Name: Christina Blitchok

Years in Flint: 2

Job: Director of Campaign Initiatives & Alumni Engagement, University of Michigan-Flint

How she spends her time:

– Listening to live music at Pierce Park
– Taking her children to the Sloan Museum of Discovery & Longway Planetarium
– Watching old movies at the Capitol Theatre
– Saturdays at the Flint Farmers’ Market
– Cheering on the Flint City Bucks

How did you make the journey back to Genesee County?

I moved to Fenton when I was seven years old and lived there until I went to Albion College for my undergrad. After graduating college, I volunteered with Americorps in Coachella Valley before returning to Fenton to pursue my master’s degree at the University of Michigan-Flint. During that time, I married my husband and since he had never lived anywhere outside of Fenton when we got the chance to move away – to Idaho, just outside of Boise, sight unseen– we took it.

When I was young, I didn’t see myself in Genesee County long-term, but I feel like sometimes distance and experiencing new places helps you discover your priorities and what life you want to create for yourself. We lived in Idaho for eight years and had two kids there. After the kids were getting older, we knew we wanted to be in Michigan to be closer to family and we ultimately landed in Flint.

Why did you decide on Flint?

It felt very personal to me. My dad grew up in Flint and worked here his whole career. I went to the University of Michigan-Flint, but before that, I was on campus all the time for camps and competitions. I was always in downtown Flint growing up, more than my other classmates from Fenton. I had seen the culture from afar being created here and wanted to be part of that narrative.

How did you discover your neighborhood?

My brother lived in the College Cultural Neighborhood for years and every time I would visit, I would be jealous of the neighborhood. When we moved back in 2022, we didn’t look anywhere else. 

It was uncanny, we met more neighbors in our first week living here than our entire eight years in our previous home. Everyone here has a story. Some neighbors have been here for more than 50 years and others just moved here to retire or, like us, moved here to be part of the dynamic culture of downtown.

How do you and your family get out into the community?

We have bands that play in the summer at Pierce Park and the neighborhood all gets together to listen. I recently joined a book club with other women in the neighborhood. With the proximity to the Flint Cultural Center, the kids love going to the Sloan Museum of Discovery, and it’s free to Genesee County residents so I never have to say no!

Why do you love living in the area?

I would say there is literally something for everyone here, whatever kind of life or environment you want you can find it in Genesee County. Flint specifically, there is something about being a Flintstone – it’s always been a center for creativity and innovations and when you’re here you are part of stewarding that. It’s the sense of purpose and belonging you get being part of the city.