’s nine locations in the Detroit area. 9Round’s location in Woodhaven is owned by Ketura Brandes, a health and fitness extraordinaire and mother of five who also owns Enviro-Master of Metro Detroit North with her husband Corey.

“I didn’t find 9Round, 9Round found me,” said Brandes. She was drawn to the 9Round family by how easy it was to fit 9Round training into her busy schedule compared to other fitness locations, with new workout rounds starting every three minutes.

Tired of driving to Dearborn for training, Brandes finally opened a Downriver 9Round location in 2019 as a family-owned business. “Friends and families that kick together stick together,” she said. “It’s an all-encompassing kind of fitness.”

Brandes and her staff train in kickboxology, jiu-jitsu, and more every month so that they always have something new to teach members, be they long-time kickboxers or beginners. T Avery

9Round Kickboxing Fitness is located in Woodhaven at 23230 Allen Rd. If you’re new, you can schedule your introductory workout by calling or texting 734-544-5425.

Silvia Counts

Wellness Rising Health Coaching

Wellness Rising Health Coaching is a health and wellness program dedicated to setting clients down a personalized, health-focused path in ways most physicians and doctors simply can’t.

“It really is a passion to help people become the happiest, healthiest, highest versions of themselves,” shared Silvia Counts, creator of Wellness Rising and Master Certified Transformational Health Coach.

Having worked in pharmaceutical sales for 20 years, Counts already has a history in the health industry, though perhaps on the opposite end of the scale. After realizing her path, purpose, and calling was to lead other people to wellness, Counts returned to school for her health and life coach certification and continues to educate herself in wellness today.

Wellness Rising’s 12-week program is designed to be more hands-on than similar wellness programs. Counts personally spends an hour with clients every week over the phone or over Zoom in order to narrow down on their goals, blockages, and self-limiting beliefs. Rather than simply giving clients “how-to” and “to-do'' lists, her program focuses on three levels of self (behavior, belief, and identity) to help clients form healthy and permanent habits.

“It’s a habit-change methodology that helps them change,” said Counts. “It’s not like a quick ‘lose weight in 60 days’ challenge, it’s a lifestyle change for them.” Sundra Hilsinger

You can begin your personal journey at Wellness Rising by visiting wellnessrisinghealthcoach.com

Fitness should be fun !

f you’re a fan of Pilates and live Downriver, you’ve probably already visited (or at least heard of) Body Energy Fitness in Woodhaven. This dynamic fitness and Pilates studio was first opened in 2013 by fitness extraordinaire Tracy Pighin, who has spent years creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere for people to work out, socialize, and better themselves.

“We try to have as much fun here as possible. Fitness should be fun,” said Pighin. “Sometimes Pilates in general has an ‘oh, I can’t do that’ kind of attitude, but when you come here, you learn very quickly that is not the case. Pilates is fitness for everyone.”

Pighin has dedicated herself to being the best trainer she can since 2006 and continues to further educate herself on fitness, Pilates, and health techniques today. At Body Energy Fitness, she does group and personal training and enjoys teaching both equally. “I love the one-on-one where you can break things down, but I also love when you get a group of people and everybody’s there to have a good time,” Pighin shared. “Our studio is really about ‘come as you are’ …We’d like for you to work hard and smart.”

T. Avery

Body Energy Fitness Pilates Studio is located at 22321 King Rd., Woodhaven. Please call 734-288-3236 for more information.

SHERBROOK

No Sugar Momma

Looking for a way to cut down on her carbs and gluten but unable to find any health-focused bakeries for hundreds of miles, Jennifer Sherbrook decided to start baking her own sugar-free recipes while working at Wayne State University. In 2021, she opened No Sugar Momma, a bakery dedicated to providing sugar-free and other healthy treats that still taste delicious.

“It’s a lot of trial and error with glutenfree and low carb recipes without sugar,” shared Sherbrook. “My daughter had the idea of posting them on Facebook Marketplace… We had an unbelievable amount of orders. Like, one thousand dollars worth of orders on the second weekend.”

Following her online success, Sherbrook picked up sugar-free baking as a part-time weekend gig. She eventually branched out to farmer’s markets until finally finding a storefront in Trenton that her baked goods could call home.

No Sugar Momma’s most popular treat was originally Sherbrooks’ chocolate chip cookies, though her cupcakes are now the number one seller. Other unique treats include sugar-free peanut butter bars that taste almost like Reese’s, seasonal items like pumpkin bars, and their styled cakes that can be special-ordered for almost any diet.

T. Avery

Hampton Manor of WOODHAVEN

22125 Van Horn Rd | Woodhaven, MI 48183

Office: (734) 496-0182 www.woodhavenassistedliving.com

Hampton Manor of TRENTON

5999 Fort Street | Trenton, MI 48183

Office: (734) 496-7405 www.trentonseniorliving.com

Veli Sipila

OrthoSport Physical Therapy

Having helped patients and athletes around the world, Veli Sipila, PT, ONT, CIDN, and his wife SapuPaivi “SP” Sipila, PT, ONT, are well-versed in sports-related physical therapy with a combined 80 years of experience. They opened OrthoSport Physical Therapy’s Grosse Ile location seven years ago and have been helping athletes and residents of the Downriver community ever since.

“When I studied physical therapy, my main interest was in spine issues because those seemed to be more complicated,” shared Veli Sipila. Today, Sipila regularly teaches continuing education courses on weekends for other therapists. “Part of the business here is to educate your patients to take care of themselves after the therapy, but also to educate your staff to provide the best possible care.”

When he isn’t practicing, studying, or teaching, Sipila can often be found jogging his dog around Grosse Ile in the morning or visiting his five grandchildren.

T Avery

OrthoSport Physical Therapy is located at 8950 Macomb St., Grosse Ile. You can book a consultation by calling 734-307-7037 or at orthosportonline.com

MWhen searching for in-home care options individuals and families are looking for quality, accountability, communication, flexibility, and compassion. Comfort Keepers strives to be the care partner you can rely on.

Comfort Keepers In-Home Care

Empowering seniors to maintain their independence

Quality in-home care options provided by Comfort Keepers are companion care, personal care, respite care, transportation, 24/7 care, and end of life care. With their family portal technology, families can be involved in the care of their loved ones providing transparency and direct communication with the office. Veterans can find the respect and recognition they deserve through Comfort Keepers’ partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What sets Comfort Keepers apart is their communicative, attentive office staff and caring and compassionate caregivers. Since bringing joy and elevating the human spirit of their clients is an important factor, each caregiver is bonded, insured, screened for empathy, trained for compassion, and matched for client compatibility.

Comfort Keepers instills the mindset that “Care is a relationship, not a task.”

2836 W. Jefferson Ave. #104, Trenton // 734-676-6643 // comfortkeepers.com

SERVING DOWNRIVER 50+YEARS

Rivergate Health Care Center and Rivergate Terrace

Where skill always meets compassion

M As our loved ones navigate the long road of life, many paths present themselves. It can be intimidating to know which direction to go. With all the care options and quality of life concerns to consider there are a few paths that present the best combination of care.

Rivergate Health Care Center and Rivergate Terrace, owned and operated by Life Care Centers of America, have been honored to serve Downriver for over 50 years. Featuring stunning views, elegant furnishings, and true luxury with warm inviting ambiance.

Rivergates’ commitment to the community focuses on inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with 24-hour skilled nursing care. Whether a patient is visiting for short-term rehab and recovering from a surgery or illness, or transitioning into long-term care, Rivergate strives to provide the same excellent level of care and service to everyone.

All Life Care facilities are designed with the patient in mind. Each Life Care facility maintains a unique ambiance which creates a warm, welcoming environment. Rivergate prioritizes offering amen- ities that represent the needs and interests of the local population. Among the many services and amenities offered include: 24-hour security and fire safety systems; beauty salon and barber shop; bedside and bathroom call lights; certified dietitian; community re-entry program; complimentary wireless internet; daily activity schedule; family/resident councils; fine dining program; flat-screen TVs; flexible visiting hours; full-time, certified activity director; homelike setting; housekeeping and laundry services; landscaped grounds and courtyards; library; non-smoking facility; pet visitors allowed; private and semi-private rooms; private bathrooms; religious services; patient/family education programs; telephone and cable television; and transportation services.

Rivergate is honored to partner with residents, medical professionals, patients, and their loved ones to navigate this emotional chapter of life. Each guest’s journey is unique, and it is their goal to create a positively unforgettable experience for each individual while they transition in their levels of care.

Associates of Rivergate Health Care Center and Rivergate Terrace, known as the Rivergate Campus, are true Champions of Care. Collaboratively, the Rivergate Campus offers a shared community and one of the largest employee bases in Riverview. Certified, highly skilled nursing and rehab teams are devoted to making every individual feel safe and at home while helping meet goals through quality of care on a larger scale. ◆

Island House Senior Living

Senior residence in serene and beautiful Grosse Ile

M The hardest part of sourcing quality care for your loved ones is finding the right place that feels like home. Island House offers a practical place to go after home care and remain through full care and end of life. Offering itself as a home away from home residents can find the authentic comforts of home for an exclusive number of six residents.

Offering 24-7 care in a spacious, private cottage-style home featuring a large, safely enclosed courtyard for enjoying the Michigan seasons. Conveniently located downtown for visiting, activities or appointments. Island House offers individualized care by a staff boasting 20 years of experience with dementia, incontinence care, medication monitoring as well as many other vital skill sets. Additionally, your loved ones receive a level of companionship care that feels like part of a family.

This makes Island House the best option for your loved ones to be greeted and treated by staff who say, ‘welcome home.’

8504 Macomb St., Grosse Ile // 734-7714004 // islandhousegi.com

Symphony Applewood

Innovative provider of skilled nursing and long-term care

M Symphony Applewood takes the difficulty out of finding just what you need by offering a diverse range of care options.

Post-acute rehabilitation, on site dialysis, transitional care, physical therapy, long term care and memory care are among the many options guests can find at Symphony Applewood to make their journey to recovery as comfortable as possible. Guests can find an eloquent balance of comfort and practicality with functional floor planning in every furnished room. Cable TV, wifi and fine dining by a private chef that can be enjoyed in one of many unique dining rooms make for many options to change scenery whenever desired. The activities department is dedicated to keeping a full schedule of entertaining programs and activities welcome to both guests and their families such as arts, crafts, trivia, music, exercise class, religious services, and many outings into the community.

18500 Van Horn Rd., Woodhaven // 734-676-7575 // symphonyapplewood.com

Hampton Manor Premier Assisted Living

M When it’s time to enjoy the fruits of a life well lived, you want your loved ones to enjoy every moment. They’ve worked hard and now it’s time to relax, live in comfort, with dignity while having their needs met by professional, courteous, skilled, experienced, and compassionate staff. That is what Hampton Manor strives to offer.

A one-of-a-kind exquisite resort-style independent, assisted living or temporary living facility designed for every aspect of health and hospitality. Specializing in cognitive care, with programs for daily physical fitness and extra care given to social as well as spiritual care. Residents can find amenities such as fine dining geared for nutritional health, social events full of cultural and recreational activities; salons or quiet libraries, spacious rooms and luxuriously decorated outdoor gardens and patio areas all designed with seniorfriendly floor planning. Hampton Manor provides a sense of duty and dignity towards providing the highest quality of care with an unmatched diversity for your loved one’s quality of life. ◆

Woodhaven location: 22125 Van Horn Rd., Woodhaven // 734-4960182 // woodhavenassistedliving.com – Trenton location: 5999 Fort St., Trenton // 734-496-7405 // trentonseniorliving.com

Eldercare Home Care Group

Serving your loved ones throughout Southeast Michigan since 1989

M All care isn’t equal, there are countless elements to providing quality in big and small ways. When your needs are unique you want to seek out unique care. Eldercare is a longstanding family-owned care agency serving the entire Downriver community since 1989 with experience, dedication and compassion in mind.

Offering a wide range of quality care such as personal grooming and hygiene, incontinence care, mobility care, laundry, housekeeping, errand running, meal preparation, medication monitoring as well as supervision, companionship and many more unique services. As little or as much as needed with both 24/7 and hourly options available. Making it easy for you to care for your loved ones with ease and flexibility.

Eldercare is located in Grosse Ile, and proudly serves the entire Downriver area. Make life simple, call today to hear more about how Eldercare can help you meet your needs, both big and small. ◆

8504 Macomb St., Grosse Ile // 734-671-6518 // eldercaremi.com

BBR Realty

Brooke Brock –Broker/Owner/Realtor ®

M Transitioning to senior living isn’t as easy as packing a bag and finding a place to call home. It’s many more obstacles such as saying goodbye to your family home, considering a total location change for things like warmer weather or handling your real estate so you can start this new chapter right. This is where a BBR Realty SRES agent can help you flourish. Your estates are precious and should be handled with your best interest. A Senior Real Estate Specialist offers specialty licensing, education, testing and practical application working with the 50+ community as their key elements of expertise. SRES agents don’t just handle real estate, they offer knowledgeable consultation on pensions, IRA’s, retirement savings, reverse mortgages, Medicare, and social security. BBR Realty’s SRES also has access to a nationwide database of contacts to help you find your new home; working with you on both ends of this emotional, exciting journey by offering assistance with saying farewell to the last page and hello to the new beginning. ◆

2615 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton // 734301-3350 // brooke@gowithbrooke.com

The Bellaire Senior Living

Offering a full range of living options and personal care services

M Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, the breathtaking beauty of Bellaire Senior Living can be best seen in its shared spaces for socializing in a newly renovated living room, library, dining room, outdoor gazebo and beauty salon. There’s no question as to why The Bellaire was the winner of the Best Assisted Living award for Riverview. With full apartments, one bedroom and studio apartment options for seniors to create a place to call home. Residents can find full amenities with three meals a day provided in the dining room, housekeeping, laundry service, 24 hour emergency call services and weekly bus trips where seniors can enjoy the community and have fun.

An age in place community, offering fully staffed 24/7 onsite Private Duty care through a third party that is ready to assist with medication, bathing, grooming, comfort care, general companionship for all residents with a focus on affordability, The Bellaire offers the best value Downriver while also helping maintain the independent spirit and the reassurance of assistance. ◆

12621 Hale St., Riverview // 734-283-8000 // thebellaire.com

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