Stories

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LAUP named Neighborhood Champion in Grand Rapids by Bank of America

As a Neighborhood Champion, Latin Americans United for Progress will receive $50,000 in funding plus access to nonprofit leadership training. The announcement was part of Bank of America Grand Rapids’ “Day of Giving.”  

Feature Story Muskegon-based WINC: For All Women Veterans will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.

A safe space and sisterhood for female veterans

Launched 10 years ago in Muskegon, WINC has grown to offer support through various services and advocacy efforts with affiliates across the country.

Longform Photos of Indigenous family food traditions submitted to the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.

Michigan's Indigenous children receive culturally sensitive nutrition education through new program

The 13 Moons Curriculum enriches the lives of children up to age 5 with an academic foundation focused on culturally relevant, healthy eating.

Feature Story Mazonnah Holiday's homeschooling is flexible and allows her time for other activities.

Voices of Youth: Homeschooling’s rise and how it can help students

Grand Rapids-area student Mazonnah Holiday shares how homeschooling has helped her in the latest story from Voices of Youth.

Feature Story Community Land Trust Director Matias Martinez-Roca and Community Land Trust Sale Coordinator Freshta Tori Jan are lead members of the Dwelling Place team responsible for producing as well as assisting the public with access to these new homes.

2080 Union is a peek into the future and solutions found within Community Land Trusts

The Dwelling Place's newest project in Grand Rapids will be the largest Community Land Trust project in the state, ensuring discounted prices that will benefit both the initial as well as future buyers.

Longform Scooby Doo, where are you? With Sanilac County CMH!.

Mental health outreach reduces stigma and raises awareness of services

Like many CMHs, St. Clair County Community Mental Health and Sanilac County Community Mental Health work to stay visible in the community with outreach efforts. 

Longform Most of Michigan’s counties having childcare deserts, areas that have three or more families competing for one available childcare slot.

Regional organizations help determine the childcare landscape within their own communities

The East-Central Michigan Child Care Coalition is working on expanding childcare organizations, serve more parents, and lower costs to families.   

Feature Story tantaysmal

Sostenibilidad y equidad son los nuevos ingredientes del éxito de un restaurante

Cada vez más restaurantes de Michigan están poniendo en práctica la sostenibilidad centrándose en la equidad laboral, la reducción del desperdicio y el abastecimiento local. Pero este compromiso requiere tiempo, dinero y personas.  

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DNR fund drive helps make state nation’s leader in accessible track chairs

Michigan now offers more track chairs for public use than any other state parks and recreation system.

Feature Story Daryl Reece is no stranger to hard work, but the entrepreneur says he has also been blessed to be around good people who treat him well. His line of vodka, Stock Da Bar, debuted in 2019.

Daryl Reece: Built on hard work, community support, and faith

“I don’t come from a business background — a money management background — I come from a hardworking background,” Daryl Reece says, adding that his parents instilled in him the value of hard work and saving money. After years of hard work and a lot of support from key friends and family, Reece has partnered with Lansing-based Michigrain Distillery to create his own brand of Stock Da Bar Vodka.

Longform Jim Bardenhagen of Suttons Bay-based Bardenhagen Farms is one of many Michigan farmers who sold his produce to Michigan clients through Cherry Capital Foods.

After a Traverse City food distributor's closure, Michigan farmers work to keep produce in state

Cherry Capital Foods closed in November, leaving Michigan farmers and produce buyers scrambling to figure out what's next. 

Feature Story People talk during a KDL Work Hub open house.

Small businesses have huge resource in local library, chamber, and partnering organizations

It can be costly to run a small business, but the amount of resources that the Kent District Library and its partners, including the Grand Rapids Chamber, and Kent Intermediate School District are invaluable. Entrepreneurs and small businesses have a large resource with access to technology, tools, data, and training.

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222 West Michigan businesses will split nearly $16M in training funds

The Going PRO Talent Fund will help train, develop and retain more than 3,400 current workers, apprentices and newly hired employees.

Longform Kim Hargis, LPN works on a mandala mural at Summit Pointe.

To build a mental wellness plan, take it one step at a time

Michigan mental health professionals share tips on building a mental wellness plan for 2024.

Feature Story Representatives from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IFF, KConnect, First Steps Kent, and Grand Rapids Public Schools were among those sharing at the event.

Un informe destaca la necesidad de una atención y educación más completas y equitativas en la primer

En el condado de Kent, estas barreras están perfectamente ilustradas por un informe publicado recientemente, Split by More Than the Grand River: Cómo la Desigualdad en el Acceso al Cuidado Infantil Asequible Divide el Condado de Kent. 

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Published Together: 5 stories that resonate with me and celebrate the power of local voices

 Publisher Tommy Allen looks back on stories that still hit home.

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A lack of awareness about service animals leads to discrimination

Candace Carlisle says she and her trained service dog regularly are asked to leave restaurants and stores, even though such a request is illegal.   

Feature Story Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen

Focus Area: Series stories that propagate joy and inspiration within our community

Publisher Tommy Allen shares a collection of series stories that propagate joy within our community.

Longform Medical debt

As Oakland County pays off 80,000 residents' doctor bills, how can Michigan solve medical debt?

Oakland County's debt relief initiative highlights the overwhelming burden of medical debt for countless others in Michigan and beyond.

Feature Story Ascend Summer Youth Career Readiness, sponsored by West Michigan Works!, serves youth ages 16-24 who are not enrolled in high school and want to earn a high school diploma or GED.

Youth career readiness program sets stage for longterm work success

Youth who completed the Ascend Summer Youth Career Readiness program were eligible for a leadership conference that provided career exploration and skill-building opportunities.