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Development News Courtesy Vinyl Alchemy

Vinyl Alchemy elevates the full musical experience

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorMonday, June 26, 2023
A new record shop has opened in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood. Located at 1505 Wealthy St. SE, Vinyl Alchemy purveys vinyl, CDs, and art and pop culture collectibles. 
Longform Students participate in the LIFT-UP program.

Students help ensure farm sustainability and bring local food to cafeterias in UP program

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, June 22, 2023
The LIFT-UP program gives students a pivotal role in identifying and addressing barriers to expanding local produce in school cafeterias.
Feature Story Courtesy of ICCF

Grand Rapids nonprofits striving to educate and guide homeowners

Shanika P. CarterWednesday, June 21, 2023
In recognition of National Homeownership Month for June, we will look at three Grand Rapids nonprofit organizations that assist first-time home buyers.  
Feature Story MSOH episode 1 image

PODCAST: Dementia is not a death sentence

Patrick DunnWednesday, June 21, 2023
As we kick off the second season of the Michigan's State of Health podcast, we'll introduce you to some of the Michiganders who are working to reframe dementia – including people who are living with dementia themselves.
Partner Content AAoM GR staff

West Michigan welcomes Autism Alliance of Michigan to new office in Grand Rapids area

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, June 20, 2023
Autism Alliance of Michigan is opening a new office in the Grand Rapids area.
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

Shandra MartinezTuesday, June 20, 2023
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

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorMonday, June 19, 2023
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

Kym ReinstadlerFriday, June 16, 2023
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"

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, June 15, 2023
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

Annette G. Vazquez and Vanely Bastardo GuzmanWednesday, June 14, 2023
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

Brooke MarshallTuesday, June 13, 2023
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

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
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

Christina KashindiWednesday, June 7, 2023
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

Shandra MartinezWednesday, June 7, 2023
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

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, June 6, 2023
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

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, June 5, 2023
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

Bill LeeMonday, June 5, 2023
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

Rosemary ParkerMonday, June 5, 2023
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

Lucia Rios Wednesday, May 31, 2023
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

Sarah SpohnWednesday, May 31, 2023
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.
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