Thanks to your generosity, Mt. Pleasant (Isabella County, Michigan) is creating a place where everyone feels welcome to be their authentic self.
Read below to hear from Jennifer, a resident in Mt. Pleasant and part of the Connected Community Catalyst team on how this journey has shaped the community over the past year.
We have the great opportunity to live in a diverse community – it can be viewed as a college town (with 3 institutions), a tribal community, a river city, a travel destination, a golf mecca, or a place trying to find itself again – full of townies, students, and newbies; we’re a community rich in varying cultures and backgrounds.
The Connected Community Catalyst team has provided a platform to bring together members of different aspects of the community – from college students to Citizen of the Year recipients and all manner in between to weave together our experiences, talents, and resources. We all have in mind making connections for ourselves and others – and fledgling as we are – we are doing it!
I think about the people I’ve met in the last year and am grateful to have new connections that have in many times made me think about my role in this community differently. I’m usually attuned to what I offer but through this group I’ve also been opened to what I can receive in return. We’ve had deep discussions, planning, organizing, dreaming and we’ve had laughter and fellowship.
In truth, it’s hard to start a grassroots organization of good doers and get people excited around that. It’s been hard to keep consistent attendance and at times to work with people who have a multitude of competing priorities. But in a year we have managed (through the great talents of several) to host 2 events. I think that’s pretty impressive.
Our goal was to make a place where everyone feels welcome to be their authentic self. I share two instances:
Hearing my husband’s robust laughter at game night, when he was playing at a different table with people he’d never met before was great. He works from home and has limited social connections. He has continued to talk about that night and the people (several college students) he met and played games with. He got connected when I told him we were going and had more fun than he expected.
When my trans kid asked if they’d be ok to show up to Open Mic Night as their true self, I told them they’d be welcomed because allowing people to be their authentic selves was our goal. After the event they said, ‘it’s rare that I can be comfortable being me and it was cool to be at a place I felt welcomed and saw others like me be welcomed too.’ At open mic, I saw so many people sharing who they are and what sparks them, whether performing or enjoying. It was a time of community, sharing, and joy. If that’s all we ever accomplish, that’s enough for me.
Over the past year, the Connected Community Team has:
- Hosted two game nights bringing together students, tribal members, and community members to build relationships with one another
- Held their first Open Mic Night + Talent Competition with…..
- Regularly convened as a team to explore their vision, gifts, and how to move forward together.
Your support allows us to build on this momentum and sustain the work we’ve begun. Through a one-time or monthly donation, you can help us expand on this work in 2026!
Support the Connected Community Catalyst team:
- $15 – Get to know a new neighbor
- $35 – Host a game night
- $100 – Launch a new community-led initiative
