Pickard Loves Livonia

08/31/2026

Can’t wait for the grand opening!

Every used book comes with two stories: the one inside and the journey that brought it to you.

Illumination Books Connection opening soon at 17126 Farmington, Livonia, MI 48152.

08/28/2026

Almost two years ago I decided to leave the sales world and go full time into nonprofit work.

I was just at a point where I was tired of working my ass off to make someone else richer. I wanted to do something that actually mattered. I wanted to feel like the work I was doing was helping people.

That decision eventually brought me to MCHS, and I can honestly say this is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.

It’s also not an easy job.

There are days that are physically exhausting. There are days that are emotionally exhausting. You’re working with kids who have been through things that no kid should have to go through, and sometimes the job can really take a lot out of you.

But then you have a young man tell you that you’ve made a difference in his life.

You have a kid who starts trusting you. You see them make progress. You see them start making better choices. Sometimes you realize that just being there every day and being someone they can count on means way more to them than you knew.

That stuff makes the hard days worth it.

We need more good people doing this work.

If you’ve ever thought about working with kids, getting into nonprofit work, or just doing something where you can actually feel like your job has a purpose, take a look at the openings at MCHS.

There are full time positions paying over $20 an hour with solid benefits.

You don’t have to have spent your whole career doing this either. I came from sales. A lot of it comes down to being patient, dependable, caring about these kids, and actually showing up for them.

I’m not going to tell anyone this job is easy because it isn’t.

But I will tell you that hearing a kid tell you that you’ve had an impact on their life is a feeling I never got from hitting a sales goal.

If you’re interested, check out the openings here:

https://secure7.saashr.com/ta/6043457.careers?CareersSearch=&InFrameset=1&HostedBy=mchsmi.org&lang=en-US

I am a youth development coach and there are full time and part time positions available.

And if you want to know what the job is really like before applying, message me. I’ll tell you the good and the bad.

08/28/2026

I have a problem saying no.

I also have a problem not volunteering for things. If there were 100 hours in a day, I’d probably spend 85 of them trying to help somebody.

I genuinely love helping people. I want to be there for my friends, my family, my community, and pretty much anyone who needs me. There are very few things that make me happier than feeling like I made someone else’s day a little easier.

But I’m also realizing that I stretch myself way too thin.

So I’m asking for a little grace.

Sometimes I say yes because I truly want to help, and then life gets busy, I have 100 things happening at once, and I drop the ball. It’s never because I don’t care. Usually it’s the opposite. I care about too many things at the same time.

Right now, I’m trying to be more intentional about where my time and energy go.

I have my normal job where I’m working around 45+ hours most weeks. Last week was 54 hours. The work can be mentally and physically exhausting, but it’s also incredibly meaningful to me and absolutely worth it.

I’m putting more focus into my health. I’m currently completely sober and haven’t had a drink in almost two weeks. I don’t think I ever had a drinking “problem,” but going out once or twice a week and having a few drinks had definitely become one of my ways to shut my brain off and relax. I’m trying to find healthier ways to do that.

I’m challenging myself physically too. I’m changing up my workouts, trying new things, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

At the same time, I’m working on starting my personal training and nutrition coaching business, which is something I’m really excited about. This week I got my LLC officially approved by the state and my website live and ready. I’ll be fully live soon!

Two weeks ago, I was officially voted in as a board member of the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation. I’m incredibly honored to have that opportunity, and I genuinely love the people I get to serve alongside.

I’m also still very active with the Livonia Moose, where I’m running or helping with a LOT of events and fundraisers. The Moose really has become my home away from home.

Those are my two biggest volunteer priorities. They fill my cup.

Between the two organizations, I’m pretty sure we’ve helped raise close to $100,000 this year for incredible causes that directly impact people in our community. I’m extremely grateful that I get to play even a small part in that.

But above all of those things are my daughters.

That’s the part I’m trying to remind myself of every time I say yes to something.

Every yes costs time somewhere else.

And too often, that time comes from them.

I can’t let that happen anymore.

My daughters are the most important thing in my life. They’re the reason I work as hard as I do and the reason I want to be a better person. I want them to grow up seeing their dad volunteer, serve his community, work hard, chase goals, and help people whenever he can.

But I also want them to grow up knowing that they were never second place to any of it.

So I’m learning to say no.

I’m learning that I don’t have to attend every event, volunteer for every project, solve every problem, or be everything to everybody.

I can still be someone who helps people without exhausting myself trying to help everyone.

My priorities right now are my daughters, my family, my health, my career, building my business, and the organizations I’ve already committed myself to.

If I occasionally have to say no, cancel something, take longer to respond, or admit that I simply don’t have the bandwidth, please know that it isn’t because I don’t care.

I’m just finally learning that sometimes saying no to something is how I say yes to the people and things that matter most.

08/19/2026

Tomorrow! If you have school aged kids you need to bring them!

🌟Tomorrow! School Bus Shuttle available from Roosevelt Elementary School (30200 Lyndon, Livonia) Livonia Public Schools
Thank you to our sponsors!
LMCU Debbie Felton's Academy of Dance Chick-fil-A Livonia Michigan Educational Credit Union Schoolcraft College Ram Family Dental Livonia TRUE Community Credit Union Henry Ford Health Starfish Family Services The Celebration Station, LLC Larry's Foodland JH2 Vending, Country Fresh

08/10/2026

Personal Life Update

I’ve got a couple pretty exciting life updates to share.

Last month, I officially became an ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) Certified Personal Trainer!

This is something I’ve wanted to accomplish for the past few years, and last month I finally decided to fully focus on it and get it done.

My next goal is to start my own personal training business. I plan to offer in-home personal training, bringing the workout directly to my clients. I want to make fitness feel more accessible, especially for people who may not feel comfortable walking into a gym yet. The goal is to help people build confidence, get stronger, and create healthy habits that actually stick.

But that’s not the only change…

I ACCEPTED A NEW JOB!

I’ll be coaching and teaching youth programs through Soccer Stars Huron Valley, Amazing Athletes Huron Valley, and Little Medical School.

Through Soccer Stars and Amazing Athletes, I’ll get to work with kids on the foundations of different sports while also teaching healthy habits, nutrition, teamwork, confidence, and positivity.

Little Medical School is especially cool. We introduce young kids to the medical world through hands-on activities where they learn basic concepts and procedures while taking care of their baby dolls and teddy bears. Programs include things like Little Doctor, Little Pediatrician, and Little Veterinarian.

I’m really excited to join a great team and help bring more youth programming throughout our region. I’m also hoping this eventually gives me an opportunity to build some partnerships here in Livonia and bring even more programs and opportunities to kids in our city.

And while I’m starting this new chapter, I’m not completely leaving my current work with foster youth. I’ll be cutting my hours back significantly, but I plan to stay part time. Working with these kids has become important to me, and I still want to be there to support them as they grow into young adults.

It feels like a lot of pieces are starting to come together: fitness, coaching, working with kids, and serving my community.

I’m excited to see where this next chapter takes me. I’m also in process of finishing my nutrition coach certification so I can recommend meal plans and nutrition goals while offering personal training.

08/09/2026

Go get your car washed today!!!

08/05/2026

Livonia VOTER turnout was highest in the entire COUNTRY for similar populated cities.

Right now, it’s estimated that out of every Michigan city with more than 20,000 residents, Livonia had the highest voter turnout by more than 4 percentage points.

Even crazier, it looks like Livonia may have had the highest turnout percentage in the entire country among cities with more than 80,000 residents that voted in this primary.

I’m so proud of us.

This is civic pride. This is making your voice heard. This is getting involved in YOUR city!

Even if you’re unhappy with the results, you still have to be proud of how strongly Livonia showed out. And when our turnout is higher than everyone else’s, it’s hard to argue that the results don’t reflect the values of the people who live here.

Livonia showed up. Livonia voted. Livonia voted harder than everyone else!

For our governor and senator candidates, I hope you see this. If you are a part of their campaigns let em know. They need to realize that the path of victory runs right through Livonia. The Metro Detroit city that lets our voice be heard better than any city around!

08/05/2026

Livonia, Consider yourself RENEWED!!!

Big wins for public safety and our senior and cultural programs!

08/05/2026

Unofficial final results!!!

We did it Livonia!!! Thank you for proving that we are a city who supports our first responders, seniors, and cultural space.

FINAL UPDATE: These are the final unofficial results for the Aug. 4 primary election for the City of Livonia. Thank you to all who voted.

1 a.m. FINAL update:

-----

Livonia Primary Election – August 4, 2026
Unofficial Results
Voters Cast: 44.75%
Precincts Reporting: 26 of 26 (100%)

Governor – Democratic Party
• Jocelyn Benson – 84.19%
• Christopher Robert Swanson – 15.44%
• Write‑in – 0.37%
Total: 20,046
Governor – Republican Party
• John James – 48.90%
• Perry Johnson – 34.20%
• Mike Cox – 15.99%
• Aric Nesbitt – 0.80%
• Write‑in – 0.11%
Total: 11,077

U.S. Senate – Democratic Party
• Haley Stevens – 49.44%
• Abdul El‑Sayed – 47.37%
• Mallory McMorrow – 3.16%
• Write‑in – 0.04%
Total: 20,595
U.S. Senate – Republican Party
• Mike Rogers – 99.82%
• Write‑in – 0.18%
Total: 10,499

U.S. Congress – 13th District (DEM)
• Rashida Tlaib – 74.95%
• Byron H. Nolen – 14.39%
• Shanelle Jackson – 10.45%
• Write‑in – 0.20%
Total: 19,599
U.S. Congress – 13th District (REP)
• James D. Hooper – 99.83%
• Write‑in – 0.17%
Total: 9,928

State Senate – 8th District (DEM)
• Dayna Polehanki – 99.31%
• Write‑in – 0.69%
Total: 17,473
State Senate – 8th District (REP)
• Kenneth D. Massey – 99.69%
• Write‑in – 0.31%
Total: 9,868

State Representative – 17th District (DEM)
• Laurie Pohutsky – 99.26%
• Write‑in – 0.74%
Total: 6,324
State Representative – 17th District (REP)
• Ken Crider – 99.85%
• Write‑in – 0.15%
Total: 3,341

Wayne County Executive (DEM)
• Warren C. Evans – 83.62%
• Sigmunt John Szczepkowski Jr. – 15.66%
• Write‑in – 0.72%
Total: 16,824
Wayne County Executive (REP)
• Michael A. Evans – 99.69%
• Write‑in – 0.31%
Total: 9,242

Wayne County Public Transportation Millage
• Yes – 49.88%
• No – 50.12%
Total: 31,929
Livonia Cultural & Senior Services Millage Renewal
• Yes – 71.51%
• No – 28.49%
Total: 32,183
Livonia Public Safety Millage Renewal
• Yes – 72.51%
• No – 27.49%
Total: 32,186

Oakland Schools ISD Enhancement Millage
• Yes – 54.49%
• No – 45.51%
Total: 1,881

https://livonia.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/499