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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.
Innovation News Mark Eastburg

Pine Rest/Spectrum Health teletherapy options expand mental health care to more Michigan residents

By Estelle Slootmaker, interim Innovation News EditorThursday, October 10, 2019
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is partnering with Spectrum Health, via its Spectrum Health Now app, to expand mental health services to more people in need throughout the entire state via telephone sessions with licensed therapists.
Feature Story Juan Carlos Angulo

RapidChat: Juan Carlos Angulo on the process of petitioning permanent U.S. residence

By Jenna K. Morton, Rapid Chat EditorThursday, October 10, 2019
It’s been a long process since Juan Carlos Angulo first moved to Michigan from Mexico City. Three years later, Rapid Growth follows up with him on his demanding journey from work visa to U.S. residency.
Feature Story Alison Arnold gives a presentation on trauma-informed care to CMU's Association for the Education of Young Children.

Here's how educators are learning to empathetically foster resilience in children affected by trauma

By Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 10, 2019
Traumatic events are sadly common in childhood, but the practice of trauma-informed education is helping to better understand and support the children who experience them.
Feature Story home repair services

Predatory loans & the local economy: Nonprofits help borrowers mitigate risk & repair their finances

By Leandra NisbetThursday, October 10, 2019
For those with no, limited, or negative credit, having access to capital is increasingly challenging. As such, predatory loans have seen an uptick and are targeting segments of the population. Local organizations including North Kent Connect and Home Repair Services are working to assist community members improve their financial literacy and avoid predatory practices.
Feature Story middle market

Las organizaciones ayudan a los prestatarios reparar sus finanzas después los préstamos depredadores

Por Leandra NisbetThursday, October 10, 2019
Para aquellos sin crédito, limitado o negativo, tener acceso al capital es cada vez más difícil. Como tal, los préstamos predatorios dirigidos a ciertos segmentos de la población están aumentando. Las organizaciones locales, incluidos North Kent Connect y Home Repair Services, están trabajando para ayudar a los miembros de la comunidad a mejorar su educación financiera y evitar prácticas predatorias.
Feature Story Denavvia Mojet

G-Sync: The Black and Brown Cannabis Guild's Denavvia Mojet on GR's first Expungement Resource Fair

By Tommy Allen, PublisherThursday, October 10, 2019
On a rainy Saturday morning while many folks were warm and dry safely ensconced inside all over the city, a group of individuals, many of whom had traveled from all around the state, were standing outside in a line during this fall downpour waiting to get inside LINC UP’s gallery for the first Expungement Resource Fair.
Development News Organic parks

Kids, pets, and pollinators play it safe at Grand Rapids’ organic parks

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, September 26, 2019
Grand Rapids is implementing organic methods at Heartside, Highland, Ted Rasberry Field, and Kensington parks. In place of chemicals that cause cancer, asthma, and bee colony collapse, these parks will boast turfs grown with organically composted, aerated soils that create a healthy medium for grass to grow without synthetic chemicals.
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