Stories

Longform Maribeth Leonard Healthy Communities

Countywide mental health millages have remarkable results

Monique BedfordTuesday, March 25, 2025
Jackson, Hillsdale, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties passed mental health millages and seen positive impacts such as expanded access to care to their residents, increased service capacity, improved crisis response, and more.
Feature Story Franciscan Life Process Center Art Director Kathleen Bechtel Arts and Culture

Designed in Michigan: Reawaken creativity at the Franciscan Life Process Center

Tommy AllenTuesday, March 25, 2025
For those looking to explore their creativity in a meaningful, hands-on way, the Franciscan Life Process Center’s 2025 workshops present an exciting opportunity.
Feature Story Hamilton Community Schools nurse Jen Yoder has been named Michigan’s School Nurse of the Year. Healthy Communities

Nurse honored for bridging health care gaps in schools

The LakeshoreMonday, March 24, 2025
Jen Yoder, named Michigan’s School Nurse of the Year, helps bridge health care gaps for students through Holland Hospital’s school nurse program.  
Feature Story The Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship starts with a $100,000 contribution to an endowment at West Michigan Construction Institute. Economic Development

Scholarship honors construction leader, expands career pathways for trades

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 24, 2025
Holland-based EV Construction’s $100,000 endowment at WMCI honors Tony Roussey’s legacy while addressing workforce shortages by funding scholarships for future skilled trades professionals.
Feature Story Lack of access to equipment, education, and platforms often limits entry into the traditional storytelling landscape. Arts and Culture

Youth film contest empowers stories on food justice

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 24, 2025
The Nourishing Narratives contest invites youth to create mobile films on food justice, supported by Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation.
Feature Story The Easter Egg Scramble, set for April 5 at Roosevelt Park Community Center in Muskegon, is just one of several egg-related activities in the April calendar for West Michigan. Arts and Culture

April things to do: A student art exhibition, Easter events, theater, and spring break activities

Melody WilsonMonday, March 24, 2025
It’s April, time for spring flings, spring breaks, Arbor Day, Earth Day, and several egg-stra special events this Easter. And don’t forget art, music, theater, and crafts.
Feature Story Shanika P. Carter Arts and Culture

Author channels passion for writing into new book and upcoming retreat

Shandra MartinezThursday, March 20, 2025
The Lakeshore contributor Shanika P. Carter celebrates storytelling with a new book and a writing retreat, inspiring others to bring their stories to life.
Feature Story Meena Ariagno Arts and Culture

‘Eavesdrop with Meena’ podcast explains reach

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 17, 2025
Saugatuck’s Meena Ariagno takes her second podcast season to iHeartMedia, featuring compelling conversations with local, national, and global voices.
Feature Story LifeWays staff Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community mental health delivers care to Michigan's schools

Brianna NargisoTuesday, March 11, 2025
Michigan's CMHs play a critical role in schools, providing counseling, crisis intervention, and case management to students who might otherwise slip through the cracks.  
Feature Story Small-Sanford Transportation

How Muskegon is getting the word out about 2025 infrastructure projects

Shandra MartinezTuesday, March 11, 2025
To minimize disruptions, Muskegon’s DPW is informing residents about road and utility projects before they start through public meetings, digital updates, and other outreach.
Feature Story Jon DeWys, CEO and co-owner of DeWys Metal Solutions, has been tackling the challenge of finding skilled workers head-on through a workforce development strategy focusing on education, training, and partnerships. Economic Development

DeWys, Marquis honored for leadership and community Impact

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 10, 2025
Jon DeWys earns the Visionary Award for workforce innovation, while Jack Marquis is given the Standing Ovation Award for his lasting contributions to West Michigan.
Feature Story The park, which sits along the North Bank Trail at the end of Central Avenue, now has a small dog park, tennis courts, and softball and baseball diamonds, but it is in dire need of an update, officials say. Community Development

Spring Lake Village leaders aim for accessibility all year long in Central Park renovation

Andrea GoodellMonday, March 10, 2025
The park would be the Spring Lake's first to be universally accessible and available year round.
Feature Story Tom Kunetz, a retired environmental engineer and chair of Allegan County’s water study work group is working to map groundwater in the county. Community Development

Allegan County maps water to secure future supply

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 10, 2025
Allegan County is earning praise for its forward-thinking approach to mapping groundwater, supporting sustainable water management amid increasing demand and potential future shortages.  
Partner Content Gala Banner Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Gala rocks and raises funds to advocate for autistic Michiganders

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, March 5, 2025
The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) Michigan Shines for Autism Gala, its largest fundraiser, will rock Detroit’s Motor City Casino Hotel on April 25, 2025 with “an electrifying evening blending a black-tie event with a rebellious twist.” 
Feature Story Small-Crip-Camp Equity

'Crip Camp’ screening in Muskegon highlights disability inclusion

Shandra MartinezWednesday, March 5, 2025
A free “Crip Camp” screening at the Frauenthal Center will spark conversations on disability rights, accessibility, and community inclusion in Muskegon.
Feature Story (From left) Peggy Helsel, development director at DAKC; Jenny Gauld, designer at Steelcase; Kamara Sudberry, global inclusive design leader at Steelcase; and Vicky Schmidt, a high-level paraplegic and longtime DAKC test pilot. Equity

Beyond compliance: Area nonprofit and corporation are redefining inclusive workplaces

Tommy AllenWednesday, March 5, 2025
For the Steelcase team, accessibility is far more than ramps and automatic doors. Through an innovative partnership with Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC), Steelcase is reimagining what it means to create truly inclusive workplaces.
Feature Story webinar-1 Equity

Empowering voices: Black disability history workshop returns

Shandra MartinezTuesday, March 4, 2025
Disability Network Southwest Michigan brought back a popular workshop on Black disability history, led by Frances Vicioso, highlighting intersectionality and civil rights contributions.
Feature Story Prowlers and St. Clair County CMH Second Wave - MichiganEquity

This is how to do mental health: Community outreach builds access

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, February 25, 2025
The staff of Michigan’s community mental health agencies aren’t sitting at their desks waiting for the phone to ring. They are out in their communities letting people know that mental health care is within reach. 
Feature Story Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2025 Allegan County Survey to shape funding, policies, and community programs for years ahead. Community Development

Allegan County survey seeks public input for future

Shandra MartinezTuesday, February 25, 2025
Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2025 Allegan County Survey to shape funding, policies, and community programs for years ahead.
Feature Story Community Action House staff have office hours at Herrick District Library to better serve the public. Community Development

How a library and a church are tackling housing insecurity

The LakeshoreTuesday, February 25, 2025
Community Action House celebrates six years of its Refresh program with First United Methodist Church of Holland and expands access through Herrick District Library.
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