Ypsi library offers social services, Summer Challenge, youth performance opportunity this summer Read Article

Ypsilanti District Library Social Worker Kat Layton, Head of Youth Services Jodi Krahnke, and Teen Librarian Kelly Pedersen Scott at the Ypsilanti District Library's Michigan Avenue branch.
Photo: Ypsilanti District Library Social Worker Kat Layton, Head of Youth Services Jodi Krahnke, and Teen Librarian Kelly Pedersen Scott at the Ypsilanti District Library's Michigan Avenue branch. Doug Coombe

Features

Longform Director Zach Damon and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor on the set of "Resilience Revealed: Ann Arbor’s Disability Legacy." Healthy Communities

New documentary examines Ann Arbor's history of disability rights advocacy

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, July 16, 2025
Director Zach Damon, a disability rights advocate and person with cerebral palsy, says his film is for "anyone who wants hope."
Longform Mohammed Shawls and Dawn Kotcher participating in the Summer Challenge at YDL's Michigan Avenue branch. Community Development

Ypsi library offers social services, Summer Challenge, youth performance opportunity this summer

Lee Van RothWednesday, July 16, 2025
From the eighth annual Summer Challenge to free meals, mutual aid programs, and teen-led music showcases, the Ypsilanti District Library offers a full slate of free programming.
Innovation News An 826michigan writing tutoring session at Beezy's in Ypsilanti in 2013. Kids and Education

Nonprofit 826michigan moves to Ypsi with plans to create 25,000 new writers by 2030

Lee Van RothTuesday, July 15, 2025
After two decades of nurturing young writers from a whimsical robot shop in Ann Arbor, the nonprofit 826michigan is relocating its headquarters to Ypsilanti in a move aimed at deepening impact and expanding access to literacy education.
Feature Story Students prepare food in Huron High School's Culinary and Hospitality class. Kids and Education

Huron High students get real-world kitchen experience through Culinary and Hospitality program

Audra AmbrozaitisMonday, July 14, 2025
In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Audra Ambrozaitis looks into how students are getting culinary career experience through Huron High School's Culinary and Hospitality program.
Feature Story The 2024 Ann Arbor Art Fair. Arts and Culture

Culinary art gallery, kids' art collecting club among new attractions at 2025 Ann Arbor Art Fair

Lee Van RothThursday, July 10, 2025
The Ann Arbor Art Fair, returning July 17-19, will span 30 downtown blocks with nearly 1,000 artists and new interactive experiences for all ages.
Feature Story Tommy Prine. Arts and Culture

Tommy Prine, son of folk legend John Prine, to perform in Ann Arbor

Natalia HoltzmanWednesday, July 9, 2025
We chatted with Prine about his new EP, the big and small ways his life changed since his first album was released in 2023, and how his understanding of his late father has deepened as his own musical career has progressed.
Longform Chocolate Croissants at B-Cubed Bakery. Entrepreneurship

3 Ypsi bakeries have opened in the past 2 years, and owners see "room for all of us to thrive"

Sarah RiggWednesday, July 9, 2025
Three new locally-owned bakeries have opened recently in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, all emphasizing local ingredients, community involvement, and networking with other small business owners.
Innovation News A student in Washtenaw Community College's welding lab. Kids and Education

New WCC program offers professional welding training one weekend day per week

Lee Van RothTuesday, July 8, 2025
The Weekend Welders program allows students to earn up to two welding certificates and an associate's degree by attending classes just one day a week over 11 semesters.
Longform Bhakti Javiya is an AmeriCorps VISTA economic empowerment associate at Jewish Family Services in Ann Arbor. Community Development

AmeriCorps cuts would pose major threat to Washtenaw County nonprofits

Sarah RiggTuesday, July 8, 2025
From grandparents to low-income children, residents across Washtenaw County are being impacted by recent changes to federal AmeriCorps funding.
Feature Story Kevin Fischer3 Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, July 8, 2025
Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.  
Innovation News Rowers at the inaugural RowFest. Healthy Communities

Free beginner rowing lessons offered in Ypsi Township in advance of national rowing championship

Sarah RiggMonday, July 7, 2025
Two free rowing classes will be offered to the public as part of RowFest 2025, a national rowing championship coming to Ford Lake in Ypsilanti Township this year.
Feature Story Kaysi Hohner in welding class at Saline High School. Kids and Education

Diversity in skilled trades: Women find rewarding work in traditionally male-dominated fields

Lillian GentryMonday, July 7, 2025
In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Lillian Gentry interviews female students and adults about their experiences in skilled trades.
Development News TORC Robotics' new facility in Ann Arbor Township. Economic Development

Self-driving truck company opens $5.6 million Ann Arbor Twp. facility, creating 500 local jobs

Jaishree DrepaulThursday, July 3, 2025
TORC Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG and a leader in autonomous truck technology, has announced the opening of a new facility in Ann Arbor Township.
Innovation News Caleb Dahl working in Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at Saline High School. Kids and Education

CTE millage to go before Washtenaw County voters as CTE program demand increases

Jaishree DrepaulThursday, July 3, 2025
A new report shows that over the last four years, while overall student enrollment in Washtenaw County has decreased, CTE program enrollment has increased by 69%. 
Feature Story Saline High School student Ashley Malinczak. Kids and Education

High schoolers get an early start on health care careers through Washtenaw County CTE programs

Eliza GallippoWednesday, July 2, 2025
In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Eliza Gallippo looks into how students are getting a health care career jumpstart through career technical education programs in Washtenaw County.
Feature Story Stethoscope and health puzzle Healthy Communities

Breaking barriers: How youth and adult advocates are reimagining health care access

Divya ReddyMonday, June 30, 2025
In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Divya Reddy examines systemic and interpersonal barriers young people face in accessing health care, and community-centric ways to address those barriers. 
Innovation News The first five Michigan graduates of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program. Technology and Innovation

Ann Arbor SPARK, WCC celebrate first Michigan grads of manufacturing education program

Jaishree DrepaulThursday, June 26, 2025
The inaugural cohort is leaving the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program with two years of work experience, degrees, and job offers. 
Feature Story A view through the titanium-sapphire crystal that helps to transfer power into ZEUS’s laser pulses. Technology and Innovation

U-M's ZEUS laser, the strongest in the U.S., is about to get even more powerful

Alaina MitchellWednesday, June 25, 2025
Currently operating at an electrical power output of two petawatts, this summer the ZEUS laser’s output will soar to three petawatts thanks to a new lab-grown titanium-infused sapphire crystal from Salem, Mass. 
Innovation News Manzanitas Spanish Immersion Playschool in Ann Arbor. Kids and Education

U-M works to preserve and disseminate education data as feds pull funding for its collection

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, June 25, 2025
As Americans continue to digest cuts to the U.S. Department of Education, researchers at the University of Michigan are striving to maintain and widen access to education data critical to informing public policy. 
Feature Story Danielle Davis, known professionally as Dani Darling. Arts and Culture

Ann Arbor's Dani Darling to step back from music after July EP release

Natalia HoltzmanTuesday, June 24, 2025
Ann Arbor-based musician Danielle Davis, who performs as Dani Darling, says she doesn't "want to throw out the word 'retirement,'" but she is also looking forward to taking a break from music after she releases her latest EP, "Cazimi," at the end of July.
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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.

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