Stories

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Michigan's pantries and small farms sow seeds of health equity

Designed to help feed people in times of need, the community food pantry has instead contributed to illness. Now, some Michigan organizations are reworking the charitable food model to provide access to healthful farm-grown foods instead.

Development News DN bicycle

Grand Rapids initiatives seek to keep cyclists safe

As Michigan’s first municipality to implement Vision Zero strategies, the City of Grand Rapids saw bicycle crashes involving motorists drop to a 10-year low and vehicle-pedestrian collisions drop to a three-year low.

Innovation News Frey Foundation

The $150k Frey Foundation grant addresses the grey area of poverty


Feature Story Covenant House

Nonprofit works to stem trafficking of homeless youth with stable residency program

With its new $3.5 million Grand Rapids location, nonprofit Covenant House will provide “no barrier” access to education, healthcare, transportation, employment, and safe permanent housing for area youth.

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Connecting customers with local farm fresh food is the job of the Michigan food hub

In Michigan, food hubs increase consumer access to fresh produce, and help farmers build a sustainable business model. While they all have similar goals, no two food hubs are alike. We found out why.


Feature Story Relocation

Is it jobs or the lakeshore driving professionals to GR? Recent relocatees share their stories

With low unemployment and an increasing number of jobs, Grand Rapids has a lot to offer relocating professionals. RG explores why professionals from across the country are making the move.

Feature Story UIX Culture

UIX: Finding work in West Michigan with new tools and guidance

New technology offered by private and non-profit organizations in West Michigan is guiding job seekers to their career goals, helping returning citizens get back into the workforce, and even helping new Americans thrive in their communities.

Feature Story JBZ Neighborhood

Neighborhoods of GR: John Ball Park in photos

The John Ball Park neighborhood is one of the more unusual neighborhoods in GR because almost half is comprised of green spaces. Explore the neighborhood in this photo essay by Adam Bird.

Development News gettinfresh

Gettin' Fresh Events gets more bang for the truck

Gettin' Fresh Events on 2844 Eastern Ave SW accommodates up to 50 guests in a remodeled space that's great for entrepreneurs, artists, pop-up shops, photographers, parties, small concerts, and classes.  

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RapidChat: Wendy Sellers discusses the upcoming federal budget's effect on sex education

Should the proposed federal budget pass this month, the Michigan Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), which helps reduce at risk behaviors that result without sex education, wouldn't receive any additional funding. Rapid Chat sits down with Sellers, President of Health 4 Hire, to discuss this vital issue.

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Mobile markets deliver healthy food and build community

By rethinking typical ways of accessing food, communities are bridging the gap between the farm and the plate. Learn how mobile markets can positively impact health while building connections between neighbors.

Feature Story William Butler is prepared to get his blood drawn at HUDA by his nurse, Val Gamble. Butler has been coming to HUDA for his health care needs since he lost his health insurance four years ago.

How once-vacant sites are becoming hubs for health equity in Michigan

Marginalized Michigan residents are finding health services in easily accessible neighborhood locations, and formerly defunct buildings are becoming bright spots on their blocks.

Feature Story Good parenting requires self care.

Self-care is key for parents coping with mental illness

Parenting can bring the best of times and the worst of times. Self-care can be the key to parenting success, especially for parents experiencing mental health issues.

Development News Faces of Grandville Avenue - Photography Project

Neighborhood Match Fund seeks applications “Don’t be afraid to submit your idea.”

From December 1 to 31, Grand Rapids residents and community-based organizations can apply for City of Grand Rapids Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) monies to finance neighborhood projects taking place from February 1 through April 30, 2019.


Innovation News revolution

Revolution Farms challenges traditional agriculture methods with aquaponics farming


Feature Story Good Food

Food access surveys inform next steps in Battle Creek and across Michigan

Food access data gathered in three Michigan urban communities will help local food organizations increase fresh food availability through innovation.

Feature Story Bridgett Tubbs

RapidChat: Bridgett Tubbs on quality child care and early education

Twenty years ago, Bridgett Tubbs and her late husband Doug opened up their first AppleTree child care center in Grand Rapids, MI. With the vision to set themselves apart and raise the bar for quality childcare and early education, AppleTree has been able to spread their apple seeds across Michigan with 26 total locations, and several others in the works.

Feature Story truck list

What we've been eating in Grand Rapids: A year of the local food scene

With the opening of new restaurants, food trucks, and exciting new culinary ventures, 2018 has been quite a year of food for Grand Rapids. Check out our coverage of the local food scene this past year.

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G-Sync: Co-Housing is Personal and Community-Building

Rapid Growth's former editor, Anna Gustafson, reported on this local matter with her piece, "The search for affordable housing in Grand Rapids: How housing co-ops are making a difference" in 2016. This month, publisher Tommy Allen sits down with a community member who has been living in one of the city's longest-running co-housing residences for nearly 18 years.

Development News INlofts

New developments take a small stab at affordable housing crisis

In October, the Grand Rapids’ City Commission took action to advance plans for three proposed affordable housing developments, which will create 151 units: Garfield Park Lofts, developed by LINC Up Nonprofit Housing Corporation; Plaza Roosevelt, a Habitat for Humanity of Kent County project; and Inner City Christian Federation’s Eastern Elementary School renovation.