Stories

Partner Content Produce at a Michigan Farm to Family: CSA pickup at Lakeshore Depot in Marquette.

In the Upper Peninsula, finding an affordable CSA is a SNAP

In Marquette and Alger counties, the Michigan Farm to Family: CSA program connects families experiencing food insecurity with heavily discounted weekly CSA produce boxes.

Feature Story Thrive Outside Gear Library

Thrive Outside GR and city provide green-deficient neighborhoods with gear for outdoor activities

In an effort to increase outdoor engagement and provide equitable access to outdoor activities in green-deficient neighborhoods, the city of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department launched the Thrive Outside Gear Library. 

Feature Story Impact Fab in Holland is Implementing Industry 4.0 technologies.

Industry 4.0 campaign launched to support West Michigan manufacturers

Lakeshore Advantage received $92,787 in state grant funding to increase manufacturers’ Industry 4.0 technology adoption readiness. Close collaboration with regional economic development partners allows for the initiative to be extended to Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon, and Kent counties’ employers. 

Innovation News The Kitchen

Mel Trotter Ministries launches virtual kitchen to support its mission

This past year, Mel Trotter Ministries launched The Kitchen @ 40 Cherry, a social enterprise with the goal of generating enough income to support the 300-600 daily meals served to those in need.

Feature Story Patrick Cisler, executive director of Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance in Holland, joined forces with Zeeland-based Leading By Design to establish LEAD 24/7 for nonprofits.

Leadership training program launched for nonprofit executives

The nonprofit LEAD 24/7 is a 12-month immersive management program designed for executives of nonprofits to develop their leadership skillsets and abilities.

Feature Story seeds of promise vaccination

Seeds of Promise offers gift card incentive to increase vaccination rates

To improve vaccination rates, Seeds of Promise and Kent County Health Department team up to offer $50 gift cards to the first 20 participants who choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Feature Story From left to right: APIA president Willie Dechavez, Commissioner Anthony Eid, Commissioner Richard Weiss, Commissioner M.C. Rothhorn, Commissioner Rebecca Szetela, Rebeka Islam, APIA Vice President Leinda Schleicher

How underrepresented communities have a chance to overcome gerrymandering

“We are concerned with populations that have been historically underrepresented and have, traditionally, not been brought into these kinds of processes,” says Joan Gustafson, external affairs officer for MNA. Read about how the MNA is changing the ways in which we draw our political maps, one community of interest at a time.

Feature Story Patrick Coleman is GRCC’s new veteran’s success coordinator.

GRCC's new Veterans Center helping students transition from the military to college

Patrick Coleman will lead the Veterans Center, which will serve as a single point of contact, connecting veterans with campus resources, including financial aid, advising, and disability support. 

Development News Disability Advocates Showroom

The Home Accessibility Center will help people with disabilities imagine possibilities

The Home Accessibility Center will serve as a hands-on test space where people living with disabilities can explore adaptive possibilities.

Longform These medically tailored meals are made available to patients with diabetes at Beaumont Hospital, Troy.

Michigan hospitals offer meals tailored to patients' medical needs

Diet can be deadly, especially for people with chronic health conditions. That's why some Michigan health care systems have begun providing free meals tailored to improve those patients' health.

Feature Story West Michigan Works

Employment resources: How KDL helps job seekers elevate their search, sharpen skills for success

Whether you’re seeking employment for the first-time or entirely switching career paths, the job market can be intimidating. Through Kent District Library’s partnership with local community networks and staffing organizations, community members can gain valuable resources to help them along their professional journey.

Feature Story From left West Ottawa Superintendent Timothy Bearden, Holland Public Schools Superintendent Shanie Keelean, and Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Brandi-Lyn Mendham

Three new superintendents talk about priorities, challenges ahead

Three area school districts — Holland, Zeeland, and West Ottawa — are among the dozens statewide to have new superintendents in a year that has challenged schools in myriad new ways.

Feature Story Latino Community Coalition

Nuestra HERencia brings local Latinx women’s legacies to light


Feature Story Mark Herman with his ArtPrize painting.

Holland restaurateur honored in ArtPrize exhibit Leadership on Canvas 2021

​​Mark Herman was selected for the ArtPrize exhibit Leadership on Canvas for his generous spirit. His Holland restaurant, Crazy Horse Steakhouse and Saloon, has inspired customers to give nearly $500,000 to help people in need. 

Partner Content A child in the Child and Family Charities Family Growth Center's community garden.

Child and Family Charities teaches healthy life skills with SNAP-Ed programs

Child and Family Charities teaches families about the foundations for healthy living by using a variety of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education programs designed to educate and inspire.

Longform Norris Stephens of Good Medicine Farms at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market, where participants in Washtenaw County's Prescription for Health program can cash in "prescriptions" for fresh food.

Michigan health care providers find success with "prescriptions" for fresh produce and exercise

Health care providers across the state are administering innovative programs that prescribe doses of local fruits and vegetables and injections of exercise.

Feature Story AYA

Published Together: Nonprofits create a welcoming, positive space for our unhoused youth


Longform Elizabeth Koschmann, director of the University of Michigan's TRAILS program, which is offering free social-emotional learning training and curricula to Michigan schools.

Michigan is expanding mental health services in schools – and equipping teachers to implement them

A University of Michigan program is providing teachers much-needed support to implement social-emotional learning in the classroom.

Feature Story Yor Tardy is a superintendent with The Christman Group.

Alumnus comes full circle with construction of GRCC Lakeshore Campus

As project superintendent, alumnus York Tardy oversaw every aspect of the transformation of the former department store into the new GRCC Lakeshore Campus.

Development News Pure Michigan Business Connect

Virtual Pitch Competition seeks to grow Michigan’s outdoor recreation sector

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), The Right Place and the Department of Natural Resources’ Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to host a Virtual Pitch Competition for small outdoor recreation businesses in Lake, Mason, Newago and Oceana counties.