Stories

Longform Stethoscope and money

How can Michigan maintain care for 500k residents who gained Medicaid health insurance during COVID?

Over half a million Michiganders stand to lose their coverage again whenever the federal government revokes the public health emergency declared in January 2020.

Feature Story Rafael

Building momentum in careers and community: Latinx leadership program looks ahead

The LEADeres program has been developing Latinx leaders for the last decade. These leaders still rely on the lessons learned in their cohort. Now the program is expanding to meet the needs of returning students.

Feature Story Ava Devanney has used her Spanish skills when traveling to Latin American countries.

How my Spanish Immersion education is preparing me for the future

Eighth-grader Ava Devanney shares what’s like being in a Spanish Immersion program, and why she’s glad her parents put her on that track to be bilingual as a child. 

Development News Lotus Brew

Wellness collective, coffee shop a safe space for gathering, healing and building community

Northeast Grand Rapids small business collective includes LGBTQ-friendly coffee shop and library, yoga, reiki and massage businesses under one roof.

Feature Story Jonathan K. Cauchi leads a class through Disability Advocates of Kent County.

Your words matter: How to respect people with disabilities

Persons First Language is replacing ableist language that devalues people with disabilities by erroneously implying they are abnormal.

Feature Story Despite a labor shortage, people with disabilities are dramatically underemployed. (Disability:IN)

West Michigan employers leading the way in accessible workplaces

Despite a labor shortage, people with disabilities are dramatically underemployed. But there are employers leading the way in providing accessible accommodations so they can tap into this often-overlooked talent pool.   

Longform Dr. Sabrina Ford, an associate professor in the Michigan State University College of Medicine Institute for Health Policy, is leading a project to analyze and address the causes of disparity in ER follow-up care for Black patients.

Black ER patients are less likely to receive follow-up care, and this project is examining why

A new Michigan project is engaging community-based organizations to gather information on, and develop solutions to, disparities in ER follow-up care.

Feature Story Stephanie Deible is community is a inclusion specialist for Disability Network West Michigan.

Former Ms. Wheelchair America leader advocates for inclusion

The Heart of an Advocate: From Ms. Wheelchair America leader to inclusion specialist and ride-share organizer, Stephanie Deible is rolling to a bright future.

Longform Paula Nelson, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center president and CEO, with Jessica Horton, a former Sacred Heart client and now a Sacred Heart peer support coach.

Michigan’s recovery communities offer a "total ecosystem" of services for getting and staying sober

Recovery communities support a continuum of care by providing detox services, residential treatment, outpatient services, recovery supports, housing, and more.

Partner Content A father selects fresh-picked radishes at a local farm stand.

Creating sustainable, local food systems through food policy councils

This article is the second in a two-part series about food policy councils and how SNAP-Ed can help to inform that work. 

Feature Story lunch at the library

KDL’s summer feeding program helps to fill gaps in student nutrition

Children need food to help fuel their bodies and minds, but over weekends and during summer months, many students who receive free or reduced lunches suffer without proper nutrition. Kent District Library’s summer Lunch at the Library program offers youths ages 2-18 free nutritious meals.

Innovation News microsoft teams

GRow1000 returns for its third year to help shape careers of next generation

GRow1000 returns to employ young adults ages 15 to 24 in professional career opportunities and mentorship. One partner organization, Spectrum Health, explains how participants can benefit from this program.

Partner Content Families enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables at a local farm stand.

The intersection of communities, educators, and food policy councils for just, healthy food systems

A food policy council can influence, improve, or remove barriers in the food system that cause disparities, inequities, poor nutrition, or economic hardships. 

Feature Story banking program

Banking program provides accounts with little or no fees to underserved communities

In May 2022, Gov. Whitmer announced the Michigan Open Account Coalition, which seeks to connect unbanked or underbanked Michiganders with access to financial services.

Feature Story Sarah Sass

Muskegon professionals find success, happiness close to home

Why are professionals choosing to live in Muskegon? Lake Michigan beaches, bike trails, great restaurants, and an inclusive community, they say.

Feature Story The test kitchen highlights open spaces under the counter and sink for chairs or wheelchairs, lowered ovens, and cabinets with pull-down wire shelving.

Community, inclusion inspire new Home Accessibility Center to support those with disabilities

A new Home Accessibility Center will serve as a showroom to give contractors and families a place to learn how existing kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms can be renovated to ensure those with disabilities can continue living at home.

Development News more youth

New City Neighbors doing even more justice by youth

New City Neighbors' newly renovated farmhouse on one acre at 1115 Leonard St. NE in the Creston neighborhood offers space for additional youth programming and clubs, expansion of its community café and opportunity to grow more food. 

Feature Story Residents can purchase composting bags for $5 for one bag or $12 for three bags.

Ottawa County launches food composting program

Ottawa County’s new food composting program is the only local public health-led residential composting program of its kind in West Michigan.

Longform Dee Meux, a certified nursing assistant at Samaritas, wears Glass smart glasses.

Smart glasses help family caregivers connect to professional help for loved ones aging at home

Caring for an older relative despite having no formal caregiving training can be stressful, but a new pilot project in the Grand Rapids area is using smart glasses to help.