Features

Feature Story MCREST women and children's shelter entrance

Macomb County shelter offers pathway to stability for homeless women and their childrenNonprofit Journal Project

Since 1988, MCREST has connected the homeless population of Macomb County with a network of volunteer churches that temporarily house them. In 2022, MCREST completed its first fixed shelter. Two employees discuss the shelter’s impact.

Longform Jae Gerhart, manager of farm programs for Trinity Health Ann Arbor, at The Farm at Trinity Health in Ypsilanti. The Farm offers a produce prescription program for those who struggle to afford healthy food.

Medicaid funding could expand and sustain Michigan's produce prescription programs

Michigan is seeking approval for a new funding structure that could use Medicaid dollars to pay for programs that offer "prescriptions" for free fresh fruits and vegetables.

Longform A rendering of SouthTown.

New Ann Arbor development aims to set an example for eco-friendly living

A mixed-use housing complex called SouthTown will not only add 216 new apartments to Ann Arbor's housing stock, but will be built and operate in an eco-friendly way.

Longform WIHI student advisers for Corner Obinna Okammor, Nome Berman, Hasini Anand, Nadav Dueber, and Charlotte Stone.

Corner Health Center, Ypsi schools partner to expand student mental health services

The Corner Health Center has deployed a nurse and a social worker to provide services through a new wellness center at Washtenaw International High School and Washtenaw International Middle Academy.

Feature Story Violin student

Voices of Youth: Music education is pricey, but this Ann Arbor school is making it more accessible

In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Tova Weiss examines the issue of accessibility in high school music education.

Innovation News A Ford Mach E electric vehicle at Washtenaw Community College.

$5,000 in electric vehicle career training available through new Washtenaw County program

Washtenaw Community College in partnership with Michigan Works! Southeast is offering students new opportunities to gain skills and education for careers in mobility and electric vehicles.

Innovation News The Small Business Support website.

Free small business support available in Washtenaw County through new program

Small Business Support, a new collaborative effort among several Washtenaw County community organizations, aims to connect entrepreneurs with knowledgeable business experts who can help their businesses grow.

Innovation News A mock check representing the funds invested in My Future Fund savings accounts so far.

Washtenaw County students receive $1m in free savings accounts – and another $2m is still available

My Future Fund, a Washtenaw County-wide savings account program for students, invested $1 million in 16,000 free college and career savings accounts in its first year.

Innovation News A flyer for "The First Ever Regal Beagle Musical."

"Regal Beagle Musical" celebrates spirit and staff of beloved Ypsi dive bar

A new original musical opening next week will celebrate the empowering, creative, and countercultural energy of the Regal Beagle, a beloved Ypsi dive bar.

Longform “By working with our community and fostering dialogue about gun safety, we believe we can reduce firearm injuries and build a safer future for all.” Deanna Price

How public health focuses on gun safety and reducing firearm violence

Michigan's public health experts are working to address firearm accidents and violence through community partnerships and education programs. 

Feature Story Rick Sperling and Nafeesah Symonette co-founded Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts

Uplifting youth arts organizations through collective impact and connectionsNonprofit Journal Project

Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts levels-up arts opportunities for young artists by breaking down barriers and building up connections for the arts organizations that serve them.

Feature Story Children are exposed to fresh air, gardening, vegetables and more when gardens become part of early childhood education experiences.

Learning as they grow: Urban gardens as a teaching tool in early childhood educationNonprofit Journal Project

Keep Growing Detroit connects gardening and food sustainability with early childhood learning to create healthy experiences for little ones in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.  

Longform Roger Smith working on the gardens at Cross Street Village.

New Growing Hope grant program supports Ypsi community gardens

Seven community gardening projects in the greater Ypsilanti area have received mini-grants to support their efforts through Ypsilanti nonprofit Growing Hope's new Sprout Grant program.

Longform Parker Mill County Park.

Top 5 places to see fall colors in Washtenaw County

As peak fall colors approach, we’ve checked in with some local nature lovers and rounded up the top places to see autumn foliage here in Washtenaw County.

Feature Story Phone with social media apps

Voices of Youth: How media affect young people's body image and self-worth

In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Vaishnavi Attili examines media's impact on young people's self-perception.

Feature Story A signal box decorated through the PowerArt! project.

Over 40 Ann Arbor signal boxes decorated with original art in ongoing project

Creative Washtenaw's PowerArt! project has transformed over 40 signal boxes in downtown Ann Arbor by decorating them with original art, aiming to enliven public spaces in the city.

Innovation News CourtMerch founders Amy Gillett and Carolynn Hayman wear shirts from their international collection.

New Ann Arbor company outfits pickleball and tennis teams around the world

A new Ann Arbor-based company has everything pickleball and tennis players need to outfit themselves and their teams with matching apparel, water bottles, and more.

Innovation News Sherry Young with her Rhythm of Gospel Awards.

Ypsi gospel artist wins two national music awards

Ypsilanti resident and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) student Sherry Young recently won two national awards for her gospel album "Solid Rock" and hopes to use her experiences to teach others how to succeed in the music business.

Innovation News KeyBank and Avalon Housing staff pose with a check for KeyBank's $300,000 grant to Avalon.

KeyBank awards Avalon Housing $300,000 for supportive services

Ohio-based KeyBank and its associated nonprofit, KeyBank Foundation, have invested $300,000 in Avalon Housing to strengthen its supportive services for tenants and clients throughout Washtenaw County.

Longform Nurses like District Health Department #10’s Becky Gossman RN are only one facet of the future public health workforce.

Redefining public health in Michigan: A vision for a post-pandemic future

The Michigan Association for Local Public Health is advocating for a transformative vision of public health, one that accounts for the complexities of today’s diverse communities and the ever-evolving landscape of health needs. 

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.