The Gateway to Success Academy (G2S) in Scottville, Michigan, held a successful “Community Connect” event thanks to a $1,500 grant from the Mason County Youth Advisory Council (YAC). YAC prioritizes funding for programs that address youth mental health, teen stress, and substance use prevention. The council recognized and supported G2S’s desire to promote student success by providing barrier-free essential resources.

The event featured a range of services, including haircuts, mental health counseling, biometric screenings, medical consultations, dental checkups, and even car maintenance assistance. Local restaurants and gas stations partnered with G2S to provide food as well as gas cards for a raffle.

“Community Connect at G2S functioned like an open house, available to all of our students and their families,” said Tony Johnston, G2S teacher and the event’s organizer. “Our plan was to bring professionals from around the community into our school that offer services that some of our students don’t have reliable access to.”

G2S serves a student population with over 80% of families qualifying for the free/reduced lunch program. Recognizing the challenges some of their students and families face in accessing regular medical, dental, and mental health care, the school hoped to bridge this gap by hosting an event that eliminated transportation barriers and brought essential services directly to the students.

G2S and community partners reached 85 students and their families during the event. “Community Connect at G2S was a huge success! Thank you to all of the professionals that came and offered their services to our students and their families!” said Johnston. The YAC grant not only facilitated students’ and families’ access to essential resources but also helped foster a sense of community and collaboration that benefited everyone involved.