Features

Partner Content April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month

Autism Alliance of Michigan is the trusted resource for the autism community

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is here to help ensure Michiganders with autism reach their greatest potential.

Feature Story A volunteer puts away food at Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County

Emergency food providers feel the crunch of rising costs amid inflationNonprofit Journal Project: Feature

As government assistance dwindles and food costs rise, nonprofit food providers are seeing a growing need for assistance in communities across Southeast Michigan. Here’s how they’re coping.  

Longform A man uses the care.coach tool, currently being deployed by Grand Rapids-based Care Resources PACE.

New health care technologies improve outcomes for Michiganders of all ages

We took a look at several innovative health technologies, ranging from an app that screens pregnant people for substance use to a device that tracks stress responses to make it easier for older adults to get around.

Feature Story Shamyle Dobbs, CEO of Michigan Community Resources

Rest and recharge: Creative solutions to tackling nonprofit burnoutFeature: Nonprofit Journal Project

Burnout among nonprofit leaders is real. This story looks at approaches foundations and nonprofits are taking to create paths for executives to step aside, get some much-needed time away, and re-center themselves for the important but demanding work they do every day.  

Longform Spectrum Center Director Jesse Beal.

Recently deceased U-M alum's passion for queer community lives on in LGBTQ+ center "coming out fund"

Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman was interested in helping LGBTQ+ people steer through the experience of coming out, whether they were a celebrity or a University of Michigan student.

Longform The iFFY staff at Natalia Rocafuerte's studio.

Ypsi film festival returns with horror and international programs, filmmaking workshops, and more

This season, the Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti will feature 10 film programs, two free and two paid public workshops, a gallery video installation, discussions with filmmakers, and a live listening event.

Longform Ypsi, Can I Share founder Gail Summerhill.

Ypsi-area residents invited to learn about voting and civic engagement during April education series

A series of Civic Duty Education Nights will take place on April 14, 19, and 25 at locations around the greater Ypsilanti area. 

Innovation News Local Writers Live promo art

Five local authors to be featured in Ann Arbor library event

The Ann Arbor District Library will host the next installment of its free Local Writers Live series, featuring five local authors presenting works ranging from memoir to poetry, on April 12.

Innovation News Digital Summer Clinic participants.

EMU summer internship program offers paid opportunities for students seeking digital careers

The Digital Summer Clinic is designed to introduce current college students to tech industry professionals, and start the process of networking before they’ve finished their collegiate program.

Innovation News First Fridays logo

First Fridays Ypsi's 10th year features themes ranging from spring blooms to "Santarchy vs. Krampus"

The nonprofit hosts monthly events and invites Ypsilanti businesses to host arts-related happenings on the first Friday of each month from April through December.

Longform Auryon Azar and Cedrick Charles in front of the future New Lakeview Apartments at EMU.

Here's how EMU is working to update all campus housing by 2025

Welcome Home 2025 is set to update all campus housing, some of it dating to the '70s, to better meet the needs of today's students.

Longform LaQuan Hill and Adam Grant at the A Brighter Way offices.

Washtenaw County organizations aim to make it easier to find employment after incarceration

It can be difficult or even impossible to find work after returning from incarceration, but local businesses and nonprofits are working to change that.

Innovation News Owner Megan Foldenauer at a pop-up version of the forthcoming Ypsilanti Art Supply and Atelier.

Locally owned art supply store to open in downtown Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti Art Supply and Atelier will be housed inside Riverside Arts Center in downtown Ypsi.

Innovation News Whatabout Theatre Vice President Daniel Jackson and President Michelle Weiss setting up for Whatabout Theatre's first event on September 10, 2022.

New Washtenaw County improv theatre seeks proposals for long-form shows

Whatabout Theatre, a relatively new Ann Arbor- and Ypsilanti-based improv theatre company, is seeking proposals for long-form structured improv shows through a new venture called the Revolving Stage Program.

Innovation News Cover art for "Cinema Ann Arbor."

New book by local author chronicles Ann Arbor film scene's "anarchistic" roots in U-M student groups

The book, titled "Cinema Ann Arbor: How Campus Rebels Formed a Singular Film Culture," will launch June 20 at Literati Bookstore.

Feature Story WISD students.

Community mental health collaboration with ISD helps students access mental health supports

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is working to fight stigma and provide mental healthcare to students with help from Washtenaw Community Mental Health.

Longform Melisa Tasker, program administrator for WCCMH.

New system streamlines process of getting substance use disorder treatment in Washtenaw County

For the past year, a new phone number has provided a convenient single point of access for individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment in Washtenaw County to receive an assessment and referrals for further treatment.

Longform  Check-in area of St. Clair Community Mental Health in Port Huron.

Michigan community mental health agencies recognize families' role in treatment

Michigan's CMHs rely on families to help recovery and ensure that people function at their highest level.

Partner Content The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s work in gardens grew out of its SNAP-Ed direct education programming like Fresh Conversations and Rec-Connect™, pictured here at Burton Senior Activity Center.

Gardens growing change in Flint

The Greater Flint Health Coalition delivers nutrition and physical activity education with SNAP-Ed direct education programming to residents, including senior citizens, across Flint and Genesee County. 

Longform Eastern Michigan University Professor of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology Kevin Karpiak.

Here's how Washtenaw County is reimagining policing

Community groups have advanced initiatives for decreasing police involvement, local law enforcement agencies and governing bodies have introduced their own innovative strategies, and policy has shifted to stop prosecuting certain crimes.

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.