Founded in 2012 by Skot Welch, The Mosaic Film Experience is a workforce initiative working to prepare our youth to be better problem solvers. "We started Mosaic Mobile because not all schools have access to film equipment. Kids practically live on their phones, and we want to show them the opportunities they have on that particular device," explains Welch.
Losing a loved one at a very young age herself, Jaime Counterman, the new Director of Ele's Place, emphasizes that all kids experiencing grief should have access to compassionate support as they heal.
At the age of 18, Amy Acton suffered from an electrical burn. She reveals that "I often found myself wondering why this happened, why I survived and the other person didn’t, and how I could help prevent something like this from ever happening again." Now, serving as Executive Director of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Amy uses her experience as inspiration — highlighting the importance of peer support in every burn survivor's recovery process.
This year, #MeToo founder, Tarana Burke, has been invited to speak at the annual Inforum Capstone dinner. For women and men alike, "Hearing Ms. Burke’s words with a group will be powerful and the table conversations will provide new perspectives," expresses VP of Corporate & Member Engagement at Inforum, Becky Puckett-Wood.
As the medical and mental health facilities in Grand Rapids grow in reputation and in specialties offered, so does the need for lodging of patients and their families. "These families are facing unimaginable stress and it's our mission to provide them a “home-away-from-home” at no cost," stresses Patty McCormick, Development Director of Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.
Trevor Straub and the GR Drag Brunch crew are putting a new spin on what Sunday Funday looks like around town.
"It’s easy to forget 'refugee' is only a status, not an identity," states Lauren Rahman Thompson, Director of Operations at Treetops Collective. It's time to be more aware, get educated, and take action beyond World Refugee Day on June 20th.
What makes Jennifer Wammack great? It's not only her ample resume highlighting 30-plus years experience within the realm of furniture product design. As Director of Outreach at BIFMA, she is ever-so passionate about the Triple Bottom Line of Furniture City, USA.
Faith-based film 'A Girl. A Boy. A Dream.' recently made its grand debut at the Sundance Film Festival, with a little help from local film producer, Jash'd Belcher. As we aspire towards unity as a nation, "we need more love and things to inspire us to be our greatest," explains Belcher. This film sets out to enact just that.
Feeling energized after the recent announcement of their $150,000 grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Executive Director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center Carlos Sanchez and his team are ready to put the foundation's 'Fund for Community Good' to good work.
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