Stories

Longform More than 500 students, staff, teachers, and volunteers participated in a Mental Health Fair and Walk at Detroit’s University Prep Art & Design Middle High School in October. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan’s community mental health agencies work hard to prevent youth suicide

Monique BedfordTuesday, November 28, 2023
Michigan’s community mental health agencies (CMHs) and organizations across the state understand that asking questions and having conversations about mental health and suicide is a very significant step in prevention. 
Partner Content Dr. Colleen Allen, AAoM president and CEO cuts the ribbon. Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Autism Alliance of Michigan celebrates grand opening of new Grand Rapids location

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, November 28, 2023
On Thursday Nov. 16, the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) celebrated its new Grand Rapids-area office with a grand opening ribbon cutting and open house at its location within the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, about 10 miles south of Grand Rapids proper. 
Feature Story BigReadSmall Arts and Culture

Big Read goes on musical tour for preschoolers

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 28, 2023
The Holland Symphony Orchestra, the Herrick District Library, and the Big Read at Hope College partnered to create the first Mini Read tour for the program’s youngest readers. 
Feature Story Colleen-Hill-Small Community Development

Donor's $1.5M estate gift to support foundation’s work

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 28, 2023
The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area recently received an almost $1.5 million estate gift from a local donor to support the foundation’s work.
Feature Story Marcedes-SMALL Community Development

Holiday Giving Campaign gives struggling families a helping hand

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 28, 2023
Community Action of Allegan County is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of senior citizens, children, and families in crisis. The holidays are no exemption. 
Feature Story NextStepSMALL Community Development

Coastal Container pays forward tax credit to support program that helps the unhoused

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 28, 2023
Holland firm Coastal Container is using a portion of its New Markets Tax Credit to support Mel Trotter Ministries, a Grand Rapids organization dedicated to serving the unhoused.
Feature Story Rachel Sanchez, left, received the Chief Deputy of the Year Award from the Michigan Association of Register of Deeds. Karen Hahn, the Mecosta County Register of Deeds, right, presented the award. Community Development

Ottawa County official recognized by state organization for excellence

Andrea GoodellMonday, November 27, 2023
Chief Deputy Register of Deeds Rachel Sanchez exemplifies the role of public servant every day, County Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck says. Now her efforts are being recognized by the Michigan Association of Register of Deeds.
Feature Story Enjoy a beautiful evening strolling a luminary-lined path and the beautifully decorated nature center at Hemlock Park in West Olive. The free event, which also features, cider, cocoa, and cookies, is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Arts and Culture

December things to do: Parades and presents, movies and music, shopping and Santa

Melody WilsonMonday, November 27, 2023
West Michigan is in full holiday mode this December, with a singing Christmas tree, a festival of trees, a planetarium show, a fancy gala, holiday parades, glimpses of Christmases past, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Feature Story MRC Equity

Why a nonprofit is ending subminimum wages for workers with disabilities

Mark WedelMonday, November 27, 2023
Since its inception, MRC Industries, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Kalamazoo County, has paid its workers a subminimum wage. But no longer. MRC dropped its 14(c) certification in September.
Longform Yarrow Brown and a colleague Second Wave - MichiganBuilding Communities

Statewide housing plan works with stakeholders across region to address housing needs

Sarah SpohnTuesday, November 14, 2023
Block by Block spoke with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Housing North, and Communities First about how individual communities are working together to tackle the specific housing needs of their residents. For the first time ever, the state of Michigan released a statewide coordinated, comprehensive housing plan, working with stakeholders across the housing sector  
Longform Parents across the state are taking note and feeling excited about what Pre K For All means for their little ones. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Parents weigh in on PreK for All

Ashley KingTuesday, November 14, 2023
Parents across the state are taking note and feeling excited about what  Pre K for All means for their little ones. And they have shared feedback on the proposed program at listening sessions across the state.
Partner Content Sustainabilityoped Second Wave - Michigan

Michigan’s University Research Corridor: Leading the Way in Sustainable Innovation

Kimberly Andrews Espy, Santa J. Ono and Teresa K. WoodruffTuesday, November 14, 2023
Michigan students, researchers, and campuses are serious about the environment  and are working to discover ways to meet today’s economic and health needs and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
Feature Story Spring-Lake-SMALL Community Development

Spring Lake District Library’s $1.7M refresh is designed to ‘encourage sense of community’

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 14, 2023
For its 20th anniversary this year, the Spring Lake District Library is getting a refresh that will add more meeting rooms, a podcast studio, a teen space, children's makerspace and a sensory quiet room.  
Feature Story Two GRIT wheelchair users pose at a local park. Equity

All-terrain wheelchair loan program opens outdoors to more users

Paul R. KopenkoskeyTuesday, November 14, 2023
The GRIT wheelchair can go across all terrains standard wheelchairs can’t, and a West Michigan family who knows the constraints of conventional wheelchair use has created a program to allow the public borrow two of them.
Feature Story Housing Workx addresses both the housing and labor shortages through a program that provides hands-on training in the construction trades while building a house for low-income residents. Community Development

How Housing Worx offers a solution to shortages of construction labor, affordable housing

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 13, 2023
Community Action of Allegan County's Housing Workx teaches participants skilled trades in construction with hands-on training while building a house for low-income residents.
Feature Story Katie and Jeff Steele are building a living complex for kids who age out of the foster care system. Kids and Education

Couple building Muskegon residence to support youth who age out of foster care

Kelsey SandersMonday, November 13, 2023
A decade after starting the nonprofit Kids Belong to support families who have foster children, Katie and Jeff Steele are raising money for First Place, a Muskegon residential development where youth who age out of foster care can live independently.
Feature Story holiday-card Arts and Culture

Holland artist’s 23rd holiday card features an iconic setting

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 13, 2023
For 23  years, artist Carolyn Stich has created a Holland-themed holiday card, commissioned by the Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, to support an organization in need.  
Feature Story The Momentum Center is moving to the former Rendezvous Restaurant building. Healthy Communities

State grant, community donations support Momentum Center's $2M expansion

Shandra MartinezSunday, November 12, 2023
The Momentum Center has reached a significant milestone in its Building Momentum Campaign, raising more than $1.5 million for a new facility with help from a $700,000 MEDC grant.
Feature Story KRock-SMALL Diversity

Rock musicians with autism to be honored with Discover Ability Award

Shandra MartinezWednesday, November 8, 2023
Together, Keegan Russell and Keenan Miller keep the beat as the band K-Rock. The musicians were nominated by Autism Support of Kent County because “they show others what is possible when individuals are given a chance to shine.”
Longform Access to affordable child care plays a critical role in families finding secure employment. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Underfunding early child care has far-reaching impactsPreK for All a step in the right direction

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, November 7, 2023
The U.S economy loses an estimated $122 billion a year through lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue because of the challenge parents have in finding early child care.
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