Community
What I learned attending GRPD Citizen Police Academy 2013
by (Raheeq Al-Zaidan)
Submitted 12-18-2013 under VOICES
I’ve never willingly walked into a police station, certainly not one in a foreign country. I was nervous to be a Middle Eastern journalist meeting with American law enforcement officers. Citizen Police Academy sounded like a perfect...
We're all in this together
by (Neighborhood Ve...)
Submitted 12-17-2013 under PLACE-MATTERS
Written by Jessa Dutton We are in the midst of the holiday shopping season. An estimated $57.4 billion was spent in the United States during the Thanksgiving weekend. On average, shoppers spent nearly $407 each on gifts for others and themselves. An...
Downtown Ambassadors strive to improve quality of life
by (Marjorie Steele)
Submitted 11-27-2013 under NEWS
Most of us who live or work downtown have seen them: the Downtown Ambassadors. They’re easy to find on segway, bike or foot in their teal polos with white “info” logos on their shoulders. The question buzzing around town is: what...
Eastown Community Association Celebrates 40th Anniversary with New Branding and Website, Fund Drive
by (shannoncunningham)
Submitted 11-26-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
The Eastown Community Association has seen a lot of change and progress since its formation in 1973 and is now proud to announce that the organization has completed a rebranding process, complete with the launching of a new website. "The...
Community engagement: Empowering our citizens, encouraging local involvement
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 11-22-2013 under OPINION
“Describe yourself in three words.” After what felt like a million seconds had gone by, I managed to put together these three little words: driven, communal and passionate. It was with those three little words that I somehow got to where...
Don't be afraid to be different
by (GR Initiative f...)
Submitted 11-21-2013 under NONPROFITS
LeMarr Jackson is currently a co-leader at the Madison Square Church GRIL U site. He first became involved with GR Initiative for Leaders as a participant in the GRIL U program at Tall Turf in 2009. “In GRIL U, I learned a lot about...
'Holiday It Forward' provides unconventional method of giving
by (Angelyn Groenboom)
Submitted 11-17-2013 under NEWS
For the second consecutive year, community members are making the holiday season brighter by participating in an unusual method of giving based on the honor system. Community members are passing along envelopes stuffed with cash...
Story Matters: Antoine Foskey finds people who care in Grand Rapids
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 11-08-2013 under NONPROFITS
We build community when we share our stories - whether they be a memory, an experience or just simply telling what we think is great about this place. While at various ArtPrize venues throughout the event, The Rapidian's Story Matters...
Mario Alfaro: husband, father, leader
by (GR Initiative f...)
Submitted 10-21-2013 under NONPROFITS
GR Initiative for Leaders (GRIL) graduate, Mario Alfaro is the Youth Advocate with the Supporting Our Leaders (SOL) Program at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. The SOL program connects youth with resources available in West Michigan...
Schmohz Brewery engineers beer, fun, community
by (Marie Orttenburger)
Submitted 10-14-2013 under LOCAL LIFE
Michigan Tech University graduate and senior staff member at Schmohz Brewery Chas Thompson calls himself a Beer Engineer. "In our minds, beer is not art. Beer is engineering. You engineer beer," he says. "With our Michigan Tech...