Copper Shores Podcast

There is a record number of new partners participating in #GiveCopperCountry, and Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is excited to help introduce them to everyone. With GivingTuesday donations opening on November 12, 2024, these new partners are eager to get their messages out and bring in donations. 

In this episode, listeners are introduced to Oak House, Calumet Art Center, From the Ground Farmers Market Collective, Keweenaw Search & Rescue, Ontonagon Amateur Hockey Association and BHK Child Development. The partners talk about their mission and why donors should give to them this GivingTuesday. 

Make sure to come back next week to meet the rest of the new partners. Learn more about GivingTuesday at coppershores.org/givingtuesday.

There is a record number of new partners participating in #GiveCopperCountry, and Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is excited to help introduce them to everyone. With GivingTuesday donations opening on November 12, 2024, these new partners are eager to get their messages out and bring in donations. 

In this episode, listeners are introduced to Let’s Eat Community Meals / Let’s Rebuild, Right Start UP, Elaine Bacon Literacy Program, Copper Country Snowsports Club, Third Coast Diving & Adaptive Recreation and Main Street Calumet. The partners talk about their mission and why donors should give to them this GivingTuesday. 

Make sure to come back next week to meet the rest of the new partners. Learn more about GivingTuesday at coppershores.org/givingtuesday.

The latest episode of the Copper Shores Podcast is all about the new Farm to School program, and includes special guests Karyn Juntunen and Meghan Jaszczak!

For over a decade, there has been a growing interest in Farm to School initiatives in the Copper Country. However, implementing these programs has presented numerous challenges. Now, with the support of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Copper Shores is stepping up to match funding and ensure the long-term success of Farm to School programming in the region.

The pilot program will focus on three local schools: Houghton Elementary School, E.B. Holman Elementary School, and South Range Elementary School. Karyn Juntunen, a retired educator and dedicated farm-to-school coordinator, will lead the effort. She will work closely with teachers to foster enthusiasm and create a seamless integration of the Farm to School curriculum into everyday lessons.

Juntunen’s role extends beyond just curriculum development; she will engage directly with students, teaching them about various foods, how to grow them and how to prepare them. This hands-on approach aims to instill a deeper understanding of where food comes from. Through this initiative, local school champions are fostering healthier eating habits among students while strengthening their connection to local agriculture, setting the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of food.

Listen to more from Copper Shores wherever you find your podcasts. Learn more about the Farm to School Pilot Program at coppershores.org/farm-to-school.

Copper Shores is shining a spotlight on a vital community event that’s close to the hearts of many: the 8th Annual Suicide Prevention Walk. This walk stands as a beacon of hope and solidarity, reflecting the collective commitment to addressing mental health challenges and supporting one another. This year’s event is on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park in Houghton. 

Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Specialist at Copper Shores Outreach & Education brings a wealth of experience in youth engagement and mental health awareness. Her insights will shed light on the positive changes this event brings to our community and the ways it empowers youth to face mental health challenges with strength and support. 

Taryn Mason, Copper Country Mental Health Institute Director discusses the significance of the walk, the ongoing efforts to support mental wellness, and how everyone can get involved, while bringing extensive expertise in mental health services and community outreach to the conversation. Her discussion will encompass the walk’s broader impact, including how it serves as a powerful platform for raising awareness, promoting available mental health resources, and honoring those we have lost to suicide.

Cortez and Mason speak on the positive effects of the event on the community, including how it brings people together and creates a supportive environment for those affected by mental health challenges. Attendees can learn about the resources available through Copper Shores Outreach & Education, Copper Country Mental Health and several other community partners, and how to access support if they or someone they know is struggling.

Join Copper Shores and the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition for the eighth annual Suicide Prevention Walk on September 14, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park, in Houghton. Discover the mission behind the Suicide Prevention Walk and how it aims to raise awareness, promote mental health resources, and remember those we have lost.

Every step taken together at this walk is not just a step forward for awareness, but a powerful stride toward greater empathy and connection. For more information about the Suicide Prevention Walk and to get involved, visit coppershores.org/walk.

In the latest episode of the Copper Shores Podcast, listen in as Danielle Thoune, a recent graduate of Getting Ahead, a Bridges Out of Poverty class, tells her life story and how she found herself face-to-face with the realities of poverty. 

As a child, Thoune grew up in a classic nuclear family, financially comfortable but not wealthy. Despite seemingly cushy beginnings, it wouldn’t last. As Thoune was getting ready to graduate high school, her parents got a divorce, sending her sense of stability into a tailspin.

After high school Thoune attended nursing school, eventually  landing a comfortable job at a long-term care facility. She was married with a couple stepchildren, and she was well into the third trimester of pregnancy. Everything seemed perfect. Then, with a new baby only weeks away, her life was uprooted once again, getting out of a bad marriage and welcoming her child into the world alone. 

She moved to the Copper Country to be closer to her mom. Thoune secured housing for her and her newborn just weeks before the onset of pandemic lockdowns.

Though Thoune continued to work as a nurse, child care costs continued to be a financial burden. When the expenses became too much, Thoune took a job teaching so she could be free to care for her child after school. Though teaching was a pay cut from nursing, she ultimately had to because it would save the expenses of child care.

Then she found Copper Shores Bridges. 

Thoune  joined the third cohort of Getting Ahead, a class that teaches people to be more stable and achieve their personal life goals. Though she originally thought the class wasn’t for her – laughter, learning, and community kept her coming back.

“I think asking for help is the biggest first step,” said Thoune. 

Each week as Getting Ahead gathered, Thoune saw that her situation wasn’t so different from those around her. Community members came in each week, bringing with them resources and programming to help others. 

“We all had different needs,” said Thoune. “For me, one of my biggest needs was financial security and understanding what is out there.”

With found family, self empowerment and raw determination backing her, Thoune purchased a home in April of 2024. She celebrated the feat with her classmates and during their graduation ceremony in May.

She was the one they all looked to to give a speech. The same speech that this podcast begins with.

Listen to more Copper Shores podcasts at coppershores.org/podcast and learn more about our Bridges program, including how you can sign up to be part of it or how you can help make it happen at coppershores.org/bridges.

Special thanks to Danielle Thoune for sharing her story with us.

With sunshine and a light breeze blowing in from Lake Superior, Baraga State Park officially opened their brand new playground on July 3, 2024 at a lovely ceremony in front of a few dozen partners, campers and park employees. The new park features nature inspired designs and ADA-accessible equipment. The playground was funded in part by Copper Shores Community Health Foundation’s 2024 Community Recreation and Facilities grant. 

Campers and community members gathered to celebrate and experience the playground after years of work, and days of eyeing up the completed project. It took but a few seconds for kids to make their way to the equipment, quickly filling the air with laughter.

“We actually got an award for the design of this playground because of the accessibility components,” Baraga State Park Western U.P. Recreation Programmer Kelly Somero said. “Any child should be able to enjoy this playground, and that’s why there are so many different components and elements.” 

The equipment is multileveled, with elements for developing bodies and brains. Sensory and tactile equipment can be found along the lower levels of the equipment, a transfer platform and other structures made for children with mobility aids sprinkle the edges, all capped by a slide made to resemble a waterfall and a climbing wall reminiscent of local bluffs.

The highly anticipated playground had been in the works for nearly two decades, with its completion marking a career achievement for many park rangers. Though funding was approved in 2019, the project was brought to a halt by the onslaught of COVID-19. Copper Shores, along with several other community partners, have been eager to return to, and complete the playground.

“This is an example of the standard of what a community playground should and could look like,” Copper Shores President/CEO Kevin Store said. “The park service has a lot to be proud of. Their persistence paid off. They took the time to look at all the sensory needs of children within the design.”

The playground has many new features, but was built to stand the test of time. With a sturdy base, padding, turf and accessibility considerations built in, the playground is sure to stand the test of time and child safety.

Read the full show notes at coppershores.org.

It's Sexual Assault Awareness Month here at Copper Shores and the Copper Shores Podcast is ready to talk about what's happening here in Michigan's Copper Country! This episode's featured guest is Rachel Lamppa from Copper Shores Victim Support. 

In The episode, Lamppa discusses all of the things happening including the crowdfunding ask for a new piece of equipment for our SANE nurses, the #CopperCountrySAAM campaign on social media, a Start By Believing event that kicks off April 2, an event called "Cover the Cruiser" at Michigan Tech, Denim Day (April 24), and the fourth annual Puppy Parade on Thursday, April 25 on Quincy Green. 

Learn more about Sexual Assault Awareness Month at coppershores.org! 

Copper Shores Bridges is underway, and the first Investigators have graduated from the Getting Ahead program. Cheyenne, a graduate of the first Getting Ahead program, joined  the Copper Shores Podcast to look back and talk about her experiences.

Cheyenne originally saw the program as an opportunity to get grocery and gas money to help her family. After spending some time with Bridges Program Director Mike Steber, and the other investigators, she started to see that this was something she wanted to stick with. 

“It seemed like a painted picture, but it widened once you actually stepped into the room,” said Cheyenne.

Getting Ahead may sound too good to be true, but it’s made possible by the joy and dedication that Steber has for each investigator. His belief in their ability to succeed helps them open up and connect with each other.

“[Mike] was definitely the cheerleader along the way,” said Cheyenne. 

She noted how important his check-ins were and still are, making sure each investigator can still work towards their goals. 

“A lot of the class was creating goals to step out of the poverty line,” explained Cheyenne. “Finding the reasons for difficulty, like childcare being one, or wages being another. Just covering all demographics in poverty.”

Through the self-reflection and goal-setting that investigators do, they also pick up a variety of organizational skills that will help keep them moving forward toward their goals.

“Being in survival mode most of the time is what keeps everyone in their spot rather than pushing forward,” said Cheyenne. “Pushing forward is the hardest and the most important part.”

Cheyenne encourages everyone eligible to take the class. Copper Shores believes that change starts with individuals. If someone is interested in enrolling in Getting Ahead or learning more about the program, contact Mike Steber at [email protected]. Details can also be found at coppershores.org/bridges.

The Copper Shores Podcast is BACK! With a new name and a great new soundtrack thanks to Ontonagon-native Noah Lukkari! Our first episode back - episode No. 70 overall - is actually a special insert episode thanks to our friends at Copper Country Today. We’re calling it our “State of the Foundation” podcast where we hear a little bit about nearly everything happening here at Copper Shores. 

Oh - and don't forget this Sunday is our second annual Copper Shores Community-Wide Picnic! Learn about the event at coppershores.org/picnic.

Todd VanDyke of Cooper Country Today interviewed Copper Shores Community Health Foundation CEO/ President Kevin Store on the recent changes at Copper Shores and how it’s going to positively influence the community. One of the first steps in helping the community was rebranding after a double acquisition.

“We’ve contemplated the name change for some time now. We've talked a lot about a name that would be a little bit more inclusive and more representative of the region we serve,” said Store. 

Knowing the acquisitions would serve as a good catalyst for a rebrand, Copper Shores moved forward with something that ties all of our communities together.

With three great organizations coming together, Copper Shores is better equipped to serve Copper Country residents by cleaning up and expanding upon already established services. The foundation is uniquely equipped to both provide funding to other organizations, as well as provide services directly to community members.

“About 2.5 to 3% of foundations in the country will function as what is referred to as an operating foundation, as opposed to a non operating funding foundation,” said Store. “We have become a bit of a hybrid.”

After lengthy discussion with Rebecca Crane, former Executive Director of Dial Help and current Senior Director of Programming, Store and others felt that they could do more for the community together by creating some efficiencies in scale, lowering some administrative costs, and amplifying some of the services that are offered.

“We may not know that they're in our circle,” said VanDyke, “Many of us would be surprised to find out what goes on with some of our friends and neighbors.”

There are many people in the community who are in need of a variety of mental health and well-being resources, and Copper Shores aims to be the organization that the community can trust and fall back on in hard times.

In order to better provide the community with these essential services, Copper Shores is moving forward with their Wellness Campus. 

“How do we make sure that if somebody  shows up at the door, we can walk hand in hand with them on that path of whatever healing that they need,” said Store, “And either find the resources for them, help them connect with other agencies, and/or provide that service directly.”

The feedback from community members has been overwhelmingly positive. Though it took some time to comb through the data, Copper Shores is excited to begin the planning stages of the Wellness Campus. 

Nonprofit organizations in the U.P. now have another opportunity for funding with the Michigan Nonprofit Relief Fund. Amy Quinn joined us to talk about the opportunity, which ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations in Michigan. Quinn is a member of the statewide committee directing the fund, and the CEO of Grow and Lead, an Upper Peninsula-based organization that works to support nonprofits.

“When the pandemic hit, nonprofits really stepped up in a big way,” said Amy Quinn, CEO of Grow and Lead. “They took a large hit… and MI Nonprofit Association (MNA) recognized that, and they started meeting with our legislators over two years ago to say we need a relief fund, specifically for nonprofits.”

Quinn has been serving on the statewide committee since November and serves as a voice for people from the Upper Peninsula, where she works to make sure that money is “coming up above the bridge.”

Michigan passed a state budget with $50 million towards a nonprofit relief fund, jointly administered through the department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and MNA. Organizations that have an annual budget of less than $1 million, and/or are serving Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE) populations will be given priority.

“We want to try to build up nonprofits and especially buildup the working middle class,” said Quinn.

Nonprofit organizations that sign up for relief funds may receive a minimum of $5,000 and maximum of $25,000. MNA is asking nonprofits to fill out the Intent to Apply form available on their website. It takes approximately 20 minutes to fill out the form, which is not required but highly encouraged. Doing so helps the state committee know how to better serve the organizations.

“What do small profits need, and how on a statewide scale might we help them," Quinn said. 

Nonprofits are eligible even if they have received ARPA funding before, but it must be used for a different purpose than the previously received funds. Organizations do not need to be a part of MNA to benefit from the funding.

Quinn believes that there is a critical link between the benefits of community nonprofits and creating a great environment for U.P. youth.

“There’s money available, let’s bring it up here to the U.P.,” Quinn encouraged. She said the money is “accessible to as many nonprofits that are interested in receiving the money. We want to make sure that we can reach all nonprofits, and particularly it was designed for those smaller nonprofits.”

The application for the fund will come out at the end of March. The deadline for the application will be in early May, and the funding decisions will be made in June. Learn more and fill out the Intent to Apply at minonprofitrelief.org.