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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
GVSU’s Johnson Center report forecasts 11 trends shaping philanthropy in 2026
The annual Johnson Center report explores key trends influencing nonprofits as leaders navigate uncertainty, technology, trust, and evolving community and donor expectations.
Two British influencers explore what makes Michigan “special”
Sometimes it takes outsiders to remind us how extraordinary our everyday really is. Thanks, Josh & Jase.
#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.
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Solutions that work, from communities like yours. Explore innovative stories from across our network showcasing how neighborhoods are solving today’s challenges together.
- How nonprofits are responding to a labor shortage while leading inclusion
- How a simple tool at bus stops can increase accessibility and ridership
- Where will Michigan’s next governor stand on early childhood education?
- Children’s mental health: When and where to access care
- Hope Starts Here stabilizing early childhood services in wake of policy changes
- الإطار العملي “الأمل يبدأ من هنا” يعزّز القدرة على الصمود في مواجهة التحديات
- Apprenticeships growing Michigan’s health care workforce
- Little Ortonville goes big for small business
- El modelo de Hope Starts Here promueve la resiliencia ante los desafíos
- Senate bill would take back $21B appropriated for broadband deployment
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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Two British influencers explore what makes Michigan “special”
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Voices of Youth: Theater offers kids skills beyond the stage
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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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Workforce development program for young adults nurtures confidence, direction, purpose
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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.
