Healthy Communities

Simranjit Kaur, the author of this story.

Creating safer spaces for domestic violence survivors of marginalized identities

People from non-Asian communities may not always understand the cultural factors that impact domestic violence survivors from South Asian and other marginalized communities. Student writer Simran Kaur digs into the issue for our Voices of Youth series.

Latest in Healthy Communities
Grand Marais teen’s habitat project could shape how schools do conservation

Sixteen-year-old Will Paul's deer habitat improvement project became a community affair, with students, teachers and others helping to plant a variety of trees and shrubs to create a diverse habitat. The project serves as a model for community-driven conservation efforts. 

Saints bring big sports experience to St. Ignace

The St. Ignace Saints are part of a four-team expansion that will create a new division in the league and provide a unique “big sports” entertainment to the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health

Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.  

PA Medicine's inaugural class of 2024.
MSU’s PA Medicine program helps fill the gap for medical providers in U.P. and rural Michigan

The first graduates of Michigan State University's PA Medicine program are working across the state -- some in medically underserved communities or in rural areas like the U.P., where there is a health care provider shortage.  

Cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.
Community mental health partnerships with first responders a win-win for communities

Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are redefining crisis response through deep partnerships with EMS, law enforcement, and fire departments. These cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.  

Shelley Roossien, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at KDL, leads children through a building exercise.
Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences

The Inclusive Literacy Alliance is a collaborative, county-wide effort to improve early reading outcomes for children with developmental differences. Parents, educators, service providers, and advocates are piloting solutions that make early literacy more accessible and effective for children who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or autistic.

A drone view of the campground, perched 200 feet above Lake Superior.
Camping with a view: Kona Hills Campground opens in Marquette

Three lifelong Marquette friends with a passion for the outdoors and rustic camping have come together to create their campground: Kona Hills Campground. The unique 80-acre site boast views of Lake Superior, the Huron Mountains and Marquette.

"Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole
Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  

The popular Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
U.P. and Michigan national parks prepare for summer visitors amid staffing, morale concerns

Visiting a national park in the U.P. or lower Michigan this summer? Staffing issues have been a concern at national parks across the country in the wake of federal budget cuts. How will Michigan parks handle hordes of tourists?

Our Partners

Enbridge logo

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Upper Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.