Neighborhoods of GR Archives – Page 2 of 3

Boston Soul Café — Helping the community thrive with food for the soul

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June 18, 2021

The Boston Soul Café on Kalamazoo Avenue services the Boston Square community by offering quality breakfast and lunch selections Thursday through Sunday, including an extended soul food dinner menu every Sunday. The Café also specializes in offering ice cream, with a window that is open seasonally. As the business makes its presence known, the common feedback from those who try the Café is that they are happy to have discovered this neighborhood gem.

Maintaining spaces of the past while showing dedication to the community

By Shanika P. Carter

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Small Business

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June 15, 2021

Serving communities and clients with a common interest in building projects that leave a lasting impact on people and the environment, Isaac V. Norris & Associates, P.C architecture firm has maintained a strong presence in the Boston Square community since it was established in 1993. With a focus on architecture, interior and conceptual design and more, the firm, made up of a team of architects, designers and planners, has been successful in serving the needs and best interests of the people, including opening doors for minority-owned businesses to continue the momentum, such as the South East Market.

Looking back at how Oakdale Neighbors have helped the community during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Grant Kammer

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General

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May 25, 2021

During the COVID-19 quarantine, Oakdale Neighbors, a southeast community development organization, remained committed to serving its neighborhood, even finding new ways to stay connected with its community, despite a year of isolation.

Bates Place — making things happen using gifts, talents and energy

By Shanika P. Carter

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General

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May 12, 2021

Developing relationships in the neighborhood — helping people to connect with one another and becoming involved in making their community stronger — is the main goal of Bates Place. The community connectors of Bates Place that take the lead in making these interactions possible are living by purpose and gaining the trust of others. In building this trust, the connectors are also helping residents realize their talents and purpose in meaningful ways that benefit their neighborhood for the long term.

Pleasant Park: Living up to its name by bringing people together

By Shanika P. Carter

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General

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May 5, 2021

Members of the South Hill Neighborhood Association are instrumental for the redevelopment of a parking lot into what is now Pleasant Park, which, when opened, was the only park in the state of Michigan that has been funded through an assessment by citizens in the area and not a city millage.

Boston Square Community Bikes thrives through COVID-19

By Grant Kammer

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Reuse / Rebuild

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April 27, 2021

Boston Square Community Bikes offers a free DIY Bike workshop space alongside a low- to no-cost recycled bicycle shop. Funded by Oakdale Neighbors, the area community development organization, Boston Square Community Bikes has recognized the importance of bicycles as a vital means of transportation and has worked to foster the knowledge customers need to do important bicycle maintenance jobs themselves.

How homeownership can play a role in the fight against gentrification and blight

By Michelle Jokisch Polo

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General

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April 15, 2021

Housing stability can have a significant impact on how successful an individual is finding and maintaining employment. While the current housing system has failed to ensure the most vulnerable have access to safe and affordable housing, local advocates are finding ways to connect residents to resources and support.

How one Grand Rapids community is fighting for equitable health care access

By Michelle Jokisch Polo

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General

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April 15, 2021

The Seeds of Promise Health and Wellness Impact Team Impact was birthed out of the Madison Square neighborhood’s organizing for holistic health care access — a kind of access that sees members of this community as human beings who have been forced to navigate systems that did not always center their experiences. Today that model continues to demonstrate how a community’s voice can lead and change to create the kind of resources and support a community wants and deserves.

Wyoming’s new master plan incorporates resident needs

By By Allison Arnold, Innovation News Editor

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General

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October 26, 2020

After reviewing resident input, the City of Wyoming has produced a draft of its new master plan, Wyoming [re]Imagined, which will guide development for the next two decades.

Neighborhoods of GR: John Ball Park in photos

By Newsroom

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General

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December 13, 2018

The John Ball Park neighborhood is one of the more unusual neighborhoods in GR because almost half is comprised of green spaces. Explore the neighborhood in this photo essay by Adam Bird.