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Innovation News EMU logo

Ypsi students prepare for health careers by becoming peer educators through new EMU/Toyota program

High school students from Ypsilanti Community Schools and two other southeast Michigan school districts will be trained as peer health educators, teaching others about traumatic brain injury, through a new program called Way Forward@EMU. 

Longform Homebuilding students build an entire house over the course of their school year.

In Ann Arbor schools' Homebuilding program, students build a house in a school year

Founded in 1968, the career and technical education program is intended to widen the horizons of high school education beyond the classroom for students interested in the building trades.

Feature Story Artist Bryan Pollard at Westside Art Hop.

Westside Art Hop to bring 90 artists to Ann Arbor neighborhood

Ann Arbor’s annual Westside Art Hop will again bring a plethora of artists to vend their wares from yards and driveways in the city's West Side neighborhood on June 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and June 8 from noon-5 p.m.

Longform Pharmacists handle cancer medications at the cancer drug repository at the Trinity Health Reichert Medical Center in Superior Township.

Ann Arbor nonprofit and Sault Tribe of Chippewa partner to redistribute unused cancer drugs for free

Last year the nonprofit YesRx received a grant to work with the tribe over a two-year period, expanding access to expensive drugs that would otherwise go to waste.

Innovation News Ann Arbor SPARK President and CEO Paul Krutko speaks at SPARK's annual meeting.

Ann Arbor SPARK annual meeting highlights economic development wins and climate change threats

The event showcased SPARK's achievements in fostering economic growth and innovation in Washtenaw County, while its keynote speaker discussed climate change's potential impact on the county's economy.

Innovation News The Ann Arbor District Library's Downtown Library.

Ann Arbor District Library to offer downtown retail spaces with rents as low as $150/month

The retail suites, dubbed Lobby Shops, will be available for a six-month lease with an option to renew for another six months. Monthly rent ranges from $100 to $250.

Longform Ryan Friedholm working in Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at Saline High School.

Saline manufacturing students create adaptive tools to help people with disabilities

Students in Trent Trout's Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at Saline High School are learning to develop innovative real-world solutions for people with disabilities. 

Longform small-judy-logan

Dental aid helps cancer patients regain health and dignity

HNC Living Foundation provides dental care, nutrition, and support to head and neck cancer patients facing financial and treatment challenges.

Longform Whitmore Lake High School student Jayden Canter.

From champion carpenter to apparel entrepreneur, Washtenaw CTE students are "powerhouse" achievers

We talked to three students in county career and technical education programs about the impact of getting ready for the professional real world through practical, hands-on learning experiences.

Longform Barbara Walters, Adam Weisman, Kasey Whitford, and Dan Johnson at Eastern Michigan University.

EMU theater students partner with Ann Arbor police to improve crisis intervention trainings

The partnership draws on expertise from EMU’s School of Social Work and Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young program to bring realism and empathy into police trainings.

Longform University of Michigan associate professor Thomas McKenney and students tour the Mark W. Barker, the first commercial vessel to be built on the Great Lakes in more than 40 years, in River Rouge.

U-M leads in national effort to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding

Spurred by China's current dominance in shipbuilding and America's reliance on foreign shipyards, the University of Michigan is leading efforts to train the needed workforce and develop a statewide maritime strategy.

Partner Content Boy in classroom

Blueprint for school funding would ensure equitable resources in special education

The MI Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint would ensure that Michigan adequately and equitably funds public special education in Michigan. 

Feature Story All Gods Children teacher

No-cost pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds enrolling for 2025-26 school year

QA with Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, on the implementation of Pre-K for All no-cost preschool for Michigan 4-year-olds.

Feature Story Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, February 2025

How Michigan nonprofits are navigating federal uncertaintyNonprofit Journal Project

Michigan nonprofits are facing uncertainty as federal funding streams fluctuate and administrative support wanes. The Michigan Nonprofit Association is helping organizations navigate this instability through advocacy, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Longform Adam Grant at A Brighter Way's future transitional house for formerly incarcerated people.

Ypsi nonprofit creates long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated people

Ypsilanti nonprofit A Brighter Way recently purchased a home in Ypsilanti to provide long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated clients, just a few blocks from the organization's office.

Feature Story This scene in "Money Over Boyz," directed by Ypsilanti couple Yolanda and Keith Ragland, takes place on the Tridge in Ypsi's Riverside Park.

Ypsi filmmaking couple's debut feature holds top 100 spot on streaming service Tubi

After finding great success releasing their debut feature film, "Money Over Boyz," on the free streaming service Tubi, Ypsilanti-based married filmmakers Keith and Yolanda Ragland are nearly ready to debut their second movie.

Longform Sienna Troy, Eli Harris, Nick Corvera-Garay, Jaylah Cotton, Josephine Smith, and Tuula Martinez at a Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program meeting.

Teens fight food insecurity in Ypsi through Growing Hope leadership program

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Tova Weiss takes a look into the work of the Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program. 

Innovation News Michigan Stadium.

Report finds $226 million economic impact in Ann Arbor from 2024 U-M football season

The study reports that 2024-2025 U-M football home games generated $226.7 million in direct visitor spending from attendees residing outside Washtenaw County.

Feature Story Ann Arbor Economic Development Director Joe Giant.

Q&A: Ann Arbor's first economic development director on affordability, growth, and more

Now that he's had two months to settle into the job, we sat down with Joe Giant to discuss the future of economic development in Ann Arbor.

Longform Lauren LaPine

Medicaid cuts would destabilize mental health care: How Michigan is responding

Proposed Medicaid funding cuts would dismantle critical services, especially for residents facing poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorders — and reduce access to mental health services for all.

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.