How volunteering helped turn a homeless man’s life around
The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness honored Gene Ekema, who until recently was homeless himself, as its 2020 Volunteer Champion.
Holland
Located on the shores of little Lake Macatawa, just off the coast of expansive Lake Michigan, Holland is the epicenter of West Michigan's Dutch history and culture. Not surprisingly, then, the city is perhaps best known for its annual Tulip Time Festival in May. But there's much more to the Tulip City than, well, tulips. The city's downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts as much retail activity as any urban core in the region. The community is flush with wildly popular waterfront beaches like Tunnel Park and Holland State Park. And Hope College lends the clean, conservative town a bit of youthful spirit. Holland is the quintessential family town that's a choice destination to work, live, and recreate.
Foundation grants $105,000 to groups focused on racial equity
The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area is giving $105,000 to five organizations and initiatives working to address racial equity and implicit bias.
What’s at stake for Ottawa County with the census
In a Q&A, Shannon Felgner, Communications Manager for Ottawa County, explains why counting everyone is so important for the county.
Hope for recovery stirs as visitors flock to reopened Lakeshore downtowns
Photo essay shows how merchants in downtown Grand Haven and Holland are back in business. They are optimistically looking forward to recovery three months after shops and restaurants were ordered closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Journalist’s wife recounts night of violent protests
Former reporter Heidi Tunison shares why she believes the work her husband, John Tunison, and other journalists do to increase transparency is more important than ever.
How West Michigan Works! is using online tools to connect job seekers with employers
In a Q&A, Business Solutions Manager Kiosha Jeltema explains how job seekers can make the best use of the online tools provided by West Michigan Works!
How a donor and a bookstore are educating readers in fight against racism
Steven Penkevich shares the story of how a generous donor and Reader’s World see books as an important way to support Black Lives Matter and promote anti-racism.
Herman Miller response to pandemic benefits local, global communities
“When COVID-19 hit,” says Linda Brand, President, Herman Miller Cares, the company’s corporate foundation, “we immediately marshaled our resources to focus our giving and our volunteerism on this effort.”
‘Village of friends’ gets creative to help downtown Holland restaurant reopen
Sometimes, building a fence is not about keeping people out, it’s about inviting more people in. Many volunteered to build this fence so the Curragh Irish Pub could safely expand outdoor seating in Downtown Holland. It's just one example of the community's spirit of cooperation and collaboration, says Mayor Nathan Bocks.
Lake cleanup organizers shift tactics amid pandemic, erosion, high water
Environmentalists who organize lake and river cleanups in West Michigan are fine-tuning their tactics in the wake of high-water levels and the coronavirus pandemic.
