During our strategic planning session last fall, the Foundation identified a need for civil discourse and a culture of belonging in Mason County. In February, team members Andrea Large, Lynnette Nichols, and Tara Autrey, alongside board members Jennifer Miller and Patty Smith, took a major step toward this goal by attending a three-day Our Community Listens workshop, hosted by OxyChem, of the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities.

The training, led by Mike Winczewski and Jamie Bandstra, focused on mastering the “Communication Cycle.” Participants practiced intentional listening and healthy confrontation to build deeper, more empathetic connections. Board member Jennifer Miller noted that the course was transformative in helping her “understand the importance of listening intentionally to others.”

Building on this momentum, we are excited to announce a three-year partnership with OxyChem to bring both Our Community Listens and Our Community Serves classes to the Ludington area. We are tentatively scheduled to launch this next chapter in October 2026.