The Leeward Initiative

04/23/2026

Dear Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2026,
As you start to plan your senior's graduation open house, we encourage families to celebrate in ways that are fun, memorable, and safe for everyone. Read below for why you should consider hosting an alcohol-free event this year.

04/09/2026

WOW! This month, we celebrate TEN YEARS of The Leeward Initiative. We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to volunteer, partner, and support all of our efforts over the years.
If you ever see us in the Community, stop over and say hello! Or if you are interested in learning more about us, visit: https://www.leewardmason.org/

Our Mission:
To reduce and prevent substance misuse, and support recovery in Mason County through action, education, and coordination.

Our Vision:
Creating a healthy community through collaborative prevention and awareness.

03/25/2026

03/14/2026

It’s St. Patrick’s Weekend, and The Leeward Initiative has partnered with Downtown Ludington to remind you to stay responsible by calling a sober ride! Visit https://www.leewardmason.org to find sober rides near you.

We're encouraging Mason County residents and visitors to be responsible and socialize safely this summer by getting a sober ride when needed.

02/25/2026

Last year, a bill to ban a derivative of kratom, 7-OH, was proposed. The new bill takes it a step further by fully banning kratom, not just the derivative.

01/16/2026

Hey Mason County Central friends and family! Operation Parent is a great resource, and we are grateful that one of our coalition members gets to facilitate this.
Thank you Phil!

We’re excited to invite our MCC families to a fun and meaningful series focused on literacy, connection, and conversations that matter. Parents and students will learn together, enjoy great books, build skills around Social Media, safe gaming, bullying, kindness, and friendships, and wrap up each night with dinner and a family activity. 💙

📅 Limited spots available, please call Ms. Angie to RSVP at 231-757-3713 ext 1707, RSVP Extended to January 21st! THE FRST 25 FAMILIES TO RSVP WILL RECIEVE A $10 GAS CARD.
Check out the poster or see the flyer that was sent home with your students for dates, times, and details on how to RSVP—we hope to see you there!

12/30/2025

🎉🚍 Plan ahead and count on this: Local transportation companies will get you where you need to go on New Year’s Eve in Pure Ludington!

FREE rides are offered to and from your destination or even one party to the next.

Reservations may be made with Ludington Mass Transit on 12/31/25 from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m by calling 231-845-6218.

Decide to enjoy the festivities, but brought your car? Local tow companies will tow your car home for free, thanks to our community partners.

VIEW more info on the night's events here: https://www.downtownludington.org/events/nye

12/30/2025

This New Years Eve, the Leeward Initiative is piloting a new project called “Glow Safe, Go Sober”. You may know us from our sober ride coaster distribution to local bars the past few years, but this year the Coalition wanted to see a a focus on the New Years Eve after-party locations. As some of our bars in Downtown Ludington still received coasters this year, we would like to thank Timbers Prime Steak & Seafood and The Tiki Lounge for letting us pilot this project as they stay open until 4am on NYE.

Our goal is to help promote getting a safe and sober ride home by utilizing the safe rides provided through a QR code on a glow bracelet.
These safe rides were organized through Downtown Ludington and we would like to thank all of the tow services, taxi services, and additional rides participating this New Years Eve.

Glow safe, go sober.

Stay safe and have a great New Years! 🎉

12/23/2025

It’s that time of year again! We are helping promote safe rides and free tows as much as possible around the New Years Eve celebration. Select bars in Downtown Ludington will be receiving drink coasters for their guests to make sure everyone can get a safe and sober ride home.
Thank you Downtown Ludington, and all of the participating tow companies, taxi companies, and LMTA for partnering to keep people safe.

12/13/2025

A great activity for any local teens, grades 6-12. Help spread the word.

The Mason County District Library will be working alongside Staircase Youth Services to bring the joy of the holidays to our teens. We will be having a hot cocoa bar and decorating stockings in the Rotary Room on Tuesday. December 16th from 3:30 - 5 PM. This is a teen event for those in 6th - 12th grades. This event is free. Come decorate a stocking for yourself, a friend, or someone you care about and enjoy a cozy cocoa. We will have wrapping supplies available for teens who choose to make a stocking as a gift.

12/12/2025

The coalition held our December meeting with some extra spirit. With ugly sweater contests, pin the nose on Rudolph, and more activities, we had a great meeting! Our focus area of the day was prepping for our upcoming coaster distribution to local bars around getting people safe rides home on New Years. Stay tuned for more updates around safe rides.

12/04/2025

Thank you Mason County Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for letting us present an activity around how you, and others, cope with stress. A big focus of the coalition has been supporting youth mental health. Hearing your voice always matters and we appreciate the time you took to give us feedback.