The full river greets park visitors at Ah-Nab-Awen Park.
The full river greets park visitors at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Adam Bird
Nature at Riverside Park brings solace and comfort in difficult times.
Nature at Riverside Park brings solace and comfort in difficult times. Tommy Allen
Circle Theatre holds auditions for the 2020 season
Circle Theatre holds auditions for the 2020 season Autumn Johnson-Pierce
Preparing for spring, Cynthia Carmona plants flowers at Eastern Floral.
Preparing for spring, Cynthia Carmona plants flowers at Eastern Floral. Adam Bird

Features

Longform pickerel-lake

'The Big Wild'A brief history of Michigan’s Pigeon River Country

By Patrick DunnWednesday, June 03, 2020
Creating and preserving Michigan's Pigeon River Country, known as "the Big Wild," has involved a long, sometimes contentious dance between conservation and the pressures of the outside world.
Feature Story Salvador and Jodi Munoz during a recent reunion in Mexico.

Coming home: Family navigates immigration during COVID-19 crisis

BY ANDREA GOODELLTuesday, June 02, 2020
After 12 years, Salvador Munoz was close to being reunited with his wife Jodi and their daughters, then came the COVID-19 crisis. The Holland family is working with Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates to get over the last hurdle. 
Feature Story Attorney Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout started nonprofit Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates.

Law is a tool to help for Holland immigration attorney and advocate

By Andrea GoodellMonday, June 01, 2020
Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout started Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates to make sure that those who don’t have a voice are heard. The Holland area nonprofit offers low- or no-cost immigration legal counsel.
Feature Story Connor DenBleyker with his new kitten, Elmer.

Cat adoptions are up during quarantine

BY BARUCH DE CARVALHO Sunday, May 31, 2020
The Harbor Humane Shelter has seen an increase in first-time adopters since stay-at-home orders went into effect, says Executive Director Jen Self-Aulgur.
Feature Story Riot

Dawn breaks after protest: Community cleanup provides unexpected opportunity for dialogue

Photo Essay by Bud Kibby, Editorial by Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorSunday, May 31, 2020
On Saturday, May 30, over 3000 people gathered downtown Grand Rapids to protest the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. What began as a peaceful event ended in violence and the destruction of dozens of properties downtown. Though officials are still working to determine the details of the escalation, hundreds gathered on Sunday to clean and repair damaged spaces in a much-need show of solidarity.
Feature Story scott-shelly-photo

Marketing agency continues giving back amid pandemic

By Scott Millen Saturday, May 30, 2020
Scott Millen shares how he and his wife, Shelly, are keeping the faith and their commitment to nonprofits even as their small business struggles during the global pandemic.  The good news is 2 Fish Company business was approved for a PPP loan and things are looking up. 
Feature Story Lorena

La Lucha Fund supports undocumented and mixed-status families with direct payments during COVID-19

By Michelle Jokisch PoloFriday, May 29, 2020
La Lucha Fund was created as a short-term emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is designed to provide financial resources directly to undocumented and mixed-status families in Kent County who are not eligible for unemployment, CARES Act relief, or other government support.
Partner Content The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids' Nutrition in Action program.

Nutrition in Action serves kids and adults an extra helping of health

By Estelle SlootmakerFriday, May 29, 2020
For the past 15 years, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids has brought its Nutrition in Action program to West Michigan schools and other organizations serving families and individuals with income challenges.
Feature Story beach-photos-567

Pandemic, erosion force restrictions at state, county parks

By Mike Lozon Friday, May 29, 2020
Photo essay illustrates how the potent combination of coronavirus guidelines and high-water levels will create a different experience at lakeside beaches from Holland to Grand Haven this summer.
Feature Story Birdhouse by Richard App

When a birdhouse becomes a work of art: Friends of GR Parks fundraiser supports local green spaces

By Adam Bird, Managing Photographer and Tommy Allen, PublisherThursday, May 28, 2020
The Friends of Grand Rapids Parks gave 10 local artists a small wooden birdhouse, and the challenge to transform it into a work of art for the home or the yard. Each of the birdhouses is being auctioned off by Friends on their website to raise money for the mission to empower people to support vibrant parks, trees, and green spaces in the Grand Rapids community.
Feature Story Joe Stowell

How Cornerstone University plans to return to campus this fall: Q&A with President Joe Stowell

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorThursday, May 28, 2020
Cornerstone University announced that it plans to resume all on-campus services this fall. President Joe Stowell explores the university's plans for "agile teaching," virtual support, social distancing in the dorms, and more.
Feature Story ready-for-school

Community foundation creates stabilization fund as next step in crisis response

By Shandra MartinezThursday, May 28, 2020
The Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) has created the Community Stabilization Fund to prioritize investment on financial stability, health, and education to prevent people from slipping into poverty.
Longform Arbor Circle therapist Marvin Mckenzie simulates a telehealth visit with a colleague.

Telehealth use surges in Michigan during pandemic, with "tremendous" benefits

By Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, May 27, 2020
Health care visits conducted by phone or videoconference had slowly started to catch on in Michigan in recent years, but now they're the safest way for health care providers to meet with their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feature Story waukazoo-market-photo

Pandemic spurs Visser Farms to find creative ways to offset losses, serve community

By Bev BerensWednesday, May 27, 2020
When Visser Farms of Zeeland lost half of their income overnight from the closure of Michigan dining establishments, the farm partners dug deep to find creative solutions to offset the loss of 40 restaurant accounts.
Feature Story downtown-holland-borrs

Leaders say Downtown Holland merchants ready, eager to reopen

By Shandra MartinezTuesday, May 26, 2020
Hospital and business leaders discuss how downtown merchants can begin partially reopening this week during a webinar hosted by the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce and Lakeshore Advantage.
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Growth & Innovation

All

Local training program prepares refugee childcare providers for economic resiliency, independence

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorTuesday, June 02, 2020

Custer focusing on workplace re-engagement

By Estelle Slootmaker, Interim Innovation News EditorMonday, June 01, 2020

Indigenous chef ISO kitchen: Camren Stott wants to share healthy meals with those in need

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorTuesday, May 26, 2020

Local coalition focused on substance use prevention keeps youth engaged with virtual experiences

By Kendra R. McNeil, Innovation News EditorFriday, May 15, 2020

Veteran bike mechanic has Common Bond with cyclists

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorWednesday, May 13, 2020

GVSU Charter Schools Office urges its educators to be innovative as distant learning begins in MI

By Kendra R. McNeil, Innovation News EditorThursday, April 23, 2020

Development

Indigenous chef ISO kitchen: Camren Stott wants to share healthy meals with those in need

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorTuesday, May 26, 2020

Veteran bike mechanic has Common Bond with cyclists

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorWednesday, May 13, 2020

The City of Grand Rapids’ Neighborhood Match Fund offers COVID-19 resiliency grantsSubmit ideas through April 19. Projects take place May 1 to August 31, 2020

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorFriday, April 17, 2020

Temporary Heartside health center offers COVID-19 care to those experiencing homelessness

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorWednesday, April 01, 2020

Literacy Center of West Michigan conference focused on kids under 5

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, March 19, 2020

The Rapid invites community feedback as it looks to the area's public transit future

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, March 12, 2020

Innovation

Local training program prepares refugee childcare providers for economic resiliency, independence

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorTuesday, June 02, 2020

Custer focusing on workplace re-engagement

By Estelle Slootmaker, Interim Innovation News EditorMonday, June 01, 2020

Local coalition focused on substance use prevention keeps youth engaged with virtual experiences

By Kendra R. McNeil, Innovation News EditorFriday, May 15, 2020

GVSU Charter Schools Office urges its educators to be innovative as distant learning begins in MI

By Kendra R. McNeil, Innovation News EditorThursday, April 23, 2020

Local seamstress trains dozens to sew face masks for medical professionals responding to coronavirus

By Kendra R. McNeil, Innovation News EditorThursday, April 02, 2020

Meaningful involvement: Local grassroot organizations collaborate around environmental justice

By Kendra R. McNeil, Innovation News EditorThursday, March 19, 2020
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