Stories

Feature Story Lucia Rios has been honored as the 2023 Media Person of the Year by the WMPRSA for her work as co-editor of the Disability Inclusion series.

Disability Inclusion editor Lucia Rios named Media Person of the Year

Lucia Rios has been honored as the 2023 Media Person of the Year by the WMPRSA for her work as co-editor of the Disability Inclusion series. This multi-year series runs in The Lakeshore WM, Rapid Growth and Second Wave Southwest Michigan.  

Development News Courtesy The Mortals Café + Confection

The Mortals Cafe + Confections brews coffee, tea and mortality

The Mortals Cafe + Confection is a brick-and-mortar expression of the death cafe movement in Grand Rapids.

Feature Story Megan and Andrew Howe enjoy the great outdoors.

Accountant with hearing loss advocates for her success

Hungerford Nichols accountant Megan Howe talks about navigating her personal and professional life with hearing loss.

Longform Dr. Cathrine Frank is one of the co-creators of a new initiative to screen, assess, and treat patients for suicide risk.

Michigan doctors challenge others to join them in a quest for "Zero Suicide"

Two Henry Ford Health doctors want to train health care providers to screen patients for risk of suicide — and connect them with resources to prevent suicide if the risk is high.

Feature Story Courtesy of Be Smart Facebook page

What’s being done? The effects of gun violence on Grand Rapidians

This article is part of Rapid Growth's Voices of Youth series, which features content created by Kent County youth in partnership with Rapid Growth staff mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. In this installment, Annette G. Vazquez and Vanely Bastardo Guzman examine Grand Rapids’ increasing gun violence.

Longform “A Chicago native I’ve been in prison a couple times I live in the Battle Creek Shelter. I’m trying to be positive and encourage others,” Richard Evans, 62.

Michigan’s community mental health providers serve the unhoused

Michigan’s community mental health providers are stepping in with innovative programs that support Michiganders experiencing both homelessness and mental illness. 

Partner Content John Capers

Northern Initiatives helps jumpstart new businesses

Have an idea and want to start a new business? As a Community Development Financial Institution, Northern Initiatives has been supporting Michigan startups with education, coaching, and needed financing — for 30 years. Check out these two success stories in Comstock and Battle Creek.

Feature Story hospitallead

Lack of staff in Michigan hospitals: What happened and why people are leaving

Businesses, health systems and universities are asking lawmakers to fix the health care crisis to avoid more reduction of hospital beds and health services and care.

Feature Story Accessible-Kent

Absolutely Accessible Kent looks at making ‘disabled’ buildings extinct

On June 14, from 1–4 p.m. at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Absolutely Accessible Kent will explore how universal design goes beyond ADA to future-proof space.  

Longform Dr. Kellen Stilwell conducts telepsychiatry sessions with rural Michigan children and adolescents.

Psychiatric residents and fellows fill gaps in rural Michigan mental health care

Psychiatry fellows and psychiatry residents are helping to fill the gaps in care experienced by rural Michiganders.

Longform Dr. Tolulope Sonuyi, director of Detroit Life Is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE), and Juanita Houston, DLIVE's lead healthy minds coach.

Michigan programs aim to stop violence against youth before it happens

Medical researchers in Michigan are designing innovative programs to intervene in cycles of violence.

Feature Story Carlos Seise performs.Courtesy of Carlos Seise

Carlos Seise: An international operatic tenor in West Michigan

Carlos Seise, 61, a professional operatic tenor, has been quietly residing in West Michigan for the past 24 years. He has traveled the world sharing his gift with audiences for 40 years and recently has been helping young singers with their own musical gifts.

Special Report Permiable pavement RISC

As flooding happens more often, plans emerge to put Nature to work in handling the overflow

Across the Great Lakes basin scientists and planners are pivoting to re-examine alternative drainage systems and to address barriers — including obsolete data — that may stand in the way of innovative, sustainable green designs that could help alleviate flooding.

Feature Story Lucia Rios

Why commemorating Global Accessibility Awareness Day is important

This global event shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. The idea is that every user deserves a first-rate experience on the web.   

Feature Story Courtesy of Tyler Herbstreith

Rural library branches impact on communities by providing connections and resources

Within Kent District Library’s network of 20 branches, a variety of communities are served, with unique needs at each location, whether urban or rural. At rural branches, the library staff provide crucial resources like reliable, high-speed Internet, tech lessons, audiobooks and more to residents who might not otherwise have access to such.

Feature Story Courtesy of Tyler Herbstreith.

Rethinking design with a focus on restoration and regeneration

The 2023 Wege Prize provided an opportunity for students worldwide to create solutions to challenging social and environmental issues. Looking ahead, additional opportunities are available to continue the momentum and develop a more sustainable future.

Feature Story Courtesy of Colin Holohan

Humane Society of West Michigan finds a 50-pound tortoise a forever home

Voices of Youth participant Ry Johnson spoke to to Aurora Lewis, lead foster organizer at the HSWM, about the animals that have been abandoned at the shelter, who shared a story about the 50-pound tortoise that was dropped off.  

Partner Content A Farmers Market Food Navigator assists shoppers at the Muskegon Farmers Market.

Michigan Fitness Foundation connects families to farmers and fresh, locally grown food

Michigan Fitness Foundation has been working with Michigan farmers and farmers market managers to reduce barriers to accessing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for families on tight budgets. 

Development News mural1

Degage enlists artist Derrick Hollowell to engage its patrons through art

Heartside area artist Derrick Hollowell was commissioned to create a large mural that accompanies a new donor wall at Degage Ministries. 

Longform Caregiver Incentive Project (CIP) founder Eric Paad and CIP spokesperson Dorothy Paad.

UP nonprofit offers education and support in effort to end caregiver shortage

The Marquette-based nonprofit Caregiver Incentive Project is working to create solutions to Michigan's alarming caregiver shortage.