Author

Sarah Rigg

Sarah Rigg is a freelance writer and editor in Ypsilanti Township and the project manager of On the Ground Ypsilanti. She joined Concentrate as a news writer in early 2017 and is an occasional contributor to other Issue Media Group publications. You may reach her at sarahrigg1@gmail.com.

Sarah Rigg's Latest Articles

Marquan Jackson, director of the Family Empowerment Program.
Study finds disparate COVID-19 impacts on jobs, housing, and more for Ypsi-area residents of color

Black and Latinx residents have been dealing with a great disparity in health outcomes. But a new study shows the pandemic's disparate effects on employment, housing, education, and a number of other areas. 

One of the projects Y-Fi members worked on in quarantine was a video set to Billie Eilish's song "Bad Guy."
Y-Fi youth social art movement adapts to COVID by building community partnerships in Ypsi

The group has built and deepened relationships with community organizations including Eastern Michigan University's Bright Futures program and ypsiGLOW.  

Aaliyah Shakur, 8, will discuss nerd culture's impact on her life during Hero Nation "Presents."
Ypsi-based Hero Nation to launch new initiative and highlight nerd culture’s impact in virtual event

The nonprofit, which seeks to empower kids through superheroes, comic books, and video games, will host an event called Hero Nation "Presents" this Saturday.

Participants, including Cherisa Allen in denim jacket, at 2019's 5K Walk/Run.
5K Walk/Run in Ypsi aims to raise awareness of domestic violence

Ypsilanti resident Cherisa Allen leads multiple initiatives through her nonprofit, Women and Men Working for Change, including a 5K held annually during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. 

Dave Strenski in front of a solar installation at the Thompson Block in Ypsilanti.
SolarYpsi celebrates 15th year with ambitious plan for solar installations on 100 Ypsi homes

SolarYpsi recently logged over 100 solar power installations on its website, and founder Dave Strenski has already set his next milestone goal: getting solar panels onto the roofs of 100 low-income homes in Ypsilanti.

Gwen La Croix (center) with her sons James and Jude Payne.
Ypsi area not immune from uptick in youth suicide, but help is available

There's been a nationally noted uptick in suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among young people, as well as an alarming rise in local statistics over the past decade. But mental health support and other resources are available for those in need.

Children play at the Ann Arbor YMCA during Learning Labs programming.
Learning labs, texting resources, micro-schools, and more address pandemic-era education struggles

These are just a few of the ways new and non-traditional support systems have arisen in Washtenaw County to address the pandemic's impact on the 2020 school year.

People skate at the Ypsilanti Township CommUNITY Skatepark.
Ypsilanti Township CommUNITY Skatepark now open to public

The effort to build the skatepark began in early 2018 with a Built to Play Skatepark Grant, funded jointly by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation). 

Louis Picasso and the Gallery play in Grove Studios' outdoor courtyard.
Grove Studios to host socially-distant mini-concerts featuring local bands

The Ypsilanti recording studio will admit 25 people to each of three ticketed shows in its outdoor courtyard for its third annual Equinox Party.

Bernice Ethington, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, and Ypsi, Can I Share? founder Gail Summerhill at the Washtenaw County Democractic Party dinner in 2009.
Ypsi-area residents create website, grassroots organization to encourage civic engagement

Ypsi, Can I Share? aims to educate and empower residents who may otherwise feel excluded from conversations about voting, politics, and civic participation.

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