Stories

Feature Story GRAM-Small

New GRAM exhibit explores the unseen human reality of the Mexican border

“Border Cantos | Sonic Border,” a new art exhibition at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, explores the human consequences of immigration policies at the Mexican border.

Feature Story Ryan-Kilpatrick-SMALL

How Ryan Kilpatrick and Housing Next are changing the paradigm about affordable housing

Once the face of Housing Next, Ryan Kilpatrick is now working behind the scenes to create strategies that can benefit communities in West Michigan and beyond.   

Feature Story wormies-small

Michigan Good Food Fund growing new farm and food businesses

Through Michigan Good Food Fund partners, food and farm entrepreneurs like Antonio Chen Aguilera — owner of Wormies, a Grand Rapids composting company — receive business assistance tailored to their needs.

Feature Story Kendall College of Art and Design partnered with Corewell Health to bring a little artistic joy to the hospital's Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

Art and Healing: Collaborative project at Corewell Health's cancer pavilion

What happened when students from the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University partnered with Corewell Health to bring the healing power of art to the Cancer Pavilion.

Longform Social worker Nicole Klomp serves as a reserve member of the Newaygo Police Department.

Grand Rapids-based Arbor Circle partners social work with police work in Newaygo

Here's a look at three ways Michigan providers are offering new ways to help people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Longform About one out of five children have a mental, emotional or behavioral health disorder, and only about 20 percent of those children receive care

How Michigan counties are stepping up to meet youth mental health needs

Over the past several years, Michigan's community mental health agencies have been stepping up with a number of initiatives to help fill the gap in mental health services for youth.

Longform Dr. Tiffany Abrego, executive director of behavioral health at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Michigan and associate professor of psychology at Wayne State University, and Jeremiah Green, whose idea led to the Mentally Fit Program.

Program offering free mental health support for youth aims to create future mental health pros

A new program dreamed up by a Detroit teen is offering free mental health services for young people – and seeking to inspire them to help others by pursuing mental health careers.

Feature Story Hayden-small

4 rising talents in West Michigan design

Four designers, a mix of students and graduates of KCAD, were recently honored for their work in the field. Hayden Prillwitz, Imane Hocini,  Kyle Sutton, and Ian Wardowski talk about their passion for design and their plans for the future.   

Feature Story Transportation is one component of making Grand Rapids more livable for residents of all ages, including older ones.

Grand Rapids renews AARP Age-Friendly Community status, creating better living environments for all

The global Age Friendly Communities initiative aspires to improve communities and sustainable economic growth, to make for happier healthier residents of all ages.

Partner Content The Grand Rapids location will expand AAoM’s  Upbound Staffing employment program.

Upbound Staffing creates inclusive connections for employers and job seekers

Upbound Staffing helps prepare job candidates living with autism for all parts of a career search and assists businesses in making their work environments more inclusive.

Feature Story Boys in preschool

الأطفال في سن ما قبل المدرسة الذين يعيشون مع التوحد يستفيدون من التعليم المبكر بشكل كبير

تحدثت "تهم التعليم المبكر" عن هذا الموضوع المهم مع هيذر إيكنر، مديرة التعليم على مستوى الولاية في تحالف التوحد في ميشيغان (AAOM) وأم لطفلين يعيشان مع التوحد.

Feature Story Boys in preschool

Por qué los preescolares con autismo se benefician de la educación temprana

Early Education Matters habló sobre este importante tema con Heather Eckner, directora de educación estatal de la Autism Alliance of Michigan (Alianza para el Autismo de Michigan, AAOM) y madre de dos niños autistas.

Feature Story Kids

What do breastfeeding, sanitation, vaccines, and lead paint have in common? Public health.

Q&A with Norm Hess, executive director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health.

Feature Story Williams-Group-Small

A women-owned firm joins ranks of B Corp by balancing purpose and profit

A Q&A with the owners of Williams Group about their journey to become verified as meeting B Lab’s high standards for social and environmental impact.  

Feature Story Great-Lakes-Invitational-Small

How youth and amateur sports boost the West Michigan economy

A new report from the West Michigan Sports Commission shows that tourism from youth and amateur sports events in 2023 generated a nearly $90 million boost for the economy. 

Feature Story ProclamationSmall

Celebrating 50 years: Why Grand Rapids is part of Gentex’s future

Gentex, which has long been a champion of community engagement, financially supporting education, economic development, diversity, and philanthropic causes, plans to grow its footprint in Grand Rapids.   

Feature Story Lindsay Patton (left) and Shanika Carter teach a Voices of Youth 2023 cohort at the Kent County ISD.

After a successful launch, Rapid Growth continues Voices of Youth program

So many issues affect today's youth. Rapid Growth's Voices of Youth helps them put that into words. After the programs first year, Rapid Growth hopes to build on its success.

Longform Lapeer County EMS Education Program Manager Luke Bowen leads a session of the new EMT training program.

Free EMS education program helps ease EMT shortage in Lapeer County

In Lapeer County, east of Flint, a new EMT education program is helping to grow the county's EMT and paramedic workforce.

Longform A Meals on Wheels Western Michigan volunteer makes a delivery.

Inflation, aging population, and loss of COVID funding impact Michigan Meals on Wheels programs

Many Meals on Wheels providers report that challenges have arisen as their client lists continue to grow thanks to an aging population, even as pandemic relief funding dries up.

Feature Story gayle-small

KCAD’s Gayle DeBruyn on the intersection of design and sustainability

A Q&A with KCAD Professor Gayle DeBruyn, who received the inaugural Legacy Award from the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan for her efforts to advance sustainability in the region.