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From moonlit dinners to WMAAA leadership: Yilin Wendland-Liu builds community
Scholar Yilin Wendland-Liu’s journey from rural China to West Michigan leadership, embracing identity, empowering youth, and strengthening Asian American community connections.
Latest stories
#RG20LookBack: La Lucha Fund supports undocumented and mixed-status families
Celebrating 20 years, we revisit a 2020 story where La Lucha Fund and partners created direct cash relief for undocumented Kent County families excluded from CARES Act aid.
The Davies Project expands care by connecting families to oral health
With Delta Dental Foundation’s support, The Davies Project, based in Lansing, removes transportation barriers, helping families access dental care as well as critical medical appointments for seriously and chronically ill children and expectant women.
KConnect earns national recognition for transforming systems supporting Kent County youth
A decade of cross-sector collaboration leads to measurable gains in graduation, housing stability and economic opportunity across Kent County.
From moonlit dinners to WMAAA leadership: Yilin Wendland-Liu builds community
Scholar Yilin Wendland-Liu’s journey from rural China to West Michigan leadership, embracing identity, empowering youth, and strengthening Asian American community connections.
5 things you may not know about Blandford School in Grand Rapids
Flora Duckworth-Guerra, a sixth-grader, uses five original illustrations to show what happens at Blandford. She highlights the songs, chores, doodles, “magic spots,” and confidence-building moments that make this year-long program unique compared to other school experiences in Grand Rapids.
The early childhood models in other states inspiring Michigan policy advocates
Michigan is making meaningful strides to advance early childhood education but could make even more by looking to other states’ models.
Partner Partner Content “When I grow up.” Inspiring kids to dream big about careers in health care
These collaborations show how growing interest in health care careers can begin early.
The trail as a classroom: Indigenous knowledge, reciprocity, and the future of greenways in West Michigan
What began as a snow-day chat with Kaya DeerInWater soon evolved into a trail-side lesson in reciprocity, encouraging West Michigan to view greenways not merely as pathways to develop, but as relationships to respect.
#RG20LookBack ‘A Family Loving Environment’
As Rapid Growth marks its 20th anniversary, we’re revisiting archival stories that captured cultural shifts in our community. The 2010 snapshot of Rachel Hood and Dave Petroelje, brand-new parents making climate, clean energy, and public health relatable to families, still resonates today.
National initiative to improve early reading launches in Michigan
Wimee’s One Country, One Book begins in Michigan, distributing books and digital tools to help children nationwide build reading skills.
Voices of Youth: Theater offers kids skills beyond the stage
Our Voices of Youth narrative shows how theater fosters empathy, confidence, and belonging. City High Middle School student Ineke Petroelje explains why this art remains a deeply human experience.
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Top 5 Articles
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Partner Partner Content “When I grow up.” Inspiring kids to dream big about careers in health care
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Letter from the publisher: On 20 years of listening and the sharing of solutions rooted in community.
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Voices of Youth: Theater offers kids skills beyond the stage
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Workforce development program for young adults nurtures confidence, direction, purpose
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KDL’s Let It Snow reading challenge turns winter into connection
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Rapid Growth is a local digital media outlet covering neighborhoods, small business and entrepreneurship, arts and culture, health, sustainability, talent, and social innovation.
