Shortly after We Fight was created in December, 2021, Stephanie Slawnik pitched the idea of lunch-time mentors to connect with students during lunch. The Lunch Buddies program was created and piloted at Traverse Heights Elementary and Central Grade School in 2022/23 to help: Ensure that all students are having fun and smiling during recess EncourageContinue reading “Humans of TCAPS’ School-Based Mentorship Program”
Category Archives: Everyone A Changemaker
Coach Traverse City: Filling a Gap in Northern Michigan’s Capital
Coach Traverse City is a community of quality adults who help coach youth elementary school-based sports in Northern Michigan’s capital. Why Coach Traverse City? Many school-based elementary sports are coached by parents of kids who play. Sometimes, parents cannot coach because of work/family/other commitments. Teams have been canceled recently because there hasn’t been anyone toContinue reading “Coach Traverse City: Filling a Gap in Northern Michigan’s Capital”
Equity, Innovation, Empowerment: Roadrunner Nation to Help Level the School Wellness Playing Field in Northern Michigan
This summer, Jay Berger, Mary Van Valin and I created Roadrunner Nation to help Traverse City’s Traverse Heights Elementary: – Level the playing field regarding equitable access and opportunities to critical co-curricular things like field trips, recess equipment, and after-school activities, including sports and arts scholarships – Strengthen the school-community connection to improve wellbeing and safetyContinue reading “Equity, Innovation, Empowerment: Roadrunner Nation to Help Level the School Wellness Playing Field in Northern Michigan”
No Keener Revelation of a Society’s Soul
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” ~ Nelson Mandela Jennifer Whitten, Grand Traverse Probate Court judge, ended her presentation to my Sunrise Rotary Club with this quote. It made me think about Northern Michigan’s soul. It made me think about how weContinue reading “No Keener Revelation of a Society’s Soul”
On Youth Mental Health + Making Things Happen in Northern Michigan
“…there is a gap between making demands and making them happen. It is the gap between the rhetoric of revolution and the actual changes in values, systems, habits, and skills that add up to a revolution.” Making demands and making things happen are miles apart. Making demands is easy – and often lazy and selfish.Continue reading “On Youth Mental Health + Making Things Happen in Northern Michigan”
First, Step Into The Arena. And Then…
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” With today’s technology, has there been a better time for pro-social, problem-solving citizens? A better time for ordinary people to contribute and help improve lives in their community? – no permission required – no title required – no board training required – noContinue reading “First, Step Into The Arena. And Then…”
Reframing Housing: Yarrow Brown to Speak at Next “Everyone A Changemaker Northern Michigan” Workshop
After two outstanding framing workshops with the FrameWorks Institute, we’re excited to have Yarrow Brown present on Reframing Housing. Yarrow is the Executive Director of Housing North. Housing North’s mission is to “build awareness, influence policy, and expand capacity so communities can create housing solutions that meet their unique needs.” Yarrow will speak at Northwestern MichiganContinue reading “Reframing Housing: Yarrow Brown to Speak at Next “Everyone A Changemaker Northern Michigan” Workshop”
The 2022 Good Works Lab Annual Report
Our 2022 initiatives (more information and photos found in the annual report document): Self-organizing community of 700+ ordinary people guided by the Surgeon General’s Youth Mental Health Advisory working to better protect our Northern Michigan kids’ mental health. Quarterly summits at Northwestern Michigan College focused on boosting knowledge, shifting attitudes, decreasing stigma, and building supportContinue reading “The 2022 Good Works Lab Annual Report”
Sharing Power with Ordinary People For Safer Kids, Safer Schools in Northern Michigan
“Ordinary people are capable of wonderful things.” I admire ordinary people like my friend Jay Berger. Jay raised his hand in June after Uvalde to help keep our kids safe at school here in Traverse City. Jay took responsibility. Instead of saying, “That’s not my problem,” Jay asked, “How can I help?” ORDINARY PEOPLE LEADING SixContinue reading “Sharing Power with Ordinary People For Safer Kids, Safer Schools in Northern Michigan”
Practicing Courage for Climate Action in Traverse City
“If you want to play it safe, you shouldn’t be in the business of change.” And not ‘playing it safe’ requires courage. The problem is being courageous can be scary. We can: lose our jobs be ridiculed and dismissed suffer backlash and attacks by critics “Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is theContinue reading “Practicing Courage for Climate Action in Traverse City”
