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Longform Home-based early childhood educators are essential to Michigan's childcare and preschool landscape.

Mixed delivery of Michigan’s PreK for All could include home-based early childhood educators

Ashley KingWednesday, September 27, 2023
A common concern about PreK for All that came up during listening sessions was the role of home-based childcare and early education providers.
Feature Story Lucia Rios at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. (Shandra Martinez)

How I’m learning to vacation better with my disability

Lucia RiosTuesday, September 26, 2023
Lucia Rios compares going to amusement parks as a child and now as an adult, as parks like Universal Studios and Disney World are raising the bar on accessibility.
Feature Story Photo courtesy of David Allen

Modular housing provides affordable homes to help address the housing shortage

Sarah SpohnTuesday, September 26, 2023
In order to address the housing shortage in Grand Rapids, the city and surrounding entities are looking carefully at increasing accessibility and affordability of housing. One local company, InnovaLab is quickly adding to the number of housing units, with cost-efficient, quick-build modular homes.
Development News Courtesy Atucún Chocolate Facebook page

Focusing on responsible growth and transparency with award winning chocolate

Ashley KingMonday, September 25, 2023
Atucún Chocolate, partnering with Roast Umber, has kept up the ancient tradition of chocolate making and brought craft chocolate to Michigan.   
Feature Story Lucia Rios heads off to catch a flight to Orlando. (Shandra Martinez)

Why air travel for people who use wheelchairs is getting better

Lucia RiosFriday, September 22, 2023
From the new Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights to being able to use aisle chairs to board planes, the travel experience is improving for people who depend on wheelchairs.
Longform Michael Williams, president and CEO of Orchards Children's Services, a child and family services agency with locations in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Michigan's foster children face mental health challenges – but these agencies set them up to succeed

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, September 21, 2023
All foster children experience some form of trauma, but Michigan's child and family service agencies are working to provide the mental health services foster kids desperately need.
Feature Story Courtesy of The Right Place

Expanding reach and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through Tech Week

Leandra NisbetWednesday, September 20, 2023
Tech Week is in full swing and provides opportunities for education, entertainment and networking in Grand Rapids and throughout the region.
Feature Story Photo by Tyler Herbstreith

Igniting creativity, diversity and collaboration at The Spark

Leandra Nisbet and Tyler HerbstreithTuesday, September 19, 2023
Promoted as an “energetic retail space,” The Spark at Kendall College of Art and Design seeks to bring together artists and the community at large. Highlighting various mediums including art, jewelry, apparel and more, local makers now have another venue for exhibiting and selling their work.
Development News Courtesy of Freedom Construction

Creating a culture where all can thrive in the construction industry

Ashley KingMonday, September 18, 2023
Longform Grand Haven resident Lesa Jordan with Sheyenne Cole, a counselor in Senior Resources of West Michigan's Behavioral Health at Home program.

Behavioral health at home helps Muskegon-area older adults improve quality of life

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, September 14, 2023
Multiple organizations in the Muskegon area are bringing trained counselors to the homes of older adults who face mobility or transportation challenges.
Longform A number of financial incentives for post-secondary education help those interested in an early education career.

Michigan looks to create a better career path for early childhood educators

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaWednesday, September 13, 2023
Improved career pathways, state incentives, and improved wages are essential to recruiting and retaining the early education workforce needed for the PreK for All roll-out.
Longform Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority Grayling location.

Michigan’s rural CMHs work hard on improving access to mental health resources

Sarah SpohnTuesday, September 12, 2023
MI Mental Health spoke with Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Chief Operations Officer Joanie Blamer and Sanilac County Community Mental Health CEO Wil Morris on addressing the mental health and wellness needs of rural communities.   
Feature Story Courtesy The Right Place

Unleashing innovation: Tech Week's impact on Grand Rapids and beyond

Matthew RussellTuesday, September 12, 2023
Grand Rapids is gearing up for its annual Tech Week, where industry, culture and technology collide. With 40 events for more than 6,000 expected attendees, you won't want to miss out on the future of tech in Grand Rapids!
Feature Story Stock image

Steelcase Foundation Grant will allow Arbor Circle to expand mental health counseling accessibility

Ashley KingMonday, September 11, 2023
A $100,000 Steelcase Foundation grant  will support a two-year Arbor Circle project focused on mental health support for children and families.   
Feature Story Cafe Rica

BC's Café Rica and GR's Natural Maya inspired by native culture, supported by Northern Initiatives

Mike WenningerThursday, September 7, 2023
Two Southwest Michigan Latinx businesses feature Mexican and Costa Rican products, sharing elements of Hispanic culture with their communities, thanks in part to nonprofit lender Northern Initiatives.
Partner Content Gretchen

How URC is building talent-generating capacity, designed to propel Michigan’s economy

Sarah Spohn Wednesday, September 6, 2023
“The state of Michigan has realized that this is a ‘do or die’ moment with this economic and technological transformation of the automotive industry and related industries,” says University of Toronto Professor Richard Florida. It's one of the reasons he is part of a group working closely with universities, cities, and stakeholders to build better, more vibrant, sustainable cities in our state.
Longform Participants at Ypsilanti PreK for All listening session.

PreK for All listening sessions gather feedback from parents, childcare providers, and educators

Ashley KingWednesday, August 30, 2023
PreK for All listening sessions in Michigan's 10 prosperity regions gather feedback from parents, childcare providers, and educators.
Feature Story Photo by Doug Coombe

Statewide collaboration allows redesign to reflects city’s ‘innovative by nature’ tagline

Sarah SpohnWednesday, August 30, 2023
Through a statewide design collaboration, an aged half-mile stretch of a once-bustling Auburn Road received a new life with a recent streetscape redesign. The city of Rochester Hill’s tagline ‘innovative by nature’ is reflected in the project, which features rain gardens, lush flowers, shrubs, tree-lined median, benches and vibrant sculptural designs.
Feature Story Courtesy of Pictured Rocks NationalLakeshore Facebook page

Navigating nature's beauty: Michigan's innovative mobility solution for national parks

Matthew RussellWednesday, August 30, 2023
The National Park Michigan Mobility Challenge (NPMMC) program tackles transportation challenges in Michigan's National Parks, ushering in accessibility and sustainable solutions while fostering innovation and promoting conservation.  
Feature Story Courtesy of LeFleur Marketing Facebook page

Further transforming data into human-centered strategies through a company acquisition

Leandra NisbetWednesday, August 30, 2023
Furthering the greater Grand Rapids region’s placement as a technology hub, LaFleur One announced it will acquire Chicago-based market research firm Orchard Insights. Orchard Insights will be a sister company to LaFleur Marketing and provide market research capabilities that can benefit companies of all sizes, continuing to highlight the value of data and tech.
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