Washtenaw County health professionals anticipate "devastating" effects of Medicaid and Medicare cuts Read Article

Betsy King-McDonald, communications manager for Ypsilanti-based Hope Clinic.
Photo: Betsy King-McDonald, communications manager for Ypsilanti-based Hope Clinic. Doug Coombe

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Innovation News A still from "Welcome to Commie High." Arts and Culture

Documentary on Ann Arbor's Community High School to premiere at Ann Arbor Film Festival

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, March 11, 2020
Filmmaker Donald Harrison was originally inspired to make the film five years ago. It's evolved since then from a 10-minute short to a 30-minute documentary to a feature-length film.
Innovation News Eberwhite's kindergarten- through second-grade playground, installed last year. The crowdfunding campaign now underway would support construction of a third- through fifth-grade playground. Healthy Communities

Ann Arbor's Eberwhite Playground launches $50,000 crowdfunding campaign to win matching state funds

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, March 11, 2020
If the Patronicity campaign reaches its goal, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will award a matching grant through its Public Spaces Community Places program. 
Feature Story Michigan Works! Southeast director Bill Sleight. Economic Development

Unemployment is low, but Washtenaw County's workforce still faces many challenges

Sarah RiggWednesday, March 4, 2020
Unemployment is at its lowest since 2000. But employees are struggling with low wages and keeping pace with a rapidly changing job market, while employers face an aging workforce and the challenge of retaining good employees.
Feature Story SOS food pantry and volunteer coordinator Tracey Anderson. Community Development

SOS Community Services celebrates 50 years of service to Ypsilanti-area residents

Sarah RiggWednesday, March 4, 2020
The Ypsi-based organization offers a food pantry, supportive housing services, programming for children and families, and much more.  
Innovation News Amanda Sweetman is a farmer at The Farm at St. Joe's, which won grant funds to build a hoop house. Healthy Communities

County grant winners to build hoop house, bolster food pantries, and start kids' produce club

Emily BendaWednesday, March 4, 2020
The Washtenaw County Health Department's Building Healthy Communities Program recently awarded $30,000 in total grant funding to Food Gatherers, Ypsilanti Farmers Markets, and The Farm at St. Joe's.
Innovation News Last year's Women of Color Feminisms and Leadership Symposium. Community Development

Ypsi symposium to encourage women of color to redefine their stories

Sarah RiggWednesday, March 4, 2020
The third Women of Color Feminisms and Leadership Symposium will feature keynote speaker Courtney Smith, an EMU alum and founder of the Detroit Phoenix Center.
Innovation News Lillian Augusta founders Nana Britwum (center) and Jannice Newsom (right) accept an award at the Michigan Business Challenge. Entrepreneurship

U-M students use invasive species to create environmentally friendly hair product for black women

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, March 4, 2020
Lillian Augusta, a startup created by two science graduate students, is designing biodegradable braiding hair made from phragmites, an invasive plant species.
Feature Story Katelyn Coberley, Bia Hamed, and Paulette Avolio work at Eastern Michigan University's Sill Hall. Diversity

Michigan's cybersecurity leaders are pursuing a "culture change" for diversity in their field

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, February 26, 2020

The booming mobility sector has a huge and growing need for cybersecurity talent – but the people who currently work in that field still overwhelmingly tend to be white men. However, several local initiatives are paving the way to eliminate barriers and attract more women and people of color to rewarding cybersecurity careers.

 
Feature Story Jacorey Brown, Peri Stone-Palmquist, Megan Berry, and Sarah Dunnings-Smith. Kids and Education

Ypsi-based Student Advocacy Center helps struggling students find path to success

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 26, 2020
Since 1975, the organization has been supporting Michigan students who need help succeeding in school due to homelessness, trauma, disability, behavior or attendance problems, and other barriers.
Innovation News Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley staff at Show Me the Money Day 2019. Community Development

Show Me the Money Day 2020 to offer free tax prep, financial stability workshops

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 26, 2020
Free tax prep is the big draw at the annual event hosted by United Way of Washtenaw County, but attendees can also learn how to improve their credit scores, pay off student debts, or start a small business.
Feature Story Nicola's Books general manager Meagen Kucaj. Entrepreneurship

Staying Power: How Nicola's Books has thrived despite book industry turmoil

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, February 19, 2020
The shop has soldiered on despite major industry changes that have contributed to the closure of other local bookstore staples, including Borders, Shaman Drum, and Common Language.
Feature Story Children fingerpainting at The Collaborative. Kids and Education

Ypsi collaborative child care center for low-income residents expands, adds new services

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 19, 2020
The Collaborative: Ypsilanti YMCA Child Development Center has grown rapidly and will soon add evening hours and a psychology clinic.
Innovation News Broadbank Task Force logo Technology and Innovation

New survey could help Washtenaw County win funding to expand rural broadband

Emily BendaWednesday, February 19, 2020
The Washtenaw County Broadband Task Force hopes to use the data gathered to show eligibility for USDA grants to help provide broadband in rural areas of the county. 
Innovation News A child makes homemade clay at last year's preschool resource fair. Kids and Education

Ypsilanti District Library expands annual preschool and kindergarten resource fair

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 19, 2020
The YDL will add kindergarten resources in the event's second year, aiming to help bridge the gap for parents between informal daycare settings and a more structured school setting.
Innovation News A young man participates in the Summer19 "Match Day" event. Economic Development

Summer youth employment program aims to engage more employers and youth in fifth year

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, February 19, 2020
Organizers of the program, newly renamed "SummerWorks," hope to draw 125-130 young people and a broader mix of local employers this summer.
Feature Story WOW executive committee member Dr. Melissa Sundermann. Healthy Communities

Washtenaw Optimal Wellness aims to make Washtenaw County an international center of longevity

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 12, 2020
A group of county residents have launched the initiative to get Washtenaw County certified as one of five international "Blue Zones," regions where people live longer and healthier than average.
Feature Story Ypsilanti Art Incubator's Alexa Dietz with her sculpture "Monopoly" at Ziggy's. Arts and Culture

Local artist hopes to revive Ypsilanti Art Incubator with April kickoff party

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 12, 2020
The incubator was originally started by a small group of Ypsi-based artists in 2012. It went dormant for several years, but Ypsi resident Alexa Dietz is looking to relaunch it in 2020.
Innovation News A screenshot from one of TRUiC's YouTube videos. Entrepreneurship

Ann Arbor company offering free business startup guides sees huge growth

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, February 12, 2020
Over the past four years, The Really Useful Information Company, or TRUiC, has grown twenty-fold both financially and in online reach.
Innovation News Leah Penniman is the author of "Farming While Black." Sustainability

Local Food Summit to spotlight issues of equity and racism in food systems

Emily BendaWednesday, February 12, 2020
The event at Washtenaw Community College will feature keynote speaker Leah Penniman, farmer, activist, and author of "Farming While Black."
Innovation News Back Office Studio owners Wayne Millett, Diana Wong, and Sun Chao. Entrepreneurship

Ypsi coworking space Back Office Studio celebrates busy first year with free open house event

Sarah RiggWednesday, February 12, 2020
In its first year, the coworking space has partnered with numerous local organizations, become a last-minute wedding venue, and sheltered people who were evacuated from their neighborhood after an explosion.
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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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