Healthy Communities

Dr. Sanjib Chowdhury (far right), faculty director for the Eastern Michigan University Center for Entrepreneurship, and students from a past business plan competition.

Young entrepreneurs to gather at EMU for conference and pitch competition

Eastern Michigan University will bring high school- and college-aged entrepreneurs together on March 14 for the free 2025 Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference and Skandalaris Business Plan Competition.

Latest in Healthy Communities
A screenshot of the KISS app.
EMU student creates app to help track and prevent spread of sexually transmitted infections

An Eastern Michigan University student has created a new app that allows users to take control of their sexual health and alert partners to potential sexually-transmitted infections.

Skylar Smith.
Ypsi library’s youth chess club adds rated tournaments and supports female players with new grant

Thanks to a new $2,000 grant from the U.S. Chess Federation, the Ypsilanti District Library's Youth Chess Club is gearing up for rated tournaments and bolstering support for young female chess players.

A GOTR race in 2024.
Ypsi nonprofit uses physical activity to help girls build life skills

Since 2001, Girls on the Run Southeastern Michigan has used physical activity to inspire girls to challenge gender norms, push past societal barriers, and navigate cultural obstacles with confidence.

Back row: Joel Christopher, Juliette Christopher, and Ray Christopher. Front row: Kayla Bopp, Alex Christopher, and Joel Christopher.
Ann Arbor nonprofit helps kids experience summer camp for free

The Ann Arbor nonprofit Washtenaw Camp Placement, founded in 1962, helps kids ages 9 to 16 experience the transformative experience of sleepaway summer camp.

This is how to do mental health: Community outreach builds access

The staff of Michigan’s community mental health agencies aren’t sitting at their desks waiting for the phone to ring. They are out in their communities letting people know that mental health care is within reach. 

Bonnie Billups Jr., Lakesha Williams, and Latricia Juide in the HUB Community Center food pantry.
Ypsi Township nonprofit opens food pantry at new community center, with more services to come

After two and a half years of planning and development, the nonprofit Peace Neighborhood Center’s HUB Community Center is beginning to serve the surrounding neighborhood with a twice-weekly food pantry. 

EMU organic chemistry professor Dr. Cory Email in EMU's fermentation lab.
EMU fermentation science program prepares students for careers in brewing, food science, and more

With a strong emphasis on translatable skills and real-world application, EMU’s program has become a standout in fermentation education.

Children from the Early Head Start program at Beatty Early Learning Center.
“Preschool for all” push results in higher enrollment and more classrooms in Ypsi schools

Preschool enrollment in Washtenaw County rose 15% this school year, with most of that growth coming from the Ypsi area.

A flyer for the "Stepping Stones to Food Entrepreneurship" series.
Ypsi nonprofit to host free series on food entrepreneurship

The hybrid in-person and virtual series will run from 5-7 p.m. on the second or third Wednesday of each month through July. 

Our Partners

30044
30045
30046
30047
30049
Washtenaw ISD logo
Eastern Michigan University
Ann Arbor Art Center
UMS
U of M Arts Initiative
Engage EMU

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.