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Arts and Culture
Community Development
Diversity
Economic Development
Entrepreneurship
Equity
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Transportation
Places
Allegan
Allegan County
Allendale
Bradley
Burnips
Coopersville
Dorr
Douglas
Fennville
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Hamilton
Holland
Hopkins
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Muskegon County
Muskegon Heights
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Olive Township
Otsego
Ottawa County
Plainwell
Pullman
Saugatuck
Shelbyville
Spring Lake
Wayland
Zeeland
Series
The Lakeshore
Designed in Michigan
Disability Inclusion
Shore Stories
Statewide
Areas of Concern
Block by Block
Bridging the Talent Gap
COVID19
Cyber Security
Disability Inclusion
Early Education Matters
Forestry
Girl Scouts SE Michigan Team Up
Good Food
Greater Lakes
Inside our Outdoors
Invasive Species
MI Mental Health
Michigan Nightlight
Michigan's Agricultural Future
Michigan's State of Health Podcast
Nonprofit Journal Project
Preserving Michigan
State of Health
Stories of Change
Voices of Youth
Yours, Mine, & Ours - Public Health
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Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Photographer explores Muskegon’s drag community for zine, ArtPrize project
Shandra Martinez
Monday, July 15, 2024
Photographer Pat ApPaul’s latest project explores Muskegon’s drag community. He has a Kickstarter to fund a zine with this work and has received a grant to exhibit it in ArtPrize.
Feature Story
Community Development
City launches first Holland Ambassador Academy
The Lakeshore
Monday, July 15, 2024
Holland Ambassador Academy is a 10-week course for city residents to gain insight into the operations of various city departments.
Feature Story
Community Development
New programs enhance legal services for asylum seekers and immigrants in West Michigan
The Lakeshore
Monday, July 15, 2024
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates launches two communication programs to reduce wait times and enhance legal services for asylum seekers and immigrants in West Michigan.
Feature Story
Community Development
From campus to community — Gentex facilities director serves
Andrea Goodell
Monday, July 15, 2024
Gentex, itself, has deep community roots, and it encourages the same in its employees. Facilities Director Scott Heerema feels those community connections in his roles in public safety.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Take a free Dutch Dance lesson as part of Music Moves Us
The Lakeshore
Friday, July 12, 2024
As part of HSO Presents Music Moves Us, Tulip Time is offering a free Dutch Dance lesson on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 10-10:45 a.m.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Take a free Zumba class as part of Music Moves Us
The Lakeshore
Friday, July 12, 2024
As part of Music Moves Us, Evergreen Commons is opening up a Zumba Gold class to the public on Friday, Aug. 9, from 10:15-11:00 a.m.
Longform
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement
Estelle Slootmaker
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Since 2017, the Campus for Creative Aging has been offering a variety of innovative opportunities for older adults in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties – and helping younger residents understand and respect their older neighbors.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Kids can take a free Hawaiian dance lesson as part of Music Moves Us
The Lakeshore
Thursday, July 11, 2024
As part of Music Moves Us, the West Michigan Asian American Association is offering a free Polynesian dance lesson and story on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Holland Farmers Market. Community Action House will teach children how to build their own tropical fruit salad.
Feature Story
Kids and Education
Holland-area man swims across Lake Erie to raise money for swim lesson scholarships
The Lakeshore
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Dr. Bryan Huffman, a Holland-area ophthalmologist, swam across Lake Erie on June 28 as part of a years-long effort to raise scholarship funds for Holland Aquatic Center’s swimming instruction program.
Feature Story
Technology and Innovation
Tech Council marks decade of growth for West Michigan's tech sector
Shandra Martinez
Monday, July 8, 2024
A decade after its creation, the Tech Council boasts over 70 members and a vision to make Greater Grand Rapids a major tech hub in the Midwest. Gentex, Ottawa County’s biggest employer, is a part of the effort.
Longform
Healthy Communities
Connecting to mental health services is as simple as picking up a phone
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Monday, July 8, 2024
For Michiganders who are looking for answers on mental health care or are having a mental health crisis, help is only a phone call away.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Take a journey into regenerative design with Common Object
Laura Bergells
Monday, July 8, 2024
KCAD grads Justin Beitzel and Fernando Ramirez share their philosophy of regenerative design in their firm Common Object, which helps organizations take steps toward sustainability.
Feature Story
Community Development
Spring Lake historian surprised by trifecta of awards for his work to bring home Purple Hearts
Andrea Goodell
Monday, July 8, 2024
Chris Petras has worked for years to honor World War I veterans who did not receive their rightful Purple Hearts. Earlier this spring, Petras, himself, was honored for his work at a ceremony in Lansing in ways that surprised him.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Holland-based educator and artist Devin DuMond paints path for public art
Shandra Martinez
Monday, July 1, 2024
Devin DuMond's dual roles as an artist and KCAD educator underscore their commitment to nurturing talent while leaving a lasting impact on the community through public art.
Feature Story
Equity
How Hunt 2 Heal provides free, accessible opportunity to spend time outdoors
Shandra Martinez
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Carson Nyenhuis started Hunt 2 Heal to provide an accessible outdoor experience for others after being outdoors helped him recover from a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Feature Story
Equity
Muskegon adventure park showcases accessible recreation
Shandra Martinez
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Muskegon Luge and Adventure Sports Park, located in Muskegon State Park, offers accessible recreation activities such as zip lining, archery, luge, rock climbing, and more.
Longform
Second Wave - Michigan
Community Development
Repurposing community assets strengthens communities in Pontiac and Detroit
Monique Bedford
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Michigan communities are repurposing spaces to bring services, create meeting places, and meet the many needs of neighborhood residents.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Beloved Public restaurant comes home to Zeeland
Andrea Goodell
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Beloved restaurant Public, which closed its doors three years ago, is back in its old home on Zeeland's Main Avenue. Some things change, some things stay the same.
Feature Story
Equity
Pride Fund awards $15K to support Allegan County groups
Shandra Martinez
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
The Allegan County Community Foundation has completed its first annual Pride Fund grant cycle, distributing $15,000 to five local organizations.
Feature Story
Second Wave - Michigan
Kids and Education
How 10 Cents a Meal brings healthy food to more Michigan kids
Kelsey Sanders
Monday, June 24, 2024
The Michigan program supplements the food service programs’ budgets for fresh produce, encouraging a greater menu variety and healthier eating habits for kids statewide.
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Across Our Network
Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states
Source: Soapbox
Living on couches, in hotels, or in cars, many in Oakland County experience "hidden" homelessness
Source: Metromode
‘Strong neighborhoods build strong cities’: Fort Wayne's ground-up approach to community development
Source: Input Fort Wayne
Grand Rapids entrepreneur shines nationally through TV show, fellowship
Source: Rapid Growth
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