The Latest From Your Friends at Up North Advocacy
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As we mark six months of work at Up North Advocacy, I want to begin by expressing our deep gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received from our neighbors, partners, and community members. Your trust in us has fueled our efforts, and together, we've built a strong foundation for the work ahead. From our first steps to today, it’s been your belief in our mission that has allowed us to grow and tackle the challenges that matter most—whether in education, democracy, or the environment.
As we look toward the future, with the election just around the corner, we know how vital it is to continue fostering informed, engaged communities. It’s a critical moment, and we’re more committed than ever to empowering our neighbors to take part in shaping the future we all want to see. Beyond the election, we’re excited to deepen our work on environmental sustainability and education, ensuring that our region has the resources and resilience to thrive for generations to come.
We couldn’t have come this far without you, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
As we reflect on the past six months, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible work our team has done in partnership with our community. From winning a crucial millage for Onaway Area Schools to bringing state, federal, and local leaders together in Sault Ste. Marie for the federal listening session, these successes are just the beginning. In this newsletter, we’re laying it all out—highlighting the milestones we've reached and the steps we’re taking to create a stronger, more resilient Northern Michigan.
-Kalvin Carter, Director, Up North Advocacy
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Michigan Education Justice Coalition Advocacy Day In Lansing
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Earlier this year, Up North Advocacy joined the Michigan Education Justice Coalition (MEJC) in Lansing for a powerful day of action. Alongside teachers, parents, students, and community leaders, we lobbied lawmakers to fully fund public schools and address the $4.5 billion education funding shortfall to ensure Michigan’s children receive the resources they deserve.
While the resulting budget disappointingly included cuts to mental health services, our collective advocacy didn't stop there. Thanks to ongoing efforts, including those from UNA and our partners at MEJC, the state recently restored funding for school mental health programs—an important win for students and their well-being.
This success underscores the power of collaboration and sustained action. Being part of this effort to secure better funding and services for schools reaffirms UNA’s commitment to building a more equitable future for education in Northern Michigan and beyond.
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Sault Sainte Marie City Wide Cleanup
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This past spring, our team rolled up our sleeves and joined forces with 40 other volunteers to make a real impact in Sault Ste. Marie. It was inspiring to see so many community members come together with a shared goal: making that beautiful city shine even brighter. In just one day, we managed to collect and bag 80 bags of trash from city streets, a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together.
Our efforts didn’t go unnoticed—we even made the local news! This recognition not only highlighted the importance of keeping our environment clean but also showed how grassroots action can inspire others to take part in creating a healthier, more vibrant community.
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Onaway Schools Operating Millage Campaign
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This summer, our focus was on helping the Onaway community pass a crucial operating millage to secure the financial future of their schools. If the millage had failed, it would have resulted in a staggering $3.2 million annual revenue loss, which would have been devastating for the district and its students.
Under the incredible leadership of our organizer, Linda Wiseley, we established strong connections with local residents and helped form the OAS YES! committee. This passionate group of community members played a vital role in mobilizing voters and ensuring a strong turnout at the polls in support of the millage. Their hard work and dedication were instrumental in this important victory for Onaway schools, despite a statewide trend of rejecting school funding measures, demonstrating the power of grassroots organizing and community collaboration to protect our children's education.
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The founding of OAS YES! a grassroots volunteer advocacy group founded by concerned community members and UNA.
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OAS YES! knew they needed a bold statement to rally the community around the critical millage vote for Onaway schools.They decided on a simple but powerful idea: a large banner that would sit in the heart of downtown - funded through local donations.
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Up North Advocacy and super volunteer Sharon Lyon participating in canvassing efforts in Onaway, MI, to support the schools operating millage.
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After the Millage: Keeping the Momentum with a School Board Candidate Forum
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Building on the momentum of the millage campaign, we began organizing a school board forum in late September to help Onaway Schools families become educated on the candidates. The event was a success, drawing around 80 attendees both online and in person, with a majority of the candidates participating. This forum provided a valuable platform for community members to learn about the roles and responsibilities of school board members, engage with candidates, and discuss the qualities needed to effectively support the school’s mission and goals.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Community Mediation Services for their professional moderation of the event, ensuring a respectful and productive dialogue. Our initiative aimed to foster informed and engaged community involvement, empowering residents to play an active role in shaping the future of education in Onaway. By encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, we helped cultivate a strong foundation for a school board focused on the needs of our students and the community.
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Linking UP: A Federal Listening Session
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The “Putting Federal Dollars to Work in Northern Michigan: A Conversation with Federal Agencies” event, held in July, marked a pivotal moment for our community as we had the privilege of hosting federal officials right here in Northern Michigan! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the White House representatives, community members, and partners like United Today, Stronger Tomorrow, whose participation made this gathering a remarkable success.
This event created an invaluable opportunity for our residents to engage directly with decision-makers, allowing community members to sit at the same tables as federal and state officials and share their insights about local needs and challenges.
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As we look ahead, we are excited to continue the conversations sparked during this event and follow up with attendees. Building on this momentum, we aim to implement the strategies discussed and ensure that federal investments lead to meaningful change in our area. Your voices are essential in this process, and we look forward to sharing hopeful updates in the near future!
And yes, this also made the news!
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We’re excited to share our progress with the Michigan Megaphone Campaign, which we've been bringing to Northern Michigan for the past six months in partnership with Progress Michigan and other community organizations!
If you've ever wanted to amplify important issues and progressive messaging from the comfort of your home, this is your chance! The Michigan Megaphone Campaign builds community and amplifies our shared values by providing easy access to content that matters to Northern Michiganders.
We invite you to sign up here to stay connected. Together, we can continue to shine a progressive light on Northern Michigan and create meaningful change!
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2024 Michigan Climate Summit
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In late September, we had the privilege of attending the MiCAN Climate Summit at the University of Michigan, hosted by the Michigan Climate Action Network. It was an inspiring event that offered us a wealth of knowledge through informative sessions and valuable networking opportunities. Bill McKibben, the keynote speaker, was absolutely captivating, sharing deep insights about the environmental movement and the critical actions needed for climate change.
It was an honor to be surrounded by so many passionate leaders dedicated to advancing environmental solutions here in Michigan and beyond. We're excited to carry these learnings into our own work in Northern Michigan!
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2024 Election Primer: Discussing the Implications of Project 2025
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As we gear up for the election, we're excited to announce a hybrid event at the Bayliss Public Library in Sault Ste. Marie. With early in-person voting just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get informed and make sure your vote counts this election season. We’ll explore early voting options and discuss the implications of Project 2025—topics that could have lasting effects on our communities.
Join us for expert presentations, both in-person and virtually, and be part of the conversation! RSVP here to secure your spot.
Canvassing and Phone Banking Opportunities:
If you would like to help inform your neighbors about the upcoming election and encourage them to vote please let us know at: contact@upnorthadvocacy.org
Info on the Upcoming Election:
Remember these important resources as you educate yourself and others on the upcoming election. There’s no reason for not being informed!
Thank you for being part of our community and standing alongside us in our efforts to build a brighter, more sustainable future for Northern Michigan. As we move forward, we’re excited about the work we’re doing together and look forward to many more milestones ahead.
With appreciation,
The Up North Advocacy Team
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Steering Committee Members
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Heidi Witucki
Monica Cady-Steering
Chloe Kannon
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Up North Advocacy is a fiscally sponsored project of Forward Michigan, a 501c4 non-profit organization.
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