New experiences with food, mental health and physical health inspired Eric Freeman to found Mindset Meals, a start-up company that will soon provide nourishing, ready-to-eat meals to West Michigan businesses, schools and individuals experiencing food insecurity.  

It has been a time of celebration for artist Loren Johnson. The Grand Rapids musician and photographer recently opened a photography studio and released her first album. Both endeavors have been a year in the making and have been a collaboration with other local artists.

Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan 5K invites those who walk in unity with loved ones who have died by suicide, those who have their own mental health battles, and those who simply want to raise awareness. Participants include those who walk in unity with loved ones who have died by suicide, those who have their own mental health battles, and those who simply want to raise awareness.  

We took a look at several innovative health technologies, ranging from an app that screens pregnant people for substance use to a device that tracks stress responses to make it easier for older adults to get around.

OnPoint and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health share how adult foster care homes empower Michiganders with disabilities while enriching our communities.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been bolstering support for Michigan doulas through its Doula Initiative.

Sara Hendren, the author of “What Can A Body Do? How We Meet the Built World” advocates for the “most creative, joyful approach to making the world accessible.”

Community Collaboration on Climate Change, or C4, is a grassroots organization in Grand Rapids that is lifting up marginalized voices in climate justice work in the city.  By equipping community members with the education and resources needed to make change, they hope to show people how climate change is affecting their lives and what they can do to help change that.

Emily Carbonell-Ferguson, Julie Lang and Bob Armbrister are local design leaders. They discuss how research, strategy and West Michigan influences their design work.