Portsmouth Township

Blue and silver pinwheels at area businesses serve as a reminder that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. (Photo courtesy of the CAN Council)

CAN Council recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month and its volunteers for making a difference

The CAN Council is trying to raise awareness and recruit volunteers during April's Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Handmade quilts, blankets, and pillowcases are gifted to every child entering foster care in Bay County. Rayola volunteers make the quilts.
Care packs and quilts bring comfort to kids entering foster care

A West Branch-based volunteer organization is providing care packages containing necessities and comfort items to kids in foster care in 15 counties including Bay. A Euchre Night fundraiser is planned for later this month in Pinconning.

The Literacy Council provides the training and tools needed to work with children or adults.
Imagination Library needs your help

After 18 years of sending free books to thousands of children in Bay and Arenac counties, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library needs community help to write a new chapter for the program.

In 2021, the Bay Area Community Foundation is providing grants to offset some of the expenses associated with hiring child care workers.
Bridging the child-care gap is a high-stakes concern for families and employers

A shortage of child-care in the Great Lakes Bay Region has a significant impact on the local economy and our ability to attract and retain talent.

One service the Arc of Bay County provides is serving as a Representative Payee for Social Security. Under that program, an Arc representative manages a person's Social Security income to pay for rent and other essentials.
Q&A with Annette Jeske, Executive Director of the Arc of Bay County

The Great Lakes Bay Region is in a time of leadership transition. This article is the fifth in an occasional series of Q&A articles with some of the new leaders in the area. 

Less than a month after creating 200 bags of personal care items for teens in foster care, the high school students behind Project In The Stars are making plans for growing the project.
Project In the Stars, which helps Bay County teens in foster care, gets an assist from Just for Kids

Both Project In the Stars and Just for Kids Charitable Organization strive to meet the needs of youth throughout the community, so it may come as no surprise that they teamed up to provide personal items for kids in foster care.  

Michigan Sugar Company President and CEO Neil Juhnke addresses grower-owners from the cooperative's East District during a Tool Shed meeting held in April 2023 at Maple Grove Acres in Ruth. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Sugar)
Michelle Judd joins MSBDC and Bay Future to help Bay County small businesses navigate challenges

New consulting position created exclusively for Bay County residents who want to start, grow or improve their businesses.  

Give Local Bay 2025 raised more than $200,000 for 62 local funds supporting nonprofits.
More than 20 nonprofit agencies received ARPA funds through Bay County and the Community Foundation

American Rescue Plan funds are helping 22 local nonprofits recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Disability Services Resource Center may be best-known for building ramps, but it also offers a popular summer program for people with special needs.
Enrichment programs open this summer through the Disability Services Resource Center

Two Bay area residents explain how Disability Services Resource Center summer enrichment programs helped them grow.

Michigan Sugar Company President and CEO Neil Juhnke addresses grower-owners from the cooperative's East District during a Tool Shed meeting held in April 2023 at Maple Grove Acres in Ruth. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Sugar)
Small business grants help Bay City entrepreneurs build a better community

Small business owner says she's grateful for programs such as the Bay County Small Business Grant Program. The programs helped her boutique weather the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Partners

Midland County

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Great Lakes Bay region, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.