Underwriting support from:
/GAAH
As a neighborhood news bureau, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities has had the opportunity to build a very special relationship with The Rapidian. Not only do our neighborhood residents have full access to this powerful platform, but as an organization, we have also been able to provide special programs that are specifically designed to encourage youth and other neighborhood residents to write and publish their work.
When GAAH first joined forces with The Rapidian, the opportunities and possibilities seemed endless: The Rapidian platform really allows users and citizens to make it their own. With that freedom, the GAAH News Bureau began with a focus on youth programming in order to help students with their reading and writing skills. Lorena Slager of the GR Creative Youth Center was interested in the program, (as their mission is “to empower Grand Rapids' youth with the creative skills imperative to becoming successful adults,”) and after joining forces, the GAAH Press Club was born.
Youth at the Cook Arts Center quickly became interested in a program that allowed them to publish their own writing online. They began taking field trips to various locations and reporting on the things they learned and experienced, and are still taking these trips each month. From performances at the Grand Rapid’s Ballet to visiting and interviewing Mayor George Heartwell, the students of the GAAH Press Club have had a world of opportunities open up to them. They’ve also learned to recognize that their opinions and experiences matter – not just to them, but to other citizens of Grand Rapids.
Over the last year and a half the GAAH News Bureau has grown considerably. More than 20 students are involved in the GAAH Press Club, and some neighborhood reporters have also joined the team. Other programs and projects are in the works, like the project with an 8th grade journalism class at GRPS’s SWCC.
These programs are just the tip of the iceberg, and GAAH looks forward to continuing as an official Neighborhood News Bureau of The Rapidian. Please join us in supporting this wonderful platform in order to continue these unique, life-changing programs that would not be possible without The Rapidian.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.