IMPORTANT MYalliance Updates
BOOM Youth Advocates for School Mental Health!
BOOM Youth serves on the Youth Advisory Board at Hackley Community Care and recently visited Lansing to advocate for school-based mental health services. BOOM Youth was able to meet with Reps. Will Synder and Donovan McKinney. BOOM Youth advocated for continuing funding for school mental health services and the hope for increased funding. 
Koffee with Kevin
Are you interested in joining a group of parents who have been involved in youth- and family-serving systems? Do you hope to find like-minded parents who hope to produce a change in the community?
Please join MYalliance Lead Family Contact Kevin Schmidt for Koffee with Kevin every Tuesday from 10-11:30 am at Russ’ on East River Road!
Youth Peer and Parent Support attend Awareness to ACTION event in Lansing
Each spring, during National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the Association for Children’s Mental Health hosts a special event highlighting the importance of children’s mental health. They discuss youth and families’ current needs and issues across our state. Accessing mental health services and support while having the resources and capacity to provide help for all who need it in our state remains a major conversation across all communities in Michigan.
Meet Kassandra Ciprion, our new Parent Support and Outreach for Oakridge School District.
“I chose to be a parent support partner because I know what it is like as a parent and caregiver to try and navigate the system without knowing just what is available,” Kassandra said. “There are so many resources and supports out there but most of us don’t know them. I want to empower parents as they learn these resources and reach their goals.”
Kassandra hopes to strengthen the district’s reach and connection with students and their families.
Diatribe Summer Program Returns for 2023
This year’s Diatribe Summer Program, Mindfulness and Metaphor, is focused on giving students the tools to affirm themselves, advocate boldly for what they believe in, and give students a platform where they feel HEARD!
Students will come out of the program with one or more pieces of writing they feel proud of and a new way to escape into writing/ journaling.
The workshops will culminate into a final performance for students and community members on July 22nd.
Commmunity Guests include: Zearon “ZBO” Bell (local artist for session 3,”Metaphors”), CJ Levelston Walker (Photographer for Final Performance), and DJ Yung (for Final Performance).
Maranda Park Party
Maranda brought her Park Party to Muskegon Public Schools where MYalliance school-based staff and parent consultants helped to support youth and families with information about how to stay connected through the summer months. Check out the full story from WOOD TV below.
Save the Date: MYalliance Movie Night
Youth and families are invited to a special FREE MOVIE NIGHT at 6 pm on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Cinema Carousel to share in the MYalliance Report to the Community and viewing of Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse! Popcorn and pop included! Come dressed up as Spiderman!
Please note that an adult chaperone is required for youth under 14.
RSVP by contacting MYalliance Lead Family Contact Kevin Schmidt. Text or call Kevin at: 231-638-9720 or email kevin.schmidt@healthwest.net. Be sure to include your name and the number of tickets.
Are you a father figure looking for community support? Sign up for Father’s Matter by using the QR code for each training within the series or click the button to register for Figuring it Out: Parenting a Child That is Not Your Gender.
About The Author: Helen Dobb
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