George James

St. Clair County CMH Announces Recipient “Rights Champions”

Every month, St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) recognizes individuals and/or teams for their extraordinary contributions to the Rights Protection System, which protects the human rights of individuals with a mental illness.

Individuals and teams are recognized for demonstrating dignity and respect to individuals with mental illness, for innovation and creativity that resulted in improved service outcomes, for enriching or enhancing a recipient’s recovery journey, and for taking actions to strengthen communication and cooperation throughout the Rights Protection System. Award recipients receive a letter of congratulations, certificate of recognition, and a “Rights Champions” memento. “Rights Champions” are also highlighted on the CMH Facebook page and are eligible for the individual/team of the year awards presented during CMH’s Annual Meeting in May.

For more information visit CMH’s website at scccmh.org or on Facebook @SCCCMH.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

This Year’s Annual Find the Cure 5k Run & Walk Has Been Scheduled

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee of St. Clair County has announced the date for its annual Alzheimer’s Find the Cure 5K run and walk. The run/walk will take place on Sunday, September 18th. Participants will meet at Keifer Park, near the Port Huron City Bldg. The run/walk will begin at noon.

On-site registration begins at 10:30, however participants can register early by visiting runsignup.com and searching Find the Cure. Cost for the event is $30. Those who register prior to September 2nd, will receive a moisture wicking shirt. Funds raised through the Find a Cure event will assist with funding research at the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Ann Arbor. It also supports the Fred Haynes Respite Grant Fund for caregivers and the committee’s educational speakers’ series.

To learn more about The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee visit darcscc.org.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Cedar Point’s Heyday Reimagined at The Boardwalk

The excitement and nostalgia of Cedar Point’s classic lakeside experience will be celebrated in a whole new way in 2023 when the park opens The Boardwalk, a new themed area just steps away from the Lake Erie shoreline. It’s a modern interpretation of the Cedar Point of yesteryear. Guests can expect new rides, dining, and entertainment experiences along with improvements coming to the former Lakeside Midway.

One of the new rides is the Wild Mouse Roller Coaster with bright orange tracks, a nod to the park’s original Wild Mouse coaster. The new Grand Pavilion will house restaurants, lots of seating areas for socializing and relaxation, and viewing decks with unparalleled panoramas of Cedar Point, the Cedar Point Beach, and the Lake Erie shoreline.

Carrie Boldman, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point, said “The Boardwalk is our vision of what the classic Cedar Point Boardwalk would have felt like long ago: the sights, the sounds, the electricity of the experience – this new area captures it all.”

Carrie said that “lakeside attractions have always been a part of Cedar Point’s 153-year history” and that she “can’t wait for guests to enjoy this stunning new centerpiece of summertime fun.”

The Boardwalk is set to debut on the park’s opening day in May of 2023. 

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Looking for a Preschool? Check out Art in the Park

Art in the Park is coming to Grieg Park in St. Clair on August 10th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The event is for young children and their families to both relax with some crafts in the fresh air and learn about preschool options.

Art in the Park is sponsored by St. Clair County RESA and is planning to have activities for children along with free books. The activities are targeted at kids aged zero to five.

Shannon Baker, the Help Me Grow Care Coordinator and Early Childhood Specialist with St. Clair County RESA said that the event is a simple, fun, and low-key way to reach more families in the community.

Baker said, with the start of school quickly approaching, RESA is seeking out four-year-olds who could benefit from the free preschool programs like Great Start Readiness Program and Headstart, or tuition programs in local school districts.

To find out more about Art in the Park on August 10th, or about the preschool programs available in the area, see the link and contact information below.

greatstart@sccresa.org

810-455-4009

https://www.sccresa.org/services-a-z/early-childhood-services/free-preschool-gsrp

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Reconnect is Connecting Adults with College, Credential Access

The Michigan Reconnect program has now accepted over 100,000 applicants into the tuition-free degree or skills certificate earning process.

Michigan Reconnect is integral to the state’s Sixty by 30 goal of getting to 60% of Michigan adults with a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. It is now at 45-49%.

Sarah Szurpicki, the Office of Sixty by 30 Director for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity said, “Making the decision to go back to school, especially when you are already balancing adult responsibilities like a job or a family, is empowering and inspiring—and it can be daunting.”

Szurpicki said that the Michigan Reconnect Navigators can help applicants “find solutions to anything that would stop or slow them down.”

Navigators can be reached at Michigan.gov/Reconnect. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be at least 25 years old, have lived in Michigan for a year or more, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have not yet completed a college degree.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland