Beyond the Bus

Creativity shines when local students are given the chance to celebrate their heritage through art. As part of its involvement in the 2025 Lansing Juneteenth Celebration and African American Parade, CATA partnered with Holly Park Academy to invite students to create art that represents Lansing’s African American history. 

The student art contest showcased incredible talent from local youth. The winning design was featured on t-shirts worn by CATA parade participants, proudly displayed as they walked alongside CATA’s 40-foot bus, wrapped in a Juneteenth-themed design. Additionally, the top entries are displayed inside buses and at the downtown CATA Transportation Center, making the students’ work a visible part of the celebration.

This initiative is a meaningful way for CATA to engage with and support the community, demonstrating its allyship and commitment to the people it serves.

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.  

For some, safety can feel like a distant hope — especially for youth facing a crisis with no place to turn. With the launch of CATA’s Safe Place program in March 2025, assistance is now just a bus ride away.

CATA is the first transit agency in Michigan — and the only Safe Place partner in the state — licensed through the National Safe Place Network to operate Safe Place®, a national outreach and prevention program for vulnerable youth. Through this designation, CATA’s vehicles and facilities serve as safe spaces for individuals under 18 experiencing crises such as abuse, neglect, violence, bullying, trafficking or stalking.

Safe Place locations are available on all CATA vehicles, at the downtown CATA Transportation Center and the Capital Area Multimodal Gateway, each marked with easily recognizable signage. Individuals can board a CATA vehicle free of charge by letting the driver know they need assistance. Any CATA employee or security personnel can also respond to requests for assistance. CATA will coordinate with local law enforcement and service agencies to provide support.

The impact of the program is already evident. Shortly following the launch, a young woman, visibly shaken and seeking help, approached a CATA employee at the information desk. She was facing a dangerous situation and the employee quickly reached out to the police ensuring she received support. This coordinated response demonstrates how the program can help by connecting vulnerable individuals to timely assistance.

In addition to supporting youths through the Safe Place program, CATA will continue to provide assistance to anyone, regardless of age, in need within its service area. By offering a safe and supportive environment, CATA is not only addressing urgent needs but also strengthening its mission to provide innovative solutions for the communities it serves.

Find out more at the Safe Place webpage.

Related Stories:

• CATA launches Safe Place® during National Safe Place Week
• Michigan’s 1st agency licensed as community safe place
• CATA Designated “Safe Place”

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.  

Across Lansing’s south side, Little Dreamers Early Learning Center and the region’s public transit system is helping families, educators and children thrive. Whether by eliminating barriers to work and childcare, or by fostering a sense of belonging, CATA and Little Dreamers show how transportation and education can come together to strengthen community in every sense of the word.

Jacqueline Taylor grew Little Dreamers from a small home-based childcare program into a thriving early learning center. With support from CATA’s reliable transportation, her vision shows how public services and passionate leaders build impactful relationships. 

Maria Robertson, Program Director at Little Dreamers, helps bring the center’s mission to life. With CATA providing vital transportation for the community, they build a strong foundation that connects the people they serve. 

Heriberto Mora, a CATA driver and proud parent at Little Dreamers, knows his son is in a caring, trusted environment. Behind the wheel, Mora provides trusted transportation for others to get to work and to places like Little Dreamers.

Julian Angel Ramirez, an assistant teacher at Little Dreamers, relies on CATA to get to work and support the families he serves. His story highlights how CATA does more than provide transportation — it strengthens connections.

When Zacharia Richardson moved to Lansing, Little Dreamers became her community and CATA her lifeline. Reliable, stroller friendly transit from CATA helped her reach school and childcare and achieve a sense of independence.

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.