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Feature Story KDL

KDL’s mission remains strong amongst book ban movements

Sarah SpohnTuesday, October 25, 2022
Public libraries exist to serve their communities. At the heart of their mission, the goal is to provide materials and resources that reflect and represent their diverse communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC populations. A recent uptick in book-banning discussions is putting pressure on libraries, including Kent District Library, threatening their future funding and millages. 
Feature Story This year Meijer added Meijer is adding accessible, adaptive children's costumes to its selection of costumes. (Meijer)

Accessible and adaptive Halloween costumes are a treat for everyone

Lucia RiosTuesday, October 25, 2022
Lucia Rios remembers what Halloween was like before retailers began offering adaptive and accessible Halloween costumes. Thankfully, her mom always had creative ideas to make the holiday fun. 
Feature Story Lucia Rios speaks at the Disability Inclusion and Hispanic Heritage Lecture at Hope College on Oct 4. (Hope College)

Lucia Rios shares her journey to becoming an accessibility advocate

Lucia RiosMonday, October 24, 2022
Lucia Rios speaks at Hope College’s Disability Inclusion and Hispanic Heritage Lecture about her journey to becoming an accessibility advocate.  
Longform Laurie Arora, PACE Southeast Michigan vice president of public affairs, philanthropy, and organizational development; and Sadie Shattuck, PACE Southeast Michigan's grant and communications specialist, look over health literacy handouts.

New project aims to increase health literacy among Southeast Michigan's older adults

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 20, 2022
A new project called "The Power of Understanding" uses proven health literacy tools to empower participants to become engaged as advocates for their own health.
Feature Story Gateway Healthcare's website describes its mission as "Reaching one more life with Jesus through affordable healthcare."

Gateway Healthcare, where healing begins

Abby Keeley-ScherzerThursday, October 20, 2022
A new local non-profit in Midland is trying to address the issue of affordable and accessible health care. 
Feature Story Members of Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s Advocacy Academy.

Michigan Senate recognizes Disability Awareness & Education Day on Oct. 21

Shandra MartinezTuesday, October 18, 2022
The creation of this day is the result of effort by Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s Advocacy Academy, who worked with Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, to make it possible.
Feature Story Canoemobile

Closing Michigan's 'adventure gap': Floating classroom gets hundreds of students out on the water

Allison Torres BurtkaTuesday, October 18, 2022
“The reality is, for so many of our kids, there is this really negative image of Detroit and this place that they call home,” says teacher Monica DeGarmo. Canoemobile, and partner organizations, hosted an outdoor classroom for nearly 80 students this week, in a bid to change the narrative and better connect students with Michigan's nature scene. 
Development News Construction Allies in Action

Program aims to support 15 underrepresented local contractors in growing their businesses

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, October 17, 2022
The goal of Construction Allies in Action’s new Affiliate Historically Underrepresented Businesses (HUB) program is to help 15 underrepresented contractors grow their businesses and build generational wealth.
Partner Content Children enjoy a StoryWalk®.

Dearborn nonprofit forges relationships to inspire healthy living

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 13, 2022
Dearborn-based Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities has honed the art of bringing community residents and organizations together while ensuring that the unique perspectives of Arab Americans, refugees, and immigrants have a seat at the table during the decision-making processes.
Longform Synergy Health Center CEO Valarie Cunningham is the organizer of the upcoming symposium.

Kalamazoo symposium to address mental health disparities in Black community

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 13, 2022
Black Americans face many unique mental health challenges, including higher rates of emotional distress and lower access to behavioral health care.
Feature Story Blackrocks Brewing in Marquette.

Craft beer business continues to grow in U.P.

Jaymie DepewThursday, October 13, 2022
The number of breweries continues to grow in the U.P., appeasing locals and  travelers alike. 
Feature Story College leaders from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Utah have been selected as finalists to become the next president at Grand Rapids Community College.

3 college leaders are finalists in GRCC presidential search

Shandra MartinezTuesday, October 11, 2022
College leaders from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Utah have been selected as finalists to become the next president at Grand Rapids Community College.
Partner Content Darius Jones sits on the porch of his home with his fiancée and child.

3 creative ways financial institutions are addressing Detroit homeownership disparities

David SandsTuesday, October 11, 2022
While the "homeownership gap" remains a concern in Detroit, these area institutions are taking some out-of-the-box approaches to make buying a home more accessible.
Feature Story Mahogany Manor

Meet the women behind Detroit's new 'Black woman’s country club...with a twist'

Kahn Santori DavisonTuesday, October 11, 2022
Sistahsgiving is coming up. Ever heard of it? Read about how two women are using the concept of connection and self-care to create a rejuvenating space for women of color in Detroit.  
Longform A children's vaccination event at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

Michigan health providers work to reverse falling childhood vaccination rates in pandemic's wake

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 6, 2022
Michigan health officials are sounding the alarm that childhood vaccination rates for diseases like measles, chickenpox, and polio have yet to rebound from their slump during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Feature Story Marisela Sierra won the 2022 Start Garden 100 pitch competition with her Navarro’s Mexican Takeout.

Start Garden win lifts third-generation restaurateur’s dreams to next level

Shanika P. CarterMonday, October 3, 2022
After winning the 2022 Start Garden 100 pitch competition, third-generation Muskegon Heights restaurateur Marisela Sierra is ready to get Navarro’s Mexican Takeout’s stone-ground tamales into the freezers of local retailers.
Feature Story childcare

Michigan candidates share their views on expanding early childhood mental health

Sarah WilliamsFriday, September 30, 2022
Among our state's children experiencing mental illness, more than a third are not receiving care, according to a recent report. Parents and childcare advocates showed up at a virtual forum recently to ask local candidates running for Michigan’s State House what they plan to do about it.
Feature Story Robotics Expo 1

Utilizing tech, talent and connections during Tech Week GR and beyond

Matthew RussellFriday, September 30, 2022
Tech Week GR underlines Grand Rapids’ claim to the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. The Right Place and other strategic partners have created a foundation for helping technology companies thrive in Grand Rapids, driven by the live event.
Feature Story At this Next 40 event, Host Jon Cauchi moderated the panel with board members Elliot Keyes and Marcus Fairfield and staff members Patrick Parkes and Mary Sibley.

Growing the next generation of disability advocates

Shandra MartinezFriday, September 30, 2022
How is the next generation of disability advocates getting involved? Associate boards. These informal groups provide a fun way for young professionals to learn about board governance while organizing events that bring people together to better understand disability issues.
Feature Story Graphic illustrates the evolution from a "handicap" sign to an "accessibility" sign.

New accessibility icon better reflects the lifestyles of people with disabilities

Shandra MartinezFriday, September 30, 2022
Thanks to a new state law, current blue signs portraying wheelchair users as passive and inactive will be replaced with a new accessibility icon that better reflects the lifestyles of people with disabilities.  
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