70 x 7 Life Recovery mentors ex-inmates through reconciliation, life skills
70x7 Life Recovery is a faith-based nonprofit that equips returning citizens with life skills and short-term support following incarceration
Paul R. Kopenkoskey's Latest Articles
Study: Greater Grand Rapids a ‘beacon of light’ in health care hiring
A study by two economics professors finds that Greater Grand Rapids’ healthcare labor market and real wages in key occupations are a “beacon of light” amid Michigan’s slower job growth.
Davenport’s Urban Education STEM program gives teachers culturally effective strategies
Davenport University’s urban education program instructs would-be teachers how to educate K-12 students in marginalized urban school districts.
Nonprofits comb the streets of Grand Rapids to provide the unhoused needed services
Nonprofits Mel Trotter Ministries and the Grand Rapids’ Homeless 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.
Chaplain’s grief support group alleviates heartache of losing animal companions
The Rev. Ginny Mikita facilitates a monthly grief support group for people whose animal companions have died.
Kent County uses opioid settlement to roll out services to fight addiction
A $19 million settlement has set into motion Kent County’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis by investing in a wide range of services, including jail-based programs that aim to reduce post-incarceration overdoses.
Paddles with purpose: Breaking a world record, raising money for Gift of Life Michigan
Four local pickleball players hope to smash a world’s record in the booming sport while promoting a life-saving cause.
Fraud Notify system alerts Kent County property owners to potential property scams
Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons is cracking down on property fraud with the Fraud Notify system, a free online tool that alerts subscribers via email to potential mortgage fraud and property and identity theft.
3-county United Way merger strengthens regional collaboration
The recent merger of Heart of West Michigan United Way and United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties is expected to streamline fundraising requests for its 80 community partners while reducing the nonprofit’s expenses.
What happens when disability rights run up against homeowner associations’ rules?
The Fair Housing Act ensures people with disabilities have the right to modify their residences even if they live in condos and other neighborhoods with homeowner association rules.
