Stories

Longform Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller, Corewell Health South Medical Group and Continued Care Vice President Melinda Gruber, and Region IV Area Agency on Aging CEO Christine Vanlandingham at the Berrien County Health Department.

Here's how a collaboration in Southwest Michigan helped older adults avoid hospitalization for COVID

Health care providers repackaged existing community services that enabled older adults to stay in their homes if they came down with COVID, or return home more quickly if they were hospitalized.

Feature Story Call line staff working in the team room at Summit Pointe’s First Step Urgent Care.

Community mental health agency call lines connect Michiganders with local crisis care

A call to a local community mental health crisis line can sometimes be more direct and offer services that may not be available when calling 988 or MiCAL.

Longform Tina Swanton, Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MiHIA) executive director of community impact and strategic partnerships, and MiHIA CEO Heidi Tracy at Hidden Harvest and East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw.

Despite agricultural hub, Michigan's Thumb has high food insecurity. Can collaboration change that?

The Michigan Health Improvement Alliance is taking a new approach to addressing food insecurity in the 14 heavily agricultural counties it serves in central and eastern Michigan.

In The News Enterprise Pocket Park in downtown Farmington.

Downtown Farmington announces plans for new universally accessible pocket park

“This project will breathe new life into an underutilized space by creating a pocket park with an inclusive and accessible design that the entire community can enjoy,” says MEDC Executive Vice President of Economic Development Incentives Michele Wildman.

Feature Story Helm Ad

Issue Media Group launches new publication ‘The Helm’’ serving Greater Sandusky Region

Issue Media Group is excited to announce the company’s latest online news platform – The Helm Sandusky. This publication will tell the stories of investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and individuals that are shaping the Greater Sandusky Ohio region.

Feature Story The iBill Talking Banknote Identifier, is a small, handheld device that quickly identifies the bill’s denomination.

Currency readers available for Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired

Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired can now apply to receive an audible currency reader at no cost through the Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library.

Feature Story Kay Walvoord is the CEO of the Holland Symphony Orchestra (Courtesy photo)

Holland Symphony President Kay Walvoord strikes a high note

The leader of one of Holland’s preeminent music institutions for more than 30 years, Kay Walvoord is described as a passionate visionary. She works to broaden HSO’s appeal among community members who did not grow up with classical music performances. That initiative to infuse diversity, equity and inclusion has resulted in more community collaborations. 

Feature Story Children share a holiday greeting in Sign Language during their photo with Signing Santa. (DHHS)

Signing Santa brings inclusive holiday cheer to kids with hearing loss

 For more than a decade, DHHS has hosted Signing Santa for children who are deaf and hard of hearing so they can more fully experience the holiday tradition.

Feature Story Robert Sheehan, executive director, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan

Here’s good news for Michiganders’ mental health: Community mental health delivers cutting-edge care

Michigan's community mental health agencies lead the nation in innovation, serve all 83 counties, and help Michiganders of all ages access the mental health supports they need.

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.

Feature Story X

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.