What’s next will require imagination: – Reimagining conventional wisdom– Reimagining problem-solving– Reimagining social scripts– Reimagining risk– Reimagining opportunity– Reimaginging power “True power to remake society rests with ordinary people, not politicians or courts,” Eric Liu. Build, Share, Shift & Deploy Power – Build power: Empower people. Change narratives. Develop technical expertise. Grow community. – Share power:Continue reading “On Reimaging Power, Improving Lives in Your Community & Social Entrepreneurship”
Author Archives: Ty Schmidt
Meg Mertaugh-Graber to Speak at Elevate Northern Michigan Mental Health Summit #2
We Fight is excited to have Megan Mertaugh-Graber speak at our next youth mental health summit on November 1st at the Northwestern Michigan College. Here’s more about Meg in her own words: I was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, on Anishinaabe land known as Northern Michigan to settler colonial people. I am anContinue reading “Meg Mertaugh-Graber to Speak at Elevate Northern Michigan Mental Health Summit #2”
Things You Do and Don’t Need to do to Start Improving Lives in Your Community
Growing up in Manitoba during the ’80s, Terry Fox was — and still is — my hero. “The answer is to try and help others.” During my 10+ year career as a social entrepreneur, I keep coming back to this quote. From founding a nonprofit to get more kids on bikes and a social enterprise building supportContinue reading “Things You Do and Don’t Need to do to Start Improving Lives in Your Community”
Are We Working Hard Enough?
“Clues that you might not be trying hard enough: You usually succeed. You rarely feel like an imposter. You already know what you need to know. You’re confident it’s going to work.” ~ Seth Godin. I love Seth. I read his blog every morning. September is Suicide Prevention month and as our kids go back toContinue reading “Are We Working Hard Enough?”
University of Michigan’s Peer To Peer Mental Health Program to Pilot at Traverse City High Schools
In June, Rotary Charities announced a $45,000 grant award to TCAPS to bring the University of Michigan’s Peer To Peer program to Central Hign School and West High School for 2022-23. Strong research tells us that teens are likelier to listen to their friends than to well-meaning adults. This is the first time UM will bring its award-winning program to Northern Michigan. Huge thanks to everyone involvedContinue reading “University of Michigan’s Peer To Peer Mental Health Program to Pilot at Traverse City High Schools”
This local youth mental health story was published a year ago today
On August 8th, 2021, this story ran on the cover of the Traverse City Record-Eagle. One year later, have we made progress toward a northern Michigan where everyone plays a role in protecting our kids’ mental health? What’s going well? What isn’t? How can a self-organizing network of people who care like We Fight make a difference? HowContinue reading “This local youth mental health story was published a year ago today”
Teens. Outside. In the Woods.
The science is solid – we’re happier, healthier, and more creative when we’re off the couch, off the screen, and outside with friends. I’m stoked that We Fight is teaming up with the City of Traverse City’s Human Rights Commission to host a series of summertime hikes for our young leaders – and future leaders. The hikesContinue reading “Teens. Outside. In the Woods.”
An Everyone A Changemaker Northern Michigan
I’m already six months into my three-year Changemaker Fellowship – as they say, time flies when you’re having fun. So far I’ve loved teaming up with many ordinary people to practice The FrameWorks Insititute‘s research-based messaging reframes to better drive social change here in northern Michigan. From school gun violence to youth mental health, housing, and access to parks, it’s been rewardingContinue reading “An Everyone A Changemaker Northern Michigan”
On Traverse City, Aspen, and Optimism
Earlier this week, I attended an excellent housing panel at the Traverse City Film Festival. It included local leaders: Seth Johnson (NWMI United Way), Yarrow Brown (Housing North), and Scott Newman-Bale (Short’s/TCAPS) and filmmakers: David Siev (Bad Axe) and Abigail Disney (American Dream and other Fairy Tales). It was called “When Did Traverse City BecomeContinue reading “On Traverse City, Aspen, and Optimism”
Learning skills to better protect Traverse City kids
Last December, a small group of people came together to form We Fight – a self-organizing, citizen-led network guided by the Surgeon General’s recent youth mental health advisory. We Fight is focused on three things: In collaboration with local experts, We Fight’s new Elevate Northern Michigan Summit seriesis an urgent, optimistic, and science-based step toward We Fight’s vision – a northernContinue reading “Learning skills to better protect Traverse City kids”
Good Works Lab 