civic investors
SpeakEZ Lounge to host Night Out
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 05-02-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
We'd like 15% of your dinner. And SpeakEZ Lounge, the dedicated supporters of The Rapidian that they are, have agreed to give us just that on Thursday, May 8. From 6-10 p.m. that evening, 15% of all foods sales will be given right back to...
Local heroes to be honored at annual Hometown Heroes Celebration
by (RedCrossGGR)
Submitted 04-30-2014 under NEWS
The American Red Cross' official mission is to "prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors." But what most people don't realize is just how...
Build youth literacy: How investing in The Rapidian invests in your community
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 04-24-2014 under NONPROFITS
Ver este video en español | See this video in Spanish This video tells the story of how we build a youth literacy and build bridges thanks to investments in The Rapidian. In this video, young Rapidian reporter Edgar re-enacts his experience...
Invest in democracy
by (Marie Orttenburger)
Submitted 04-23-2014 under OPINION
If you've ever read The Rapidian, contributed to it or had your business or organization featured in it, you know the role it plays in the Grand Rapids community. You will have undoubtedly experienced the connection you feel with your neighbors...
Meet civic investor Rachel Lee: Investing in neighborhood vibrancy
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-23-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Rachel Lee, director of the East Hills Council of Neighbors, loved living in East Hills, even 15 years ago when she moved back from an internship in New York City, having fallen in love with the vibrancy of a busy city environment. But while there,...
Local restaurants, businesses help The Rapidian thank investors
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 04-22-2014 under NONPROFITS
This year, for The Rapidian's third annual spring fund drive, over 28 local restaurants and businesses have provided gift certificates to their establishments. These gift certificates, used to thank donors at the $25 level and up, provide a...
Meet civic investor Derek Coppess: Investing in community creation
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-22-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Derek Coppess wasn’t always interested in developing market rate apartments in downtown Grand Rapids. Before starting 616 Development and 616 Lofts, he had purchased over 200 duplexes as rental income and was living in Byron Center. “I...
Meet civic investor Steffanie Rosalez: Investing in the arts
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 04-21-2014 under VOICES
“If you don’t want to be a teacher, but you want to work with art and kids, you should look into after-school programming,” says Steffanie Rosalez, Cook Arts Center Program Director. After hearing this many times from family and...
Build a strong local food economy: How investing in The Rapidian invests in your community
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 04-19-2014 under NONPROFITS
This video tells the story of how we build a stronger local food economy and build community thanks to investments in The Rapidian. In this video, Rapidian reporter Amy Hinman and Fulton Street Farmers Market manager Melissa Harrington create...
Meet civic investor Eric Bouwens: Investing in the city's health
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-19-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Surrounded by 12 comfortable exam rooms, a procedure room for minor surgeries and a team of financial assistants to help patients navigate health funding and an on-site social worker, Dr. Eric Bouwens finds himself starting off Spectrum Health's...