Groundcover Speaks | Ann Arbor District Library

Groundcover News receives the 2025 New Human Service Partnership Mini-Grant. Robbie writes from prison with humble reflections. Mental health crises are increasing with teen social media use. Family shelter is coming to the east side of the County. All that and more in this episode of Groundcover Speaks!

Summer fun continues in this episode with vendor pieces on Juneteenth, local business Ypsi Art Supply, and a spotlight on U-M student group Wolverine Street Medicine. Ken Parks asks us to "read between the lines" and Lindsay Calka practices it with a critical look at the Ypsi Township Data Center.

It's summer in Ann Arbor! Listen to get the 4-11 on all the free and fun activities — including an overview of local thrift shops. This episode also includes two solutions from the ground up: rent-free living vouchers and job skills training for homeless people.

In this episode, meet Robinn, Corinne Sikorski, Joe Giant, and Adam Grant — four Washtenaw County citizens making an impact in different facets of our community. Dreamer and Steve are still on their way to New Orleans in Travels with Dreamer part four.

This special issue on the gig economy explores the benefits and struggles of gig workers in Ann Arbor in conjunction with the city's guaranteed income pilot program, GIG A2.

Happy Earth Day, Easter, and baseball season! In this issue vendors are commenting on these springtime occasions — along with updates on the Trump administration's local impact on addiction services and K-12 education.

Happy Poetry Month from Groundcover Speaks! Also in this episode: Reflection on the Warming Center, spotlights on Dzanc House and the Big House 5K, and another installment of People in the Neighborhood!

This episode has two documentary movie reviews and vendor narratives about struggles with addiction and mental illness.

We are springing into March with creative essays and poetry, a deep dive into the Sheriff's budget, and reports on the future of both downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti libraries.

February means cold weather, Valentine's Day, and Bob Marley's birthday! In this episode we're also talking about accessing housing after incarceration, what family shelter shouldn't look like, and historical acts of U.S. empire against Cuba.

How is Washtenaw County responding to deathly temperatures and housing insecurity? This issue, "Where I Slept Last Night," attempts to answer that question — with community resources, storytelling, and reflection.

We are celebrating Vendor Appreciation Week with vendor writing, narratives on the barriers of finding and retaining employment, and personalized messages to vendors. This episode also features a spotlight on the retiring director of Home of New Vision, Glynis Anderson, and a report on Ann Arbor's recent million dollar allocation in response to the Trump administration.

This episode remembers the legacy of historical figures and a dear community member; reports from City Council in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti; and spotlights local businesses and community orgs.

This episode shoots, and scores! Listen for reports on community-facing institutions like the YMCA and TheRide, and how the Office of Community and Economic Development is improving the local Point in Time Count.

Happy Holidays from Groundcover News! In our last episode of the year, listen to hear some essays on peace, religion, Christmas, cooking and all things holiday cheer.

Reflections on the holidays, the election, and the history of Ann Arbor, and the people of Ypsilanti.

Groundcover aims to raise awareness about homelessness and hunger every day — but in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, this in this episode we're talking about shelter, grassroots initiatives, and human service gaps in Washtenaw County.

This episode is chock-full of vendor perspectives on the election and features an interview with the editor of the popular New York Times puzzle game, "Wordle" who for five years has contributed crosswords to Groundcover News.

"The reviews are in" in this episode — Groundcover Community Choice Award results, perspectives on what's on the November 5 ballot, and an overview of coffee shops in A2! And we don't forget content to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Halloween!

365 days of war. 1 year of struggle over Washington in downtown Ypsilanti... and 82 years of Ken Parks!

This episode is all about shelter — agency, grassroots, and private accommodations. Of course we also cover a little bit of U-M football too!

Have you seen public toilets pop up around downtown Ann Arbor? Have you noticed college students have returned? Listen to vendor reports on what's moving, shaking, and changing in our community in this episode of Groundcover Speaks!

From the way we treat one another, to the ways U.S. tax dollars are used to kill and destroy, in this episode Groundcover News writers are crying out for change!

Michigan Housing Choice Voucher waitlist closes. Care-Based Safety celebrates one year of crisis response. Art fair recap. Reflections on Houston's Housing First strategy. That and more in this episode of Groundcover Speaks.

In this episode hear interviews with sheriff’s candidates, preview of 3 Ypsi ballot initiatives, community spotlight on Black Men Vote, + other essential voter info!