Building Communities

Gerald Albright performing at the John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz series.

Here’s how an Ypsi summer jazz series became a local and national institution in just three years

Ypsilanti Township's John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz series has grown rapidly, with crowds of as many as 10,000 attending in person and even more watching concert livestreams on YouTube.

Latest in Building Communities
Washtenaw Health Plan Program Manager Kelly Stupple.
Latinx Teen Empowerment Group offers community and mental health support for Ypsi students

The bilingual group helps immigrant students build lasting relationships, as well as learn skills to navigate anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

SURE Moms' Denise Wieck, Florence Roberson, and Patrica Davis.
“Pain into purpose”: Ypsi-based group offers peer supports for mothers of justice-involved youth

The SURE Moms program is a place of healing from intergenerational trauma, an informal business incubator, and sometimes a lifeline.

Reverends Teleah and Donald Phillips at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti.
Michigan’s second-oldest AME church celebrates 180th anniversary in Ypsi

After nearly two centuries in existence, Brown Chapel AME is continuing a broad-ranging mission of community service.

Washtenaw County secures funding for recreation center serving Ypsilanti area

The state of Michigan recently awarded the county a $15 million grant towards development of a new rec center, which will be supplemented by $10 million in additional funds.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Bryant Community Center resilience hub.
A “living lab of what our future looks like”: Ann Arbor opens second resilience hub

Ann Arbor city officials and community members gathered on June 9 for the opening of the city’s second resilience hub, located at Bryant Community Center.

Ypsilanti City Councilman Steve Wilcoxen, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, Virginia Basler, Washtenaw County Commissioner Annie Somerville, and State Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. at Basler's 100th birthday party.
Ypsi resident celebrates 100th birthday and decades of community service

Virginia Basler, a former Rosie the Riveter, recently celebrated a century of life and continues to volunteer at multiple Ypsilanti organizations.

Ypsilanti's 2022 Juneteenth celebration.
Ypsi’s Juneteenth celebration to return with expanded live entertainment

Live music, food trucks, comedy, community resources, and more will be available in the parking lot behind Puffer Reds, 113 W. Michigan Ave. on June 16-18.

Jim Mangi and volunteer Miriam Vincent at Dementia Friendly Saline's screening of "Singin' in the Rain" at Emagine Saline.
Saline organization works to build community and understanding for those living with dementia

Jim Mangi's struggle to find support after his wife's Alzheimer's diagnosis led him to create an organization for others facing the same challenge.

The iFFY staff at Natalia Rocafuerte's studio.
Ypsi film festival returns with horror and international programs, filmmaking workshops, and more

This season, the Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti will feature 10 film programs, two free and two paid public workshops, a gallery video installation, discussions with filmmakers, and a live listening event.

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