Stories

Feature Story Oakdale Neighbors 1

Looking back at how Oakdale Neighbors have helped the community during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 quarantine, Oakdale Neighbors, a southeast community development organization, remained committed to serving its neighborhood, even finding new ways to stay connected with its community, despite a year of isolation.

Longform End-of-life doula Toula Saratsis holds a photo of her daughter Angelica, who died at age 7 of a rare genetic disorder.

Palliative care maximizes quality of life for Michiganders facing serious illness and death

Springing up across Michigan, palliative care programs aim to shift the way we think about death and serious illness.

Innovation News The Diatribe

The Diatribe launches the city’s first anti-racist art project led by youth, POC and LGBTQ+ artists

The Diatribe’s 49507 Project brings youth and community together to not just create anti-racist art, but to build a stronger community and change. 

Feature Story The Rapid 1

Leveraging community voices and a new perspective to further change within The Rapid

The Rapid recently welcomed new chief executive officer, Deb Prato, to the helm. As she begins her new role and gets acclimated to the community, The Rapid gathered community members, transit riders, and stakeholders to gain a better understanding of current strengths, gaps and local resources.

Development News IFF early childhood

Childcare options expanding in Grand Rapids southeast neighborhoods

IFF, the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) and Amplify GR  are collaborating to build a 12,000 square-foot childcare facility and support existing small/home daycares in the 49507.

Feature Story GRCC President Bill Pink

Education secretary salutes GRCC for outreach, student support during pandemic

Secretary Miguel Cardona invited Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink to join a recent call with national media. During the call, to discuss $36 billion in emergency U.S. Department of Education grants, Cardona highlighted GRCC’s outreach to and support for students impacted by the pandemic.  

Longform Nathaniel Bergman administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a homebound resident in her home.

Michigan agencies offer in-home COVID-19 vaccinations for homebound residents

More than 21,000 of the state's estimated 110,000 homebound residents have received their shots through a state initiative in partnership with local agencies.

Feature Story A stand member looks out across the neighborhood from the Porch of The Lemonade Stand of Muskegon.

Muskegon’s Lemonade Stand offers an oasis for those struggling with mental illness

For 20 years, The Lemonade Stand has provided a home, family, and support to those struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues in Muskegon. Like many nonprofit mental health programs across the country, The Stand continues to grapple with too little funding, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feature Story Bates Place 1

Bates Place — making things happen using gifts, talents and energy

Developing relationships in the neighborhood — helping people to connect with one another and becoming involved in making their community stronger — is the main goal of Bates Place. The community connectors of Bates Place that take the lead in making these interactions possible are living by purpose and gaining the trust of others. In building this trust, the connectors are also helping residents realize their talents and purpose in meaningful ways that benefit their neighborhood for the long term.

Feature Story Dave Koster is the general manager of the Holland BPW.

Lakeshore municipalities planning ways to make broadband accessible, affordable to all

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for reliable, affordable internet. Many Lakeshore communities are looking at ways they can provide the broadband infrastructure that’s essential to education and business.

Feature Story Casey Kornoelje

At Pharmhouse Wellness it’s all in the family (business) this Mother's Day

Stories of Michigan's cannabis dispensaries are often told via the info submitted to agencies from LARA to the MEDC, but at Pharmhouse Wellness, it's a family affair. 

Feature Story PleasantPark1

Pleasant Park: Living up to its name by bringing people together

Members of the South Hill Neighborhood Association are instrumental for the redevelopment of a parking lot into what is now Pleasant Park, which, when opened, was the only park in the state of Michigan that has been funded through an assessment by citizens in the area and not a city millage.

Feature Story Grand Rapids Community College is offering two sessions of Bridges to College — Raider Ready this summer to help graduating high school seniors get ready for college.

GRCC offers free summer program to prepare high school graduates for college

Grand Rapids Community College is offering two sessions of Bridges to College — Raider Ready this summer to help graduating high school seniors get ready for college. The free program is open to 2020 high school graduates or 2021 graduating seniors who plan to attend college in the fall. 

Development News Grand Rapids Red Project

Collaboration seeks to reduce opioid overdoses throughout Michigan

The Grand Rapids Red Project and NEXT Distro have collaborated to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths across Michigan through free online training and mail-order naloxone.

Feature Story The late sport journalist Sekou Smith was honored as GRCC’s Distinguished Alumnus for this year.

GRCC honors late sports journalist as Distinguished Alumnus

Grand Rapids Community College’s recent commencement ceremonies included a tribute to Sekou Smith, a sports journalist and community leader who died in January of COVID-19. The speaker, mentor, and friend to NBA stars was honored as GRCC’s Distinguished Alumnus for this year.

Special Report State of Health special report graphic

Special report: How COVID-19 changed Michigan's health care system for the better

Despite the tragedy, COVID-19 in Michigan is also a story of people rallying, innovating, protesting, and collaborating to meet needs for food, housing, medical care, education, and equity.

Feature Story Boston Square Neighborhood

CERA program helps residents overcome pandemic hardships and stay in place

The COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program is making federal relief funds available to tenants missing rent payments, as well as their landlords, due to pandemic-borne economic hardships.

Feature Story KDL

Exploring the Kent District Library 2021-2023 Strategic Plan

The Kent District Library has released its 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, outlining their purpose, vision, future goals, and core values as a community resource. The 2021-2023 business goals focus on three pillars: equity, diversity and inclusion, engagement and service, and sustainability.

Longform Dr. Patricia Deldin.

Program created by U-M professor adopts Weight Watchers model for mental health support

The Mood Lifters program brings adults together in peer-facilitated classes where they learn science-based strategies for improving their mental health.

Feature Story BostonSquareCommunityBikes1

Boston Square Community Bikes thrives through COVID-19

Boston Square Community Bikes offers a free DIY Bike workshop space alongside a low- to no-cost recycled bicycle shop. Funded by Oakdale Neighbors, the area community development organization, Boston Square Community Bikes has recognized the importance of bicycles as a vital means of transportation and has worked to foster the knowledge customers need to do important bicycle maintenance jobs themselves.