Features

Longform Beth Currans and Meghan Lechner of EMU's College In Prison program.

EMU launches first-ever bachelor's degree program for Michigan's only women's prison

Though some private colleges have also begun offering college in prison programs across Michigan Department of Corrections facilities, EMU is the first public university to do so.

Longform Vector Electric, Inc. CEO Duane Pittman.

Washtenaw County "microbusinesses" get mentoring, funding through Small Business Growth Activator

The program, a collaboration between several county organizations, targets microbusinesses that have five or fewer employees and meet a certain income threshold.

Feature Story Kennedy Flowers.

Voices of Youth: Addressing barriers to sex education in Michigan

From school resource shortages to a lack of representation among educators, numerous barriers prevent Michigan's young people from receiving adequate education and care.

Innovation News A promotional image for the Michigan Chocolate Festival.

Ypsi coffee shop to host local chocolate makers for inaugural Michigan Chocolate Festival

Promotional materials say the event, hosted by a Grand Rapids-based chocolate company, will offer an opportunity to "meet, greet, and eat" with a variety of Michigan-based chocolate producers.

Innovation News FreightMiner's booth at the North American International Auto Show.

Ann Arbor company develops software to enable autonomous trucking

FreightMiner's technology would allow trucks to be remotely operated at the beginning and the end of a drive, while being autonomously driven over the long freeway stretch.

Innovation News Ann Arbor logo

Ann Arbor to open applications for guaranteed income pilot program

Applications for the city of Ann Arbor’s guaranteed income pilot program for entrepreneurs, managed by Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan (U-M), will open Oct. 2-13. 

Longform A number of financial incentives for post-secondary education help those interested in an early education career.

Michigan looks to create a better career path for early childhood educators

Improved career pathways, state incentives, and improved wages are essential to recruiting and retaining the early education workforce needed for the PreK for All roll-out.

Longform Adapt Landscapes planting a garden in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor nonprofit works to restore native plants one home at a time

Adapt: Community Supported Ecology offers free consultations, micro-meadow installations, and custom-made native plant garden kits for residents who request their services. 

Longform Stephanie Ratovonarivo.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Washtenaw County expands outreach, education with millage funds

Funding from Washtenaw County's Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage has made new programs and the publication of a booklet on mental health possible.

Longform Brie Nikora, Rivers Brown-Danovi, and Kelly Scott at the Ypsilanti District Library-Whittaker.

Ypsi District Library wins ALA grant to offer Great Stories book club to underserved teens

As part of the Great Stories Club, YDL staff will work with a small group of teens to read and discuss stories that explore questions of race, identity, and more.

Innovation News A table for the Michigan Psychedelic Society at Entheofest 2022.

Festival advocating for psilocybin, peyote, and other entheogens returns to Ann Arbor

The third annual Entheofest, celebrating and advocating for the decriminalization of entheogens, will be held Sept. 17 on the Diag in Ann Arbor.

Innovation News Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti teachers participate in Embracing Our Differences' workshop.

Ann Arbor nonprofit holds joint workshop on diversity and arts for Ann Arbor and Ypsi teachers

Embracing Our Differences Michigan Executive Director Nancy Margolis explains that the idea behind the workshop was to provide educators from both Ann Arbor Public Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools with "curriculum they could easily use in their classroom or school."

Innovation News Participants eat cake at last year's YpsiTasty grub crawl.

YpsiTasty grub crawl to highlight over a dozen Ypsilanti restaurants

This year's YpsiTasty grub crawl will highlight returning favorite restaurants, new food purveyors, and several retail locations in Ypsilanti's downtown, Depot Town, and Cross Street commercial areas.

Feature Story Rev. Horace Sheffield III, Executive Director of the Detroit Association of Black Organizations

Michigan nonprofits cite need for change in board diversityFeature: Nonprofit Journal Project

The charge for nonprofit board diversity has waned, but its importance is as strong as ever say Southeast Michigan nonprofit leaders.  

Innovation News A map of House Party events.

Week-long event series aims to promote community conversation about housing in Ann Arbor

Organizer Lisa Sauvé says House Party is intended "to bring people together in a fun but communal way to talk through some of the problems we think we have and [to] understand the trade-offs."

Longform Participants at Ypsilanti PreK for All listening session.

PreK for All listening sessions gather feedback from parents, childcare providers, and educators

PreK for All listening sessions in Michigan's 10 prosperity regions gather feedback from parents, childcare providers, and educators.

Feature Story The passing of MI SB0227 would improve mental health care ofr Michigan's children.

Community mental health agencies want more options for helping Michigan's children

Michigan's community mental health agencies address children’s mental health care but need legislative change to do it better.

Partner Content AAoM held a back-to-school event at Corner Health in Ypsilanti on Aug. 16.

Health and wellness are the building blocks for a successful school yearAAoM helps little Michiganders with autism be prepared.

Prioritizing children’s health and wellness is the first step toward ensuring they are prepared for a successful school year and able to fully participate in learning.

Longform Ginny Leikam, the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission's superintendent of planning and the Natural Areas Preservation Program, at the Michigan Folk School.

Michigan Folk School set to expand traditional crafts education through Washtenaw County partnership

The founders of the Michigan Folk School recently turned it over to Washtenaw County's Parks and Recreation Commission, which has worked rapidly to expand on the founders' original vision.

Longform Heather Wysor at Water Street.

Free walking tours highlight the "re-wilding" of Ypsi's Water Street property

The 38-acre property has gained a complicated reputation due to development challenges, but some see it as a natural, educational space where native species can flourish.

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.