Category Archives: We Fight

We Fight Spotlight: GT Area Children’s Garden

For this week’s Spotlight, We Fight chatted with Sarah Kuschell, Executive Director of the Grand Traverse Area (GTA) Children’s Garden! We Fight is thankful for the work that the GTA Children’s Garden does every day to get young people of all abilities involved with producing and appreciating their own healthy food, while building community. WeContinue reading “We Fight Spotlight: GT Area Children’s Garden”

A special night for youth mental health

We had a fantastic Polenta Night at Trattoria Stella last night. Thank you to Chef Myles, the amazing staff of Trattoria Stella, and to all those who helped us fill such a beautiful space in support of youth mental health in Traverse City. We are so grateful to everyone for their support of We Fight, andContinue reading “A special night for youth mental health”

We Fight Spotlight: Jen and Drew Tursman

This week, the We Fight Spotlight shines on Jen and Drew Tursman, two healthcare heroes who work to support TCAPS youth as substitute teachers in their spare time. We’re grateful for all the work done by the Tursmans! Hear more from them about why they chose to get involved as substitute teachers, and how it’sContinue reading “We Fight Spotlight: Jen and Drew Tursman”

Hope + Mental Health First Aid

Last week I had the opportunity to learn Mental Health First Aid from North Country Community Mental Health. Mental Health First Aid is help for a person experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid aims to: Preserve life when a person may be in danger to self or others Prevent the problem from becomingContinue reading “Hope + Mental Health First Aid”

Seeking and Celebrating Joy

We Fight Youth Team leader Will Unger, Gwen Urbain, and Alex Schwartz at the May 2, 2022 City Commission meeting, with TC Human Rights Commission member Jessica Forster, for the proclamation of Youth Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month began yesterday. A critical moment for northern Michigan. The pandemic has contributed to theContinue reading “Seeking and Celebrating Joy”

What if we listened to our kids more?

I recently had the opportunity to listen to several youth leaders from Charlevoix, Antrim and Manistee counties. They presented their fantastic project “Through Our Eyes: A Photovoice Project on the Stigma Around Youth Mental Health & Wellness” at the Behavioral Health Initiative Summit. My favorite is the photo above by Elke, who captioned it: “We areContinue reading “What if we listened to our kids more?”

Join Me For This Youth Mental Health Conversation?

Bringing Jeff Olson to Traverse City was everGROWTH Consulting owner/We Fight member Kathy Grinsteiner’s idea. She grew up in the UP and knew the story of Daniel Olson, an all-state quarterback from Ishpeming, well. With the help of Brenda McLellan from Traverse Connect, Kathy pitched Do It For Daniel to TCAPS leadership. They immediately said yes, and this Thursday at 5:30Continue reading “Join Me For This Youth Mental Health Conversation?”

A We Fight resolution to do better

After our Youth Team Chair, Will Unger, presented at Traverse City’s Human Rights Commission last month, I asked if they’d consider a resolution making May “Youth Mental Health Awareness Month.”  The Human Rights Commission discussed and approved this resolution on Monday. If your community and/or school district would like to support something similar, here’s language you canContinue reading “A We Fight resolution to do better”