Healthy Communities

An expanded Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center is expected to be completed in February 2023. (Safe Harbor CAC)

Safe Harbor expansion designed to improve service

Donations to the Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center’s new facility will be matched by a grant from the Allegan County Community Foundation. The goal is to raise $2.3 million. 

Latest in Healthy Communities
The film "Coming Up For Air" was filmed along the lakeshore.
Muskegon filmmaker’s movie about families and mental health to be shown

The public is invited to a free screening of the award-winning film “Coming Up for Air”  at the Holland Momentum Center on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 5:30 p.m. A town hall discussion with local mental health experts and the filmmaker will follow. 

Julie Sizemore, an ECLL instructor, nominated her student Island Hines to receive a quilt from Love Sews Ministry.
Quilt-making ministry gives student a warmer, safer commute

GRCC instructor teams up with Holland quilt-making ministry to help an inspiring student have a warmer, safer commute.

Robert Sheehan, executive director of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan
Here’s good news for Michiganders’ mental health: Community mental health delivers cutting-edge care

Michigan's community mental health agencies lead the nation in innovation, serve all 83 counties, and help Michiganders of all ages access the mental health supports they need.

Children share a holiday greeting in Sign Language during their photo with Signing Santa. (DHHS)
Signing Santa brings inclusive holiday cheer to kids with hearing loss

 For more than a decade, DHHS has hosted Signing Santa for children who are deaf and hard of hearing so they can more fully experience the holiday tradition.

Tom Sikkema is responsible for promoting Go MUVE’s tagging feature, which enables users to identify levels of accessibility within their community.
Transportation app redefines mobility for people with disabilities who don’t drive

The app comes on the heels of MUVE’s recent announcement of its partnership with the state of Michigan, with the launch of a new transportation ecosystem application redefining mobility for people of all abilities.

Jaden Anderson works at Kenzie's Be Café in Grand Haven. His favorite jobs are passing out coffee and cleaning tables. His favorite drink is hot chocolate with whipped cream. 
Kenzie’s BE Café provides work opportunities for people with disabilities

Kenzie's Be Café is a nonprofit coffee shop in Grand Haven that provides meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The city of Holland hosted an open house to display ideas gathered from public input for an ice rink at its downtown park, Window on the Waterfront.
Vision for a community ice-skating park inspires second $1M donation

The Jim Jurries family is donating $1 million toward a planned ice-skating park in Holland, inspired by a $1.16 million gift and the vision of retired teacher Frank Kraai. 

Rich Campbell
Personal life guide shares strategies for breaking through self-doubt

A Q&A with Rich Campbell, who uses experience in military intelligence in his work as a personal life guide to help people break through their self-doubt and reach their true goals.

An aerial view shows progress Monday on a Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build on the Vista Green project.
Three homes, one week: Habitat Blitz Build jumpstarts Vista Green project

Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity has increased its work more than 600% in recent years. The need for affordable housing is higher than ever, and to keep up with demand, the nonprofit has turned toward large-scale projects such as Vista Green where, this week, crews will create the framework for three homes in what is being called the Blitz Build.

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