In-Focus Advertorial | Published November 4, 2025
METRO DETROIT — What better place to start making positive change than at home in the community, and who better to lead that effort than the young?
That’s the mission that drives The Juniper Concept, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit outreach dedicated to empowering youth and constructing strong community connections. The organization serves young people and vulnerable adults in Oakland County.
“Our whole goal is supporting youth and young adults, by equipping them with tools to thrive, creating community bonds and inspiring social responsibility,” said Casey Nachtrieb, who founded The Juniper Concept with her husband, Dan. “At the end of the day, the goal, really, is to empower kids to start thinking about who in their world needs help and how they can create a positive impact in their environment.”
In May, The Juniper Concept will select two projects for “The Great Give Away,” a new initiative that invites young people across Oakland County to submit ideas for ways to generate positive change in their own communities. Two ideas will each receive $3,000 and two runners-up will each get $1,000 to bring their ideas to fruition. The contest is open to all young people in Oakland County ages 7-22. Possible ideas include creating a community garden, supporting a team or a family, helping elderly neighbors, or community art projects. The criteria for consideration includes the strength of the responses, actual community need, the ability to execute the initiative and the willingness to make the project a reality.
“For The Great Give Away, we’re trying to reach out to all the schools and local businesses to help promote it and get the word out in Oakland County,” Nachtrieb said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing; not just for the recipients, but for those who will be our next generation of leaders.”
Seasons Under The Juniper Tree Daily Devotional, Community Family Nights and their signature Youth Mentoring Program are among The Juniper Concept’s other outreach initiatives.
“We’re just trying to fill that gap that says, ‘Here’s the need. Here’s some practical ways you can partner to meet those needs in your own neighborhood,” Nachtrieb said.
To learn more about The Juniper Concept, its mission and The Great Give Away, go to juniperconcept.com.