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Feature Story podcast

UIX: From spooky tales to starving artists, these local podcasters are making noise

By Matthew Russell, UIX EditorThursday, November 14, 2019
Whether you are interested in the unexplained things that go bump in the night, or interviews with the funniest people in West Michigan, a number of locally produced podcasts have the subjects covered. Here are a few you should be listening to.
Feature Story Community Rebuilders

Community Rebuilders solidifies strategies to fight homelessness with last year's $5 million grant

By Paul R. KopenkoskeyMonday, November 11, 2019
A Grand Rapids-based nonprofit is working to fundamentally make homelessness brief and rare — for veterans and anyone else experiencing housing insecurity. A $5 million grant it received last year from the founder of Amazon has boosted that worthy goal.
Development News ivy

KCAD and Ivy Tech collaborate to provide more students opportunities

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, November 7, 2019
Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) and the Indiana-based Ivy Tech Community College system have signed an agreement that allows Ivy Tech environmental design students to complete their bachelor of fine arts degrees at KCAD.
Innovation News Kara Hoholik

Educated Style: Impact entrepreneur helps socially conscious consumers build an ethical wardrobe

By Kendra McNeilThursday, November 7, 2019
Locally, social impact entrepreneurs are on a mission to bring awareness to the sustainable fashion movement and help others align their values with their personal style. Educated Style, founded by Kara Hoholik, is a platform designed to help others discover alignment between their values, personality, and style.
Feature Story Hilary Miller

Secret Suppers, personal chefs, and vegan hot spots: GR’s nontraditional dining takes form

By Sarah SpohnThursday, November 7, 2019
GR's local dining scene is embracing food pop-ups, intentional dining in nontraditional settings, and monthly dinner series inviting people to enjoy meals far from the normal restaurant place setting.
Feature Story Michigan Department of Education partnership agreement liaison Lisa Francisco; Battle Creek Public Schools superintendent Kim Carter; and Battle Creek Community Foundation president and CEO Brenda Hunt at a Bearcat Meeting.

Battle Creek meetings bring schools, health providers, law enforcement together to help kids thrive

By Estelle SlootmakerThursday, November 7, 2019
Numerous Battle Creek-area organizations convene monthly with the shared goal of helping improve kids’ academic performance and their physical and mental health. 
Feature Story Stefan Shwartz

RapidChat: Stefan Schwartz on GR's growing music scene

By Jenna K. Morton, Rapid Chat EditorThursday, November 7, 2019
As a volunteer for WYCE radio, freelance writer for Local Spins, former tour manager, and frontman for GR's premier funk band — Melophobix — it's safe to say that Stefan Schwartz has an extensive resume when it comes to his experience within the GR music scene.
Feature Story GROW group

Building connections and communities: The first 30 years at GROW and hopes for what’s next

By Leandra NisbetThursday, October 31, 2019
Officially launched in 1989, Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women, better known as GROW, has impacted the lives of business owners, volunteers, staff, and community members over the past 30 years. Three individuals share their stories of how GROW has affected their lives and what they hope to see from the organization as it moves forward.
Longform Kathy McNinch with a child at the Kalamazoo Drop-In Child Care Center.

Lack of child care can be a barrier to Michigan parents' health care. Here's how we can do better.

By Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 24, 2019
Child care costs add yet another item to the list of major hardships for Michigan’s vulnerable families. But expansion and integration of childcare services – and state policy changes – could make a difference.
Development News Tools of the trade.

Who you gonna call? Dauntless Paranormal Investigations

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, October 24, 2019
A Wyoming nonprofit, Dauntless Paranormal Investigations checks out reports of spirit activity using high-tech electronic equipment.
Innovation News Leslie Fiorenzo

Brain science and business coaching: Leslie Fiorenzo helps professionals make (neural) connections

By Estelle Slootmaker, Interim Innovation News EditorThursday, October 24, 2019

Professional coach Leslie Fiorenzo works with human resources departments, applying brain science to help employees overcome fight-or-flight responses to boost productivity and create personal success.

Feature Story Mayor Kimberly Simms

Insights on the City of Friendly People: A candid conversation with Mayor Sims

By Leandra NisbetThursday, October 24, 2019
The City of Friendly People was once a bustling manufacturing community. Now home to hundreds of various types of businesses, it is undergoing a positive transformation. Lifelong resident, business owner, and Mayor Kimberley D. Sims shares her optimism about the vast potential within her community. 
Feature Story Mayor Kimberly Simms

Percepciones de una ciudad de gente amigable: una conversación sincera con la alcalde Sims

Por Leandra NisbetThursday, October 24, 2019
Esta “Ciudad de la Gente Amigable” fue una vez una bulliciosa comunidad manufacturera. Ahora es el hogar de cientos de diversos tipos de negocios, y está experimentando una transformación positiva. Residente de toda la vida, propietaria de un negocio y Alcalde Kimberley D. Sims, comparte su optimismo sobre el vasto potencial dentro de su comunidad.
Feature Story Paul Marantette

RapidChat: Paul Marantette on the role of the realtor in GR's competitive housing market

By Jenna K. Morton, Rapid Chat EditorThursday, October 24, 2019
After spending 20 years within hospitality industry, Paul Marantette dove head first into real estate back in 2017. "Buying or selling a home is a very emotional time for people. There can be a lot of unforeseen situations that require patience, listening, and quick-thinking problem resolution," says Marantette. "I feel my years in the other “industry” primed me for dealing with these situations calmly and effectively."  
Development News Jimmy Smith

Big names Do More Good at national nonprofit branding conference

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, October 17, 2019
Five world-renowned professionals with nonprofit branding expertise wowed representatives from roughly 150 nonprofits attending the Do More Good Conference on Grand Rapids’ west side on October 10.
Innovation News springgr3

SpringGR open house celebrated expansion and its innovative services for area entrepreneurs

By Estelle Slootmaker, Interim Innovation News EditorThursday, October 17, 2019
An October 9 open house event celebrated SpringGR’s expansion into a permanent space at the westside Goei Center.
Feature Story Citizen Labs

UIX: Citizen Labs’ volunteer data scientists are making a difference with maps

By Matthew Russell, UIX EditorThursday, October 17, 2019

If a picture is worth a thousand words, Citizen Labs' work is a photo album, one that's connecting open-sourced data points from regional nonprofits and government to informative and interactive web-based dashboards, and keeping residents throughout the state informed of the actions their government is taking.

Feature Story WRC-9783

Mass incarceration and women: How two Grand Rapids programs help those returning overcome barriers

By Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 17, 2019
Mass incarceration is an epidemic eating away at our communities, and women face unique barriers when reentering society. Meet two nonprofits working to support these women with employment, housing, childcare, and one-on-one mentorship.
Feature Story Central District Cyclery

The Grand Rapids neighborhood using public murals as a catalyst for community art conversations

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorThursday, October 17, 2019
In the Creston neighborhood, local artists have taken on art accessibility as their personal mission in the form of colorful, expansive outdoor murals, hoping to beautify their outdoor spaces while inviting neighbors and visitors into a moment of artistic exploration.
Development News ambiance gr

Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge to put unique spin on dining and entertainment

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, October 10, 2019
Opening in November, Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge will serve American food infused with Cajun and creole options, pour fine wines and spirits, and host live music within its Ledyard Building location on the corner of Ottawa Avenue and Pearl Street.
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