Welcome to the Marquette-Alger Great Start Collaborative! 

Coming together to ensure success for every child, and their families, pre-birth to age five.

S.A.G.E. Awards

To recognize parents and businesses in our two-county area who exemplify leadership, creativity, fortitude and insight in providing excellent care of children pre-birth to age five, the Great Start Collaborative and Great Start Parent Coalition developed the SAGE Awards.

  We thank you for Setting A Great Example!

Sage: 1 a : wise through reflection and experience  2 : proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment <sage advice> (sage. (2010). From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved January 15, 2010.

If you would like to nominate someone for a SAGE award, or make a donation, please contact the Great Start Collaborative Director, Kathy Lammi, at 226-5157, or mail the donation to:

                Great Start Collaborative

                Attn: Kathy Lammi

                321 E. Ohio Street

                Marquette, MI 49855

Winter, 2010:

To be determined

Fall, 2009: AmericInn Lodge and Suites of Munising (Wetmore)

The AmericInn was chosen because it is a motel that has seen the needs of our community and has opened its doors to local children and their families to provide a safe and healthy place to: swim using the big and kiddie pools; participate in the mile slide challenge; take part in hallway trick-or-treating; join in an Easter egg hunt; and more activities! The AmericInn has also become "the place" for safe birthday parties for children of all ages. It is difficult for businesses, in these tough economic times, to make children and families a priority.  It is hoped that the AmericInn will be an example to other local businesses to give more to our children and families.  –Kathy Lammi, from the award letter to the AmericInn Lodge and Suites.

Marquette Alger Regional Educational Services Agency Superintendent Steve Peffers, AmericInn Lodge and Suites Manager Ann Warzak, Marquette-Alger Counties Great Start Collaborative Director Kathy Lammi.

Summer, 2009: YMCA of Marquette County

The YMCA stands for caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith. The Great Start Collaborative stands for caring about our area children, being honest with our community about the issues at hand, respecting each other as individuals and as businesses and organizations as we collaborate together to make the future for the children of Marquette and Alger counties a bit brighter, being responsible by being proactive in our works for area children and their families, and bringing together people of all faiths to encourage the most diverse group of thoughts and ideas possible, because it is through this approach that we will be successful. The YMCA has built strong kids, strong families and strong communities by offering a variety of programs to all ages. I personally have had my children in a number of preschool programs at the YMCA. I have seen the growth in them as a result of these programs. Programs at the YMCA encourage social interaction, exercise, teamwork, creativity, self confidence and the obvious, a great time in a positive environment. Programs such as Mommies Day out, parent-child programs and tot watch allows parents and caregivers to take a breath and join an exercise group, on their own or with their children, knowing that their children are being enlightened and encouraged with creative activities that stimulate their minds and their bodies. Thank you to the YMCA for all you do to encourage growth in all areas of our are children’s lives, and above all, thank you for Setting A Great Example. –Deanna Comstock, nominator of YMCA for a SAGE Award

Marquette-Alger Great Start Director Kathy Lammi; YMCA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Coombs Gerou; Chief Volunteer Officer Cheryl Hill; and Marquette Alger Regional Educational Service Agency Superintendent Steve Peffers.

Parent SAGE Awards

To celebrate and promote Parenting Awareness Month (March of each year), the Great Start Collaborative of Marquette and Alger Counties takes donations of small gift certificates from businesses in our communities to be given to parents “caught” exemplifying good parenting in public. Collaborative members take a few awards each and then go about their regular business in the community. When they see a parent or care-giver demonstrating strong parenting, the parent is given an envelope with a note of thanks and the small gift.

What does this mean to parents?

• “It was really nice to know that having fun with your kids was seen as being a good parent. Someone saw me and my kids out shopping and having fun together and considered that as good parenting. It confirmed for me that I was doing the right thing.” –Emilie Albro

• “Receiving this award lifts your spirit.” –John Gage

• “Thank you so much for this recognition! It was a very nice surprise to be noticed for being a good parent.” –Andrea Culter

• “Thank you for recognizing parents who are active with their children!” –Kristen LaRock

Business/Organization SAGE Awards

Following the success of the SAGE Parent Awards in March 2009, the Great Start Collaborative determined to also award businesses in Marquette and Alger Counties which demonstrate a willingness to support and encourage families with young children. The award is determined quarterly and the business receiving the award is presented with a certificate of appreciating from the Great Start Collaborative, a write-up in local media and a spotlight here on our webpage.