[Chelsea, MI] – Volunteering in the 5 Healthy Towns service area just became easier, as 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) and One Big Thing unveiled a new volunteer portal on onebigconnection.org. Inspired by an earlier Chelsea Wellness Coalition and 5HF supported project called Volunteer Chelsea, the One Big Connection Volunteer Portal will make it simpler for organizations and volunteers alike to find a match right for them.  The Volunteer Portal can be found at onebigconnection.org.

Non-profit organizations, schools, and government bodies within the Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester or Stockbridge community school district boundaries, or organizations providing projects within the service area, are welcome to post their volunteer opportunities on the portal at no-cost to the organization. Postings must align with One Big Thing’s mission.  Guidelines can be found on the posting page.

Prospective volunteers can browse the listings and filter them by work type (community event, paperwork, fundraising, etc.) and community. If someone wants to apply, they will find instructions on who to contact in the listing itself as well as sign up links. One Big Thing and its partners are not responsible for the vetting or volunteer status of applicants using the One Big Thing Volunteer portal. The listing agency is responsible for all decisions made in regard to selecting and retaining volunteers.

“Volunteering is one of the most practical ways to strengthen your own sense of purpose while making a meaningful difference for others who benefit from the services provided by our collaborative partners and grantees,” said Steve Petty, Executive Director of 5 Healthy Towns Foundation. “The Volunteer Portal integrates seamlessly into the infrastructure of the One Big Thing initiative, which is designed to connect individuals with opportunities and resources that strengthen social connection and collective well-being across our communities, while also amplifying the impact of the organizations working to meet those needs.” Contact Matt Pegouskie, at 734-433-4599 or matt@5healthytowns.org, for more information or to schedule a tutorial.

(Chelsea, MI) – The Chelsea Friends & Family Wellness Coalition, comprised of community volunteers and leaders, recently revised its process for funding grant proposals. The coalition is supported by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) to award local grants that address Moving More, Eating Better, and Improving Mental Wellbeing among all residents. Priority consideration will be given to proposals that address the wellness needs of underserved populations. The grant budget is $30,000 per year for projects and $3,000 for sponsorship requests.

Grants will now be reviewed twice per year, at the May and November meetings. To be considered, organizations must have 501c3 nonprofit status or be municipalities or school districts serving the Chelsea area. Grant application deadlines are:

• April 1, 2026 – to be reviewed at the May meeting;
• October 1, 2026 – to be reviewed at the November meeting.

“The coalition has funded some great projects over the years,” said Reiley Curran, coalition chairperson. “Our signature projects include the Chelsea Farmers Market, Community Reads, and fun runs like Run for The Rolls and Heart & Sole. None of these initiatives could have taken place without support from community partners and local residents.”

A grant application template is here and submitted proposals will be forwarded to coalition voting members. To be considered a voting member of the coalition, participants should attend 50% of meetings on a rolling basis.

For more information about the coalition meeting schedule, contact Lori@5healthytowns.org. #

(Chelsea, MI) – On Monday, July 22^nd, Manchester Wellness Coalition (MWC) and 5 Healthy Towns Foundation granted $10,000 to Manchester Area Senior Citizens Council (MASCC) to help support the Manchester Seniors’ efforts to build a permanent home for MASCC. 

The funds were allocated from MWC’s budget provided by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation as part of 5HF’s overall coalition support. The $10,000 will be used as part of a local match as MASCC works with the City of Manchester and other local partners to transform a portion of the City of Manchester’s cold storage facility into 1,200 square feet of fully functional community gathering space. 

“5HF commends MWC and the City of Manchester for its commitment to providing healthy opportunities for connections and physical activity. Using a challenge match allows organizations to leverage local funding like 5 Healthy Towns grants into greater financial impact for the community,” commented 5 Healthy Towns CEO Steve Petty.

MASCC and the City of Manchester are partnering with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to raise $100,000 that will be dedicated for this project as part of a Patronicity funding challenge. The community is tasked with raising $50,000 by September 3, 2024.  Once the community has raised $50,000, MEDC will provide a $50,000 match to be used for construction.  5 Healthy Towns and coalition funding has been used for Patronicity matches on several other projects in the 5HF service area, including the former Acorn Market and Café, Grass Lake’s Community Events Park pavilion, and a portion of the Border-to-Border trail connecting Chelsea’s Timbertown Park to the larger trail system. 

Renovations include updated heating and cooling systems, flooring, ADA bathrooms, kitchen facilities, new seating, windows and doors that provide access to the River Raisin patio, storage and more! Construction is expected to start soon after the September 3^rd deadline.

“Manchester Wellness Coalition and the larger community knows how important senior services are to Manchester,” said MWC chair Ray Berg.  “A permanent home for MASCC will allow that organization to better serve our residents and help advance our efforts to attract more wraparound senior services including housing and health care.”

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(Chelsea, MI) – Calling All Teens! You’re invited to join us for some fun and physical activity at Arctic Coliseum (501 Coliseum Drive, Chelsea) for a free ice skating party.  5 Healthy Towns, Chelsea State Bank, and SRSLY are hosting the 3rd annual teen skating event on Sunday, March 17 from 3:30 – 5 pm.

Any middle or high school aged youth living in the 5 Healthy Towns service area (Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Gregory, Manchester, Munith and Stockbridge.) is welcome to attend. Skate rental and access to the ice are provided at no cost. Free refreshments and giveaways will be available. Doors open at 3 pm.

Pre-registration is required at this link: 5healthytowns.org/5hfskatingparty 
For more information, contact Matt Pegouskie or Lori Kintz, at 734-433-4599.

(Chelsea, MI) – 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) is accepting applications for a part-time Action Team Facilitator to support its One Big Thing initiative.  This position will serve as the point person for three community Action Teams and will coordinate their work with action team leads from 5HF, Chelsea Hospital, Michigan Medicine, and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. It is an 18-month grant funded position.

Under the direction of the Community Outreach Coordinator, the Action Team Facilitator will guide the work of Action Teams focusing on isolation, access to mental health resources, and alcohol and other substances pertaining to mental well-being. One Big Thing, launched in 2019, focuses on the prevention of mental health crisis in the region, including youth and adults in Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge.

The ideal candidate possesses strong intercultural skills and group process skills and uses empathy and objectivity to engage with a wide audience, including health care professionals, volunteers, non-profit leaders, school district staff, faith-based and business community members, and those with lived experience.

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume, and two references to Lori Kintz Lori@5healthytowns.org  and Sheila Gillman, sheila@5healthytowns.org.

The application deadline is January 15, 2024 (or until filled).  You can view the full job description here.

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About 5 Healthy Towns Foundation:
5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) is a private foundation governed by a volunteer board of directors that serves the Michigan school districts of Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge. The mission of 5HF is to cultivate improvements in personal and community wellness by encouraging people in its five healthy towns to eat better, move more, avoid unhealthy substances, and connect with others in healthy ways. For more information on 5HF, visit 5healthytowns.org.

Chelsea, Dexter and Stockbridge Wellness Centers are excited to announce the launch of their new Teen Membership! This membership is designed to provide teens ages 14-17 with a fun, safe and supportive environment to get active and healthy.

A teen membership is a great way for teens to meet new friends, build up social connections and develop healthy living habits that will last a lifetime.  With a variety of group exercise classes available, teens can find activities that they enjoy. 

“We are committed to providing our community with the resources they need to live healthy and active lifestyles,” said Cindy Cope, Senior Director Chelsea Wellness Center. “Our new Teen Membership makes it easier for teens to get the exercise they need to stay healthy and active, and it provides them with a safe and supportive environment to do so.”

The teen membership allows teens to have full access to the Wellness Centers without their parent or legal guardian needing to have a membership.

Chelsea and Dexter Teen Memberships are available for $46 per month, with a $50 enrollment fee at the time of enrollment. Stockbridge is available for $23 per month, with a $25 enrollment fee at the time of enrollment. Parent/legal guardian must provide EFT for electronic billing. To register for a Teen Membership, parents/legal guardians must attend the center with their teen to complete the registration process.

Scholarships are available to individuals who meet financial criteria. To learn more about the Teen Membership or to schedule an enrollment appointment, please visit the Member Service Desk at Chelsea, Dexter, or Stockbridge Wellness Center or call 734-214-0220 (CHE), 734-580-2500 (DEX), or (517) 851-4486 (STK).

More than 25 years ago, a vision to establish a quality, local senior living community was realized with the creation of Silver Maples of Chelsea. The original collaboration between Chelsea Hospital and United Methodist Retirement Communities demonstrated the impact that organizations could have by investing together in our community.

In 2009, Chelsea Hospital and the St. Joseph Mercy Health System merged; at that time the hospital’s 50% interest in Silver Maples was transferred to the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation.

Silver Maples of Chelsea continues to remain as vibrant as ever, excelling at creating and supporting a positive aging experience. Given our strong position in the Senior Living Industry, the Board of Directors believe this is the right time to shift our relationship with one of our Sponsor organizations, Brio Living Services.

On June 22, 2023, Brio Living Services’ 50% ownership of Silver Maples of Chelsea was transferred to a newly created entity, Silver Maples, Inc.; the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation continues to be a committed partner with Silver Maples.

“We are proud to continue our sponsorship of Silver Maples of Chelsea and look forward to working closely with their talented leadership team to provide a healthy, vibrant community for residents,” said Steve Petty, CEO of 5 Healthy Towns Foundation in a press release.

“Together, we share a commitment to supporting the health and well-being of seniors, building places of connection, and inspiring all members of our communities to reach their fullest potential. We are grateful to UMRC, (now Brio Living Services) for their partnership and investment in Silver Maples over the last 25 years and look forward to seeing Silver Maples continue to flourish in its efforts to serve older adults in Chelsea,” said Petty.

Jim Alford, Silver Maples Board member, said, “When the opportunity presented itself to our Board, we decided that local ownership would be best in order to protect the heart of the organization and continue the outstanding leadership and management of Silver Maples. Local ownership allows the residents of Silver Maples, who are our first priority, opportunities to meet with the management and board members who serve them. This direct line of communication is what makes Silver Maples so special.”

“It is an honor to be asked to chair Silver Maples, Inc., and be part of the continued growth of such a wonderful organization,” Alford said.

Julie Deppner, CEO of Silver Maples, said, “Brio Senior Living and the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation have been our steadfast sponsors since the beginning, over 25 years ago. Our new ownership structure and ongoing commitment from 5HF ensures Silver Maples of Chelsea will continue to provide the highest level of quality care, is fully engaged in the Chelsea community, and is well-positioned to continue this success into the future.”

Deppner said, “We look forward to all that is to come. This new sponsorship structure paves the way for an opportunity for Silver Maples to become independent of any sponsors if desired and allows the organization to remain financially strong, with a very bright future.”

Silver Maples of Chelsea Retirement Neighborhood was built in1997 to provide housing options and a lifestyle that encourages older adults to take an active role in their lives. As a leader in the industry, Silver Maples is passionate about creating and supporting a positive aging experience for their residents while exceeding expectations.  The warm, vibrant community culture and beautiful wooded setting is an ideal location for those looking for independent or assisted living homes in southeast Michigan.

Silver Maples of Chelsea is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that is jointly sponsored by Silver Maples Inc. and the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation. If you’re interested in learning more about this award winning retirement neighborhood near Ann Arbor, visit www.silvermaples.org, follow and connect on Facebook or Instagram, or call (734) 475-4111 to schedule a visit and see it for yourself.