Prevention can take many forms. This August, it looked like a group of local youth spending a night outdoors, trying new things, learning new skills, building connections, and making memories together. During an overnight camping adventure, youth had the opportunity to kayak, fish, whittle, make music, explore the outdoors, and spend time around the campfire. Along the way, they learned new skills, helped one another, stepped outside their comfort zones, and experienced the s

The Prevent2Protect (P2P) Youth Coalition recently came together to create and distribute welcome packs for every senior across Cheboygan County schools! Each pack was designed to give seniors a little boost as they begin their final year of high school. Inside, students received a pencil, notebook, sticky notes, a $5 Starbucks gift card, an encouraging affirmation card, and a sucker—a few simple items to help brighten their day and remind them that their community is cheeri

The start of a new school year is always exciting, and Students Leading Students (SLS) was proud to be part of this year’s Back-to-School Event at Tawas Area Schools! The SLS table gave students and families an opportunity to learn more about the program, connect with members, and discover ways to get involved during the upcoming school year. One of the highlights of the event was partnering with the Iosco Substance Free Coalition to bring the Hidden in Plain Sight trailer to

As schools prepare to welcome students back for the new school year, open houses provide a wonderful opportunity for students, families, and staff to reconnect and get excited for the year ahead. A special thank you to St. John Lutheran School for inviting Up North Prevention to attend its 2026 Open House. It is always a pleasure to see the enthusiasm and engagement of students and families as they prepare for a successful school year. Up North Prevention is proud to partner

Up North Prevention visited Kirtland Community College on August 25 to connect with students and share substance use prevention resources. During the event, prevention staff provided educational materials, naloxone demonstrations, and free naloxone. Students also received medication lock boxes and lock bags to help promote safe storage and reduce access to medications and other substances. The Up North Prevention popcorn machine was also a hit with students and provided a fun

Together, we helped approximately 200 families get ready for a successful school year by providing free school supplies for their children. The smiles, excitement, and community spirit made the day truly special! As an added bonus, families were also able to take home household commodities, making the event even more impactful. Events like these remind us how much can be accomplished when organizations come together to support local families. The event is already on the calen

The 2026 Nautical City Festival Queen and Court represent much more than a tradition. While they proudly serve as ambassadors for the Nautical City Festival, some of the court are also active members of Students Leading Students (SLS), a youth leadership organization dedicated to empowering young people to make positive choices and become leaders in their schools and communities. They inspire others by leading by example and showing that every young person has the power to cr

With the rising cost of school supplies, events like Project Connect can help families with school aged children prepare for a successful start to the school year. This year's event took place at Spruce Presbyterian Church on the north side of the county and was hosted by members of the congregation. The free event included back to school supplies, haircuts, food backpacks, games, inflatables, and giveaways from nine community agencies. In addition to school supplies and fun

The annual Northwestern Michigan Fair was held at the Grand Traverse County Fairgrounds from August 9–15, 2026. During the week-long event, Up North Prevention shared a vendor space with the Michigan State Police, collaborating on a prevention resource table that provided information and educational materials on substance misuse prevention, the dangers of vaping, the Angel Program, and safe medication disposal. The Michigan State Police also featured their Hidden in Plain Sig

On August 14, 2026, Up North Prevention was proud to participate in Father Fred Foundation's Back-to-School Shoe Event, helping local families prepare for a successful new school year. As a resource table partner, Up North Prevention connected with parents, caregivers, children, and community members while sharing information about prevention, healthy choices, and local resources that support youth and families. Events like this demonstrate the power of community partnerships

Up North Prevention has partnered with the Rogers City Area Senior & Community Center to install a naloxone distribution box, increasing access to the life-saving medication for residents throughout the community. The naloxone distribution box provides free naloxone kits and educational materials for individuals, families, caregivers, and visitors. Naloxone is a safe, effective medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, restoring normal breathing u

Alcona prevention staff Les Thomas connects with the community in a number of ways, but during the Alcona County Fair, it’s one of his favorites. During the fair each year, the fair board hosts a steak fry that is a thank you for supporters of the fair, as well as an invite to the community as a whole. The event is attended primarily by the general public – with donors making up about 25% of the total reach. With his past connection to the Alcona 4-H program, Thomas uses t

Up North Prevention was proud to participate in this year's National Night Out, joining families, first responders, and community organizations for an evening focused on building stronger, safer, and healthier communities. National Night Out is an annual event that strengthens relationships between residents and local law enforcement while fostering neighborhood connections in a fun, welcoming environment. This year's event brought together state, county, and city law enforce

Up North Prevention was proud to lend a helping hand to Alcona Health Center during its National Health Center Week food drive on August 5, 2026. The event supported more than 200 local families and provided over 100 free hot dogs for community members to enjoy. It's always rewarding to see neighbors come together to support one another. Up North Prevention is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Alcona Health Center and looks forward to helping make next year's event

Catholic Human Services and Up North Prevention had a wonderful time participating in Project Connect Alpena on Saturday, August 3, 2026! The event provided a great opportunity to meet community members, share information about the many services offered by Catholic Human Services, and build meaningful connections. Nearly 100 area residents stopped by our table to chat with staff, ask questions, and learn more about the resources and programs available in our community. We tru

In July, seven families, 17 participants, and three staff members came together for a fun-filled canoe trip on the beautiful Manistee River from Smithville Landing. This family activity was coordinated by the Live Well Kalkaska Substance Free Coalition as part of our ongoing efforts to provide positive, healthy, substance-free opportunities for youth and families in Kalkaska County. Transportation, the canoe trip, and lunch were all provided through our Community Policing Gra

The Up North Prevention team from Catholic Human Services recently attended the 2026 Rural Michigan Opioid and Substance Use Summit in Gaylord, joining professionals from across the state who are dedicated to strengthening prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts. The summit provided valuable continuing education, opportunities to learn about innovative programs, and meaningful conversations with partners working to improve the health and well-being of Mich

At the end of the school year, the stakes are higher for students as finals, projects, and other classroom work culminate, wrapping up a 40 week marathon to summer vacation. Traditionally, much of the emphasis on mental health support is directed toward these students, but Students Leading Students (SLS) members recognized an additional need. Teachers, counselors, custodians, and administrators are under similar pressure, so the Alcona SLS chapter decided to do something abou

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, participants enjoyed a fun-filled trip to the weekly bowling outing, where they spent time building friendships, staying active, and making great memories. The fun doesn't stop there! Other weekly adventures include getting creative at Art in the Loft and cooling off with a swim at the Alpena Plaza Pool. These exciting experiences give youth the chance to explore new interests, stay engaged, and enjoy healthy, positive activities throughout the sum

Up North Prevention was proud to participate in Kids' Day at the AuSable River Festival in Crawford County on July 21! Our prevention team spent the day engaging with children and families through fun, interactive activities focused on building important life skills and educating youth about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. We were excited to connect with approximately 500 children and family members, providing prevention education and resources that encourag