We hope you can join us for this free event on Sat., Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. at the Dearborn Heights Public Library, Caroline Kennedy Branch, to celebrate a decade of NIRMV. Celebration activities include Increments of Ten Showcase (art, jewelry, paintings, sports collectibles and more to claim), NIRMV Spotlights, and light refreshments. Please RSVP by Fri., Sep. 19 by email to nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with NIRMV Tenth Event in the subject line and registrant names. Download and share the event flyer (pdf). Congratulatory donations earmarked for community service outreach are welcome! Use the Donate button on the NIRMV website, CashApp to $Royalc40 or Zelle to 313-414-0683. Memo: NIRMV 10th Donation
Graduating is inspiring! Recognize this achievement by nominating a high school graduate for our annual salute. Any 2026 high school graduate you know is eligible to be included on nirmvkids.org.
Just send the following to nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with the subject line 2026 Inspiring Grads by Monday, July 20:
Download and share the flyer (PDF)
Congratulations to our three prize winners, plus those recognized with an honorable mention. Many thanks to everyone who entered and shared their poetry celebrating their inspiration (this year's theme) with us. We also want to thank our Poetry Contest Chair Maureen McGerty, and most of all, our judge Kathleen Ripley Leo. Kathleen says "Writing poems intensifies metaphorical thinking skills which helps one solve problems in whatever field of work is pursued in life. Have you ever had the opportunity to stop people in their tracks by what you’re saying, with what you’ve observed? That’s some power. That’s the essence and magic of poems, and I congratulate the poets whose works I’ve had the pleasure and honor of reading." Learn more about Leo in the judge's reveal sheet (pdf). And now, meet our winners and their poems (all files are pdfs).
First Place: Ojo Olumide Emmanuel, Nigeria, “At the Feet of Mary Oliver”
Second Place: Nwefuru Godstime Chiadikobi, Nigeria, “Within an Atmosphere of Emergencies”
Third Place: Charisma Holly, USA, “May Flowers”
First Honorable Mention: Abraham Aondoana, Nigeria, “Because Someone Stood”
Second Honorable Mention: Tessa Alexander, USA, “Ode to Survivors”
Third Honorable Mention: Ronja Vieth, USA, “Tapestry”
Who: Arts & Scraps, a Detroit non-profit that puts creative materials in the hands of kids and communities. Supply drive flyer (pdf)
When: Now through June 30, 2026
What: NEW crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints and brushes, yarn, fabric, sewing kits, fiber supplies, colored paper, colored border paper. NO used supplies listed previously, glass items, stuffed animals, clothing, magazines, plastic food containers or Styrofoam.
How:
Scan to donate using our Amazon Wish list:
Scan to make a monetary donation using Cash App - Leona Phillips ($phillim)
Scan to make a monetary donation using Zelle (pleona27@yahoo.com)
Join us from 3-5 p.m. for this official event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NIRMV Recommended Reading List Kids Edition at the Chaney Branch of the Detroit Public Library. Activities include children's storytime experience, Tween Town games, Teen Territory challenges, prizes, snacks and treats and more.
An RSVP is requested and early registration is encouraged. Deadline to register is Sat., Apr. 25, 2026. To register, email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. For additional information, call 313.778.1550. Download the reading festival flyer (PDF)
Join us in congratulating Cynthia Hines, a valued part of the NIRMV Team. Learn how she helped NIRMV achieve significant goals in this presentation.
