UIX: Horse, human bond is foundation for hope at H.U.G.S. Ranch
It takes a special kind of touch to reach victims of abuse. At H.U.G.S. Ranch, it also takes hooves.
Matthew Russell's Latest Articles
UIX: When it comes to representing community, Gimmi delivers
The team at Gimmi started with delivering coffee, but the company hopes to expand its reach to local businesses of any type of product line.
UIX: From leaf to relief, RefuTea helps refugees and others at every level of its operation
Autumn Modena and Jenna Petersen founded RefuTea to help refugees, many from tea-producing countries. RefuTea is involved in ethical business partnerships at every step of the tea-making process, and donates a portion of profits to resettlement programs.
UIX: Liz Bartlett knits circles around fashion, design
Fashion, design, and enabling others are just a few of Liz Bartlett's many talents. They are combined at KNITit, where solutions are created through electronic knitting.
UIX: The team at OXX, Inc rethink necessity, coffee
Jim Doan and Andrew Vanwylen of OXX, Inc. are using engineering and ingenuity to make products for rough environments. With the flagship Coffeeboxx, their small company is spreading out from its roots in Grand Rapids.
UIX: Roderick Daniels and Kingmakers aim to set others on the path to success
Roderick Daniels' Kingmakers is an organization that seeks to keep men and women from a life on the streets through skill building and work. He draws on his own story as proof it can be done.
UIX: Creating new futures is a hands on project for Aaron Brown
Through 3D printing and as a volunteer for e-NABLE, Aaron Brown and his company Axis Lab develop and create "super" assistive hand devices for children and adults. Now his prosthetic designs with comic-inspired themes are something to marvel at, both here in Grand Rapids and everywhere he takes them.
UIX: Lis Bokt and The Geek Group combine inspiration, innovation, and perspiration
Whether it's engineering know-how, mechanical prowess, educational opportunities, or simply making creative ideas manifest, The Geek Group and executive director Lisa Bokt excel at facilitating manufacturing through the creative process in many different ways.
UIX: Dr. Keli Christopher and Mind Boggle help young learners develop STEM skills
If you love your work, it isn’t work. That’s the spirit Dr. Keli Christopher maintains in her role as founder and head educator of Mind Boggle. Read more about her efforts to emphasize STEM education in this story by UIX Editor Matthew Russell, with images by Steph Harding.
UIX: Chris Wagner’s team of minority contractors make construction EZ for local nonprofits
Chris Wagner is building communities, both literally and figuratively, with his team of minority contractors in the EZ Construction Network. By using talented workers within the job site neighborhoods, Wagner is able to bolster careers while building homes where they're most needed. Story by UIX Editor Matthew Russell with images by Steph Harding.
