Upcoming Events
- YMI at the Ypsi Senior Center Wednesday, August 13th, 12:30-3:30pm
We'll be weeding, painting, and cleaning up outside.
- Noise Permit Friday, August 22nd, 3-9pm
Our third annual back to school block party at Frog Island park in Ypsilanti! Come check out local youth artists, grab some awesome food, score some swag, and get vital information about local non-profits.
- 826michigan + Ozone House = One really cool zine! Tuesdays, 6-8pm, at the Drop-In Center in Ypsilanti
Youth ages 13-21 are welcome to participate in this summer-long writing workshop with the end goal of creating a zine of student poetry, essays and other writing. Some FAQ about zines:
What is a zine?
A zine is a small circulation, self-published and non-commercial publication of texts and images, usually photocopied.
Who makes a zine?
Anyone can write or make a zine, but zine creators usually have something important to say that may not have a place in mainstream media.
Who reads a zine?
Zines can be read by just a few friends of the creators or by millions of people!
- Evening at the Farmer's Market Friday, September 19th, 7:00pm at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market
SAVE THE DATE! Join us for our first ever open-air dinner at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market pavilion. A fun evening to celebrate the harvest with fresh grilled food and great friends!
For information about corporate sponsorship, in-kind donations, or to reserve your tickets, please contact Susan Kirtz.
- Run for Ozone House in the Big House Big Heart 5K Sunday, September 28, 2008
You can register for the race at www.bighousebigheart.com. Check back soon for pledge forms and other Ozone House activities surrounding the race!
Ozone House in the News
- Ozone House board member, David Keren, battles stinging
wind, altitude sickness to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
David Keren reached the 19,340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the only mountain he has climbed, on Feb. 8, 2008. Our board members are the coolest!
- Ozone House Provides Over 65 Youth in Need with Prom Dresses, Suits, Accessories May 1, 2008
Our second annual Prom Exchange was an incredible success! Thank you to those community members who donated over 300 dresses, suits and accessories in a wide variety of sizes so that many young people were able to find a special outfit that not only fit, but fit their individual style.
- Ozone House Board of Directors is pleased to announce Katie Doyle as Ozone House’s new Executive Director
Katie has been with Ozone House for 7 years in various leadership capacities. With a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan and a career of service that began as a foster care case worker and as a therapist for youth and families involved in the child welfare system, Katie brings a wealth of experience and a strong clear voice in addressing issues regarding child abuse and neglect and homelessness among young people – especially those who have experienced abuse or who have aged out of the foster care system.
- Ozone House youth spearhead cleanup The Ann Arbor News, 7/22/07
- Gay Youth Find Place to Call Home in Specialty Shelters The New York Times, 5/18/07
- Ozone House Provides Youth in Need with Prom Dresses, Accessories May 15, 2007
- Ozone House Leads Communities Empowering Youth Capacity Building Initiative April 20, 2007
- Ozone House helps fill foster care gap The Ann Arbor News, 4/08/07
- Grown up and Out The Ann Arbor News, 4/01/07
- Archived News Click to read news articles and press releases.
"Nearly a year after finding a permanent home for their drop-in center at 102 N. Hamilton St., youth from Ozone House now have their sights set on beautifying their new neighborhood." (Seth Gordon, The Ann Arbor News Staff Reporter)
Ozone House Executive Director Mary Jo Callan and Case Manager Krista Girty offer their perspective and expertise regarding the need to increase awareness among child welfare advocates of the high number of gay youth in the homeless population and the special problems they face. Studies have reported that as many as 40% of runaway and homeless youth are forced to leave home due to their sexual orientation.
Ozone House held its first-ever Prom Exchange, providing area youth in need with prom dresses, suits, and accessories.
Communities Empowering Youth is an initiative between Ozone House and six other local service agencies to build capacity to advance positive youth development in Ypsilanti.
Elizabeth Warren's letter to the editor thanking the news for the important coverage of youth aging out of foster care, and reminding readers that Ozone House provides critical support for those youth who have aged out of foster care at age 17 or 18 and lack the resources and support systems to start life on their own.
The Ann Arbor News profiles youth who have aged out of the foster care system. Many of the young people Ozone House supports have aged out of foster care without the resources and support to start life on their own.
