past news stories

May 2023

In collaboration with May Mental Health Awareness Month, we're hosting our third annual Family Fun Fair to promote wellness, connection, and uplifting the community. It will be a time where the community can come together for family fun and learn what resources, businesses, and other organizations our home has to offer. There will also be bounce houses, games, activities, face painting, music, food & beverages! Free to all! This is a substance free event.

Local businesses and organizations will be participating in this event to promote what resources or services they have in the community, as well as an activity, game, or toy for kids to enjoy.

April 2023

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and HKCTC has partnered with Dial Help's Victim Services Unit (click the link for resources) for the annual Puppy Parade held every year. 

You can support survivors of sexual assault and walk with your pup at the same time! We invite you to participate in this year’s Puppy Parade at Quincy Green in downtown Hancock on Wednesday, April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Pre-register on runsignup.com to get your free bandana and t-shirt! These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

March 2023

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is March 20-26! 

Held by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This annual event is observed to inspire dialogues about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. NDAFW provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide.

  Parents who want to start a conversation about the use of alcohol and other drugs can find resources here: Parents: Conversation Starters

Teachers looking for resources and lesson plans for NDAFW 2023 can look here: Teachers: Classroom Resources on Drug Effects

Learn more about NDAFW 2023 and how you can be a part of it: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® 

September 2022 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month! HKCTC held the 6th annual Suicide Prevention Picnic & Walk. We were able to raise over $4,000 with the help of our sponsors and those who purchased t-shirts for the event. Our hope is to use what we raised to implement more preventative measures against suicide in our community. For Suicide Prevention resources: https://dialhelp.org/upspc
If you need help, call 906-482-HELP (4357), text 906-356-3337, or chat online at https://bit.ly/3Smcn84  

July 2022

July is Social Wellness Month! Social wellness, or well-being can be defined as someone's ability to effectively interact with those around themselves. How they create a support system that includes friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and more. When we maintain a healthy level of social wellness it allows us to build lasting and successful relationships with others. It helps to foster connections with those other individuals; while also aiding in a person's sense of belonging, an important part of healthy wellness. Click here for Social Wellness Toolkits and wellness graphics.

February 2022

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Dating violence is more common than people think, especially among teens and young adults: one in three teens in the US will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before they become adults. Help the teens in your life recognize warning signs of abuse by clicking here.

January 2022

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We invite our community to wear blue on January 11 for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Feel free to post a pic and tag our coalition on Facebook or Instagram, and use the hashtag #WearBlueDay. You can learn more about trafficking and the Blue Campaign by clicking here.  

December 2021 

With all the alcohol available during the holiday season, this can be a time of a lot of underage drinking. We are working with local law enforcement and youth to put stickers on alcohol reminding people that there are legal consequences when you provide alcohol to minors. Underage drinking can also increase the risk of addiction in adulthood. Contact Lisa if you are under the age of 18 and would like to participate in our sticker shock campaign.

 
November 2021 

Our work groups are beginning to meet again! Thank you to our members who have agreed to chair the PR/Maintenance, Data/Resource, and Funding groups. We're still seeking chairs for Youth Involvement and Suicide Prevention. And of course we're looking for members interested in attending a work group meeting to help us prevent youth substance use, depression, and more. Contact Lisa for more information.

 
October 2021

Join us on October 28 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm to learn about how CTC operates and join a work group! With just a few hours each month, you can help prevent youth substance use, depression, and more in our community.  Email houghtonkeweenawctc@gmail.com for the Zoom link. 

October 2021

Join us on October 7, 2021 to meet Lisa Simpson, the new Houghton Keweenaw CTC Coordinator! Learn more about what's coming next, and to plan upcoming work group meetings.  For your convenience you can join either the 8:00am or 5:30pm events.  

September 2021

Our fifth annual Suicide Prevention Walk is scheduled for September 25 at 10:00am at the Kestner Park Pavilion by Chutes & Ladders in Houghton. There will be a guest speaker, walk across the bridge, and activities for everyone! Register by emailing HoughtonKeweenawCTC@gmail.com. Cost is $15, which includes a t-shirt. All funds will support local prevention efforts.

August 2021

We're excited to announce our new Houghton/Keweenaw CTC Coordinator, Lisa Simpson! Lisa moved to Houghton County 15 years ago from Alaska, and is excited to start her new journey with the CTC. 

April 2021

We are seeking a new Coordinator for our coalition. A good candidate for the position is outgoing, organized, and able to complete tasks independently on time.  Public speaking and a professional demeanor are a must. This position will be full time and include a role providing support to loved ones of people with Substance Use Disorder.   

January 2021

If you're looking for something to do during the COVID winter months, now is a great time to join our coalition! We are meeting virtually so it's easy to attend meetings, and we're planning a variety of events for the coming year. Parents, youth, professionals -- there's room at the CTC table for everyone. Contact Hannah to learn more.  

September 2020

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and our coalition is holding our fourth annual suicide prevention walk and fundraiser!  The theme is Live for Tomorrow, and this virtual event will run from September 15 to September 29.  To take part in the event, snap a picture or video of yourself wearing your Live for Tomorrow shirt on your walk/run, and post it to your Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #HKCTC.  

July 16, 2020

Thank you to all those who attended our Revitalization Event! We had 18 people attend by Zoom, with eight potential new members. Moving forward during COVID-19, we will continue holding work group meetings on Zoom and finding ways to engage and support our local youth.

June 20, 2020

Help our TOP Clubs raise money for the Copper Country Humane Society and OCAP Paws (Ontonagon Country Animal Protection)! Our TOP members are middle and high schoolers, and they have donated some wonderful pieces of art which are currently for sale to help the cause. To purchase a piece of art, visit the online art gallery by clicking here. 

May 2020

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we're partnering with our sister CTCs in UP Coalition Network to celebrate with a virtual event! UP Wide Promoting Mental Health is a call to individuals and families to share the things that are supporting their mental health during this difficult time. To participate, simply share a picture or post of what you’re doing to support your mental health during the quarantine. Tag our coalition’s social media in the post, and use hashtags #StigmaStopsHere906 & #GoGreenForMentalHealth. 

 
March 4, 2020

We have a new Coordinator for the Houghton-Keweenaw CTC Coordinator, Hannah Butkovich! Heather Saari is taking on a new role within Dial Help.  
Hannah was born and raised in Escanaba, and moved to the Houghton area 3 years ago. She has an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts and has worked in the mental health field for 8 years.  She loves to read, camp, and spend time with her 2 children and her husband, Jodi. 

February 24, 2020

We're working with our sister Communities That Care coalitions across the Upper Peninsula to raise awareness on the risks of marijuana for teens. Marijuana is legal in Michigan now, but legal for adults does NOT mean safe for youth. Learn more about the dangers and how you can help keep our teens from smoking or ingesting marijuana at www.UPCNetwork.org/marijuana 

January 28, 2020

In partnership with Beyond the Save and our sister coalitions in UP Coalition Network, our CTC is distributing prescription drug lock boxes for free in the community.  The goal is to promote safe storage of opioids and other drugs to ensure they aren't accessed by youth or others vulnerable to developing a Substance Use Disorder. Contact us to learn more! 

December 10, 2019

Our coalition is currently working on our data and making some adjustment to our work groups. This is a great time to join in and make a difference in our community by putting your skills to work! Only a few hours of your time each month can help us make a real impact in the Copper Country.

November 4, 2019

We're holding a coffee fundraiser to benefit the CTC! Gourmet coffee grounds are available for $15 per bag. Support local youth-focused prevention and get some warm, yummy coffee to see you through winter!

October 21, 2019

Teen Outreach Program (TOP Club) is back for the new school year! TOP Club is a free after-school group for middle and high schoolers that offers a fun way to build resilience and leadership skills. It includes hands-on lessons, activities, and community service.  Students will get a chance to participate in kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, camping, and more.
Teen Outreach Program is an evidence-based prevention program, and the goal is to help students be better able to navigate challenges, and to succeed in school and in life.  Visit our events page for a full schedule.  Funded by Portage Health Foundation.

October 2, 2019

We were at Send Silence Packing, hosted by Michigan Tech's Wellness Group on campus! For more than a decade, the Send Silence Packing® exhibit has traveled the country to end the silence that surrounds mental health and suicide and connect visitors with resources for support and action.
Send Silence Packing encourages people to seek out resources for themselves, friends, or loved ones. Trained professionals are on hand at each stop and thousands of mental health resources are distributed. 

September 1, 2019

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. We are having a variety of suicide prevention events, including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training and a Live for Tomorrow walk.  We're also participating in the first UP Wide Preventing Suicide with our sister CTC coalitions across the UP!

August 10, 2019

About 130 people attended our Second Annual Family Fun Fair at Saints Peter & Paul Lutheran Church! This free event promoted sober family activities and provided resources and information on suicide prevention, substance use, and more to parents and youth.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered and sponsored: Walmart Houghton , Pat's Foods, Vollwerth's, Hancock Bottling, Superior Equipment & Events, A-1 Toilets, Houghton Fire Department, Stewart Krumm II, Riku F. Lion from Finlandia,  Andy Kalcich, Gail Ploe, Mandy Koskiniemi Daniels, and our Youth Involvement work group. 

July 11, 2019

We are excited to announce the first ever “UP Wide Preventing Suicide” walk, run, and bike event to be held the last weekend in September! Our coalition is collaborating with the other Communities That Cares serving all 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula to spread awareness of suicide warning signs and resources for help.
You can learn more about the event and how to participate online at www.UPCNetwork.org/spw  #StigmaStopsHere906

June 13, 2019

Thank you to all those who attended our Revitalization Meeting! We are excited for existing members and new members to bring their skills and time to our coalition. Big thanks to TV6 News for covering the event. If you'd like to get involved with CTC, contact us or fill out our interest form. When the community works together to support our youth, they can truly thrive!

May 20, 2019

Our coalition has a new Coordinator--welcome Heather Saari! Heather is local to the area, and a graduate of Finlandia University with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. In the coming weeks Heather will be reaching out to current coalition members and scheduling new work group meetings. Stay up-to-date with our Google calendar. 

 
March 4, 2019

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training is now available in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties at no cost for the trainer's time! Thank you to Superior Health Foundation for funding this, and to our volunteer QPR trainer Lauren Kirwin.​ 

April 12, 2018

Our newsletters are back! Watch for a new one each quarter. You can view our most recent newsletter here. 

March 4, 2018 

Click here to check out this excellent interview with our CTC members Ray Sharp, Nila Coponen, and Hayley Beaudoin. Nila and Hayley are both local high schoolers, and Ray is part of the Western UP Health Department. Thanks to  Rick Allen of Keweenaw Report for hosting the interview!  

January 22, 2018

Our "Create the Logo Contest" deadline has been extended to February 16. Youth in grades 6 through 12 are eligible to enter. The winner will receive a $50 pre-paid Visa card! Find more information here. 

December 18, 2017

Michigan Tech students can now intern with CTC to earn up to three credits, while supporting local youth and earning real-world experience that can be used on resumes and grad school applications! Learn more here. 

December 1, 2017

We're excited to announce our Create the Logo Contest! Youth in grades 6 through 12 are eligible to create and submit a logo for our CTC. The winner will receive a $50 prepaid Visa card.

October 24, 2017

Our CTC had a table at the Copper Country Human Services Expo. This was a great chance for people to learn more about the agencies and services available in our area. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to learn more about CTC!

October 4, 2017

Our CTC was present at Dial Help and Portage Health Foundation's CRAVE21 in-school event with Rise Together. Over 1,100 Copper Country students learned about mental health and addiction, helping to break the stigma and silence around these topics that can make it difficult to reach out for help.  

August 19, 2017

We are currently collecting Econo Foods receipts as a fundraiser for our CTC. You can bring receipts to any work group meeting, or drop them off at Dial Help. Thank you Tadycnh's Econo Foods for your support!  

June 19, 2017

Voting is still open for priority risk factors in our community. We also have a presentation available about our local risk factors here.    

June 6, 2017

Voting for priority risk factors in our community is now open! Help us narrow the results of the CTC Youth Survey down to two risk factors to focus on.   

May 30, 2017

The Keweenaw Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council awarded our CTC a grant to cover costs for our first Suicide Prevention Walk in September. Thank you KCF YAC for your support!

May 24, 2017

Our findings from the CTC Youth Survey are now available! Thanks to all participating schools, and to our CTC members who worked so hard to put the report together. You can find the full report here.

April 19, 2017

We're excited to announce that our CTC has a new Coordinator! Megan Giacoletto is taking over this role effective immediately. Thank you to our previous coordinator, Krissy Putz, for all her hard work and dedication. Krissy will be the new Outreach Coordinator at Dial Help. We wish Krissy the best of luck!

February 3, 2017

We're excited to announce that we have received the results of the CTC Youth Survey! Our Risk and Protective Factors Work Group will be working with the raw data over the next few months to prepare a report for the community. A big thank you to all the schools that participated in the survey.  

January 30, 2017

Our Suicide Prevention work group has joined with the local Suicide Prevention Coalition. We're proud of the consistent support and willingness to collaborate we've experienced as CTC continues to grow in the community.

January 10, 2017

We had 16 people attend our latest Community Board Orientation Training. Exciting to see our CTC continue growing! Remember that you can join CTC at any time, and begin attending work groups even before you attend training.

January 2, 2017

Our next Community Board Orientation Training for new members is now scheduled. We also have a date set for our first Community Board Meeting, where members of all work groups will get together to touch base. Visit our events page for more info! 

December 5, 2016
The Surgeon General's new report "Facing Addiction in America" mentions CTC as an effective, evidence-based intervention to help combat addiction in communities! Check out page 15 in Chapter Three for more info.

November 17, 2016
Our CTC's article for the wellness section of The Daily Mining Gazette this month was about bullying. Find more info about how to prevent and respond to bullying by clicking here.

November 7, 2016
Our website has a new resources section, with links to three local resource databases. Click here to check it out!

September 12, 2016Voting is now open for our CTC's vision statement! We need at least 150 votes to make our vision statement official. Voting will run through September 26. 

September 5, 2016
Did you catch all three articles about our CTC in the Daily Mining Gazette in the last few days? There were two on September 2, and one on September 5. Thanks to reporter Graham Jaehnig for his continued commitment to our local CTC. Media coverage makes a huge difference in spreading the word!

August 26, 2016
CTC Community Board Training: Part Two took place at the Shelden Grill in Houghton. We decided on work groups to participate in, and began working on the CTC vision statement. Training events for new members will be on-going. 

August 24, 2016
Check out our article on talking to your kids about underage drinking in the Wellness Section of today's Daily Mining Gazette! Did you know that 80% of kids believe their parents should have a say in whether they drink alcohol?

August 19, 2016
Our Community Board Training: Part One was a success! We had 45 people total sign up for the Community Board, with about half able to attend our first training. We learned about the science of CTC and why it works. Those who couldn't make Part One will be attending make-up sessions in September.

August 7, 2016
Check out our radio interview with Rick Allen on The Keweenaw Report Copper Country Today! Click here to listen. Excited to have another Key Leader in media supporting the CTC in Houghton and Keweenaw counties.

August 6, 2016
Another article about CTC on the front page of The Daily Mining Gazette today! Thanks to reporter Graham Jaehnig for his continued dedication to spreading the word about CTC in our community. This is a great example of how Key Leaders can use their resources to support CTC.

July 26, 2016
CTC participated in Dial Help's event "Talk. They Hear You." This community event is an opportunity for parents to learn how to talk to their child about underage drinking. If you weren't able to attend, click here to learn more about starting a conversation with your child today.

July 2, 2016
Not one but two front-page articles about our CTC in today's Daily Mining Gazette! Thanks to reporter Graham Jaehnig for the excellent coverage. These are just the first in a series of articles about the CTC, so keep your eyes peeled for more to come.

June 28, 2016

Forty people attended the CTC Key Leader Orientation held today! Key Leaders are a vital part of the CTC process, as their support helps spread the word and let the community know that CTC is serious in our mission to prevent youth problem behaviors. Such a big turnout of Key Leaders just goes to show that Houghton and Keweenaw counties really are Communities That Care.