LANSING Children in a mental health crisis require treatment. But they are often turned away due to insufficient resources and professionals spread thin,
I was pleased to read the Jan. 18, 2024 Alpena News front-page story about the award received by the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency School Success
cnelson@thealpenanews.com
Courtesy Photo
Shannon Oliver, School Success Liaison, helps a student learn remotely this week as part of the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency’s School Success Partnership Program.
ALPENA More students are needing support from Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency’s School Success Partnership Program this year.
Kristen Wisniewski, the program’s area manager, said caseloads have increased by more than 25% this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and they continue to get referrals as the school year continues.
Wisniewski said the pandemic has increased social issues, anxiety, depression, food insecurity, homelessness, and truancy with many of the students and families they work with. She said these are the same issues they’ve seen in previous years, but sometimes the feelings and emotions are bigger than before.
dhinkley@thealpenanews.com
Courtesy Photos
Above are the before (left) and after photos of McKayle Carter, who was awarded the top inspiration story of the year at the 2021 Bay Athletic Club Fitness Inspired Gala, held virtually via Zoom on Jan. 16. She has lost 85 pounds with her new active lifestyle.
ALPENA McKayle Carter was “absolutely shocked” that her story was selected as the most inspiring of the year.
“I’ve been watching the stories this year, and there have been some incredible ones,” Carter said on Thursday. “Especially considering how turbulent of a year this has been.”
Being selected was “so exciting and so humbling,” she said. “Because they were all so amazing and all so inspiring.”