Stories

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G-Sync: Differents Welcome

Each week G-Sync's Tommy Allen examines the culture of West Michigan and this time when looking at the week ahead, he sees changes beginning to happen (and possibly a new bumper sticker.)

PigMint Studios has four Grand Rapids artists squealing with delight


Weigh to Wellness brings medical weight management specialty to Grand Rapids' Heartside


GVSU eyes proposed Rockford Construction health education project in Grand Rapids' Belknap


Local incubator hatches $100,000 award winner


We're putting the "good" back in do-gooder


Living an Hour in Poverty

Poverty is linked to hunger, homelessness, unemployment and illiteracy. "Poverty is one of our city's greatest challenges," explains Susan Broman, President of the Steelcase Foundation.  It's also something Access of West Michigan has been battling for over thirty years. Their Poverty Simulation program will leave you feeling frustrated, maddened and much more empathetic to those who are trying to survive in a broken system. "In this one-hour, role-playing environment, you leave your identity at the door," says Nicole DeVries, Poverty Education Director.   You become an elderly citizen, an unemployed high school graduate, or a single parent trying to feed your child on a meager income. And when it's all said and done, you hear from those who have walked in those shoes as they share their personal experiences.  It's a paradigm shift in your thought process. It will change your perception of those in need and the system that was designed to assist them. That's what several schools around West Michigan are striving for by sending staff through the program.  With the changing demographics in students over the last 5 years, teachers are in need of addressing poverty issues in the classroom all while maintaining, and in some cases increasing, academic performance. For instance, have you tried to learn to read or write while you are hungry? Access of West Michigan's innovative program is a magnifying glass into a harshness that most people want to ignore.  It's an opportunity to catch a glimpse of our city that needs our attention, our care and our involvement. To be a do-gooder: •    Sign up for a poverty simulation experience by calling Nicole DeVries at 616.774.2175 •    Subscribe to the Access of West Michigan e-newsletter on their website •    Make an online financial contribution to Access of West Michigan here 

Texting: The New Way to Give

It's actually been around for years, but texting a donation to a charity is just beginning to make an impact, particularly with natural disaster relief. You may have texted a donation to a national organization to help the victims of hurricanes in the United States, earthquakes in Haiti or even tsunamis in Japan.  However, three local nonprofits have added texting to their fundraising tool belt in the last few months. Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan, Kids' Food Basket and West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology have all included text-to-give campaigns as a way to make a donation to their organizations.  And, all three organizations have rolled out their campaigns in conjunction with large-scale events. "It was a great way to reach a large group of people in a non-traditional way," explains Christine Lentine, Fund Development and Community Outreach Coordinator at Kids' Food Basket.  It's also an innovative way to fundraise in an environment where technology seems to be moving faster than the speed of light and is an additional source of revenue when donations are on a downward slope in a sluggish economy. Results have varied with texting donations as its very presence in West Michigan is at an infancy level.  It's very labor intensive behind the scenes and pricing is still at a premium for the ability to receive donations in such a way. However, these pioneering organizations have laid a foundation from which other charities can build upon. Although local text-to-give campaigns have not had nearly the same results as disaster relief on a national level, we should applaud these community charities for taking risks, creating opportunities and remaining on the cutting edge of the nonprofit sector. Keep your eye on these organizations as they are in the forefront of fundraising. To be a do-gooder: •    Contribute to Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan through their website •    Make a donation to Kids' Food Basket online here •    Donate to West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology on the webSource: Christine Lentine, Kids' Food Basket Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor

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Lee Meyerhoffer Promotes Local with Lo-kel

Grand Rapids inspired artist and former Marine Lee Meyerhoffer to name his company Lo-Kel, the phonetic spelling for "local." The name is backed by his "local only" attitude toward art and business in the community.

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RapidBlog: A New Day for UICA by Kevin Budelmann

Kevin Budelmann of People Design discusses adaptation and co-creation in the design of UICA's new logo.

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G-Sync: A Little Bit of History Repeating

G-Sync's Tommy Allen attended 5x5 and instead of getting frustrated that he didn't think of the winning entry first, he did re-discover something he forgot about his community.... its past has not passed, and for once, it is a good thing.

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Configura: A Swedish Company with a Grand Rapids Home

Swedish software company Configura, maker of the award-winning CET Designer, recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of their Grand Rapids office. This week, they're preparing for NeoCon.

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Heed the call, Do Gooders

Rapid Growth unveils its newest section, Do Good. Watch each week for the latest happenings in the growing nonprofit, volunteerism and philanthropic communities in West Michigan.

Battle Creek temporary employment agency says Grand Rapids' Heartside is the place to be