Features

Longform Dr. Sara Santarossa is the lead on a Henry Ford Health project that asked COVID long haulers to draw body maps representing their condition. She sits next to several of their works here.

Researchers seek solutions for Michigan's 700,000 COVID long haulers

Michigan health care organizations are racing to determine what support those with "long COVID" need and how best to provide it.

Innovation News Denovo Fertility founder Jessica Preston.

Fertility coaching startup wins big prize at Ann Arbor SPARK entrepreneur boot camp

The online-based company Denovo Fertility won a $25,000 grand prize at Ann Arbor SPARK's 2022 Entrepreneur Boot Camp Celebration.

Longform Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Executive Director Trish Cortes.

How can Washtenaw County solve its mental health care provider shortage?

The county is in the 90th percentile nationwide for mental health providers per capita, but it's still not enough to address a recent upswing in demand for care.

Longform Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum Administrative Secretary Patti Bluhm.

Ypsi's often-overlooked Automotive Heritage Museum showcases historic cars of national note

The museum contains a wealth of local automotive history and historic vehicles preserved in pristine condition, in addition to hosting the National Hudson Motor Car Co. Museum.

Innovation News Representatives of the Trusted Advisor initiative, which won a Power of the Purse grant this year.

United Way of Washtenaw County makes grants to four organizations supporting local women

The United Way of Washtenaw County has awarded grants amounting to over $45,000 to four local organizations that help local women and their families.

Innovation News Washtenaw County logo

Environmental Excellence Awards recognize Washtenaw County leaders in green infrastructure

Washtenaw County's Environmental Excellence Partnership Program has formally recognized the 2020 and 2022 winners of its Environmental Excellence Awards.

Innovation News Parapro and Ypsilanti resident Justin Harper is participating in a new program to gain his teaching certificate.

EMU and Washtenaw ISD partner on program to help parapros become certified teachers

A fourth cohort of 25 paraprofessionals just started the Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Certification Pilot Program.

Innovation News Nickels promotional art

Ann Arbor company that helps users improve credit card health raises $4 million in seed funding

Banks and credit unions pay for Nickels' services to help them help their customers with credit card management.

Longform Austin Yarger and Corbin Reeves at SPARK Central Innovation Center.

Making video games in the Midwest can be hard, but Ann Arbor developers find community in this group

Nestled within Ann Arbor's vibrant technology hub, a robust local chapter of the International Game Developers Association is creating an essential community support for both expert and novice developers.

Longform Wired Off-Road co-founder David Kloiber.

Ypsi startups find success with electric dirt bikes, on-demand delivery, and fraud prevention

We caught up with three startups based at downtown Ypsi's SPARK East business incubator to find out what's in their future.

Development News A rendering of the State Street redesign.

Ann Arbor's State Street reopens with curbless design

The project is the first phase of a major street renovation designed to improve safety, accessibility, and business flexibility.

Innovation News The Ypsi Mental Health Squad logo.

Ypsi Mental Health Squad aims to create inclusive community for those living with mental illness

A grassroots peer support group for neurodivergent people and those living with mental illness has already attracted over 200 members in the two months since it launched.

Innovation News Yen Azzaro stands in front of her work, "Altar|Alter," at its opening in Ann Arbor.

After Ann Arbor residency, Ypsi artist to show work memorializing Asian hate crime victims in NYC

After debuting the fruits of her recent residency at the Graduate Hotel in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti artist, illustrator, and graphic recorder Yen Azzaro is taking her work on the road for a show in New York City.

Longform EMU Senior Corporate Relations Manager John Carlson at the Career Closet.

EMU launches Career Closet offering free dress clothes for job fairs and interviews

Eastern Michigan University's University Advising and Career Development Center recently launched a Career Closet to provide free professional clothing to students and alumni.

Innovation News Participants in a past session of the Dare 2 Design program.

Ypsi-based program helps students solve problems from ice-cream drips to parent-child communication

Local elementary, middle, and high school pupils will have a chance to design solutions to everyday problems during the Dare 2 Design program, held weekly at SPARK East starting Oct. 18.

Longform Lana Krolikowski with one of her cat dice trays.

From science-inspired jewelry to D&D pillows, meet Washtenaw County's female makers

Washtenaw County's many women makers are defying maker culture norms and creating everything from functional art furniture to hybrid cat/octopus plushies.

Longform Akinbambo and Akintunde Oluwadare.

Intergenerational group advocates for improvements to Ypsi Township's West Willow Park

A new community initiative to clean up and improve the park is giving West Willow residents hope for a safer park and neighborhood for all.

Development News A groundbreaking event for the new trail segment connecting the B2B Trail to the Van Buren Park trail system.

Beyond borders: B2B Trail expands to Wayne County

A new 1.25-mile section of trail will connect the easternmost terminus of the B2B to the Van Buren Park trail system in Wayne County.

Innovation News An October First Fridays Ypsilanti event.

"Ypsi in October" campaign promotes a month of spooky, autumnal events

Ypsi Real and Ypsilanti businesses are hoping to make Ypsi a destination for all things autumn and Halloween-themed this year.

Longform Teacher Kim Atkins and counselor Rebekah Ward at Lincoln Middle School.

Mini-grants help Washtenaw County students lead school mental health awareness initiatives

Thanks to the county's mental health millage, over 20 middle and high schools have applied for and received mini-grants of up to $5,000 to implement mental health programs for their school communities.

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.