On the Ground helps to tell the story of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating “what’s next” for communities. The intended impact is for “solutions-oriented” media coverage, engagement, and ultimately understanding of the community, resulting in awareness and investments that can contribute to the vitality and prosperity of the district covered.
The concept of On the Ground is to use an “embedded journalism” model to maintain a presence in a specific community. During this time the publication focuses weekly coverage on those neighborhoods to tell the story of the people, organizations, and businesses working and living there.
On the Ground has been embedded in the city of Ypsilanti since July 2017.
On the Ground is supported by Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Washtenaw Community College, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Ann Arbor SPARK, Washtenaw ISD, and Center for Health and Research Transformation.
To learn more about On the Ground program, click here.
Chidester Place resident Emy Deshotel has been partnering with local business and nonprofit leaders to restore a sense of community that was lost after COVID-19 hit.
The public is invited to read some century-old gossip and learn about historic transcription through an event called "Transcribe the Archives: Jennie D'Ooge's Ypsilanti."
Local businesses are revitalizing the building that formerly housed Michigan Works! Southeast at 332 Harriet St. in Ypsilanti.
The fourth annual Fun Fest will feature live music, food trucks, vendors, and a bounce house for kids.
The community picnic-style Peacenic event is inspired by a recent Detroit event of the same name.
Ypsilanti-based Riverside Arts Center's two newest resident artists are using their art to address complex local issues like development and education, and engaging the public in the conversation.
Ypsilanti-based nonprofit Growing Hope's new Community Garden Grants program will offer grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 for garden projects that serve under-resourced communities in the Ypsi area.
The renovation will establish a larger and more accessible location for EMU's archives and create new facilities for EMU's growing oral history program.
The Amplify Fellowship launched in 2020 in Ypsilanti to support local Black artists in producing music during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's slowly become a robust community of long-term support for past and present fellows.
Ypsilanti residents Sanaa and Shawkey Ghobrial recently received a state honor for their lengthy service to Washtenaw County's Foster Grandparent Program.
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