Stories

Feature Story Guillermo Cisneros

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber named a 2021 Neighborhood Champion

Bank of America has selected the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a 2021 Neighborhood Champion, a recognition that includes both grant funding and executive leadership development. 

Development News Stacy Stout

Wildly popular Grand Rapids Neighborhood Match Fund open to new ideas, deadline looms

The City of Grand Rapids is accepting another round of Neighborhood Match Fund proposals from residents through Dec. 31.

Longform Dr. Susan Goold and Dr. Renuka Tipirneni have been working on the University of Michigan's evaluation of Michigan's Medicaid expansion.

Michigan's Medicaid expansion leads to lower uninsured rates, improved health, and cost savings

The state is looking back to examine how the 2014 introduction of the Healthy Michigan Plan has improved health for Michigan residents who otherwise could not afford health insurance.

Innovation News Mosby's Popcorn social media

With a focus on community, Well Design creates website feature for fundraising with Mosby’s Popcorn

With the help of Well Design Studio, Mosby’s Popcorn launched a new website with a unique way for customers to create community impact through fundraising.

Feature Story The GRCC Foundation's Alumni Relations team created a map of local craft breweries owned or operated by GRCC alums. 

Map highlights how GRCC brewers help Grand Rapids earn its Beer City USA title

The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s alumni relations team created a map of local craft breweries owned or operated by GRCC alums. The map provides a fun way to support fellow alumni by creating your own brewery tour.

Feature Story After 57 years, Lu Reyes is retiring as host of Holland’s first Spanish-language radio show. (J.R. Valderas)

Spanish-language radio pioneer ‘feeling proud’ as she retires after 57 years

After 57 years, Lu Reyes is retiring as host of Holland’s first Spanish-language radio show.   

Partner Content Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley (in red tie) joins SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Amanda Mattila and residents during a Fresh Conversations session at Hasselbring Senior Center in Flint.

Greater Flint Health Coalition + SNAP-Ed = a healthier community

The Greater Flint Health Coalition recently added two new programs that support residents in eating healthy and moving more.

Longform Parent holding infant's hand

Michigan projects aim to dismantle racism at the root of maternal and infant deaths

Racism is killing mothers and babies in Michigan – and initiatives across the state are working to tackle that root cause and save lives.

Feature Story Narcan Vending Machine

Vending machine conveniently offers life-saving drug

To address the latest opioid overdose epidemic, local nonprofit The Grand Rapids Red Project has a new way to save lives in the community. In partnership with Wayne State University, the nonprofit installed a naloxone vending machine outside its office, which offers the lifesaving drug for free 24/7.

Feature Story APIAVote-MI attend the October 20th Detroit public hearing

Community groups look to convince redistricting commission to change state maps

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will listen to public comments in Lansing and Detroit this December as they prepare to vote on the maps representing Michigan’s new political districts on Thursday, Dec. 30. Here’s how area nonprofits are approaching what could be the final month of discourse.

Development News Steve Grumm

Ramped-up expungement program will help deserving Kent County residents gain a “clean slate”

Legal Aid of Western Michigan will launch a three-year criminal record expungement project to help Kent County residents access better jobs, housing and education opportunities by moving on from long-past mistakes.

Feature Story MSOH episode 6 art

PODCAST: Migrant workers, rural Michigan, and rethinking community during COVID

On this week's episode of Michigan's State of Health, we're digging into how migrant workers have embodied rural Michigan's experience with COVID-19 – and how to improve health care for all rural Michiganders in the long run.

Feature Story MSOH episode 5 art

PODCAST: Reconnecting to behavioral health care in a time of crisis

On this week's episode of Michigan's State of Health, we're digging into  how COVID-19 helped raise awareness of the importance of behavioral health – and how to support Michiganders through the long-term behavioral health issues COVID is likely to create.

Longform Scott Hutchins, school mental health and Medicaid consultant for the Michigan Department of Education Office of Health and Nutrition Services.

Michigan schools adopt new software to expand mental health services

All 56 of the state's ISDs now have access to a software product for managing behavioral health referrals, screenings, treatment plans, and more.

Feature Story KDL bookmobile

KDL addresses barriers due to poverty

Despite having a treasure trove of free resources — many of which are available to local residents, even without a library card — there are still barriers preventing community members from access. Whether it’s lack of transportation, basic food needs or career development, Kent District Library has programs and partnerships to help support our underserved community members.

Feature Story Miigwech, Inc. members dressed in traditional attire addressed the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission at a public hearing in Lansing in October.

Nonprofit organizes trips to redistricting hearings to provide platform for Native American voices

“Even though this was about redistricting, it was even more of a way for us to say: Number one, you’re on our lands, and you should include us in everything. And number two, we're everywhere. We're in every voting neighborhood. We're in every voting bloc. We are all over the place,” says Meredith Kennedy, executive director of the Miigwech, Inc. nonprofit organization.

Feature Story family COVID

Navigate family gatherings by setting a ‘comfort baseline’

The spread of COVID-19 is still a risk when unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals get together. Here’s how you can navigate your schedule of family gatherings while seeking to keep yourself and loved ones healthy.

Development News STEM Greenhouse

Black, woman engineer addresses STEM at the roots

STEM Greenhouse provides children of color with classes and role models who inspire them to pursue careers in science, math and other fields where Black, Brown and other underrepresented faces have not been traditionally seen.

Feature Story MSOH episode 4 art

PODCAST: Can COVID help us close gaps in Michigan's food supply chain?

On this week's episode of Michigan's State of Health, we're digging into how COVID strained Michigan's food system – and how we all can help to strengthen it.

Longform COVID vaccination

Under-recognized frontline workers help spread word on COVID-19 vaccine in Michigan

Community health workers have been integral to getting the word out about COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness.