Stories

Partner Content A family enjoys jump roping along the Lansing River Trail.

Rec-Connect™ makes fitness fun for everyone

Across the state, Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Rec-Connect™ demonstration series is being used in communities to inspire and empower people to engage regularly in physical activity.

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Sean Prusko combines technology and music to create House

Sean Prusko, Grand Rapids resident and fourth-year student at Ferris State University, has been putting his double major to use by producing electronic music for the past couple of years. His love of technology and music has allowed him to create music, collaborate with other producers and connect with record labels in the house music genre.

Feature Story Athletes attending their first year have a set schedule to try everything the SEC offers. For those who return in subsequent years, the young athletes get to customize their schedule.

Sports Education Camp can be life-changing for athletes who are blind, low-vision

Now in its 33rd year, the Michigan Blind Athletic Association’s Sports Education Camp, which will be held this month at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, teaches youth basic adaptive sports skills and activities.

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Prioritizing mental health in May and beyond

This month serves as an opportunity to further remove the stigma around mental health conditions, which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), affect 970 million people worldwide.

Feature Story The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) is the state association representing and advocating for Michigan’s public mental health system and those served by this system.

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan study shows integrated care is growing

A recent study by the Center of Healthcare Integration and Innovation shows that integrated care in Michigan’s public mental health system has not only grown in the last six years but that the initiatives are diverse and available in rural, suburban, and urban committees.

Longform Employees at Brody's Be Cafe in Ada, which employs people living with disabilities.

Here's how three Michigan nonprofits empower people living with disabilities

These nonprofits are taking innovative approaches to supporting and empowering people with disabilities so they can truly achieve the rights promised to them by the law.

New owners to continue Grand Rapids’ LaFontsee Galleries legacy

New owners plan to continue legacy of Grand Rapids’ LaFontsee Galleries.

Partner Content A meal at El Azteco West in Lansing. The restaurant partnered with NorthWest Initiative to feature only 100% organic juice with its kids' meals.

NorthWest Initiative collaborates with community to create a healthier Lansing

NorthWest Initiative offers food distribution, community gardens, nutrition education, cooking programs, school-based gardens, and a mobile farmers market.

Feature Story StopMotionAnimationWorkshop

Free Media Literacy Summit aims to increase community knowledge and experiences

The inaugural Media Literacy Summit, hosted by GRTV of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center and the Grand Rapids Public Library, is a free event providing hands-on experiences, panel discussions, and workshops led by renowned professionals in media literacy. There will be four immersive workshops educating attendees about the media creation process. The summit takes place on at the Wealthy Theatre 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 13.

Longform Dale Robertson, president and CEO, Grand Rapids Public Museum

Leaders overcoming stigma: Community mental health is for everyone.Community mental health is for everyone.

Despite an increased awareness around symptoms and treatment options, a lot of stigma around seeking mental health care still exists. For leaders and professionals in esteemed positions and industries, this stigma can be even more difficult to overcome. 

Feature Story Wheelchair basketball is a highly physical sport, with players often bumping into one another and sometimes flipping their chairs. Yet the players love the thrill of getting a shot at the basket and scoring points.

Mary Free Bed women’s wheelchair basketball team competes nationally

Basketball played a big part in Jeni Rummelt's childhood. Her return to that old love marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in life as an adult wheelchair user, playing on a highly competitive all-women's sports team.

Longform MiGen Executive Director Angela Gabridge and Program Director Kat Mehrer.

Detroit nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ older adults adopts new name reflecting statewide focus

The Ferndale-based nonprofit MiGen is working to create safer, healthier communities for LGBTQ+ older adults across Michigan.

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Increasing entertainment accessibility for the hard-of-hearing community

Northview High School Senior Evan Arnold currently studies American Sign Language and is asking big questions: "Why is it necessary to find an alternate source in order to provide equal access during a performance that is intended for everyone? And further, how can our Grand Rapids community work to continue bridging communication gaps during performances?"

Partner Content Bike racks support active living in Grand Traverse County.

Active communities are healthier communities

Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Promoting Active Communities assessment offers a set of online tools to help Michigan communities create safe places for people to be active.

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Furthering its commitment and taking on a new sustainability challenge

Through their sustainability practices, educational opportunities, support of far-reaching conservation efforts and their participation in Species Survival Plans, John Ball Zoo seeks to not only protect the wildlife under its care but also to conserve the environment. Slated to open later this year, the new pygmy hippo habitat and multispecies exhibit at the Zoo seeks to attain Living Building Challenge Petal certification.

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Providing programs and resources to help families reach early literacy goals

First Steps Kent is an early literacy initiative that aims to ensure children have exposure to books at a young age. Raising a child takes a village and many local organizations, including the Kent District Library, provide helpful resources in line with the initiative.

Feature Story A HUD grant is funding home accessibility assessments and modifications for 150 homeowners in rural West Michigan counties. (DAKC)

Disability Advocates Kent County helps low-income seniors age in place

Disability Advocates Kent County is using a $975,000, 3-year HUD grant to fund home accessibility assessments and modifications for 150 homeowners in rural West Michigan counties.

Feature Story Lucia Rios holds State of Michigan Special Tribute signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other state officials. (Shandra Martinez)

Disability Inclusion Series Editor Lucia Rios receives 2023 Ability Award

Lucia Rios is honored for her decades of work educating people about accessibility issues and mentoring the next generation of disability advocates.

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Wimee the Robot: A Grand Rapids character gaining a national audience

Wimee’s Words, a popular PBS children’s show that reaches 30 million homes around the country, is continuing to grow and engage a larger audience.

Special Report AARP Michigan volunteer Howard Pizzo, AARP Michigan Communications Manager Mark Hornbeck, and AARP Michigan State Director Paula Cunningham on the Lansing River Trail.

Special report: Michigan prepares for a rapidly aging population by becoming more "age-friendly"

We took a look at several Michigan initiatives that are working to create new age-friendly support systems as the state ages.