College and Career Night Out is a fun evening designed to help you explore college and career possibilities, gather scholarship information, and find out more about financial aid! There will be food, great informational sessions, and the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools, career training programs, and military branches. Masks required.

5-6 p.m.

Sign in at the front entrance and enjoy free food.

5:30-6 p.m. | Informational sessions

Explore the Promise Zone
You’ve heard Newaygo County is a Promise Zone, but what does that mean for your future? Join us to learn more about how the Promise Zone works and how it can help you.

Finding Money for College
College costs keep rising, but there’s a lot of financial aid out there! Come learn about college affordability options, from federal and state aid to community-based scholarship programs.

How to Choose a College
Unsure which college to attend? Newaygo County college advisors will lead a discussion to help guide you toward the school and career path that suits you best!

Preparing for a Great Career
Apprenticeships are a great way to prepare for careers in many in-demand fields! Learn more about how an apprenticeship can help prepare you for a rewarding skilled trades career.

6-7:30 p.m. | College fair

Meet with representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools, career training programs, and military branches. Learn more about FAFSA, scholarships, Early College Newaygo County, the Promise Zone, and the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center.

College and Career Night Out is brought to you in partnership by Fremont Area Community Foundation and WE CAN! Newaygo County.

Questions? Contact WE CAN! Newaygo County at 231.924.8857.

Confirmed college fair attendees as of September 20:

Adrian College
Alma College
Aquinas College
Army National Guard
Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at Northern Michigan University
Baker College
Calvin University
Central Michigan University
College for Creative Studies
Compass College of Cinematic Arts
Davenport University
Douglas J. Aveda Institute
Eastern Michigan University
Ferris State University
Finlandia University
Grand Canyon University
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Valley State University
Great Lakes Boat Building School
Hope College
Indiana Wesleyan University
Ironworkers Local 25 Training Center
Kendall College of Art and Design
Kettering University
Kuyper College
Lake Superior State University
Lawrence Technological University
Lourdes University
Michigan Army National Guard
Michigan Building Trades Council
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Muskegon Community College
Northern Michigan University
Northwestern Michigan College
Northwood University
Oakland University
Olivet College
Saginaw Valley State University
Sheet Metal Workers Local 7
Spring Arbor University
St. Mary’s College
Universal Technical Institute
University of Alabama
University of Tampa
Wayne State University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University – College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters, and Service Trades Local 174

After taking the summer off, the Stronger Together Series is back with an exciting event unpacking what it means to be Hispanic/Latinx in Newaygo County.

Stronger Together Series: Unpacking Hispanic/Latinx Culture
September 30 | Livestreamed | 6-7:30 p.m.

Join us on September 30 to hear from a diverse and multigenerational panel of community members, led by moderator Carlos Sanchez of Ferris State University. The event will feature stories about belonging, misconceptions, and heritage from the lived experiences of our Hispanic/Latinx neighbors.

The September 30 event is free to attend, but registration is required. Register now

The event is part of the broader Stronger Together Series, designed to explore identity, the stories that shape our lives, and the ways our differences enhance the community and ultimately make us stronger.

In our community, thousands of residents have difficulty meeting basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare. These challenges only increased for individuals and families because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But what does it actually mean to live in poverty in Newaygo County? To have your finances derailed by an unexpected expense? To work multiple jobs and still struggle to make ends meet? To feel unheard or invisible in your own community? Join us virtually on April 22 to hear honest stories about life in the margins in our community.

Stronger Together Series: Life in the Margins
April 22 | Livestreamed | 6-7:30 p.m.

Through the reflections of our neighbors, we will explore the realities of poverty, grapple with false stereotypes and assumptions, and discuss ways we can learn from and support one another to build a stronger community.

The April 22 event is free to attend, but registration is required. Register now

Has your age ever affected how you relate to the community around you? Have you been told you were too young to do a job or too old to manage an activity? We instinctively know that a healthy community is a place where all voices are heard, but what do we do when factors such as age keep people from feeling like they belong? On February 25, join us for an intergenerational conversation about the challenges both young and older people face in our community.

Stronger Together Series: A Community For All Ages
February 25 | Livestreamed | 6-7:30 p.m.

We will hear stories from our neighbors about their own experiences, consider what an age-friendly society might look like, and discuss what it means to build meaningful connections across generations. The panel discussion will include a time for audience questions.

The February 25 event is free but registration is required. Register now

This event is funded in part by the Bridging Generations Fund, a supporting organization of Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Fremont Area Community Foundation is excited to present Stronger Together, a series of community events about identity, difference, and the stories that shape our lives. The series kicks off on November 5 with Razel Jones and Daniel Abbott, authors of the upcoming book Wounds.

Stronger Together Series: Beautifully Different
November 5 | Livestreamed | 6-7:30 p.m.
Razel Jones and Daniel Abbott

Razel was raised in White Cloud and Daniel attended high school in Newaygo County. The men are brothers-in-law and authors of the upcoming book Wounds. In this collaborative memoir, Daniel, who is white, and Razel, who is Black, reflect on their experiences growing up and learning to navigate difficult spaces and have hard conversations. Through stories that intersect and sometimes overlap, they explore what it looks like to understand and appreciate differences. In the event on November 5, Razel and Daniel will talk about their experiences in this community, read excerpts from Wounds, and host a Q&A with attendees. All attendees will receive a free copy of Wounds after the event.

The November 5 virtual event is free but registration is required. Register now

This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Local health and human service organizations and community members involved in family caregiving are invited to attend a special workshop on March 5 designed to help you better understand the caregiving experience and to build community awareness and support.

Mapping Ourselves will introduce participants to several tools that will help you gain a better understanding of how you give and receive care, how caregiving impacts your life, and how communities can work together to better support caregivers. Each tool is designed to help you observe, visualize, and analyze different aspects of your wellbeing and community.

Mapping Ourselves
March 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
NC RESA Educational Service Center (4747 W 48th Street, Fremont)

The workshop is free and includes lunch, but space is limited. RSVP today

This workshop is part of the We All Care initiative presented by the Elderly Needs Fund at the Community Foundation, the Michigan Health Endowment, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, and Atlas of Caregiving, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to researching and promoting a greater understanding of caregiving. Similar workshops are also being held in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Lansing.

Due to increased health concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Michigan, tomorrow’s Show Me The Money Day event has been cancelled. This decision was made in cooperation with our hosts at Ferris State University. The health and well-being of our attendees, vendors, and staff is of utmost important to all of us, and we appreciate your understanding. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Community Foundation if you have any questions about this cancellation.

Looking to reach your financial goals?

Come to Show Me The Money Day on March 13—a free resource fair—meant to help you reach your financial goals. The event will feature helpful financial information, resources, and workshops on topics such as budgeting, organizing, and financial stability. Snacks and prizes available! 

The event is open to anyone residing in Lake, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Osceola counties. Gas cards available to anyone traveling at least 60 miles round trip.  

Workshops available:

  • Renting vs. homeownership
  • Organizing important documents
  • Budgeting
  • Meal planning and grocery shopping

Vendors providing:

  • Housing information
  • Financial assistance
  • How to build your savings account
  • Food resource information
  • Other community resources

Friday, March 13 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ferris State University Center
805 Campus Drive, Big Rapids
(parking available in lots 1 and 13)

Confirmed vendors as of February 21:

Business Resource Network—Michigan Works!
Center for Nonprofit Housing (CNH)—a TrueNorth community service
Chemical Bank
Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank
Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes
Kickstart to Career Newaygo County
Love INC of Newaygo County
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency
Our Brother’s Keeper
Project Starburst
Talent Resources-Michigan Works! West Central