Stories

Load More Stories
Feature Story For Les Tucker, playing Santa is about making people feel seen, heard, and loved in some small way, even for just a few minutes. Arts and Culture

Shore Story: My journey as Santa Claus and bringing holiday magic to life

Les TuckerMonday, December 2, 2024
Les Tucker shares his experience at an iconic Santa Claus school and his love for bringing Santa's joy to children each Christmas.  
Feature Story Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s Kelly Linton, an ADA specialist and systems advocate working with Wheel the World, takes measurements. Community Development

How Wheel the World is changing accessibility in Kalamazoo, one business at a time

Shandra MartinezSaturday, November 30, 2024
Kalamazoo businesses partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to improve accessibility, creating inclusive spaces that welcome everyone.
Feature Story Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity launched its home repair program in the city of Allegan. Community Development

Lakeshore Habitat home repair expands into Allegan

Andrea GoodellFriday, November 29, 2024
Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity launched its home repair program in the city of Allegan. The program, funded primarily by a grant from Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), will provide affordable home repair relief to low-income households in the city of Allegan.
Feature Story Small-Demi Arts and Culture

KCAD alum Demi McNeal: Crafting custom elegance through fashion

Shandra MartinezFriday, November 29, 2024
Up-and-coming designer and KCAD alum Demi McNeal debuts her custom evening wear brand, Dominique Alyse, with a successful fashion show in Michigan.  
Partner Content Rendering photo of the Boston Square community hub. Courtesy photo. Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Nonprofits and neighbors provide insight, pride, propel 49507 community development

Sarah SpohnMonday, November 25, 2024
IFF, a community development financial institution based in Illinois, has invested and shown a commitment to uplifting communities by providing financial support all over the state, including Grand Rapids neighborhoods. Part of IFF’s investment in Grand Rapids has been focused on the 49507 zip code, centered in a collection of neighborhoods southeast of downtown Grand Rapids. They're working with local nonprofits including Amplify GR and LINC UP and neighborhood residents to help propel development.
Feature Story small-karen Diversity

Advocate uses her experiences to help others with disabilities gain independence through work

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 25, 2024
Karen Wynne helps individuals with disabilities navigate the Ticket to Work program, empowering them to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
Longform A gathering for Michigan State University's Generations Connect program, which matches MSU undergraduate students with elders in the community, at the East Lansing Public Library. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan universities join global "age-friendly" movement, making campuses more welcoming to elders

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, November 21, 2024
As Michigan prepares for rapid growth in its population of older adults, three Michigan universities have joined a global movement to make higher education institutions more "age-friendly."
Feature Story MCC students Kaili Prins, left, and Marissa Aney-Johnson joke with Muskegon Community College mascot Jay the Jayhawk. The two students spoke during the event. Kids and Education

Addressing nursing shortage: Partnership creates pathway for nurses to earn degrees

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 18, 2024
A new partnership between GVSU, MCC and Trinity Health Muskegon is helping nurses earn bachelor’s degrees. The first cohort is getting their education for free thanks to state funding to address the nursing shortage.
Feature Story From vintage ornaments and trains to holiday Barbies and a forest of bottlebrush trees, the MMA Festival of Trees is sure to spark your joy. Arts and Culture

December things to do: Tours, shopping, ballet, parades and a lot of lights

Melody WilsonMonday, November 18, 2024
Buckle up. A majority of events this month include the word “holiday.” There are theater productions, exhibits, movies, crafts, music, a live nativity, Santa sightings, and more light displays than you can shake a stick at.
Feature Story Lakeshore Advantage hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 13 to unveil its new headquarters, alongside incubator spaces that are for lease to startups and entrepreneurs. Economic Development

Lakeshore Advantage unveils Next Center, a hub for startups and economic development

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 18, 2024
Lakeshore Advantage opens the Next Center, a cutting-edge hub in Holland aimed at fostering innovation, startups, and economic growth in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Feature Story In addition to sharper scans, the new MRI provides entertainment options for patients, allowing them to listen to audio through headphones during scans, helping them to relax and stay still. Healthy Communities

Cutting-edge MRI tech reduces wait times at Holland Hospital

Shandra MartinezSunday, November 17, 2024
Holland Hospital is among the first facilities in Michigan to use MRI technology that not only improves patient comfort and reduces scan times by a third but produces higher-quality imaging.
Feature Story Linda Pynnonen serves food at the Community Kitchen like she has for the past 30 years. Community Development

Decades of dedication: Couple honored with Governor’s Service Award

Shandra MartinezSunday, November 17, 2024
Ottawa County residents Wayne and Linda Pynnonen, 30-year volunteers at Community Action House, received the Governor’s Service Award for their dedication.
Longform Care Model Training recipients Dinora Quintanilla (far left) and Kim Poplaski (far right) with Care Model Training facilitator Vanessa Jimenez (center). Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

New training helps Kent County providers better connect residents in need to resources

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, November 14, 2024
Health Net of West Michigan's new Care Model Training provides frontline navigators with tools and tactics to better help residents access health care and social services.
Feature Story A delighted client receives her Meals on Wheels Western Michigan delivery. Healthy Communities

Giving the gift of time and healthy meals across Allegan and Kent counties

Kelsey SandersWednesday, November 13, 2024
Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, which delivers community and nutrition to seniors in Allegan and Kent counties year-round, is looking for volunteers.
Feature Story Small-old-reeds-lake Economic Development

Grant fuels West Michigan’s agricultural revival with impact study

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 12, 2024
A $125,000 grant will be used to create a strategy to boost Muskegon and four other counties’ agricultural growth, part of a long-term plan to strengthen the regional economy.
Feature Story Hannah Lombard is one of the students benefiting from the Early Middle College program. Kids and Education

Early Middle College program gives Allegan County students a head start on college success

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 11, 2024
The Allegan Area ESA Early Middle College program removes financial and logistical obstacles, enabling students to earn college credits tuition-free while still in high school.  
Feature Story FinLit will include a variety of digital tools to help young adults become more comfortable with their personal finances, including a quiz identifying a “Money Mindset” that provides insights about spending habits and relationships with money. Kids and Education

Students develop FinLit, GVSU’s $2M financial literacy program

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 11, 2024
A new $2 million financial literacy tool, FinLit, created by students, aims to empower GVSU students with essential money skills.
Feature Story “Light So Bright” is sold at the Holland Visitors Bureau, Carolyn Stich Studio, and Rivers Ace Hardware. Cards are $3 each or $18 for a package of 10. Arts and Culture

Holland artist unveils 24th annual holiday card featuring Big Red

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 11, 2024
Holland artist Carolyn Stich’s “Light So Bright” holiday card celebrates Big Red Lighthouse, with proceeds benefiting the Red Cross’s emergency relief efforts.  
Feature Story Joel Elsenbroek , apprenticeships project manager for West Michigan Works!, accepted the Certificate of Recognition from John Ladd, administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. Economic Development

West Michigan Works! honored by White House for expanding apprenticeships

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 11, 2024
West Michigan Works! received White House recognition for advancing apprenticeships, supporting 276 apprentices across diverse fields, and building a skilled workforce.
Feature Story The apprenticeship program connects child care providers with local training institutions to foster hands-on learning environments. Kids and Education

Apprenticeship program aims to ease West Michigan’s child care shortage

Shandra MartinezWednesday, November 6, 2024
West Michigan Works' apprenticeship program addresses the child care worker shortage by giving new staff hands-on experience, supporting workforce stability.
Load More Stories
Sponsored By
Regions
Focus Areas
Copyright © Issue Media Group. All rights reserved.