Stories

Longform Help Home Personal ID* Program GPS ID bracelets.

Many happy returns: GPS ID bracelets help Michiganders living with dementia find their way home

A new collaboration in Calhoun County has helped 135 missing people with dementia return safely home – and made life easier for their caregivers, local law enforcement, and health care providers.

Feature Story Greg Nowak

Removing barriers so people can live their best lives

Improving old technologies with new is, in many ways, the heart of improving access for humans. It is also a great motivator for those with the talents to do so. Here are the people behind those efforts and why this work is so important to them and within the region.

Feature Story KarlKoelling

Exploring the local filmmaking and digital media scene: The reel deal

Years ago, there were large incentives for making films in Michigan. Despite those incentives disappearing, many local filmmakers and digital media professionals still call Grand Rapids home, with West Michigan serving as the backdrop to many nationally-viewed artistic and commercial works.

Feature Story From left The Wood family at Celebration: Amy, Ellery and Aidan.

Theater chain finds ways to make more movies accessible to everyone

From Sensory Showtimes to closed captioning, Celebration Cinema is finding new ways to make movies and entertainment accessible to everyone.

Feature Story Jack Johnson, Volta co-founder and CTO (right) chats with attendees.

Founder pushes Volta Power Systems to leadership in lithium battery industry

Since 2014, Volta Power Systems has provided safe, powerful, and simple lithium-ion energy storage solutions for small to midsize businesses. The Holland company specializes in service industries, including RV, marine, utility, emergency, and military vehicles.   

Feature Story X

See how the redevelopment of this historic Farmington bank turned out — and why it matters

“Fifteen years from now, we’ll look back at some of the times when we wanted to pull our hair out and we’re going to say that it was all worth it. Because this thing is going to stand forever,” says Alex Kocoves, CEO of GLP Financial Group.

Longform Carol Sodman-Morris serves as a home visit nurse for the  Achieving Birth Equity Through Systems Transformation program.

Michigan project creates framework for communities to reduce racial disparities in infant deaths

The new effort aims to build community power, map local ecosystems, and provide equity training to reduce significant disparities in infant mortality.

Feature Story A new state program is providing an opportunity to reframe the mindset of parents of young children with disabilities. (Canva)

New training supports children with developmental disabilities

A new statewide program, Paving the Way to Self Determination, has been developed to raise the expectations families have for their children with developmental disabilities.

Feature Story This year marks the Grand Haven Musical Fountain’s 60th anniversary. The milestone will include a new set of water features debuting on Aug. 27.

Grand Haven Musical Fountain celebrates 60th anniversary

This year marks the fountain’s 60th anniversary. The milestone will include a new set of water features debuting on Aug. 27. Stories reflecting each of its six decades will unfold.

Longform An operator in the call center at Network 180, Kent County's community mental health agency.

Here's what the new national 988 Suicide Crisis and Lifeline means for Michigan

Michigan has joined the nation in implementing an ambitious, transformative vision for mental health crisis services.

Feature Story listening room stage

Harnessing the power of the digital age within West Michigan’s music scene

In the age of the pandemic and growing digital platforms, the Grand Rapids music community looks to the future of music making and live performances.

Feature Story Lucia Rios at work

5 reasons why employers should hire more people with disabilities

The unemployment rate for working-age persons with disabilities is at least twice that of those without disabilities. Let’s fix that.

Feature Story gvsu engineering building

Creating opportunities for West Michigan's tech talent pipeline to change the world

When every business is a technology business, every worker must be a tech worker. West Michigan has the tools and the talent to support tech needs in the area and around the world and here’s who is helping shape that pipeline.

Feature Story The MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative, which began in 2018, is a project of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and is responsible for the commissioning and development of 10 monumental works of public art in the Muskegon area.

MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative bringing ‘monumental works’ to city

The latest public art project, One Drop, honors the 70th anniversary of the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce and is about “how individual efforts when combined become major triumphs.”

Development News Kelsey Purdue

Kids Count Grand Rapids profile gives direction to policy and programs

Released July 28, the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) 2022 Kids Count in Michigan Data Profiles analyze data and identify state and county trends in four categories: economic security, education, health and safety, family and community. For the first time, Kids Count also included a Grand Rapids profile.

Longform Detroit Area Agency on Aging staff recently accepted two awards from USAging.

Detroit Area Agency on Aging receives national awards for work to stop Detroiters dying prematurely

In July 2020, a report from the Detroit Area Agency on Aging found that Detroit's older adults were dying earlier than others. Two years later, the agency's work to reverse that trend has won two national awards.

Feature Story Beyond26 have helped these 6 clients find work they like. (Beyond26)

6 success stories: Matching those with developmental disabilities with work they like

People with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those without a disability. Beyond26 is one of several organizations trying to change that. Their clients share their success stories. 

Feature Story Inception CEO David McCullar shows off DHDC's new mental health gym space.

Resilient Neighborhoods: Corktown nonprofit debuts mental health gym during outdoor market series

During its weekly market series, this Corktown nonprofit recently added a new space at its headquarters, as part of a pilot program that uses emerging technologies to treat issues like anxiety and trauma.

Partner Content A farm stand at Butzel Family Recreation Center in Detroit, sponsored by Henry Ford Health, Come Play Detroit, and Eastern Market.

Henry Ford Health SNAP-Ed collaborations creating healthy change

From creating free farm stands in Detroit to promoting healthier drinking water in the Jackson area, the Henry Ford Health initiative Generation with Promise is supporting healthier families and communities across Michigan.

Development News Grow logo

GROW is now Grow: New name reflects long-standing organization’s evolution

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women, GROW is rebranding as Grow because it serves all genders across nine West Michigan counties.