youth programs

The Latinx Teen Empowerment Group at Ypsilanti Community High School was created to give Latinx teens mental health support and to help them address other challenges as they adapt to a new language and a new culture. Learn more as WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale spoke about the program with two of its leaders, Priscilla Cortez and Dr. Fernanda Cross.

Education in lower income areas was already suffering, in part, because of underfunding. Then the pandemic hit, and some kids fell further behind. It has hit the Ypsilanti area particularly hard. Using anti-racist and positive teaching methods, Educate Youth is a summer program aimed at bolstering the academic prospects of kids in the 48197 and 48198 zip codes. Its founder and executive director, Gail Wolkoff, joined WEMU's David Fair with a look at the program impacts.

The Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor is expanding wellness programs to benefit youngsters and their families. That is in addition to building on existing programs aimed at transformational experiences that build self-sufficiency. Bonnie Billups has been involved with the center since the 1970’s and now serves as its executive director. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about the latest program updates as the quest for equity and equality continues.

Community groups in Ypsilanti Township are raising concerns over the way the township board allocated American Rescue Plan - or ARPA dollars - last week. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran explains.

Providing inspiration, literacy, and culture to the African American children in our community. That's the mission of the Topaze Project in Washtenaw County. The project was founded by Kallista Marie. Through personal experience, she has become dedicated to making Black children feel seen, heard and loved while also developing reading skills and sense of family and history. She joined WEMU's David Fair to share her work and passion.

In this edition of "On the Ground Ypsi," WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media reporter Rylee Barnsdale take a look at a new concept for youth in Ypsilanti Township. It is called a "makerspace". It is intended to give area youth a purpose and some income at the same time. They discuss the makerspace further with community activist Elisa Guyton, who has been a driving force in this project.

There are three candidates seeking to serve as the Mayor of Ypsilanti in a runoff to be decided in August. All three have experience as elected officials, and all agree they have a good working relationship and similar goals and aspirations for the city. That leads some to beg the question: Why run against one another? WEMU’s Josh Hakala went in search of the answer.

Some students from Ypsilanti Community High School have recently moved to the Eastern Michigan University campus for a residential summer camp. It’s part of EMU’s TRiO Upward Bound program is designed to help kids get into college. WEMU's Josh Hakala has more.

The State of Michigan’s Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity has awarded $250,000 to Washtenaw County for youth development programs. The…