On the Ground Ypsilanti is an “embedded journalism” program covering the city and township of Ypsilanti. It is supported by Ann Arbor SPARK, the Center for Health and Research Transformation, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Engage @ EMU, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washtenaw ISD.
Ypsilanti’s YMCA preschool collaborative closed its doors in March, but reopened in June as something else entirely — a neighborhood center offering affordable wellness and community programs. The Ann Arbor YMCA recently launched the center, called the Neighborhood Collaborative, on June 1 at 111 S. Wallace Blvd. in the former Chapelle Elementary School.
The Collaborative: Ypsilanti YMCA Child Development Center was the YMCA’s previous endeavor on that site, offering affordable child care for Ypsi residents and Eastern Michigan University students. Ann Arbor YMCA President James Highsmith says his staff had noted declining enrollment in that program, driven in part by Michigan’s free Pre-K for All/Great Start Readiness Program expansion. He says COVID-19 also hurt the multi-partner funding collaborative that kept the child care center running. Rather than vacate the Wallace Blvd. facility, the Y pivoted to serve the community differently, Highsmith says…