Kalamazoo’s historic Stuart Neighborhood has a new plan for progress and preservation

As the City of Kalamazoo begins its historic conversion of downtown streets from one-way to two-way, the Stuart Historic Neighborhood has submitted its neighborhood plan to work closely with the city and for the neighborhood's own placemaking and wellbeing. As part of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025, Stuart is the eighth of the City's 22 neighborhoods to submit its plan, which will be reviewed by the Kalamazoo Planning Commission on May 4.

Lakeview Middle School student spells her way into National Spelling Bee

The odds of making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee are the same "as being struck twice by lightning in your lifetime," says Barb Galonsky, who runs the Lakeview Public Schools Spelling Club which has sent an impressive four students to the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2016. Jane Parikh looks into Lakeview's spelling success and interviews this year's national contender, eighth-grader Emily Demlow.

Shonte' Terhune-Smith is a doula health educator, lactation consultant, and birth doula practicing in Genesee County.
Michigan’s new Medicaid coverage for birth doulas brings benefits and new challenges

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been bolstering support for Michigan doulas through its Doula Initiative.

Carter Kits
Carter Kits help first responders take better care of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

​North Country Community Mental Health and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health provide Carter Kits to first responders. The kits contain sensory items that help distract children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from the stress of being involved in an emergency situation.

Carl Dunker works from his home office in Holland, Michigan.
Building relationships is at the heart of great design

Skot Welch, Julia Swenson and Carl Dunker are three designers who live and work in West Michigan. They share the ways they work to create a community where people belong.

Sara Crookston directs a toy photo shoot.
How life is better in West Michigan for those designing our world

Sarah Crookston, Mimi Ray and David Allan are all leaders in design. While they could work anywhere in the world, they discuss why they choose to live and work in West Michigan.

Sara Hendren, right, at the DAKC workshop with a participant. (DAKC)
How Sara Hendren inspires a ‘joyful approach’ to accessible design

Sara Hendren, the author of “What Can A Body Do? How We Meet the Built World” advocates for the “most creative, joyful approach to making the world accessible.”

Norman Peak explore the new inclusive playground at Milham Park. (Shandra Martinez)
Park playground transformation creates space for inclusive play

The playground at Milham Park has undergone a transformation that has created an inclusive environment for outdoor fun. It’s an example of a trend in making parks more accessible for people of all abilities. 

Grand Rapids Assistant Planning Director Jay Steffen describes these new benches in Grand Rapids' Creston neighborhood as a "direct result" of Michigan's Age-Friendly Action Plan.
Michigan Age-Friendly Action Plan aims to make it easier for adults to age in place

Michigan's Age-Friendly Action Plan has established a blueprint that's helping Michiganders ages 50 and older remain connected, feel respected, and live more independently within their communities.

St. Clair County Community Mental Health
Community mental health youth program promotes physical fitness and healthy eating

St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) Bfit program is geared towards helping children and teens build skills related to physical fitness and good nutrition.

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