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Art brings people together. Whether through music, theatre or the visual arts, rural communities that prioritize the arts receive numerous benefits.

Unfortunately, there are challenges rural communities face continuing and growing arts opportunities. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of the arts in rural communities and how prioritizing the arts can bring individuals and their communities even closer together.

A Look at Arts in Rural Communities

According to Mallory Shotwell’s article, “How Art Makes Us More Human: Why Being Creative is So Important in Life,” art’s “power lies in its ability to inspire, create joy and provoke thought. Art is an expression of the human experience, and its value lies in its ability to bring people together.” This sentiment illustrates the value the arts bring to individuals and their communities. For rural areas, this is especially important as these communities typically have less opportunities for the arts and connection in general than urban areas, making arts initiatives even more essential to build and sustain vibrant communities.

Rural economies are one of the main contributing factors to there being less arts opportunities available. The report, “Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector,” produced by the National Governors Association (NGA), National Endowment for the Arts and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies discuss what challenges rural communities face when concerning the arts: “Many rural areas have unique cultures to celebrate, yet they are also contending with problems related to an evolving economy, including the loss of industry, outmigration of young and skilled workers, rising poverty rates, health and health care barriers, educational attainment gaps and physical and digital infrastructure needs.” With rural communities facing economic challenges, especially households living in poverty or with low incomes, the arts tend to not be a community priority.

Rural residents already face challenges such as lack of affordable housing and food insecurity, making the arts seem like a luxury they cannot afford. Unfortunately, this mindset overshadows the benefits individuals and communities can gain through the arts. Read below to learn more about the positive impacts art can have on rural communities and their residents.

Impact of the Arts in Rural Communities

The arts have a number of impacts on both individuals and communities. From individual health benefits to strengthened community connections, art can positively affect rural communities.

Individual Benefits

Individuals involved in the arts receive a variety of benefits ranging from improved physical and mental health to renewed purpose and expression.

Physical health benefits come from more active arts engagement such as dance and music. According to Gwendolyn Rugg, Jennifer Novak-Leonard and Michael Reynolds’ article, “The Outcomes of Arts Engagement for Individuals and Communities”, physical health improvements such as hormone levels, blood pressure, mobility and cognitive function can be improved through the arts. The article also notes that older adults who engage in more active arts participation receive health-boosting effects that help lessen their risk of “developing cognitive or physical health problems as they age.” These benefits show how the arts can influence health outcomes.

Along with physical health benefits, the arts also can impact individuals’ mental health. The Mental Health Foundation explains these benefits in their article, “How arts can help improve your mental health.” The article discusses how “engaging in the arts can help with major challenges, such as aging and loneliness. It can help to boost confidence and make us feel more engaged and resilient. Besides these benefits, art engagement also alleviates anxiety, depression and stress.” These benefits are extremely essential to the well-being of rural communities as residents face mental and social health challenges. Having avenues to express their emotions, share their stories and connect with those around them, creates both positive bonds and improved self-confidence.

All of the benefits discussed above also impact communities overall as healthy and engaged residents are key parts of vibrant communities. Read about Hanna, a TrueNorth Cultural Arts’ participant, below to see how arts programming has made a real difference in her life.

Hanna’s Story

Community Benefits

Rural communities experience a number of benefits from the arts. As seen above, the arts foster connection, helping residents feel invested in their community. Experiences like community art programs and projects bring people together with a common goal of creating art. The more involved community members are in their area, the stronger their relationships with the community, others and themselves will be.

There are also economic benefits to the arts. Many rural Michigan towns are tourist destinations that bring in revenue especially during the summer months. Having local arts opportunities encourages more people to visit and engage with the community, making it more likely for those visiting to come back again. This also promotes further connections in communities as residents engage with new people.

Support the Arts in Rural Areas

You can inspire young artists like Hanna. Whether you get involved in the arts in your community, donate to local programs or advocate for arts initiatives, you can help build vibrant communities. Learn more about TrueNorth’s Cultural Arts initiatives below.

TrueNorth’s Cultural Arts Initiatives

At TrueNorth, we strive to provide opportunities for community members to express themselves through the arts. Our initiatives focus on youth to ensure every kid has the opportunity to learn and grow in the arts. We offer a variety of programming as seen below:

• Middle and High School Student Art Trips to Museums and Exhibitions
• Guest Artist Workshop through the Art-In
• Newaygo County Art Exhibit and Art Scholarship Contest at TrueNorth
• Visiting Artist Workshops in each Newaygo County Middle and High School
• Piano Showcases on TrueNorth’s Steinway Piano

Each of these initiatives provides area kids with new experiences to learn, practice and perform different types of art.

“Anything artistic I also feel like obviously it’s a creative outlet but it allows people to sort of express themselves more than what words would,” reflects Hanna on how TrueNorth’s Cultural Arts programs have helped her express herself. “There are just emotions that you cannot capture properly as you would with like images or a 3D model.”

You can enrich the lives of young artists like Hanna by getting involved at TrueNorth. Make a caring gift or volunteer today to build and sustain vibrant communities.

Rising food costs and the increased cost of living continue to affect Michigan residents. This need for affordable and accessible food is even greater in rural Michigan communities as residents face unique challenges.

Keep reading to learn more about food affordability and accessibility, their impacts and how you can help your neighbors in need.

Food Affordability and Accessibility

While closely tied together, food affordability and food accessibility have different meanings and impacts. According to Jess Carson and Sarah Boege’s article, “The Intersection of Food Availability, Access, & Affordability with Food Security and Health,” food affordability can be defined as “the ability to purchase enough safe and nutritious food given demands on household income outside of food.” As this definition notes, the additional costs of essentials such as housing, heat, energy and healthcare also need to be considered when determining if food is affordable. Keeping the quality of food in mind is also important because everyone deserves to have the ability to purchase nutritious food for healthy living. It’s also important to consider food quality because everyone deserves access to nutritious food for a healthy life.

In contrast, food accessibility means “the ability to obtain food free from barriers posed by travel time, physical features of the area and store, neighborhood safety and transportation costs,” as defined by Carson and Boege. This definition speaks to the challenges rural Michigan communities face. A high percentage of rural individuals and families face barriers to purchase the food they need. From a lack of public transportation to limited store options where they can travel, there are a number of factors that affect if food is obtainable.

Read below to learn more about food affordability and accessibility in rural Michigan communities.

Rural Food Affordability

As discussed in the definition above, food affordability takes into account more than the cost of food itself. This is especially the case for rural residents as they face greater transportation barriers, higher housing costs and limited store options compared to urban residents. Carson and Boege further note the differences in food affordability in rural versus urban areas: “One national study found that households in rural counties spend 19 percent of income on food compared to 17 percent in urban counties. The same study found that compared to urban counties, rural places have lower household incomes, lower access to food retailers, higher shares of poverty and lower average SNAP benefits per participant—all of which were found to contribute to lower food affordability.”

Even in rural communities with lower living costs than urban areas, the gap between household income and the cost of food and essentials still creates a financial burden. This underscores the urgent need for food support to ensure residents have access to proper nutrition.

Below are four charts that show the living wage calculations and costs of typical expenses for Newaygo County households in 2024 and 2025. This data was gathered by The Living Wage Calculator and was last updated in February 2025. We selected Newaygo County because it is one of TrueNorth’s primary service areas, serving as a snapshot of rural communities in West Michigan.

2024 Living Wage Calculation for Newaygo County

2025 Living Wage Calculation for Newaygo County

2024 Typical Expenses for Newaygo County

2025 Typical Expenses for Newaygo County

Comparing 2024 to 2025 data shows an increase in required incomes and costs across multiple areas. Both food and housing costs have risen which means individuals and families will have less to spend on other necessities. While this is a broad estimate of the living wage and expenses for Newaygo County residents, these charts illustrate the financial burden rural residents face.

Rural Food Accessibility

Accessible food is critical to the health and well-being of rural residents. There are a number of factors that impact food accessibility as Isabella Pinerua discusses in her article, “How can we define food access?.” Pinerua further defines food accessibility as she breaks it down into three categories: economic access, physical access and social access.

Having economic access to food means individuals and families have the financial means to purchase food and the necessary materials to cook and eat it, as Pinerua defines in her article. This goes hand in hand with food affordability because if food is unaffordable then it will not be easily obtainable. Economic access should also not be limited to the cost of food itself, but it should also take into account the financial burdens that come with transportation to grocery stores such as gas and car payments. As noted earlier, rural areas tend to lack public transportation and are also spread out, making it challenging for people to buy food if they do not have access to transportation.

Transportation is also a factor when evaluating physical access to food. With limited grocery store access in small towns, people must decide between closer stores with higher food costs or larger stores with lower prices that are further away. Carson and Boege further emphasize the importance of transportation on food accessibility, stating: “Research consistently identifies transportation as a meaningful element of food accessibility, linking both lack and cost of transportation to food insecurity.”

Lastly, we should also consider social access when defining food accessibility. This takes into account the social, cultural and political factors associated with buying food as Pinerua notes. Social access will vary based on the communities’ and households’ cultures and social norms.

Impacts of Rising Food Costs

Rising food costs also impact food affordability and accessibility. According to Taryn Phaneuf’s article, “Food Prices Climbed 31% In 6 Years. Here’s Why,” food prices have risen 31% since 2019, as the title notes, and continue to rise because of “the combined impact of rising operating costs, supply-chain disruptions and corporate profits.”

Operating costs influence food prices. These costs can include: employees’ salaries, equipment purchases and maintenance, raw material purchases and fuel for vehicles, as Phaneuf explains. Combined with unavoidable events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and recent bird flu outbreaks, certain prices for items like eggs have drastically increased. Some corporations have added to this strain by raising prices and selling products in lower quantities for the same price to increase profit.

As food costs continue to rise, keeping food affordable and accessible remains a challenge, especially as incomes stay the same. This is why TrueNorth provides comprehensive Hunger Prevention programs and services to ensure no one in our community goes hungry. Learn more about these services and how you can help below.

Nourish Hope in Our Neighbors

You can help ensure everyone in our community has access to healthy, nutritious food. Whether you volunteer at a local food center, donate food or advocate for those in need, you can nourish hope in our neighbors.

Check out TrueNorth’s opportunities to make a difference below.

TrueNorth’s Hunger Prevention Programs

At TrueNorth, we believe everyone in our community deserves to have access to nutritious food to lead active, productive lives. We meet people where they are to help fulfill their needs while furthering them on their paths to self-sufficiency.

We offer a number of programs and services to provide our neighbors with the resources they need:

• Feeding thousands of individuals and families at our on-site Food Center
• Partnering with Feeding America West Michigan for a monthly Mobile Food Pantry
• Providing food to hundreds of students on the weekend through Weekend PowerPacks
• Gathering seniors together for a meal and socialization at our Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon

TrueNorth even works with local farmers and receive donations from individuals to provide fresh produce in our on-site Food Center. Through our food rescue initiatives, we collect food that would otherwise go to waste from large businesses in the community. Our goal is to build and sustain vibrant communities where everyone can thrive.

Take a look below to see how we helped our community in 2024:

You can continue these impacts when you get involved today. Make a caring donation or volunteer today to ensure our community flourishes. You can personally offer a hand up to our neighbors, ultimately impacting their lives for a lifetime.

Positive influences are integral to children’s development and overall well-being. This is why youth mentoring programs are essential to many kids’ growth and happiness. Having a support system kids know they can rely on allows them to flourish and become their best selves.

“I think it’s a really important program not just for the kids but also for the adults because, I think, it helps kids and adults stay in touch,” says TrueNorth volunteer mentor, Cathy, about the importance of the program she’s seen through her mentorship with her mentee, Cora. “I think it’s just an extra level of fun and it’s maybe nice sometimes to have somebody to talk to who’s like a third party but cares about you.”

Read below to learn about the need for mentoring programs, types of programs and their impacts and how you can step in and support the next generation.

Need for Youth Mentoring Programs

Many kids are in need of positive role models. According to MENTOR’s study, “Who Mentored You?,” by Micheal Garringer and Chelsea Benning, about 1.8 mil­lion young adults ages 18 to 24 nationwide ​“not only didn’t have a men­tor but couldn’t nom­i­nate any­one they felt was a mean­ing­ful per­son in their lives.” Garringer and Benning define a meaningful person in their study as “anyone with whom you spent time or who did a lot of good things for you, not including your immediate family or people that lived inside your home.” This definition was included in the study to ensure participants in the survey would include relationships outside their family that impacted them if they would not have initially described that person as a mentor. The study illustrates the need for mentoring nationwide to help ensure every child has a meaningful, supportive person in their life.

Michigan’s Need

In Michigan, there has been an increase in youth with mentors over the past few years, whether through a program or informally matched in the community. According to the Kids Count Data Center, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in 2022 to 2023, 94% of youth ages 14 to 17 report they had at least one mentor in the community who provides guidance. This statistic represents “youth ages 14 to 17 whose parent reported that there is at least one adult outside the home, in the youth’s school, neighborhood or community who knows the youth well and who can be relied on for advice” as Kids Count notes. In contrast, in 2016 to 2017 only 89% reported the same thing. While these numbers seem high, there are some disparities in access to mentoring opportunities.

Garringer and Benning’s study also found that youth living in poverty or rural areas were less likely to have mentors than those in higher income households and urban communities. This shows the importance of having programs like TrueNorth Community Services’ TrueMentors program that serves Newaygo County youth where there are high percentages of kids living in poverty in the rural community. Keep reading to learn more about the types of youth mentoring programs available and how they support local kids.

Types of Youth Mentoring Programs

There are a variety of youth mentoring programs available in Michigan. For the purposes of this article, the types of programs TrueNorth Community Services offers will be discussed, including: Community-based, School-based and Outdoor-based mentoring. Each program type works to support local youths’ development, providing encouragement and enriching experiences to set kids up for success.

Providing opportunities to connect with mentors and peers is essential to helping kids grow into their best selves. This is seen in the article, “Adolescent connectedness: cornerstone for health and wellbeing,” by Robert W Blum, Joanna Lai, Michelle Martinez and Cassandra Jessee, as they discuss how youth programs that emphasize human connectedness are the most effective in supporting youth’s health and well-being. The article defines connectedness as “a sense of being cared for, supported, belonging and closeness with others that comes from protective and sustained relationships within families, schools and communities.” While each type of mentoring program has unique characteristics from the others, all three program types emphasize relationship-building and connection to fully support youth. Learn more about these programming characteristics below.

Community-based Mentoring

Community-based mentoring matches kids with volunteers from the community. With TrueNorth’s program, matches meet about four times each month and spend a minimum of eight hours monthly together. This helps kids quickly form strong relationships with their mentors. Not only do youth receive the support they need, but they also become more involved in their communities as mentors take them on new experiences.

Blum, Lai, Martinez and Jessee discuss in their article how youth experiencing stronger connections with their community helps their growth. They note, ”For adolescents, such community connectedness is influenced by the quality of youth-adult interactions, opportunities for meaningful input into community affairs, a sense of safety in the community and being welcome in public spaces.” Having another trusted adult kids know they can rely on helps strengthen both their feelings of community, especially when mentors show that community is a priority in their own life. Ultimately, these mentoring relationships provide the support kids need to grow into the leaders of tomorrow. Take a look at Cora’s story below to see how her mentorship has impacted her.

School-based Mentoring

School-based mentoring programs like TrueNorth’s TrueBlue Academy and Lions Together allow kids to build relationships with their peers and mentors. Having a supportive environment where youth can learn and practice interpersonal skills, explore career paths and learn more about their strengths and interests helps kids grow into caring, confident leaders.

In these programs, kids interact with others they may not have classes with, helping broaden their friendships and perspectives. In doing so, youth have stronger relationships along with good social and emotional health as Blum, Lai, Martinez and Jessee note in their article. Having the opportunity to meet with mentors and peers during the school day helps kids become more connected and successful at school. Check out Jace’s story below to learn how his time at TrueBlue Academy has helped him grow.

Outdoor-based Mentoring

Outdoor-based mentoring in programs like TrueNorth’s Parks in Focus program gives youth opportunities to connect with nature, peers and mentors. This program also teaches kids photography skills as participants go on outdoor outings and learn to become comfortable within nature, through the lens of a camera. For many kids, these are places they may otherwise not have the opportunity to go to such as Michigan State Parks and National Parks.

According to Danielle Cohen’s article, “Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature,” “kids who play outside are happier, better at paying attention and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.” Not only does spending time outdoors impact youth’s mental well-being, but it also gives them opportunities to be creative and build confidence. Pairing time outdoors with group mentoring allows kids to explore safely, knowing they have the support of their mentors and peers. See how Parks in Focus has encouraged and supported kids like Neveah below.

Support Youth Mentoring Programs to Enrich Lives

You can make a real impact in the lives of kids like Cora, Jace and Neveah. Whether you donate or volunteer, you can brighten the futures of area youth. See TrueNorth’s opportunities below to make a difference:

TrueNorth’s Mentoring Opportunities

TrueNorth offers a variety of mentoring opportunities to volunteer in and support as seen above:

• One-to-one mentoring relationships through Community Mentoring
• Connecting youth to the outdoors through Parks in Focus
• Mentoring at school through TrueBlue Academy and Lions Together

Volunteers are needed for each program to help guide and encourage local kids. You can provide the support youth need to live and thrive. Learn more about TrueMentors to see how you can help the next generation flourish.

Support Bowlapalooza and Make an Impact

TrueNorth Community Services is holding its fourth annual TrueNorth Day of Giving to support Michigan communities. This 24-hour fundraiser works to bring awareness to the needs of our neighbors, illustrating how we can join together to give a hand up to those in need.

In 2024, 80+ programs strengthened over 30,000 individuals in our communities. Keep reading to learn more about this impact and how you can help continue these essential supports.

Community Impacts

At TrueNorth, we believe everyone deserves opportunities to receive help, connect and give back. We provide a variety of programs and services aimed at moving our neighbors forward on their paths to self-sufficiency. Ultimately, our goal is to build and sustain vibrant communities where everyone thrives.

See a breakdown of our initiatives below to learn how we can work together to secure the well-being of our communities today and for years to come.

Housing and Energy Initiatives

According to James Krieger and Donna L Higgins’ article, “Housing and Health: Time Again for Public Health Action,” individuals that experience stable housing and energy resources maintain a better quality of life. Having these essentials greatly impacts community members’ well-being and the health of the community overall. Check out the immediate and long-term impacts below.

Immediate Impact:

• Households with stable housing and energy experience improved physical and mental well-being.
• People have secure access to cooking capabilities, proper medicine storage, necessary technology and home lighting.
• Individuals receiving rent and/or utility assistance avoid financial crises.
• People with secure housing will have less barriers when seeking employment.
• Housed individuals are less likely to be exposed to harmful situations than those who do not have housing.
• Children experience healthier development when stably housed with their parents.
• Households remain warm and safe.
• People that have their basic needs met are then able to take further steps towards self- sufficiency.

Long-Term Impact:

• Individuals and families experience a better quality of life.
• Households depend less on community resources for day-to-day life, allowing services to focus more on those in crisis.
• People remain in their homes and experience less upheaval throughout their lives.
• Households with stable housing and energy have more effective health recoveries and higher life expectancy.
• Communities that integrate a housing-first approach to homelessness spend less overall on housing assists.
• Housed individuals are more connected and invested in their communities.
• Communities with energy-efficient households are better stewards of earth’s resources.
• People will be able to prepare for unforeseen circumstances and live more sustainably.

Hunger Initiatives

When children and individuals do not have dependable access to nutritious food, their physical and mental well-being declines, according to Feeding America’s article, “Importance of Nutrition on Health in America.” Not only is food security essential to people’s health, but it also affects the community overall. See the impacts of food security below.

Immediate Impact:

• Children develop physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially.
• Children maintain a healthy relationship with food.
• People have the nutrients necessary to prevent and manage mental health conditions.
• Workers have the sustenance needed to remain healthy and productive.
• Adults experience less health risk factors.
• Elderly adults maintain better health conditions.
• Families and individuals experience less financial stress.
• Community members reach higher levels of education and employment.

Long-Term Impact:

• Children succeed in school and transition well into adulthood.
• Children that start with healthy dietary patterns are more likely to continue them as adults.
• People experience a better quality of life through improved physical and mental health.
• Community businesses retain productive workers.
• Overall health care costs lessen for communities, businesses and individuals.
• Elderly adults remain independent sustainably.
• People with less financial stress support community businesses and causes.
• Community members increase their income over their lifetime due to further education and employment opportunities.

Youth Initiatives

The Family and Youth Services Bureau describes how youth can be set up for success through connection with “family support, caring adults, positive peer groups, a strong sense of self and self-esteem and involvement at school and in the community.” Focusing on these areas allows youth to grow into their best selves in a supportive environment. Take a look at the positive effects of youth development initiatives on communities below.

Immediate Impact:

• Youth experience a secure sense of belonging and a healthy mental state.
• Youth envision a positive future and develop a sense of purpose.
• Youth excel in educational and social experiences throughout their lives.
• Youth develop socially, mentally and educationally.
• Youth learn how to work with others by learning healthy communication and collaboration styles.
• Youth experience a healthier lifestyle due to education and prevention programs.
• Youth engage in creative thinking and problem solving that prepares them for their transition into adulthood.

Long-Term Impact:

• Youth who experience team-building and leadership programs have an increase in confidence, perseverance and responsibility.
• Youth mature into productive, well-rounded community leaders.
• Youth that instill healthy living practices continue them into adulthood, helping reduce lifelong healthcare costs.
• Youth become compassionate community leaders.
• Youth with healthy family systems continue that cycle as they become tomorrow’s parents.
• Youth who have quality educational experiences become skilled, employable adults.
• Youth who experience healthy relationships and communication habits as children continue the trend as adults.

Community Building Initiatives

Having safe, welcoming spaces and enriching opportunities creates a community that thrives. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who experience quality social connections experience better health and feel encouraged to give back to their community. See below how community building initiatives strengthen our neighbors and communities overall.

Immediate Impact:

• Community members maintain better physical and mental health when experiencing social connectedness.
• Volunteers experience higher levels of happiness and connection to the community.
• Volunteers multiply their impact on the community through their service and the cost savings they provide the nonprofits they engage with.
• People create local networks in their community to stay connected in community happenings.
• Individuals involved in the arts improve their personal well-being along with creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Community and individual social capital enhances.
• People become invested in solving community problems.
• Community members work together to solve community issues.

Long-Term Impact:

• People experiencing social connectedness have an increase of trust and resilience in their community.
• Volunteers maintain improved health and well-being while also increasing the well-being of the community through their service.
• Nonprofits integrate volunteers into the fabric of their organization.
• Communities with informed individuals have a higher success rate of reaching their goals.
• Communities integrating the arts experience an increased sense of belonging that sustains community cohesion.
• Community development increases human and economic assets.
• People experiencing high social connection have increased levels of self-esteem and empathy, creating confident, compassionate community leaders.

Support TrueNorth Day of Giving to Strengthen Our Neighbors

The 2025 TrueNorth Day of Giving fundraiser will take place on Tuesday, February 25. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to ensure everyone has access to the support and opportunities they need to live and thrive.

When you make a gift on TrueNorth Day of Giving, you are furthering our mission of inspiring hope and creating a better world. Not only will you be helping our neighbors improve their lives, but you will also let them know they live in a community that cares.

You can make a real difference. Your generosity will have a ripple effect as many who receive help later give back to those in similar situations. Make a kindhearted donation today and be confident you are making a meaningful impact.