Featured Stories

In a world of uncertainty & struggle, advocates give voice to parents and students

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground Editor Thursday, March 23, 2017

As families in the southeast side of Grand Rapids face difficulty accessing housing, meeting basic needs, and even fears of potential deportation, community leaders in the schools are working hard to provide them with resources and support.

Non Profit, On The Ground

Southeast Community

En medio de la incertidumbre y dificultad, defensores le dan voz a estudiantes y padres

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The Ground Thursday, March 23, 2017

Mientras tanto las familias del sureste de Grand Rapids enfrentan dificultades para acceder a vivienda, obtener las necesidades basicas y aun mas, el temor a ser deportados, los lideres de las comunidades en las escuelas trabajan muy duramente para proveerles y apoyarles.

On the Ground Español

Southeast Community

Sí, se puede! Grand Rapidians march to support immigrants, farm workers in West Michigan

By Anna Gustafson, Managing Editor Thursday, March 23, 2017

Grand Rapidians took to the streets for the annual César E. Chávez Social Justice March, calling for the respect, dignity and protection of all immigrants and emphasizing the driving force that migrant and seasonal farm workers play in the economy of West Michigan and the country.

Agricultural Economy, Civil liberties, Community Engagement, Community Organizing, Cultural, Education, Government, Immigration, Michigan Nightlight, Public Education

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

UIX: Essential Needs Task Force is rethinking the way Kent County addresses poverty

By Matthew Russell Thursday, March 16, 2017

When families have to choose between paying utility bills and affording food, it's hard to find hope. For the many faced with that decision in Kent County, the Essential Needs Task Force is a crucially supportive resource.

Areas of Concern, Building Communities, Community Organizing, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit, Urban Innovation Exchange

Patty Eilers, resident of the Southeast community of Grand Rapids

Rising rents & displacement: The need for affordable housing in Grand Rapids

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground Editor Thursday, March 16, 2017

Residents in the city's' southeast neighborhood are facing displacement from communities they have long been a part of due to the increasing costs of housing. Here, residents, grassroots organizers, and city leaders are working together to find solutions to the housing crisis happening in Grand Rapids.

Community Engagement, Community Organizing, On The Ground

Southeast Community

Kernel of an idea grows into family popcorn business under Michigan Cottage Food Law

By Sue Stuever Battel Thursday, March 16, 2017

Gene and Patricia McFarland have built their gourmet popcorn business from a home kitchen operation to a successful storefront where they sell their handcrafted flavored popcorn.

Agricultural Economy, Business Development, Food, Small Business

How one environmentalist is leading the charge to clean up the polluted Muskegon Lake

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Growing up, Dennis Kirksey never wondered why Muskegon Lake was polluted. Now he chairs the organization that's working to clean it up. Here's how he got involved.

Building Communities, Environment, Greenspace

Muskegon

Aumento en la renta y desalojos: Una necesidad de viviendas accesibles en Grand Rapids

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The Ground Thursday, March 16, 2017

Los residentes del vecindario del sureste tienen que confrontar amenazas graves de desalojo de la comunidad que han sido parte por largo tiempo, como consecuencia a los costos altos en arriendos. Aqui, residentes, organizaciones de apoyo de la comunidad y lideres estan trabajando en conjunto para encontrar soluciones a la crisis de vivienda en Grand Rapids.

On the Ground Español

Southeast Community

From virtual reality to online libraries, how technology is revolutionizing education in GR

By Matthew Russell Thursday, March 16, 2017

As classrooms throughout West Michigan are teaching us, technology isn't just preparing our children for tomorrow. It's inspiring them to look at the world differently today, and Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Valley State University are connecting students with the technology that's reshaping our education field—and our whole world.

Education, High Tech, High Tech GR, Public Education, Talent & Tech, Technology

'This city needs to wake up': The fight for affordable housing in Grand Rapids

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground Editor Thursday, March 09, 2017

Herman Lee moved to Grand Rapids in search of new opportunities and a chance to start again. After being faced with challenging barriers to affordable and stable housing, Lee shares his journey of finding a place to belong in the southeast community.

On The Ground

Southeast Community, Southeast Community

'Esta ciudad necesita despertar': La lucha a favor de vivienda accesible en Grand Rapids

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The Ground Thursday, March 09, 2017

Herman Lee se traslado a Grand Rapids, en búsqueda de nuevas oportunidades y una posibilidad de volver a empezar. Confrontado por barreras desafiantes para obtener vivienda estable Lee cuenta su historia de como encontró un lugar de aceptación en la comunidad sureste de la ciudad.

On the Ground Español

Southeast Community - Español, Southeast Community

Eating around the world: A guide to Grand Rapids' global cuisine scene

By Rapid Growth staff Thursday, March 09, 2017

From Ethiopian and Korean to Turkish and Vietnamese restaurants, there are an almost endless number of culinary havens in and around Grand Rapids where you can explore the world, right in your own backyard.

Business Development, Cultural, Food, Restaurants, Small Business

Ada

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss at the State of the City

Racial equity here: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss calls for systemic change in Grand Rapids

By Anna Gustafson Thursday, March 09, 2017

Racial equity. Support for immigrants. A stronger local economy. Mayor Rosalynn Bliss addresses all of this, and more, during her second annual State of the City speech.

Building Communities, Business Development, Community Engagement, Community Organizing, Cultural, Education, Entrepreneurship, Government, Restaurants, Retail, Sense of Place, Small Business

From hip-hop to Islam to oils: How a Madison Square entrepreneur launched his one-of-a-kind business

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground Editor Thursday, March 02, 2017

After a conversion to Islam, Faheem Nichols began selling oils and scents from his minivan parked on the corner of Eastern and Sherman. Now, 20 years later, what began as Nichols' side business has become West Michigan's first oils and fragrance café.

Business Development, Community Engagement, On The Ground

Southeast Community, Madison Square

Del hip-hop al Islam a la venta de esencias: Como un emprendedor de Madison Square inicio su negocio

Michelle Jokisch Polo Editora de On The Ground Thursday, March 02, 2017

Después de haberse convertido al Islam, Faheem Nichols inició vendiendo aceites y fragancias desde una mini-van estacionada en la esquina de la Eastern y Sherman. Ahora, 20 años después, el negocio de Nichols se ha transformado en la venta número uno de aceites y esencias de West Michigan.

Business Development, On the Ground Español

Southeast Community - Español, Madison Square