We Fight: Protecting Northern Michigan’s Youth Mental Health

We Fight is a self-organizing, citizen-led community guided by the Surgeon General’s recent advisory with one agenda and one agenda only: to better protect our Northern Michigan kids’ mental health. 

We’re here to connect and support the many good things happening in Northern Michigan.

We’re here to fill gaps, strengthen weak links, grow community awareness and build political will with our partners.

We’re here to convene conversations and tell stories to foster strong relationships built on trust and respect.

We’re here because we care. We’re here to fight for our kids.

To date, 1000+ people have joined We Fight. We all have a role to play in protecting our kids’ mental health.

The kids need you. We need you.

WHAT WE DO

1. Connect young leaders to each other and highly resourced individuals.
   • Tommy’s First Mates at Glen Lake Community Schools
   • Trojans Unite at Traverse City Central
   • LIFT at several high schools in Leelanau County
     • Please let us know if your school has a youth-led, peer-to-peer program at ty@goodworkslab.org
2. Leverage the power of the We Fight community by helping Northern Michigan organizations – especially schools – meet their youth mental health goals.
   • Do It For Daniel community screening with Coach Jeff Olson at West Senior High
   • Central and West High School Zen Dens (quiet spaces) for students
   • University of Michigan’s Peer To Peer program at Central and West High Schools
   • TCAPS Lunch Buddies mentorship program
   • Coach Traverse City
   • Roadrunner Nation
   • Bobcat Nation
   • Play Traverse City
3. Support citizen-led campaigns, projects, and initiatives that align with We Fight’s vision and the Surgeon General’s advisory on youth mental health to build public support and political will for their cause.
   • Elevate Northern Michigan Youth Mental Health Summit Series at Northwestern Michigan College [sunset]
   • Teen Leaders Outside In The Woods with Traverse City’s Human Rights Commission
   • Traverse City Youth Mental Health Awareness Month (City of Traverse City resolution)
   • Wait Until 8th Traverse City
     • We Fight community members are welcome to pitch their ideas anytime by posting them to our public Facebook group, Slack channel or emailing ty@goodworkslab.org
4. Convene occasional gatherings of the We Fight community.
   • Stay in the know by subscribing to our once-in-awhile newsletter
5. Host bi-annual youth mental health summits for young leaders – and those who love them – at Northwestern Michigan College [as of spring 2024 – the Elevate Northern Michigan series has been sunset]

OUR PURPOSE, VISION, VALUES & FOCUS AREAS

OUR PURPOSE:

To better protect our Northern Michigan kids’ mental health, together.

OUR VISION:

A Northern Michigan where everyone plays a role in protecting our kids’ mental health.

OUR VALUES:

• Compassion
• Effective action
• Science/research
• Optimism
• Co-creation/ownership/benefitting
• Inclusivity
• Transparency

OUR 2024/25 FOCUS AREAS:

1. Elevate and Lift Youth Voice
2. Boost Knowledge and Learn
3. Build Support and Connect

JOIN US

LATEST WE FIGHT NEWS

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