Features

Longform Courtney Franklin and Greg Carter demonstrating a recycling truck at the Ann Arbor's Material Recycling Facility tour.

What happens to Ann Arbor's recyclables? Public tour opens doors to city's recycling facility

Do the materials in Ann Arborites' recycling bins actually get recycled? What should you do with old batteries? And what does Ann Arbor recycle most of? We have answers.

Longform "Engaging With Democracy Through Writing" project contributors Angelica Esquivel and Melissa Brooks-Yip.

Ypsi org creates resources for "Engaging With Democracy Through Writing"

As the 2024 election cycle brings up complicated emotions for many, a new project from the nonprofit YpsiWrites offers innovative resources for "Engaging With Democracy Through Writing."

Feature Story Theatre Nova's 2024 world premiere production of "Death of a Driver" by Will Snider.

Ann Arbor theater company celebrates 10 years of elevating new plays and playwrights

Theatre Nova, the nonprofit theater company located at 410 W. Huron St. in Ann Arbor, is celebrating its 10th-anniversary season.

Innovation News Supportive Hands in Neighborhood Enhancement team members (clockwise from upper left) Eric Martin, Willie Percy, Leroy Harris, and Dominique Gardette. Team members are paid to do cleanup work in Ypsilanti Township.

Returning citizens get community cleanup jobs through nonprofit partnership with Ypsi Township

Washtenaw County-based nonprofit Life After Incarceration: Transition and Reentry is working closely with Ypsilanti Township officials to provide paid work opportunities to returning citizens and others who have been impacted by the justice system.

Feature Story Hamilton Community Health Network has expanded its network of locations to include a new clinic in Whitmore Lake, in Washtenaw County.

Hamilton Community Health Network expands to serve Whitmore Lake area

Hamilton Community Health Network has expanded its network of locations to include a new clinic in Whitmore Lake, in Washtenaw County. Located at 10 Jennings Road, the community health center opened on Sept. 16, 2024.

Feature Story Obama: An Intimate Portrait by Pete Souza

Ann Arbor exhibit offers rare peek behind the White House curtain, with photographer Pete Souza

A new Ann Arbor Art Center exhibit from Chief Official White House Photographer Pete Souza shows tenderness, humor, and tension in a revealing look behind the scenes during the Obama years. 

Feature Story Fathers are important figures in children’s lives

Better fathers mean stronger communitiesNonprofit Journal Project

Stronger fathers mean stronger kids. The Children’s Center in Detroit has a dad-focused program that links fathers to the resources they need and gives them a place to connect, share concerns, and encourage each other to invest more deeply in their children’s lives.

Partner Content Parents indicated that needed services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional support were inadequate.

Survey activates education advocacy for Michigan children with disabilities

Special Education Experience (SEE) survey results revealed that needed improvements in special education that the state identified in 2014 have not been made.  

Feature Story Champions of Wayne students with Wayne Memorial High School staff and mentors at the Student Achievement Banquet on June 20, 2024

Visionary Wayne Memorial High School program helps students succeed by paying themNonprofit Journal Project

At Wayne Memorial High School, Champions of Wayne pays students $250 per semester to work with mentors to meet personalized goals.

Longform Joe Volpe, program manager at Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Mental health takes heavy toll on Michigan's LGBTQ youth

Mental health is a major challenge for Michigan youth in general, but the problem is even greater for the state's LGBTQ youth.

Partner Content Mark Koepf, vice president and director of government guaranteed lending for University Bank, helps a client at University Bank's new Ypsilanti branch.

Business financing 101: Foundational tips for Washtenaw County entrepreneurs

There are numerous requirements and pitfalls to consider when it comes to finding funds for your next business venture. Here's our guide to the basics.

Longform WISD Bridge Team mental health clinical supervisor DarNesha Green.

Mini-grants, social workers, video series support mental health in Washtenaw County schools

For the past five years, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District has worked alongside Washtenaw County Community Mental Health to offer more school-based behavioral health services.

Longform Ypsilanti's Prospect Park.

Residents seek to restore native plant garden at former lake in Ypsi's Prospect Park

Many Ypsilanti residents don't know that the tangle of shrubs, saplings, and wildflowers in Prospect Park was once a showcase crescent-shaped pond and, decades later, a native plant garden. 

Feature Story Voices of Youth Freedom School organizers, guest speakers, and students. Aaron Foley, the author of this story, is pictured at far left.

Voices of Youth: Where are kids getting their news? (Hint: It's not TikTok.)

During Concentrate’s Voices of Youth Freedom School summer program, we asked young participants where they get their news – and the results were surprising.

Feature Story A performance of "Fight Night."

Play the game show of politics in this Belgian theater piece coming to Ann Arbor

Theater company Ontroerend Goed will bring the acclaimed show "Fight Night," in which audience members vote actors offstage, to Ann Arbor.

Feature Story Students and mentors from the 2024 Voices of Youth Freedom School program.

Voices of Youth: How do Ypsi kids perceive their community?

In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, Voices of Youth Freedom School project editor Aaron Foley reflects on what he learned about how Freedom School students perceive the Ypsilanti community.

Innovation News Flyers for the Divot Dash 5K and Food Truck Warz.

5K and food truck rally coming to Ypsi Township golf course

Ypsilanti Township will host a family-friendly fun run and food truck rally Oct. 5 to showcase amenities on the north side of the township.

Innovation News U-M researcher Dr. Charlene Zietsma (in white top) with Sri Lankan entrepreneurs who participated in her new study.

U-M study: Entrepreneurs learn best from relatable experience, not business giants

New research from the University of Michigan shows that the framing of entrepreneur training programs plays a crucial role in their effectiveness.

Innovation News People walk down Main Street in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor streets will stay closed on weekends this fall, welcoming pedestrians, music, and more

This fall, live music and pedestrians will continue to fill downtown Ann Arbor streets as the city's Main Street Area Association launches its new A2 Fall Streets initiative.

Innovation News Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor leads a bike parade at the 2023 Green Fair.

A2ZERO Green Fair brings sustainability education and fun to downtown Ann Arbor

The A2ZERO Green Fair, a free sustainability event along Ann Arbor's Main Street, will take place this Friday, Sept. 20, from 5-8 p.m. 

Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

 


   Voices of Youth
Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.