Stories

Innovation News Code

Code Camp teaches app-building for a future in entrepreneurship


Feature Story  Tika Barnes

Program helps adult workers achieve living wage jobs and family stability

WMCAT, Mercy Health, and The SOURCE are partnering in WMCAT’s Workforce Development program to launch adults into careers that provide a living wage, opportunity for advancement, and the means to create a stable family environment.

Feature Story native plants

Back to Eden: Native plant advocates work to return Grand Rapids to its food forest roots

What did the landscape of Grand Rapids look like before the city existed? Local native plant advocates are working to answer this question through their conservation efforts.

Feature Story Members of the Refugee Development Center's support group for refugee girls in Lansing.

How can we address Michigan students' desperate need for behavioral health services?

One in five children is affected by mental illness, but getting students access to the mental health resources they need is a challenge.

Development News demo

Unexpected duo demolishes stereotypes with their handy-work

As West Michigan’s housing market continues its frenzy of home sales, sellers are anxious to make repairs and improvements that ensure they get top dollar. Handywoman, Kate Kaminski, and handyman, Darius Williams, are two locals doing the work.

The Diatribe uses poetry as a catalyst for social reform


Feature Story Becky Puckett-Wood

RapidChat: Becky Puckett-Wood on Inforum and the #MeToo Movement

This year, #MeToo founder, Tarana Burke, has been invited to speak at the annual Inforum Capstone dinner. For women and men alike, "Hearing Ms. Burke’s words with a group will be powerful and the table conversations will provide new perspectives," expresses VP of Corporate & Member Engagement at Inforum, Becky Puckett-Wood.  

Feature Story Bruce Retterath demonstrates use of a telepsychiatry system.

How telemedicine brings healthcare into vulnerable patients' homes

Programs that allow patients to confer with medical staff via phone or videoconferencing have the potential to create more equitable access to health care, but they're underutilized for a variety of reasons.

Feature Story Refugee

G-Sync: Refugee Education Center advances new Americans through solutions-based programs

For this month's conversation piece, we sit down with the Refugee Education Center's Executive Director Susan Kragt to garner a bit of insight into our region's vast and robust refugee population and how they are assisting in building meaningful solutions that enhance and grow our community for the better.

Development News DNgrpride.jpg

Grant dollars increase local LGBT older adults' access to care and resources

Grand Rapids Pride Center and Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan taking action for older LGBT adults via Michigan Health Endowment Fund grant. 

Innovation News INgram3

Museums for All: The duality between low-income and higher learning in art

The Grand Rapids Art Museum announces participation in the Museums for All initiative, allowing EBT cardholders to gain free entry into GRAM.

Feature Story MadisonandUmatilla

The state of Grand Rapids housing costs: A 10-year review

“The rent is too damn high” is a common sentiment here in Grand Rapids, where rapid growth has resulted in a higher cost of housing. Take a look at the last 10 years of changing and rising costs of housing in GR.

Feature Story water

UIX: If you live in West Michigan, these are the people keeping your most valuable resource alive

The river is crossed by hundreds of thousands of people every day, on their way to work, school, and just passing through town. Likely few of them are fighting for control of it, but then again, they may not realize its significance. Here are the stories of those who do.

Feature Story Melvin Thomas

Winning the right to be heard: Melvin Thomas poised to engage youth in urban classrooms

Davenport University’s Master of Urban Education trains teachers on the specific needs of the urban classroom. After eight years of counseling students, Melvin Thomas will attend the program to learn how to mentor youth in more profound ways.

Feature Story house

The 10 most interesting homes in Grand Rapids

For hundreds of years, Grand Rapids creators have built and maintained unique properties; whether home to influential people or a marvel of design themselves, these are 10 of the most interesting homes in Grand Rapids.

Development News museum

Museum School high school on exhibit

On August 15th, students, teachers, administrators, local officials, and community members celebrated the opening of the Grand Rapids Public Museum School high school, an XQ Super School, in the old Public Museum building, 54 Jefferson Ave. SE. with a ribbon cutting, tours and a street party.


Responsible Parent Program Center provides payers of child support with innovative support


Feature Story Rapid Chat

RapidChat: Patty McCormick on providing a home away from home at the RMHWM

As the medical and mental health facilities in Grand Rapids grow in reputation and in specialties offered, so does the need for lodging of patients and their families. "These families are facing unimaginable stress and it's our mission to provide them a “home-away-from-home” at no cost," stresses Patty McCormick, Development Director of Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.  

Feature Story list

Little Mussel, Big City: Area high school students, river restoration, and a sustainable future

In this Rapid Blog, local teacher David Koning explores Grand Rapids WhiteWater’s Little Mussel, Big City: Summer Science and Leadership program that connects high schoolers with the Grand River.

Feature Story mtpleasant

What's next for Mt. Pleasant? Stay connected with IMG's newest pub, 'Epicenter'

There are plenty of great things happening in Mt. Pleasant and its neighboring communities. We think it’s time people heard more about them.