Disability Advocates of Kent County celebrates another successful Interview Day.
Disability Advocates of Kent County celebrates another successful Interview Day. Tommy Allen
Grand Stand Pictures welcomes Detroit's Marvin Towns, special segment director, for the final day of "A City Within a City" production.
Grand Stand Pictures welcomes Detroit's Marvin Towns, special segment director, for the final day of "A City Within a City" production. Tommy Allen
Grand Raggidy Roller Derby teams offer a fantastic way to meet new people.
Grand Raggidy Roller Derby teams offer a fantastic way to meet new people. Photo by Tommy Allen
Chef Muschiana welcomes folks to Søvengård's new Westside location after a two-year hiatus.
Chef Muschiana welcomes folks to Søvengård's new Westside location after a two-year hiatus. Tommy Allen

Features

Feature Story Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen reflects on the stories that shaped 2024.

Looking at 2024, we are witnessing in Grand Rapids an expansive new narrative emerging.

Tommy AllenTuesday, December 24, 2024
These ten stories address challenges that nearly every mid-sized city faces, yet they showcase how Grand Rapids is rewriting the narrative with real progress and hope, offering a glimpse into the positive change happening right here.  
Feature Story Mel Trotter Ministries' mobile shower unit provided 2,389 showers in 2023.

Nonprofits comb the streets of Grand Rapids to provide the unhoused needed services

PAUL R. KOPENKOSKEYMonday, December 23, 2024
Nonprofits Mel Trotter Ministries and the Housing Outreach Team (HOT) comb the streets of downtown Grand Rapids in the wee hours of the morning searching for homeless people who’ve likely slept outside the night before.
Feature Story LaShawnda Bates, wearing a yellow dress, stands in front of a table with health brochures on it.

Bronson Cancer Care Equity Project breaks down barriers to health care

Shandra MartinezMonday, December 23, 2024
Bronson’s Cancer Care Equity project addresses health disparities through community partnerships, improving accessibility, communication, and inclusivity in cancer care.
Feature Story Robert Sheehan

Michigan’s community mental health agencies will do even more good work in 2025

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, December 20, 2024
Federal dollars, state initiatives, community partnerships, and a normalization of seeking and receiving behavioral health care have positioned Michigan’s community mental health agencies to do even more good work in 2025.
Feature Story "We live here, we work here and we care about you and your family."

A New Vision for Public Health in Michigan

Brianna NargisoFriday, December 20, 2024
Michigan has stepped forward with a comprehensive Public Health Call to Action, a set of recommendations crafted by the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council (MPHAC) to guide the state’s journey toward a more equitable and resilient health system. 
Feature Story Nathan Dlouhy appreciates how DAKC's Interview Day helps him to be his best self.

DAKC event empowers young adults with disabilities through mock interviews and job connections

Tommy AllenWednesday, December 18, 2024
A Disability Advocates Kent County event uses mock interviews to build confidence among young adults with disabilities and connect them to job opportunities.
Feature Story Mayor Bliss reflects on nine years as mayor and two decades of service to Grand Rapids.

A look back at Mayor Rosalynn Bliss's tenure: leadership, legacy, and vision

Tommy AllenWednesday, December 18, 2024
As she leaves office, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss reflects on her legacy and her accomplishments.
Feature Story More than 100 Bank of America employees volunteering at six local nonprofits, from Kids Food Basket to the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

Bank of America’s Grand Rapids Day of Giving showcases $1.2M community investment

Shandra MartinezWednesday, December 11, 2024
Bank of America invests $1.215 million across West Michigan, fostering collaboration, empowering nonprofits, and building future leaders.
Feature Story LaSandra Gaddy (center), the new president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), talks to supporters.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation leader focuses on legacy, justice, and collaboration

Tommy AllenWednesday, December 11, 2024
LaSandra Gaddy leads Grand Rapids Community Foundation with a focus on justice, collaboration, strategic planning, and empowering inclusive philanthropy.  
Feature Story Katrina Furman, the newly appointed Anishinaabe curator and member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians looks into an exhibit that features the flag of her people as well as a ballot that bear the names of one of her ancestors.

Anishinabek: The People of This Place exhibit is a new era for Indigenous representation at GRPM

Tommy AllenWednesday, December 11, 2024
After 30 years, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is redesigning and expanding its Anishinabek: The People of This Place exhibit and renewing its commitment to centering Indigenous voices, leveraging modern technology, and fostering a deeper understanding of Anishinaabe culture as a vibrant and living legacy.
Feature Story Kids are intrigued by David Smith's use of metal in Untitled (Rebecca with a Turtle), ca. 1956-57.

David Smith: Sculpting space, nature, and legacy at Meijer Gardens

Tommy AllenWednesday, December 11, 2024
David Smith’s relationship with nature is central to his sculptures. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park's interior and exterior exhibition of his work, "David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture," resonates deeply with his intent.
Longform Deb Messing oversees Sanilac County Community Mental Health communications efforts to the county's rural residents.

Rural mental health providers overcome stigma, rugged individualism, and distance to provide care

Julie RiddleMonday, December 9, 2024
Here's how three Michigan community mental health agencies serving rural populations have found ways to meet their unique needs by developing innovative programs and effective outreach.
Longform Small-team-smile

New series explores efforts to address oral health inequities

Shandra MartinezMonday, December 9, 2024
A new State of Health series highlights innovative approaches and partnerships tackling systemic barriers to oral health care for underserved populations.
Feature Story small-karen

Advocate uses her experiences to help others with disabilities gain independence through work

Shandra MartinezMonday, December 9, 2024
Karen Wynne helps individuals with disabilities navigate the Ticket to Work program, empowering them to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
Feature Story Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s Kelly Linton, an ADA specialist and systems advocate working with Wheel the World, takes measurements.

How Wheel the World is changing accessibility in Kalamazoo, one business at a time

Shandra MartinezWednesday, December 4, 2024
Kalamazoo businesses partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to improve accessibility, creating inclusive spaces that welcome everyone.
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Looking for news about the people and projects going on in Ottawa County, from Grand Haven to Holland, check out The Lakeshore.

Find all the stories here.

Growth & Innovation

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