Stories

Longform Judy Stelling, GetSetUp's director of guide programming, first got involved with the program by taking classes herself.

New platform offers free, live online classes to reduce loneliness for Michigan's older adults

A variety of interactive sessions are now available to older adults through the San Francisco-based company GetSetUp. 

Do Good BAMM

Summit brings LGBTQIA+ youth together to create a more tolerant tomorrow

On Saturday, March 12, the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH) hosts a statewide virtual conference, Building a Movement for Michigan (BAMM) Pride Summit that will unite LGBTQIA+ middle and high school youth from the Greater Grand Rapids area and across the state to learn, find support, and feel affirmation that they may not experience in their daily lives.

Innovation News Ana Ramirez-Saenz

La Fuente Consulting grows brand with a new comprehensive language services company

Founder and CEO of La Fuente Consulting, Ana Ramirez-Saenz, launches a new company, La Fuente Communications, providing comprehensive language and interpretations services. 

Feature Story Credits earned at GRCC during the summer are easily transferred to students’ “home” colleges and universities throughout the state. 

More university students taking community college summer classes to save money

A growing number of university students are saving money as Grand Rapids Community College guest students. Credits earned at GRCC during the summer are easily transferred to students’ “home” colleges and universities throughout the state. 

Feature Story Author Luke Ferris works from home.

What will working from home — or work — look like beyond the pandemic?

Having employees work from home has affected the culture of a lot of small and midsized businesses. As COVID-19 numbers decline and vaccines become more readily available, leaders are considering the future of in-person, off-site, and hybrid work.

Longform Terry Dangerfield, superintendent of Lincoln Park Public Schools, talks with Nicole Chubb, the district's executive director of special education. The district received funding from Michigan's Education Equity Fund.

CARES Act dollars support Michigan children's mental health through state's Education Equity Fund

328 Michigan public school districts and charter schools have received dollars from the new state fund to support students' mental health and bridge the digital divide.

Feature Story Laura Bergells

Published Together: 7 Tiny Tips That Can Make a Big Difference for Remote Workers

Working from home since 1999, Laura Bergells of Maniactive shares her tips for working from home. 

Development News Robert Cloy

“Shade is an equity issue": How JEDI guides Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

Non-profit organization, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks plans its work to address JEDI, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, in light of historical inequities that guided development of parks as public spaces in the past.

Feature Story Vice President for Enrollment at Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley Pledge will help first-generation students pay for college in Calhoun County and beyond

Navigating college can be a challenge for first-generation college students. A tuition-free opportunity will help those who choose Grand Valley State University.

Feature Story “One-third of everything we eat depends on pollination,” says Don Lam, of the Holland Area Beekeepers Association (HABA). “Imagine losing one bite out of every three.”

From school programs to clubs, the growing efforts to save honeybees

Students at one Lakeshore high school will be studying the insects up close, thanks to a federal grant that will put cameras in hives.

Longform A person uses the DayTwo Precision Nutrition app.

Saginaw health workers among first to try new tech that creates personalized diets for diabetics

Over the past year at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, employees living with Type 2 diabetes have participated in a pilot program that develops personalized diets for them based on the unique population of microbes found in their digestive systems.

Feature Story Hope Network

Affordable resources for non-emergency medical transportation needs throughout Kent County

For both seniors and community members at large, having affordable, convenient access to medical services and other resources is essential. There are several community programs and resources to assist individuals age 60 and over with non-emergency medical transportation.

Feature Story GRCC is testing basketball players weekly for COVID-19 through a partnership with Ferris State.

GRCC-Ferris collaboration keeps student-athletes safe with COVID-19 testing

GRCC basketball players, coaches, and training staff receive weekly COVID-19 antigen tests through a partnership with the Ferris College of Pharmacy. Testing is expected to continue through the end of the season.   

Longform Camren Stott.

For Michigan’s Indigenous residents, decolonized food is medicine that decreases health disparities

Educators across Michigan are working to improve the health of the state's Indigenous people by reconnecting them to the foods and agricultural practices that are their pre-colonial heritage.

Feature Story Leslie Griswold 2

Vaccination effort spurs massive collaboration between Kent County and local health care providers

The Kent County Health Department and local health care providers are collaborating on what may be the biggest inter-organizational vaccination effort in Michigan’s history.

Do Good Mural by Nick Nortier

Well-known DAAC and Skelletones set to reopen giving young artists and musicians a place to innovate

In the early 2000’s, the DAAC and Skelletones were two of the city’s popular all-ages venues for young musicians to innovate and find community. Now, they’re reopening with the same mission. 

Feature Story Robby Fischer 1

Attracted to GR's collaborative music history, Dogtown Studio builds up our artists' community

Publisher Tommy Allen sits down with Dogtown Studio’s Co-Founder Robby Fischer (both wearing N95 masks) to learn firsthand how this Westside studio is helping our area musicians connect more fully to their audience. 

Feature Story Mission Read

Community collaborations encourage literacy with early-stage reading and library programs

The Literacy Center of West Michigan’s Community Literacy Initiative aims to empower parents, caregivers and leaders with accessible tools and resources to improve literacy for all ages across the area. Partnering with local organizations, area schools, and district libraries, the Community Literacy Initiative develops and implements goals and strategies to improve literacy utilizing inclusive methods.

Feature Story Rob McCarty 1

Providing equitable access to the Black community during COVID-19

As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out, Ada firefighter, Rob McCarty, sheds a light upon the historical mistrust the Black community has faced within the health care system.

Feature Story Plans are in full swing to have the former JCPenney store in The Shops at Westshore mall in Holland Township renovated in time for fall 2021 classes.

GRCC eyes fall opening for Lakeshore campus

Bringing a community college to Ottawa County expands options for students, educators say. GRCC’s location along commercially rich U.S. 31 is also a plus.