Stories

Feature Story Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen welcomes students at Lee High School to Voices of Youth.

Voices of Youth: Listening to the issues facing Grand Rapids teens in 2024

Through Voices of Youth, Kent County teens explore modern issues, from bullying to the pandemic, that affect them through Rapid Growth's journalism workshops.

Feature Story Voices of Youth participant Teresa Blackwood

Voices of Youth: Are schools doing enough to address bullying?

A 2019 survey taken of high school students in Michigan showed that over 20% of get bullied. “Matt's Law,” which became law in 2011 and has been updated since then, requires schools to have a bullying policy in place and to report bullying incidents.   

Feature Story Children enjoy a fresh and nutritious meal with local produce, inspired by culinary professionals.

How 10 Cents a Meal brings healthy food to more Michigan kids

The Michigan program supplements the food service programs’ budgets for fresh produce, encouraging a greater menu variety and healthier eating habits for kids statewide. 

Feature Story STC-Group

Tech Council marks decade of growth for West Michigan's tech sector

A decade after its creation, the Tech Council boasts over 70 members and a vision to make Greater Grand Rapids a major tech hub in the Midwest. 

Feature Story Rebecca-Keller-Small

KDL’s wide offerings include understanding AI, career development, and fun

Kent District Library’s event offerings help patrons navigate the evolving digital landscape. There’s some free resources from streaming services to free classes. 

Partner Content OUCARES day camps create a space where autistic kids don’t feel judged, gain some independence from parents, and interact with peers.

Summertime is “a time of possibilities” and challenges for autistic kids and adults

Summer break creates opportunities for fun and family adventures along with the challenges of changing routines.

Longform Molly Brouwer, infant and family specialist; Bethany Vukusic, Maternal Infant Health Program team su

How public health cares for Michigan's infants and new parents

Michigan’s state and local public health systems make great efforts to ensure that expectant mothers and infants get the best start possible.

Longform The Inclusive Health Care Taskforce hosted an information and resource fair on June 13.

Michigan coalition works to address health disparities for older adults

A broad coalition of Michigan organizations has come together to address health disparities that affect Michigan's rapidly growing population of older adults.

Longform Micah 6 is repurposing Webster Elementary, vacant since 2008, into a multi-purpose community center.

Repurposing community assets strengthens communities in Pontiac and Detroit

Michigan communities are repurposing spaces to bring services, create meeting places, and meet the many needs of neighborhood residents.

Feature Story According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who participate in extracurricular activities are 20% more likely to earn a bachelor's degree or higher compared to their non-participating peers.

Voices of Youth: How Kent County students can grow outside the classroom

Research has shown that extracurricular activities are crucial in a scholar's development.

Feature Story Devin DuMond KCAD, Assistant Professor, Digital Art & Design | Illustration Program

KCAD educator and artist Devin DuMond paints path for public art

Devin DuMond's dual roles as an artist and educator underscore their commitment to nurturing talent while leaving a lasting impact on the community through public art.

Feature Story After surviving a diagnosis of stage 2 triple-positive cancer, Regina Hill became an advocate for mental health awareness for those with cancer diagnoses and for all.

Regina Hill: Cancer survivor, advocate for mental health awareness

In late 2020, Regina Hill found a lump in her breast. She has used her health experience to advocate for mental health awareness.

Feature Story Ken Miguel-Cipriano works at WMCAT but used to be with Mobile Gr at City Hall. He is also an advocate for bike-friendly cities.

The Rapid’s Transit Master Plan: What riders think

Here’s what riders had to say about The Rapid’s Transit Master Plan during two open houses earlier this month.  

Feature Story Cait West, author and co-host of the podcast "Survivors Discuss."

GR author talks about memoir on surviving Christian patriarchy movement

Cait West, co-host of the “Survivors Discuss” podcast, talks about experiences detailed in her memoir,Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy.”

Longform small-vac

Addressing cultural, language barriers that hinder health equity

Many people from refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities experience significant logistical barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. That’s where Disability Rights Michigan has stepped in to increase access

Longform Small-Kristen

La recopilación de datos está desempeñando un papel clave en el avance de la equidad en la salud

Un nuevo impulso en la recopilación de datos sobre la atención médica de las personas con discapacidad está poniendo de relieve una disparidad en la equidad de la atención de la salud que a menudo pasa desapercibida para la comunidad médica.

Longform Region I Regional Housing Partnership list

Regional Housing Partnerships addressing need for affordable housing

As part of the Region I Regional Housing Partnership, the Capital Area Housing Partnership and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission are tasked with developing local action plans to address the housing crisis. City and state government, neighborhood developers including Forsberg Real Estate, and area nonprofits are working together to address homelessness in greater Lansing and to attract residents to Eaton Rapids. 

Longform Washtenaw County CMH reception

Connecting to mental health services is as simple as picking up a phone

For Michiganders who are looking for answers on mental health care or are having a mental health crisis, help is only a phone call away.

Feature Story Solange Sifa researched the Pink Tax in Michigan.

How Michigan addressed period poverty by getting rid of the Tampon Tax

High school student Solange Sifa explores Michigan’s response so far to period poverty. In 2021, Gov. Whitmer signed legislation to remove tax from menstrual products.

Feature Story Bilal Al-Raed received the Delta Project's At Potential Award.

‘I finally felt free’: How a teen found his potential after years in incarceration

At 19, Bilal Al-Raed has lived a life that defies the odds and inspires hope in others. The winner of the Delta Project’s At Potential award talks about his journey.