Lee Van Roth

Programming has grown swiftly in the last year-and-a-half at nonprofit Peace Neighborhood Center’s HUB Community Center in Ypsilanti Township. Thanks to a recent renovation of its facility, the organization now holds more community activities, including weekly dinners. Lee Van Roth talked all about Peace Neighborhood Center's latest endeavors with its executive director, Bonnie Billups.

Juneteenth serves as both a celebration of freedom and a reflection on the ongoing pursuit of equality. And in Ypsilanti, that celebration has grown into a three-day community event featuring live entertainment, food, family activities, and cultural programming. The sixth annual Juneteenth celebration will take place June 19th through the 21st at the University Bank parking lot in downtown Ypsi. Lee Van Roth discussed the big event with its organizer and MC, Gordon "Big" Dooley.

Organizers are proudly reflecting on the growth of "Peacenic Ypsi," an annual community picnic intended to build bridges between residents and law enforcement, as its third year approaches. This year's event takes place on Saturday, June 13th at Ypsilanti's West Willow Park. Lee Van Roth talks about this summer event with Peacenic Ypsi founder Pastor Joseph Jackson.

Eastern Michigan University students spearheaded a recent effort to transform the annual Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition (SEMIS) Community Forum into a zero-waste event for the first time. Thanks to their efforts, 250 pounds of food and other materials were composted, and 165 pounds of unused food were recovered and donated to Ypsilanti-based Hope Clinic, resulting in less than a third of a bag of waste from the event going to a landfill. Lee Van Roth talked about the event and what it may lead to with SEMIS Coalition Director Anna Balzer.

Noise Permit is a youth program developed by the Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) and Ozone House designed to help teens explore their creativity through audio technology. Thanks to a new source of funding, the program will expand into the world of video technology. Lee Van Roth discussed the program's new direction with YDL staff member Shayla Card-Nowlin.

Melvin Parson founded We The People Opportunity Farm with the mission of helping formerly incarcerated individuals get a second chance at life. After his tragic passing in March of this year, long-time member LaWanda Hollister took over as the farm's executive director. She talked with Lee Van Roth about her vision of keeping Parson's dream of helping others alive.

There's an old saying: "It takes a village to raise a child." Through Ypsilanti Community Schools, an after-school program called "Ypsilanti Community — The Village" builds up the well-being of kids with athletics. Lee Van Roth discussed the program with its director, YCS football coach Mitch Long.

Starting a new business—even a small business—takes a lot of work and resources. Fortunately, Ann Arbor SPARK East in Ypsilanti is there to provide such resources with its Small Business Support Hub. Lee Van Roth talked all about what the program does for budding entrepreneurs with Ann Arbor SPARK's director of entrepreneurial services, Kristine Nash-Wong.

The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) has been making strides in its efforts to rehabilitate and transform Woodlawn Cemetery in Ypsilanti Township, the only known African American graveyard in Washtenaw County. AACHM Board Chair Dr. Debby Covington joined Lee Van Roth to talk about the progress already made on the project and what else is planned.

Ypsilanti's Family Empowerment Program (FEP), which is based out of Eastern Michigan University's Engage@EMU office, provides supportive housing services to residents of low-income public housing communities. Now in its 15th year, the program serves about 900 individuals across all Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities. Lee Van Roth discussed the program's accomplishments with FEP's resident service coordinator, Lamar Thomas.