Stories

Longform Rx Kids has provided for the Wright family stability during an unpredictable time.

More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings

Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional cash prescription program for pregnant people and infants, provides financial support to every eligible family within a geographic area, no income requirements, no strings attached. Families receive a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month during the baby’s first year of life.  

Feature Story A new grant program in Muskegon Heights is helping commercial property owners upgrade storefronts and revitalize the city’s core.

Facade grant program launches to boost Muskegon Heights downtown renewal

New grant supports storefront upgrades in Muskegon Heights’ core, encouraging private investment alongside public revitalization efforts.

Feature Story A couple stands in the dining area of a staged CLT home at 2080 Union, highlighting the space.

Dwelling Place expands affordable homeownership through Community Land Trust

Dwelling Place’s Community Land Trust program creates lasting affordable homeownership opportunities across West Michigan for working families and single-income households.

Feature Story Two former members of the Grand Rapids Black Sox.

Published Together: Whitecaps honor Black Sox, support youth with Delta Project Night

The West Michigan Whitecaps have teamed up with The Delta Project, a local nonprofit focused on empowering youth of color, for Black Sox Appreciation Night on Wednesday, July 9, at LMCU Ballpark.

Feature Story KCAD design students explore inclusive design by navigating kitchen activities from a wheelchair user's perspective.

KCAD students redesign kitchens to promote inclusive, user-informed housing solutions

Design students at KCAD partner with Disability Advocates of Kent County to create hands-on, accessible kitchen displays that challenge industry standards and expectations.

Feature Story Ashley Cramer received the 2025 Gentex Foundation’s Amanda Clark Scholarship.

Gentex scholarship helps Zeeland grad pursue STEM degree at Kettering

Ashley Cramer earns Gentex Foundation’s Amanda Clark Scholarship, receiving $20,000 to study computer science at Kettering University.

Feature Story The Healthy Housing Workgroup, part of CHIP, tackles basic home repairs such as plumbing, blight removal, insulation, and energy efficiency.

Allegan County organizations unite to make homes safer and healthier

Government and nonprofits team up to fix housing issues, improve health, and support families through repairs, training, and shared resources.

Feature Story Leah Broomfield

Deaf mentor's journey shows strength of inclusive hiring and support services

Leah Broomfield’s new role as a deaf mentor highlights how inclusive hiring and community collaboration open doors for deaf professionals.

Feature Story Families could see aviation technology in action with several flyovers during Aviation Day at West Michigan Regional Airport.

WMU grad returns home to lead West Michigan Regional Airport

Matthew Neyens brings Denver expertise and deep Michigan roots to WMRA, with a focus on expanding aviation access, driving economic growth, and strengthening community partnerships.

Feature Story Ryan Kilpatrick, lead consultant for Housing Next, leads a panel discussion.

Report: Ottawa County housing progress continues, but gaps remain for many

Leaders share updated housing data, highlighting strides made and ongoing efforts to expand access for households with low, moderate, and middle incomes.

Feature Story An attendee is wrapped in a Pride flag at at Allegan, Speak Up event.

Pride Fund expands LGBTQIA+ support across Allegan County communities

Seven organizations receive grants to improve LGBTQIA+ mental health, visibility, and belonging; highlights include Out On the Lakeshore’s new initiative.

Longform Cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.

Commmunity mental health partnerships with first responders a win-win for communities

Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are redefining crisis response through deep partnerships with EMS, law enforcement, and fire departments. These cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.  

Longform Shelley Roossien, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at KDL, leads children through a building exercise.

Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences

The Inclusive Literacy Alliance is a collaborative, county-wide effort to improve early reading outcomes for children with developmental differences. Parents, educators, service providers, and advocates are piloting solutions that make early literacy more accessible and effective for children who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or autistic.

Feature Story Lashae Simmons II

Muskegon leader sparks regional movement to empower Black entrepreneurs

Lashae Simmons II and Black Wall Street Muskegon lead a growing coalition that has been awarded state funding to strengthen West Michigan’s Black business ecosystem.

Longform A student and her parents following a dental checkup at the Cincinnati Health Department.

Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands

Serving 24,000 patients annually, the Cincinnati Health Department dental program brings year-round care to students and community patients through an innovative public-private partnership.

Feature Story Beyond Basics partners with Muskegon schools, providing one-on-one tutoring to close literacy gaps through a state-funded pilot program.

Tips to help kids beat the summer slide at home

Beyond Basics CEO shares simple, affordable strategies to keep kids learning all summer, such as reading together daily and turning errands into lessons.

Feature Story Communities throughout the Lakeshore are hosting Fourth of July events, many ending the day with fireworks, such as these from Grand Haven.

July things to do: Holidays, festivals, concerts and county fairs make this a month for celebration

Summer is in full swing, with Bike Time in Muskegon, LAUP Fiesta week in Holland, the Coast Guard Festival and beach volleyball in Grand Haven, and a car show in Zeeland.   

Feature Story "Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole

Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  

Feature Story All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by  Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.

Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

Feature Story Newaygo is among the communities receiving money for placemaking projects.

West Michigan communities awarded grants to help with placemaking projects

Projects in Holland, Saugatuck, and Muskegon are among seven West Michigan placemaking initiatives awarded funding to revitalize community spaces and downtown areas.