homelessness
How working with people on the streets turned me into a drug policy reformer
by (tamivandenberg)
Submitted 04-21-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
In the year 2000, I landed my first "real job." I became a Case Manager at The Salvation Army Homeless Assistance Program. My job was to work with the people who were continuously coming back to the shelters for help, people who had been...
Mayor Heartwell answers citizen questions live on City Connection
by (GRTV)
Submitted 03-02-2015 under NONPROFITS
Every month on the first Monday, Mayor Heartwell is open to all questions sent in during his live on-air show "City Connection." This month, following a record cold February, Rapidian intern Maddie Forshee asked the mayor about provisions for...
Placemaking as hospitality: How can we invite everyone to the table?
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 02-24-2015 under PLACE-MATTERS
Placemaking was not a word I knew growing up. Even though we weren't using words like placemaking and city-building yet, I was aware of the effects of place pretty early in my life. My family moved several times while I was a child, so I was...
A home in Heartside: Guiding Light Mission offers food, shelter, way forward
by (Feeding America...)
Submitted 01-15-2015 under NONPROFITS
We met Napolean Frazier at Guiding Light Mission in Grand Rapids on January 13, the coldest on record. Frazier was one of the 135 men who had stayed at Guiding Light the night before. A 33-year-old unemployed computer systems engineer, he had moved...
Fight homelessness in West Michigan; donate to Well House
by (erictank)
Submitted 12-30-2014 under NEWS
Well House is in its final week of fundraising for the 19:1 campaign and donors are encouraged to give towards meeting a goal of $50,000. So far $28,476 has been raised, just over half the anticipated goal. Donations from individuals and...
Well House expands with purchase of two additional houses
by (erictank)
Submitted 11-11-2014 under NEWS
Well House has moved 50 people off the streets and into safe housing between January of 2013 and this October, with over 90 percent not returning to homelessness. Well House has just acquired two additional houses to add to the program....
Story Matters: Roger Dudley shares about his childhood
by (Elevating Voices)
Submitted 09-18-2014 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. The Elevating Voices project is collaborating with 12 local nonprofits through the summer and fall...
The Artists of Heartside Gallery and Studio-- Marqus Meadows
by (Heartside Galle...)
Submitted 06-05-2014 under NONPROFITS
The featured Heartside artist for June is Marqus Meadows. Here is a little about the artist in his own words: I was born in a little town called Hayti, Missouri, but I was raised in Flint, Michigan, which was a town I will never forget....
Almost homeless
by (Whitney Pavlica)
Submitted 04-30-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Last May, I found myself in a position I thought I’d never be in. My lease was about to be up at my then residence and I needed to find a new place, since the owner was putting consideration into selling the house. The plan had been to get an...
Degage Ministries to celebrate 10 years of Open Door Women's Center with fundraiser
by (Whitney Pavlica)
Submitted 03-11-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
On Thursday, March 13, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Degage Ministries will throw its “Open Door, Open Hearts” benefit for the Open Door Women's Center at the Celebration Cinema Wave Room (2121 Celebration Dr...