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