A local non-profit will soon be marking 26 years helping those who are struggling to improve their quality of life. The organization is called DAPCO. It helps those in the Ypsilanti community with everything from building a business to relationship mentoring to helping with health care and baby products. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale were joined by DAPCO's co-founder, Brenda Griffin, to discuss community impact.
A new center for auto-immune affected youngsters is coming to Ypsilanti Township. The Children’s Healing Center will offer immune-compromised kids and their families a chance for emotional and social healing in a germ-free environment. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale discussed the facility and its missions with the Children's Healing Center's director of development and growth, Melissa Block.
Washtenaw County's Health and Mental Health departments are tackling growing mental health issues utilizing various approaches. One approach that is seeing particular success is mental wellness writing. WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale discuss the success of the YpsiWrites program for those struggling with mental health issues with the program's founder, Ann Blakeslee.
The Growing Hope Urban Farm in Ypsilanti turns 20 next month. And as part of its 20th year, it's making some changes. It's growing hands-on workshops, like mushroom foraging and beekeeping and expanding its reach, so people in the community can invest in portions of the produce fields. And it's fine-tuning its farmer's market with additional focus on the online market. Growing Hope's new executive director, Julius Buzzard, talks all about Growing Hope's 20th year celebration activities with WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale.
Civic responsibilities don't end when you cast your ballot. There are plenty of other ways to engage to make sure your concerns are heard. The series is headed up by the community-based group "Survivors Speak" and is funded with a grant from the national non-profit, "Black Voters Matter." Survivors Speak founder Trische' Duckworth joined WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the goals and aspirations of the civic education series.