Stories

Feature Story Tom Sikkema is responsible for promoting Go MUVE’s tagging feature, which enables users to identify levels of accessibility within their community.

Transportation app redefines mobility for people with disabilities who don’t drive

The app comes on the heels of MUVE’s recent announcement of its partnership with the state of Michigan, with the launch of a new transportation ecosystem application redefining mobility for people of all abilities.

Feature Story Jaden Anderson works at Kenzie's Be Café in Grand Haven. His favorite jobs are passing out coffee and cleaning tables. His favorite drink is hot chocolate with whipped cream. 

Kenzie’s BE Café provides work opportunities for people with disabilities

Kenzie's Be Café is a nonprofit coffee shop in Grand Haven that provides meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Development News Aqume, pronounced /ack-me/, stems from the word "acme," which means the highest point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful.

Aqume Foundation wants to create philanthropy equity

Aqume Foundation, a systemic-level response to disparities in wealth and resources, focuses on economic justice.

Feature Story One of the most popular winter programs at Kent District Library is the Ready for Reindeer program.

Wintertime programming provides festive fun at KDL

Michigan’s winter can lead many to spend more time than ever indoors. The Kent District Library (KDL) provides a wide range of programming, special events and festive fun during the cold-weather months.

Feature Story Steelcase is making an impact on a global scale, helping better the world through furthering work on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and driving social innovation from its headquarters in West Michigan.

Design as an 'inescapable' part of life in West Michigan and where you can find it

The world of design involves hard and soft skills, hands-on creativity and abstract vision. Here's how design is defined by the individuals who are doing the work in West Michigan.

Feature Story The Disability Network Lakeshore staff

Disability Network Lakeshore celebrates 30th anniversary

As Disability Network Lakeshore marks its 30th anniversary, it credits its longevity to the commitment of volunteers and staffers who are dedicated to serving residents with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties. 

Feature Story Members of TAC cut a ribbon for The Vault's newly renovated kitchen.

Resilient Neighborhoods: East Side Teen Center opens new kitchen to promote cooking skills, wellness

A newly renovated kitchen will allow youth at local teen center to learn valuable life skills.

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Building buzz: Eastern Market Brewing Co. offers equity in record-breaking investment campaign

“The great thing about this is that it gives access to shares to investors that may not have the means to make larger investments,” says Dayne Bartscht, co-founder and managing partner of Eastern Market Brewing Co. “The minimum investment for us is $500, which is still a lot of money to a lot of people, but it gives an opportunity for someone who believes in us to make a smaller investment and hopefully we'll be able to repay that many times over.”

Longform Art teacher Steven Pryce teaches at Lincoln High School in Augusta Township.

State program helps Michigan schools handle students with extra care if they've experienced trauma

Since it was piloted in 2017, the state's Handle With Care program has helped schools provide compassionate care to thousands of children identified by law enforcement as having experienced a traumatic event.

Feature Story A Common Redpoll.

Birding programs have enthusiasts flocking to Ottawa County

Ottawa County caters to the growing base of bird watchers and enthusiasts with birding programs, a photo contest, scheduled bird walks and waterfowl field trips. Volunteers are needed for the Christmas bird count that runs from Dec. 14 to Jan. 4.

Feature Story Justine Bryant is an affiliate assistant professor of ASL at GRCC. (GRCC)

ASL interpreter sees a growing need in the field, helps develop a career pathway

According to the most recent study, by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, 733,356 Michiganders — about 7.4% of the state population — identify as deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. In West Michigan, 8% of residents identify as members of that community.  

Feature Story GRCC music student Tyler Zahnke (GRCC)

How Tyler Zahnke, a musician who is blind, is turning passion into a career

Grand Rapids singer Tyler Zahnke was one of 10 music students who are blind selected to attend the SongSight event with Scott MacIntyre, of “American Idol” fame.

Longform Lynn Hendges, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services manager of housing and homeless services.

New data management tool aims to help medically vulnerable Michiganders escape homelessness

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is developing a standardized, statewide indicator to track not only an individual's homelessness risk but also their medical fragility. 

Feature Story KDL

Collaborating to address community mental health education and support needs

In response to community needs, the Kent District Library (KDL) has partnered with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) to offer a free mental health series. This is in addition to their regular virtual resources and physical materials available for checkout to help with anxiety, depression, health and wellness.

Feature Story Artful House

West Michigan design leadership: Discover impressive opportunities

Three impressive West Michigan design leaders share their perspectives on the opportunities for design in our area. Tara McCrackin, Marjorie Simmons, and Frances Close are all inspired by innovation.

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East downtown Dearborn’s CulturAlley project will transform alleys from passthroughs to destinations

“I really appreciate that they're trying to address the Arab community here and its culture and really integrating the alley project with the museum,” says Diana Abouali, Director of the Arab American National Museum. “It’s cohesive and coherent with the building and what we do.”

Development News Mockup DeStigter Architecture

Community land trust to promote affordable home ownership and retention

Dwelling Place Community Land Trust is building new, affordable single-family homes in a five-acre vacant lot in the Garfield Park neighborhood.

Feature Story Marjri Weller (GRCC)

GRCC partners with state to connect students with resources

A new partnership between Grand Rapids Community College and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services can help connect students with outside resources to help them be successful.

Feature Story Pedals

PEDALS program helps teachers bring social and emotional learning to life in the classroom

"These are the skills that will carry them through life," says Jaletha Smith, a social-emotional coach at PEDALS. "They'll know how to handle and deal with certain challenges and traumas they might face. And if they have that social-emotional piece, the cognitive— that'll be easy for them to pick up. But you first have to have those skills to be able to sit down, listen, and follow directions to get to that."

Feature Story Raul Garcia, Homeowner Services Coach with Brittany Rabideau, a future Haven Townhome homeowner.

Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing for those with disabilities

Habitat for Humanity is building five townhomes in Holland that will be exclusively for those who have mental or physical disabilities.