What gives you hope for Washtenaw County in 2025? Read Article

Images representing a few of the things our staffers are most excited for in Washtenaw County in 2025.
Photo: Images representing a few of the things our staffers are most excited for in Washtenaw County in 2025. Doug Coombe

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Longform YCMS Principal Charles Davis. Community Development

What gives you hope for Washtenaw County in 2025?

Concentrate staffWednesday, December 18, 2024
Our staff weighs in on what inspires hope in our community for the coming year.
Longform Todd Crowley, Kieren Berres, and Maddy Tong of FedUp Ministries serving food at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse daytime warming center. Community Development

What would it take to establish an Ypsi homeless shelter?

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 18, 2024
Advocates for those experiencing housing insecurity say the introduction of daily ad hoc shelter services this year is a good first step, but there's a need for a more permanent shelter on the east side of Washtenaw County.
Feature Story A group calling itself the OWM Tabernacle recorded the Michigan Music Resistance's first single, "Old White Men." Michigan Music Resistance founder David Roof is pictured at center in a white shirt. Arts and Culture

Michigan Music Resistance reconvenes to offer artistic rebuttal to second Trump term

Natalia HoltzmanWednesday, December 18, 2024
The second iteration of the Michigan Music Resistance, a loose collective of musicians formed in opposition to President Donald Trump, is now in full swing.
Innovation News Venue Coffee. Entrepreneurship

Coffee shop opens in Ann Arbor restaurant, co-working, and event space

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, December 18, 2024
Located within a larger restaurant/bar, the new coffee shop is designed as a place where patrons can not only get a top-notch brew and chef-prepared grab-and-go meals, but also co-work and socialize.
Innovation News A chef demo at the 2024 Ann Arbor Local Food Festival. Sustainability

Ann Arbor plans cookbook to advance carbon neutrality goals

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, December 18, 2024
Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations is developing a free A2ZERO Community Cookbook to help Ann Arbor residents make climate-friendly food choices.
Innovation News Harriet Street in Ypsilanti will receive improvements thanks to a new grant. Transportation

Ypsi's Southside to get improved pedestrian infrastructure with new grant

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 18, 2024
Ypsilanti city officials have been receiving complaints of speeding along Harriet and Hawkins streets in the city's Southside neighborhood for years, but a new grant will help them address that.
Feature Story "We live here, we work here and we care about you and your family." Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

A New Vision for Public Health in Michigan

Brianna NargisoTuesday, December 17, 2024
Michigan has stepped forward with a comprehensive Public Health Call to Action, a set of recommendations crafted by the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council (MPHAC) to guide the state’s journey toward a more equitable and resilient health system. 
Feature Story Robert Sheehan Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan’s community mental health agencies will do even more good work in 2025

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, December 17, 2024
Federal dollars, state initiatives, community partnerships, and a normalization of seeking and receiving behavioral health care have positioned Michigan’s community mental health agencies to do even more good work in 2025.
Feature Story Rebel Dogs has a distinctly Detroit approach to ethical animal advocacy Second Wave - Michigan

Rebels with a cause: How Rebel Dogs has changed the animal advocacy landscape in DetroitNonprofit Journal Project

Chris HandysideTuesday, December 17, 2024
Rebel Dogs was started by a couple of engaged citizens who wanted to alleviate the suffering of stray dogs. Today, it’s a comprehensive dog-rescue operation that helps Detroit pet owners on multiple levels.
Longform Krystal Steward and Derrick Miller by the excavation for Bryant Community Center's geothermal installation. Sustainability

This Ann Arbor neighborhood is transforming into a sustainable energy hub, thanks to local nonprofit

Elinor EppersonWednesday, December 11, 2024
Community Action Network offers free housing upgrades to decarbonize Bryant neighborhood residents’ houses through a sustainability program started in 2021. 
Longform I-AAM founder and Clinical Director Leah Mills-Chapman. Healthy Communities

Free mental health care available to young Black men through new program in Ypsi Township

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, December 11, 2024
A new program in Ypsilanti Township is offering free mental health services  to Black males aged 10-25 and their families.
Feature Story Tree City. Arts and Culture

Ann Arbor hip-hop collective releases "magnum opus" after 13 years of work

Natalia HoltzmanWednesday, December 11, 2024
After 13 years in the making, "Pure Levels," the new album by the Ann Arbor-based hip-hop collective Tree City, will be released on Dec. 13.
Innovation News Show Love Saturdays founder Gordon "Big" Dooley shows off wares from his business, Husky Life. Entrepreneurship

Pop-up holiday market series returns to Ypsi for second year

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, December 11, 2024
Ypsilanti entrepreneurs Gordon "Big" Dooley and Travis Willis have partnered again this holiday season to present the Show Love Saturdays Pop Up Shop.
Innovation News A researcher interviews participants in the "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies" program. Healthy Communities

U-M report finds promising results for state pilot program supporting new parents

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, December 11, 2024
A pilot program that aimed to improve health outcomes for pregnant parents and their children has shown promising results, enhancing food and financial security and stabilizing housing for families.
Innovation News RDNE Stock Project/Pexels Equity

U-M study examines why women are less likely to view themselves as workplace leaders

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, December 11, 2024
New research sheds light on why women might be reluctant to view or label themselves as leaders — and how businesses can help bridge the disconnect. 
Longform The program reduced postpartum depression by 50% among participants. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

MSU public health researchers seek to expand successful preventive postpartum depression program

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, December 10, 2024
ROSE program trains expectant mothers on how roles and relationships change postpartum and teaches assertiveness skills so expectant mothers can ask for the support they need.
Feature Story Newcomer Mohammed arriving at the airport to a welcome from Ruth, a member of the Cassopolis, Mich., private sponsor group that worked with Zaman during the 90-day resettlement period Second Wave - Michigan

Welcome to Michigan: It takes a community to integrate refugees to U.S. cultureNonprofit Journal Project

Amy KurasThursday, December 5, 2024
Welcoming refugees to Michigan is part and parcel Zaman International's work with Welcome Corps
Innovation News Ann Arbor city logo Community Development

Ann Arbor receives federal funds to support young people transitioning out of foster care

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, December 4, 2024
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission was among 21 awardees in 15 states, receiving $67,792 in funding.
Longform "The Drumbeat with Josie and Pete" podcast hosts Peter Martel and Josie Ann Lee. Community Development

Hosts of new Ann Arbor-based podcast aim to discuss public policy with empathy

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, December 4, 2024
"The Drumbeat with Josie and Pete" podcast features safe, courteous, and surprisingly entertaining conversations about how Michigan's legislature and courts impact people and communities.
Longform You Are Expansive founder Kayla Skinner-Roy. at RAC. Healthy Communities

Social workers offer services in unexpected Ypsi-area sites, from library to art center

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 4, 2024
Social workers and social work interns from both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University are providing support to a variety of programs in partnership with Ypsilanti-area organizations.
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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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