New rules requiring lead dust testing would “keep kiddos safe”
Proposed City of Grand Rapids requirements for lead dust testing would reduce childhood lead poisoning.
Roosevelt Park
Roberto Clemente Park renovation wins awards and community’s hearts
City of Grand Rapids Roberto Clemente Park award-winning renovation includes universal accessibility, new shelter/restroom facilities, discovery area playspace/outdoor classroom and natural stormwater management features.
Utilizing tech, talent and connections during Tech Week GR and beyond
Tech Week GR underlines Grand Rapids’ claim to the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. The Right Place and other strategic partners have created a foundation for helping technology companies thrive in Grand Rapids, driven by the live event.
Removing barriers so people can live their best lives
Improving old technologies with new is, in many ways, the heart of improving access for humans. It is also a great motivator for those with the talents to do so. Here are the people behind those efforts and why this work is so important to them and within the region.
Decline in childhood immunizations leads to risk of resurgence
While the pandemic emphasized the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, it also highlighted a need for other vaccinations to be discussed. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports significant drops in childhood immunization rates across both county and state levels.
Residents get more power in allocating ARPA dollars with participatory budgeting model
City of Grand Rapids is using a new model, the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP), that will give residents more say in how its $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be spent in each of the city's three wards.
“Shade is an equity issue”: How JEDI guides Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Non-profit organization, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks plans its work to address JEDI, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, in light of historical inequities that guided development of parks as public spaces in the past.
Vaccination effort spurs massive collaboration between Kent County and local health care providers
The Kent County Health Department and local health care providers are collaborating on what may be the biggest inter-organizational vaccination effort in Michigan’s history.
Received your absentee ballot application? City has mailed them to all registered voters
Grand Rapids City Clerk mailed absentee ballot applications to all of its registered to voters for the August 4 primary and November 3 election. Here's why it's a secure way to vote.
Published Together: With Coronavirus Response Fund, a community comes together
Michelle Van Dyke, President & CEO of Heart of West Michigan United Way, explores how community organizations came together to form the Coronavirus Response Fund. Since it was publicly announced on March 23, the Coronavirus Response Fund has granted $2.3 million to 123 local agencies, and the number grows by the day.
