Stories

Feature Story Sovenard1

Published together: We are not alone; a postcard from the dark side of the moon

Rick Muschiana founder and co-owner of The Søvengård, express solidarity for his fellow food, beverage, and hospitality entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 shutdown, exploring the impact on the now and his optimism for the future.

Longform Meals on Wheels driver Lamar Ellington gives Beverly Sullivan, 79, a meal delivery for her mom, Ellen Dennis, 97.

Here’s how Michigan helps elders stay where they want to be: at home

Three out of four people aged 50 and older want to remain at home. While it's the most cost-effective solution for elder care, it does still present some challenges. Here's how Michigan providers are addressing them.

Innovation News Seamstress

Local seamstress trains dozens to sew face masks for medical professionals responding to coronavirus

Seamstress and artisan Alison vanMelle teamed up with volunteers from GVSU's School of Engineering to sew face masks for medical professionals.

Feature Story katrina-finds-home

Emergency housing programs ‘saved my family,’ mom says

Katrina Karlsons feels fortunate that her family is able to follow Gov. Whitmer's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. After a January eviction, two nonprofits helped the family move out of homelessness.

Development News GL1

Temporary Heartside health center offers COVID-19 care to those experiencing homelessness

A homeless gentleman with a bright idea inspired Guiding Light to offer its 255 S. Division Avenue facility as a temporary coronavirus isolation center in collaboration with Kent County Health Department.


Feature Story Office

Bizness at (Home) Work: Ryan Anderson offers tips for easing the pain of working from home

Let's face it. If you're not used to it, working from home can be a real pain. If you lack a proper work environment, sometimes literally so. In this essay, Herman Miller VP of Digital Innovation Ryan Anderson offers useful tips for working from home during the COVID-19 crisis.

Feature Story Bread 1

Creatives at Home: Quarantine baking and why now is the perfect time to make sourdough bread

Kevin Buist, Artistic Director for ArtPrize, shares his method for surviving quarantine: baking bread. In this insightful essay, Buist shares his method — and purpose in the tradition of methodical baking. Buist joins a growing list of area creatives who are joining Rapid Growth with this fresh series, Creatives at Home (during COVID-19) from Publisher Tommy Allen. 

Feature Story brittany-michigan-works

Q&A: How Michigan Works is helping job seekers during COVID-19 crisis

Brittany Lenertz, the talent solutions director with West Michigan Works!, answers questions about how to find employment as Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe order has resulted in the temporary closure of many businesses.

Partner Content Kids participate in a Best Food Forward class at Pearl Lean Elementary in Warren.

Working together to improve food security in Warren

As a key part of Gleaners’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education work, funded with grants from Michigan Fitness Foundation, Gleaners works to address the long term systemic problem of hunger.

Feature Story Bridget

Published Together: Food distribution for kids during COVID-19

On an average day, 75,000 children across Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan Counties qualify for federally subsidized breakfast and lunch. Due to school shutdowns during the COVID-19 crisis, accessing daily food options became much more difficult. Kids' Food Basket President and CEO Bridget Clark Whitney explains the desperate need for food distribution during COVID-19 crisis.

Feature Story matthew

Mental health under COVID-19: The impact of social distancing & school closures on children, teens

Executive Director of Engaged Outreach Matthew D. Anderson explores the mental health impact of social distancing on children and teens in light of school closings and the Shelter in Place policy.

Feature Story Love In Action staff sort food donations.

Emergency grants help nonprofits get more food, services to those in need

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, nearly $120,000 in emergency grants were given to Ottawa County nonprofits in the last week to provide more food and services to those in need. 

Feature Story soup

Creatives at home: In uncertain times, freelancer Kathy Price turns to liquid gold

Freelance hair and makeup artist shares her sources of strength and comfort in times of uncertainty.

Feature Story Community Kitchen Assistant Rachel Nolan holds hot meals boxed and ready to go home with those who come to the soup kitchen daily.

Community Kitchen mission continues with boxed meal pickup

The COVID-19 crisis has forced The Community Kitchen to switch to boxed meals, but it hasn’t shut down the operation that feeds hundreds of people.

Feature Story KCHD

Kent County Health Department offers daily check-in videos on COVID-19

The Kent County Health Department wants us to know we're not alone. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the KCHD is putting out daily videos to update the public on the coronavirus situation in Kent County.

Feature Story Brian Schwartz

Published Together: The Three Legged Stool of economic growth and the effects of the current crisis

As a student of the markets and former adjunct professor of economics at Grand Valley State University, Brian Schwartz has been keeping a close eye on what’s happening in the financial markets. Here’s a simple Q&A explaining what’s happening here in Michigan and nationwide due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

Feature Story mike-goorhouse-box

Lakeshore nonprofits make it safe and easy to help from home

If you can pack a box, you can help. Community Action House’s #StayHomeFightHunger campaign is asking people to help those in need by donating a box of food. 

Feature Story am

Local health studios encourage community to connect, keep moving

Though all gyms and fitness studios were temporarily closed on March 16 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer amid the COVID-19 crisis, local studios are offering free resources to engage the community, lift spirits, and keep us moving.

Feature Story JenList

Published Together: The human-animal bond and social distancing

Social distancing is hard on us, and our pets. Jenn Gavin, CPDT-KA founder of A Pleasant Dog explores how pet lovers can weather the quarantine with useful strategies for interacting with our furry companions. "Published Together" is a new feature from Publisher Tommy Allen.

Feature Story Hain

Michigan Schools Face Host of Issues Associated with COVID-19 Shutdown

The closure of all K-12 school buildings, while a prudent step in fighting the spread of COVID-19, creates pressing issues for school administrators, staff, parents, and students. In this Rapid Blog, Varnum Law attorneys Charyn Hain and Ashleigh Draft break down the legal issues at stake.