While 2021 brought its challenges, community members and organizations continued to work together, support one another and share stories of resilience. Take a look back with us at some of the most impactful stories of 2021.

Women of Color Give awarded more than $40,000 to five local organizations that took part in the collective’s second annual Pitch Night in December. 

Treetops Collective brands itself as a cross-cultural movement helping to create a more welcoming Grand Rapids community for New Americans. Through leadership and cohort programming, mental health access, language services and more, the nonprofit connects women and their families with local resources and organizations.

New housing projects underway now and coming soon will help alleviate some of the housing shortage in West Michigan, HousingNext's Ryan Kilpatrick says. But still more is needed to slow ever-increasing housing prices.

Bank of America has selected the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a 2021 Neighborhood Champion, a recognition that includes both grant funding and executive leadership development. 

The state is looking back to examine how the 2014 introduction of the Healthy Michigan Plan has improved health for Michigan residents who otherwise could not afford health insurance.

The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s alumni relations team created a map of local craft breweries owned or operated by GRCC alums. The map provides a fun way to support fellow alumni by creating your own brewery tour.

To address the latest opioid overdose epidemic, local nonprofit The Grand Rapids Red Project has a new way to save lives in the community. In partnership with Wayne State University, the nonprofit installed a naloxone vending machine outside its office, which offers the lifesaving drug for free 24/7.