Taylor Scamehorn
Taylor Scamehorn

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change Read Article

Artist: Taylor Scamehorn

A river runs through her: Bonnie Jo Campbell reflects on "The Waters" and whirlwind book tour Read Article

Features

Load More Stories
Feature Story Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says 911 should not be the only number people call to help people with substance use and mental health issues. Safe Communities

Kalamazoo County Jail numbers are down; new programs likely to bring them lower

Al JonesThursday, March 28, 2024
“When we talk about the programs that we’re doing at the jail, what we want to do is change the mindset of not just people who come to jail, but the mindset of our community. We need people to understand that there are other services that can help people with mental health issues, substance use disorders.”
Feature Story BC Art Bash Arts and Culture

Battle Creek creatives offer advice and support to area students during Art Bash 2024

Jane ParikhThursday, March 28, 2024
“More of our students need to see the arts in nontraditional ways. We want children to see and be engaged and be empowered through the message that was being given out.”
Longform Housing Solutions Kalamazoo Housing Advocates Building Communities

Kalamazoo Housing Advocates helps people navigate barriers to housing using 'that corny love thing'

Mark WedelThursday, March 28, 2024
Kalamazoo Housing Advocates strives to provide one-on-one supportive services, where instead of just offices and forms, a person in crisis can call on someone to help navigate the steps toward a more stable environment. And love is built into the organization.
Feature Story Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Equity

What would Lucinda do? Southwest Michigan women channel their feminist forebears

Jane ParikhThursday, March 28, 2024
To commemorate Women's History Month, we asked some Southwest Michigan area women to offer their perspectives on what local women of note might have to say today about issues that cemented their place in history.
Feature Story Robin Wall Kimmerer Sustainability

Voices of Youth: State's largest high school Climate Symposium hosted by Calhoun County students

Trey SebringThursday, March 28, 2024
Calhoun County students are hosting Michigan's largest high school climate symposium. Representing seven school districts, these climate activists spent after-school hours organizing the event that features "Braiding Sweetgrass" author Robin Wall Kimmerer, among other climate standouts.
Longform Kristin Graham, principal of Macatawa Bay Middle School, confers with a student. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Successful suicide prevention protocol expands from Corewell hospitals to Western Michigan schools

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, March 28, 2024
The Blue Envelope program trains all school employees how to respond to a student expressing thoughts of suicide, and assigns interventions based on the student's risk level.
Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

PreK For All Roadmap takes a holistic approach to rolling out PreK For All

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaWednesday, March 27, 2024
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has released the PreK for All Roadmap plan with recommendations on how the state can achieve universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds in Michigan.
Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

La Hoja de Ruta de PreK Para Todos adopta un enfoque holístico para el despliegue de PreK Para Todos

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaWednesday, March 27, 2024
En enero de 2023, la gobernadora Gretchen Whitmer anunció su plan PreK para Todos, que proporcionaría acceso a la educación preescolar gratuita a todos los niños de cuatro años de Michigan para 2027. En febrero de 2024, el Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) publicó el plan de la Hoja de Ruta con recomendaciones
Longform John Fuse, Community Health Worker with the Berrien County Health Department, stands outside the department’s building in Benton Harbor. Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Community Health Workers: Michigan's public health messengers

Sarah SpohnTuesday, March 26, 2024
Community health workers perform essential roles in delivering physical and mental health care and increasing health care access for Michigan residents. 
Feature Story Amber Desgranges and Rachel Ruddock of the Michigan Primary Care Association. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

New initiative offers Michigan nursing students opportunity to build careers in underserved areas

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, March 25, 2024
The Michigan Primary Care Association is collaborating with nine of Michigan’s state universities to provide nursing students with opportunities to train in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.
Feature Story Small-Jae-Gerhart Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

How local healthcare systems leverage local farms for healthy food options

Kelsey SandersMonday, March 25, 2024
Medical institutions around Michigan are using their local resources to bring real food to their staff and patients.
Feature Story SmallStarbucks Equity

How a GR firm played a role in first fully accessible Starbucks store

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 25, 2024
The new D.C. store is serving as a model for all new and renovated Starbucks company-operated locations in the U.S. Grand Rapids-based Progressive Companies helped develop the framework used to create the inclusive design guidelines for the store.
Longform Family & Fatherhood Services Hub Healthy Communities

Battle Creek's Fatherhood & Family Services Hub supports fathers to nurture their children

Jane ParikhThursday, March 21, 2024
“I remember when my son was born. . .I’d often talk about it with my mom and friends and I’d tell him that I didn’t understand how someone could have a child and not be there for them. Every dad is their kid's superhero.”
Feature Story Potato Project Sustainability

The Potato Project: Building a stronger, more sustainable food-to-school system

Zinta AistarsThursday, March 21, 2024
Getting fresh fruits and vegetables on the plates of school children has had a few food system obstacles. Enter KVCC ValleyHub's partnership in an innovative 'Potato Project' to increase farm-to-school options. A win-win for farmers and families.
Feature Story Bearcat Advantage Kids and Education

Battle Creek Public School's Bearcat Advantage expands to include Michigan's private institutions

Jane ParikhThursday, March 21, 2024
“This really helps the child guide their education in a way they couldn’t before. They can choose the program that best suits what they’re looking for versus what they can afford."
Feature Story Hobbit Hole Gallery Arts and Culture

Hidden enchantment: The Hobbit Hole Gallery in downtown Kalamazoo

Casey GrootenThursday, March 21, 2024
The Hobbit Hole Gallery in the Kalamazoo Mall’s Devisser Alley transforms a quaint space into one man’s haven for artistic expression.    
Feature Story South Westnedge Construction Entrepreneurship

Small businesses in Kalamazoo navigate South Westnedge construction

Casey GrootenThursday, March 21, 2024
When it comes to supporting small businesses in Kalamazoo disrupted by street and water line repairs, it is up to residents to take the detours.
Longform Christine Sauvé. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

New state law will help ensure health care access for non-English-speaking Michiganders

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, March 21, 2024
Michigan's new Statewide Meaningful Language Access Coordination Act will require public services to be more accessible to non-English speakers. 
Longform Kelsey Lehman and Autumn Carson Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Podcast a "not-so-clinical approach to conversations surrounding all things mental health."

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, March 19, 2024
Podcast hosted by three friends covers a range of topics like finding a therapist, tips for loved ones, and misconceptions and stigmas surrounding medications. 
Feature Story Robert Sheehan, executive director of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Proposed licensure changes aim to ease Michigan's social worker shortage

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, March 18, 2024
Mental health and social work advocates are pushing for legislative change to shift Michigan's social worker licensing process from a test-based approach to a practice-driven alternative that has proven successful in other states.
Load More Stories

Battle Creek

Laundry Love: Finding community and dignity at a Battle Creek laundromat

St. Thomas' Laundry Love is focused on those who are “struggling to make ends meet,” says Deacon Trish Harris. “There are people who have asked me, ‘How do you know if I meet the qualifications?’ We have no qualifications. We want them to know that we see you as an important person and we’re coming to you with love." For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's Sarkozy Bakery: Old world baking in an ever-changing world

"We had a liter bottle of Hungarian wine. As we were finishing the bread, and finishing the wine, we said, 'Man, this (bread) is good! You know, we could sell this!' And that's why you shouldn't drink too much." Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

Recommended Content

Sponsored By
Regions
Focus Areas
Copyright © Issue Media Group. All rights reserved.