A GREAT IDEA FROM... 
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A GREAT IDEA FROM...
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"A Great Idea From..."
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This area is for all of us in the Upper Peninsula and the Great Lakes Region to share some original ideas for youth development that we've seen in action in our local communities. To suggest a Great Idea from your area, or to find out how you can adapt a Great Idea to fit the needs of your community, please contact Paul Olson at 877-339-6884 or polson@glcyd.org.
The School Board of the Munising Area Public Schools has a touch of every student in the district in their board room. Earlier this year, each student in the district was given a paper star and asked to write their name on it and decorate it however they like. All those paper stars were then hung up on the walls of the room in which the school board meets as a reminder of who they serve.
(2006 Alger County Asset Survey Data)
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Youth Program has put control of activities directly into the hands of the participating young people. The program did this by setting up activity accounts. Each young person is given a budget of $125 per fiscal year. It can be used to reimburse expenses related to their participation in activities such as sports, summer camps, driver's education, or band. The money can even be used to buy school clothes. This way, the young people can chose activities that are relevant and important to them. They also get experience in budgeting and planning for what their needs are likely to be in the year ahead.
Tracey Holt of Hospice of Chippewa County has begun a project using youth volunteers to help record stories told by residents in local nursing homes. These stories are valuable to the historians in the area and to the families of the individuals.
(2007 Chippewa County Asset Survey Data)
During the stock market downturn several years ago, the Youth Fund of the Delta County Community Foundation was not generating enough interest income to fund projects adequately. Even so, the members of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) wanted to press on with worthwhile projects in the community. They decided to become volunteers. The group made up for the lack of funds by investing sweat equity in projects like wheelchair ramps for homes. Today interest income has improved, however, the YAC members continue to work on worthwhile projects both as grantmakers and as volunteers.
(2004 Delta County Asset Survey Data)
The North Dickinson County School has hosted a Community Wide Read-In in March for the past two years for people of all ages. This year's theme, "Take a Knight Out to Read", encouraged participants to come dressed as a prince, princess, knight or other medieval character. Throughout the night many prizes, games, books, and shows were presented. The excitement generated by students and teachers helped to make this event fun and successful. (New idea - April, 2008)
Millie Hill in Iron Mountain is topped by a mine shaft that is winter
home to an estimated one million bats. Bat Conservation International
worked with educators, the DNR, and youth school groups to teach people
about the important role bats play in the environment and to place a grate
over the entrance to the mine. The grate keeps people from getting into
the dangerous shaft while still allowing the bats to come and go. The
bats are now an integral part of the biology curriculum of local schools
and provide a continuing "teachable moment" every fall when they return.
(2007 Dickinson County Asset Survey Data)
Principal Timothy Kolesar of L.L. Wright High School in Ironwood has created postcards and given them to teachers and school staff. The staff and teachers are encouraged to use the postcards to let parents know when they see a young person go out of their way to do something positive. Gogebic County students are once again also coordinating with Ontonagon County students for their annual "Talent Showcase."
(2004 Gogebic County Asset Survey Data)
Michigan Technological University hosts a summer program on campus called the "American Indian Workshop." This program coordinates with tribal communities in the Upper Peninsula to help youth from the various Native American communities learn about careers in the sciences and engineering. The workshop introduces young (12-15 years old) Native American students to the excitement of a college education through investigation of biology, computers, or mathematics. Students gain confidence and learn to solve problems in science and computer-related activities as well as look at careers, meet role models, develop new skills, gain an awareness of your environment, investigate college life, and celebrate American Indian culture.
Keweenaw Krayons is an art center in Mohawk that hosts hand-on art activities for youth and adults every week. One program of Keweenaw Krayons is "Traditions Alive" which brings live demonstrations of arts, crafts and games from the past to community events. The youth and adult demonstrators wear costumes from the period while demonstrating the traditions.
In May of 2007 a local 16-year old girl, Cori Sieger tragically lost her life in a roll over car accident about a 1/2 mile from her home. Cori lost her life simply because she was not wearing her seat belt the night of her car accident. In hopes of bringing awareness and to show the importance of wearing a seat belt at all times to the youth's of Iron County and to Cori's friends, the Sieger family have designed a window decal that can be placed on the outside of any car window. The decal has been named "The Cori Belt Sticker". This sticker is done in pink, Cori's favorite color and reads " Remember To Fasten Your Cori Belt " Cori L. Sieger - 1990-2007. This decal was designed to send out a very powerful message to Cori's friends as well as to all the youths in Iron County. This message is very simple, ALWAYS remember to buckle your seat belt, it really can make a huge difference in your life and that of someone else's life that loves you very dearly. The monies being generated from the sales of the "Cori Belt Sticker" are being placed in a Scholarship Fund at the West Iron County High School. A $1000 scholarship is being awarded each year in Cori's memory to a graduating senior. What better way to remember a "wonderful youth" of Iron County then that of helping other youth to better their education. (New idea - September, 2008)
(2007 Iron County Asset Survey Data)
Newberry, with the help of the Luce County MSU Extension, hosts its popular "Culturefest" three times a year. Culturefest is a cooperative effort involving teens, adults, and senior citizens. This intergenerational committee recruits local people who have first-hand experience in different world cultures and invites them to guide the Culturefest Committee as they organize an evening celebration of culture. Examples of cultures that have been highlighted are Brazil, Russia and the Philippines. The events give attendees the opportunity to experience traditional foods, music, games, and crafts.
(2006 Luce County Asset Survey Data)
A newly formed drum group at LaSalle High School is calling itself the "Saints of Steel." This group, made up of students in LaSalle High School's band program are learning the unique skills required to play steel drums. Their goal is to create a touring group. Band director, Jason Byma, coordinated the project which was made possible through a grant from the St. Ignace Community Foundation.
(2007 Mackinac County Asset Survey Data)
Art students at Negaunee High School are working to create ways to explain the 40 Developmental Assets to other youth in the district through the visual arts. High School art teacher Gene Bertram has been teaching the students about the power of art to communicate ideas. His assignment to the students is to find ways to communicate the 2004 results of the Marquette-Alger Asset Survey to other youth.
(2006 Marquette County Asset Survey Data)
The Healthy Youth Coalition of Marinette and Menominee Counties hosted youth-run drop in babysitting services at a local mall during the Christmas shopping season. The Healthy Youth Coalition has h2 youth leadership on its board and meets monthly at either Marinette or Menominee schools.
Ontonagon Area High School's teen group, TANGO (Teen Assets Never Grow Old), is a very active community organization in Ontonagon County. During the 2005-2006 school year, they raised $2,000 for Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief and have continued with their ongoing project to create care packages for American Troops overseas in Iraq. This year is the second year of their "Talent Showcase" which they do in cooperation with Gogebic County Schools.
(2004 Ontonagon County Asset Survey Data)
Students in Manistique noticed their most recent youth survey on the Search Institute's SM 40 Developmental Assets™ showed too few students reported having positive adult role models. In response, the students worked with the MCRUD group to create an award program that encourages adults in the community to be good role models. Any student can nominate an adult in their life who is a good role model for the Adult Role Model Award presented by Schoolcraft County's Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking. A picture and information of the adult role model is published in the local newspaper.
(2004 Schoolcraft County Asset Survey Data)
