Stories

Partner Content Amy St. Germain, a nutrition educator at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, works as a Farmers Market Food Navigator at the Muskegon Farmers Market.

Food Navigators deliver healthy food to the people

While many farmers markets draw people to their location to buy local fresh fruits and vegetables, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids takes the farmers market to the people of Muskegon Heights. 

Longform A DIGs workshop on asemma, or tobacco.

Here's how the UP's Debweyendan Indigenous Gardens build health, community, and food sovereignty

The sprawling community gardens aim to celebrate and preserve the knowledge and cultural identity of tribal people living in and around the village of L’Anse.

Feature Story Sara Magnuson

KDL programming helps parents and caregivers create a strong foundation

When being a caregiver or parent, health is always an important topic. Kent District Library’s programming, focused on mental health, mom’s groups and early childhood reading programs, aims to foster a strong family foundation.

Innovation News Tolar Manufacturing

The City of GR purchases 35 bus shelters to support mobility and accessibility

In an effort to support mobility and accessibility, the City of Grand Rapids has purchased 35 bus shelters to be placed along The Rapid transit stops within city limits. The shelters provide light in poorly-lit areas in addition to creating a comfortable environment.

Feature Story GRCC Whitney Marsh with a trophy.

GRCC looking to share decades of awards with former student-athletes

The GRCC athletic department wants former student-athletes to have the awards they earned during their time in college. The trophies and awards date back to the 1960s.

Feature Story MSOH episode 1 art

PODCAST: How COVID-19 helped Michiganders reconnect to care

Welcome to the Michigan's State of Health podcast, where we'll be sitting down with Michigan health leaders to discuss the myriad ways that COVID has exposed our health system's flaws and resulted in positive change.

Longform Duane Breijak, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers' Michigan chapter.

Michigan agencies seek strategies to address child welfare worker shortage

Michigan's child welfare workers have served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the state is currently facing what one industry leader described as a "critical shortage" of child welfare workers.

Feature Story Communities First, Inc. hosted an informative workshop on Oct. 7 in Flint to prepare public input on the redistricting process and maps in their community.

Michigan nonprofits are asking their communities to comment on maps for state redistricting process

We voted for this process so now we need to participate in this process,” says Norman Clement, founder of the Detroit Change Initiative, a member of the MNA coalition of nonprofits. As the public hearings near, read how Michigan nonprofits are helping their communities do just that.

Development News Oak Hill Cemetery

Oak Hill Cemetery is area’s first arboretum: “There are some giants in that cemetery.”

The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and Morton Arboretum have designated Grand Rapids’ Oak Hill Cemetery as West Michigan’s first accredited arboretum.

Feature Story Public Thread "upcycles" scrap fabric to create new products. Industrial sewing skills are in demand for a variety of West Michigan industries.

GRCC launches industrial sewing certificate program

GRCC partners with innovative textile ‘upcycling’ manufacturer Public Thread to start an industrial sewing program. Students can earn an industrial sewing certificate program while gaining in-demand skills. 

Longform Medstar Mobile Health Paramedic Nicole Plauman demonstrates an in-home monoclonal antibody IV therapy setup.

More paramedics give proactive, non-emergency care as community paramedicine grows in Michigan

People usually associate paramedics with emergencies, CPR, and high-speed ambulance trips to the closest hospital with sirens shrieking. But that image is shifting. 

Partner Content Produce at a Michigan Farm to Family: CSA pickup at Lakeshore Depot in Marquette.

In the Upper Peninsula, finding an affordable CSA is a SNAP

In Marquette and Alger counties, the Michigan Farm to Family: CSA program connects families experiencing food insecurity with heavily discounted weekly CSA produce boxes.

Feature Story Thrive Outside Gear Library

Thrive Outside GR and city provide green-deficient neighborhoods with gear for outdoor activities

In an effort to increase outdoor engagement and provide equitable access to outdoor activities in green-deficient neighborhoods, the city of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department launched the Thrive Outside Gear Library. 

Feature Story Impact Fab in Holland is Implementing Industry 4.0 technologies.

Industry 4.0 campaign launched to support West Michigan manufacturers

Lakeshore Advantage received $92,787 in state grant funding to increase manufacturers’ Industry 4.0 technology adoption readiness. Close collaboration with regional economic development partners allows for the initiative to be extended to Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon, and Kent counties’ employers. 

Innovation News The Kitchen

Mel Trotter Ministries launches virtual kitchen to support its mission

This past year, Mel Trotter Ministries launched The Kitchen @ 40 Cherry, a social enterprise with the goal of generating enough income to support the 300-600 daily meals served to those in need.

Feature Story Patrick Cisler, executive director of Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance in Holland, joined forces with Zeeland-based Leading By Design to establish LEAD 24/7 for nonprofits.

Leadership training program launched for nonprofit executives

The nonprofit LEAD 24/7 is a 12-month immersive management program designed for executives of nonprofits to develop their leadership skillsets and abilities.

Feature Story seeds of promise vaccination

Seeds of Promise offers gift card incentive to increase vaccination rates

To improve vaccination rates, Seeds of Promise and Kent County Health Department team up to offer $50 gift cards to the first 20 participants who choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Feature Story From left to right: APIA president Willie Dechavez, Commissioner Anthony Eid, Commissioner Richard Weiss, Commissioner M.C. Rothhorn, Commissioner Rebecca Szetela, Rebeka Islam, APIA Vice President Leinda Schleicher

How underrepresented communities have a chance to overcome gerrymandering

“We are concerned with populations that have been historically underrepresented and have, traditionally, not been brought into these kinds of processes,” says Joan Gustafson, external affairs officer for MNA. Read about how the MNA is changing the ways in which we draw our political maps, one community of interest at a time.

Feature Story Patrick Coleman is GRCC’s new veteran’s success coordinator.

GRCC's new Veterans Center helping students transition from the military to college

Patrick Coleman will lead the Veterans Center, which will serve as a single point of contact, connecting veterans with campus resources, including financial aid, advising, and disability support. 

Development News Disability Advocates Showroom

The Home Accessibility Center will help people with disabilities imagine possibilities

The Home Accessibility Center will serve as a hands-on test space where people living with disabilities can explore adaptive possibilities.